2012 - MASS EFFEC FIC

[xihe]

Old and disjointed. No idea what baby Mar was up to, tbh.

"This isn't your mission, Saren," Nihlus said slowly, lowering his gun. "What are you doing here?"

Nihlus had studied the planet on the long trip to it. Days on Eden Prime were long. Although this evening period had been meant to last several more hours, allowing Nihlus and the Normandy to be gone long before true night fell, they had not accounted in the wildfires. Thick, rolling curtains of smoke had long since engulfed the sky, and the only source of light came from the thankfully still distant fires.

When he had first seen the other turian, he had mistaken him for a geth. Only luck had saved his mentor