Jeff Moreau.
Extracting EDI turned out to be unexpectedly simple. Yes, the Normandy was sealed and a guard was posted. Но, apparently for some reasons of their own, no one forbade using the standard shuttle as transport. All that remained was to disconnect EDI's block and pull her off the ship. Plus, Liara helped by finding the right xenos for a distraction. And with the tickets too. As she explained:
"I am not the Shadow Broker right now, but I know where to find some necessary specialists who are not under Council control. Other personalities in the same positions."
It sounds doubtful, but I'm not a crime specialist. That's Shepard, Liara, or Wrex. It worked; that's the main thing. And Liara got them a ticket for the ship. I hope they manage to get away; it'll be much easier to disappear on Omega. EDI's avatar is mobile, but her main memory is on the server, and a fairly large one at that—the size of a weapon crate.
How much easier it would have been with Thane or Kasumi! But the former died of illness, and the latter stayed in the future. We had to improvise to give Tali a chance to reach her people and EDI a chance to survive. The opportunity to pull the server presented itself. Curious and greedy. The news about the Normandy spread through the Citadel like wildfire, and the number of people wanting to see the ship was just indecent. Plus, the ship was moved from the outer docks, so as not to interfere and occupy traffic, to the inner ones. More precisely, to a repair dock on the Asari wing of the Citadel. And all the curious people climbed in there. The number of those wanting to take a look, flying in on flying cars or sneaking into the repair zone, just goes beyond any bounds. Nothing stops the curious; C-Sec can barely be everywhere.
"Curiosity doesn't depend on race, huh?" I laughed when C-Sec pulled some idiot with a cloaking generator through the airlock.
"That's our ticket, Joker," Tali remarked.
Among other things, they tried to take, unscrew, or cut something off. Even a couple of Quarians, clearly on Pilgrimage, were involved in this. That was how the plan was developed. A group of hired Krogans, for a certain sum, crawled through an "accidentally" open airlock, swiped a crate of weapons, and ran for it. They were caught, the weapons were taken away, and they were fined. Well, as for the fact that the crate didn't contain rifles but something else, and it was laid out in an alleyway… well, who knew? I certainly knew, and the Normandy ground team did too. C-Sec didn't.
When they realize, it will be too late. Those guys gave us a good run for our money when we poked them with the manifest, according to which there should have been twelve Mattock rifles in the crate, but only one was inside. Well, the Krogans were silent, yeah. I laughed nervously when C-Sec finally backed off. I'll have to give the guys a rifle each as a gift; all the manifests in the ship's database were made by EDI anyway, and the weapons are slightly fewer than what's actually on board. Perhaps that's wrong. Но given the Council's rather sluggish reaction to the Reaper information and their unhealthy interest in technology, no one wanted to leave a crew member to a virtual death. So she was hidden as carefully as possible while Javik and Tali waited for transport.
Not that I wanted to part with her. Но if no one knows who EDI is, I've already managed to show myself to the locals as an ace pilot. And all the Council races offered me a job. And something tells me that if I try to refuse and fly away, I'll just be kidnapped, and I won't even be able to run. Vrolik's Syndrome, damn it. I'll have to choose. Но that also means EDI will have to stay with Tali; it's safer for her. Liara will be the first to leave us, and the next day EDI, Javik, and Tali will. Liara asked to meet her mother together.
"Benezia is interested in your presence. They do not know who EDI is and will expect her to go with you. She will be recruiting, Jeff, I'm warning you now."
Well, what about me. The Turians offered a role as an instructor at one of the bases. Vrolik's Syndrome, plus they're dextro-based and don't know me. I want to hear other offers. If my health were better, I could still run around, but not in my case. Maybe Liara can talk her mother into something good. Matriarch Benezia appeared accompanied by two commandos of her own species. Judging by the slight shock on Liara's face, who spent time calming down, she knows them. No wonder; Liara said her mother's security helped raise the girl as a collective. Psychological pressure, but our Asari has experience with such games too. By the time the Matriarch and her security approached, Liara had herself under control and greeted them.
"Matriarch Benezia, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Greetings," I agreed, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
I'm not used to talking to the big brass; that's usually John's job. And John isn't here anymore, yeah. The Matriarch nodded barely perceptibly; the commandos looked at each other. All three were shifting their gaze from Liara to me. Well, yeah, they haven't seen humans. This attention is a bit annoying, so the crew spends a lot of time on the ship. I wouldn't have stepped off it myself if it weren't for Liara's request.
"Doctor T'Soni, and you, I believe, are Jeff Moreau; it is a pleasure to meet you," the Matriarch greeted.
I don't like how those commandos are looking at me. What do they want?
"We are too, Matriarch," Liara agreed, "I am ready to depart whenever you say."
How they both keep their faces—I'm just in awe. The commandos are clearly looking at each other and staring at me. I'm amazing, I know. Но my heart belongs to EDI. Но whether it's Liara or her mother, they keep a perfect poker face and don't show that the situation is quite unusual or embarrassing. They look alike; you can see it immediately—mother and daughter. Benezia nodded and turned to me.
"There is no need to rush; my ship will wait for our return. And you, Jeff, what do you plan to do? Your skills found a resonance on Thessia. If you are removed from the cockpit of a starship, it will be a waste of talent. I am sure of it."
Hits close to home. Does she know about the Turians' offer? But the compliment is nice, and she's right. I smirked.
"Well, I know I'm good. Но I wasn't sure I was that good. Actually, I've been offered a job in the Hierarchy as an instructor. Just like the rest of the Norm crew."
Liara rolled her eyes, while Benezia smirked. she doesn't look young, but like a strong and confident woman well over forty, if she were human. Not old, but age is already speaking its word. Damn, Aria is a Matriarch too and looks gorgeous at her… how old is she? Hot Asari MILFs.
Benezia spoke:
"Then I can give you another offer, Joker. A combat pilot for our space fleet. Active, not an instructor. After qualification confirmation, but I have been assured that will not be a problem for you."
Damn, that's… actually much cooler than what the Turians are offering. And the young Asari are much cuter. Liara, when I glanced at her, just shrugged in a completely human way. Well, all right. Actually interesting; although the ship will clearly go to the Hierarchy, the Asari are holding and fixing it. And clearly scanning it. It seems that's exactly how the Council is dividing the ship. The Turians get the ship itself; the Asari will get the blueprints and schemes. Salarians, I don't know what. Information? We've already dismantled EDI. The records will stay there, but my girl took the technical data with her.
They didn't tell us that; one can only guess what kind of dividing up was going on. One good thing is that the crew was allowed to choose a side. I mean, Liara and Garrus will obviously return to their own, Tali too with what EDI loaded into her omni-tool. Javik was successfully forgotten while the technology was being divided, and he will go with Tali and EDI to the Quarians. Rather, Javik worked hard to pretend he wasn't here and wasn't important. Given his sitting in the cargo hold, it actually worked; he wasn't expected. Most of the rank-and-file crew split into equal groups between the Asari and Turians; no one went to the Salarians. I haven't decided yet, yeah. Maybe I'll decide now.
"Sounds interesting, especially since I haven't agreed yet."
Benezia wasn't finished yet.
"You should also remember that the Turians belong to dextro-amino acid species. And building logistics just for you is not very profitable for them. Likely, your crew will not eat very diversely, and any food familiar to you will be imported from Asari worlds. Or, Asari cuisine will be available to you, with conditions and dishes more familiar to you."
That's a low blow. Cook Gardner, until he got products with John's help, cooked terribly. And presumably, Turian military cooks don't have the necessary skills and it's not a fact they'll have the products. That will be painful. Liara smirked.
"Looks like you've been bought, Joker."
Well, yeah. Young Asari maidens, normal food. The chance to pilot a combat ship rather than being on the bench. In his time, the Illusive Man put me behind the controls of the second Normandy for that very reason.
"Yeah, I'm definitely in."
From then on, everything was quick and simple. Benezia was in no hurry and allowed me to pick up my things. There, Tali informed me that they were ready—if anything, Javik would cover her—and the Quarian herself had long since ceased to be that naive girl from that bar, what was its name? I don't remember. Doesn't matter. Leaving still felt like a betrayal of the team. Но, thinking about it, this really is a good option. I think Liara will cover for me.
***
The Batarian ambassador successfully hid his irritation. The Council, in the situation with the guests, threw everyone over except themselves. The information about where these newcomers came from was classified. The Council seems to have decided to keep the technology for themselves, just like the guests.
The Administrator and his advisors will be unhappy. There are so many C-Sec members hanging around the ship that getting anything more than photos is unrealistic. There have been attempts. They say someone managed to swipe part of the technology from the ship right under C-Sec's nose, and patrol numbers have doubled since then. But the High Administrator doesn't care about excuses. If the oligarchy's agents manage to get information that the ambassador himself doesn't find, he will cease to be an ambassador—and that's at best. Which means he has to act himself. The head of security and, concurrently, head of the contact network, was waiting right in the office. He will also be in the line of fire if anything happens, which he knows and works conscientiously. Looking at his subordinate with all four eyes, the ambassador said with exaggerated calmness:
"Tell me we have good news."
The subordinate blinked all his eyes in turn and nodded.
"We have good news. A Quarian from among the guests and an unknown xeno will board a ship to Omega. I'm waiting for confirmation, but I have the ship's name and route. They can be captured in Terminus."
Oh yes! A suit from the newcomers' team is excellent! Quarians are very resourceful, and even if she says nothing—which is unlikely—a lot can be extracted from her omni-tool. And an unknown xeno—he can be given to the ruler. A unique gift, exactly what's needed to confirm status. Excellent, excellent!
"How quickly can you organize an intercept? Do it."
That's his job, solving problems. Let him work—he isn't in this position for nothing. Meanwhile, options for how best to set this up are racing through my head. There will be no problems with the intercept. A ship in flight or on Omega—things often go missing there. Especially suits. Engineers are expensive and needed by everyone, including gangs. One more Quarian, one fewer Quarian—no one will notice. Or she returned to her own, and then who and what will prove? With a Quarian, there's no need to hold back; there are many suits, and we need information. The ambassador looked at the photo of the four-eyed xeno. Unlike a Batarian, this one's four eyes are located on a horizontally elongated head. Looks more like an insect. No one has slaves like that. And if he knows something, it will be even better.
"Take this one carefully. Never seen anything like it. The High Administrator will appreciate it. No need to spoil the gift."
The head of security nodded but said nothing more. It seems he had already given the order but didn't interrupt the boss—smart.
"The Salarians have contacted us, Ambassador," he said suddenly, looking at his omni-tool.
The Batarian looked at his subordinate with displeasure.
"And what do they want?"
Clearly, the Salarians means their STG or a Dalatrass. Not necessarily in person, but a message to the ambassador is definitely coordinated. The Council can threaten and express concern as much as they want. Но the fact is that everyone in Citadel space has their place and their enemies. Turians walk in formation and manage dreadnoughts. The economic system revolves around the Volus. Asari are diplomats. Quarians supply the space with qualified mechanics, voluntarily or not.
Far from every suit returns from "pilgrimage," and the Batarians put far less effort into this than is said. There are enough who get used to it and for whom it's just convenient to live that way. Aria on Omega likely works under the Asari Matriarch Council, if she isn't part of it. Everyone in their place. But the Batarians are evil, of course.
If Salarians contact you, those clever individuals either need a distraction or someone to disappear. For pay, of course. If the citizens of space knew how often their leaders pay so that some of their residents end up in the hospitable training centers for Hegemony slaves. Thinking about this, the ambassador switched on the message. Well, well—the Salarian Councilor personally. Who will he sell this time? Speaks very fast, but that's normal for Salarians:
"Ambassador, it is good that you received the message. According to my information, the Hierarchy is going to move additional forces to Relay 314. And according to my data, the logistical route will run through the outskirts of the Terminus Systems. I insist that these ships successfully reach their destination while the logistical chain is being established. You will have problems with the Council if otherwise."
And he disconnected. The ambassador almost laughed. This isn't the first such message. Which means the guests live behind 314, which will be guarded by Hierarchy forces. And obviously significant forces, since additional logistics will be required. It seems the Turians fear that someone will activate the relay to reach their neighbors. And the Salarians want to pull something off right under their noses. A distraction for a reward. Excellent. The ambassador and his head of security exchanged a knowing look.
"Forward it to the Hierarchy or participate, boss?"
An interesting question. Of course, the Turians will pay for information; they always pay. But…
"If the Salarians break a path to the newcomers or activate the relays, opportunities will arise. And opportunities are good. We can hire the Blood Pack; they don't mind looting Turian transports."
The core of the Blood Pack is Krogans, who actively dislike both Turians and Salarians. Everyone in their place.
"And devour everything they find there," the subordinate smirked.
Not that he's wrong. The Blood Pack, especially the Vorcha who belong to it, don't turn up their noses at almost anything if it's even theoretically edible. Of course, everything needs to be organized so that the trail doesn't lead to the Hegemony. Well, and prepare for the consequences, of course. We need time to participate.
"Handle the hiring. If the trail doesn't lead to us, everything is fine. But this is Terminus, and the Hierarchy is not welcome there."
"That will be easy," the head of security agreed, "Terminus doesn't like lawmen. That's for sure."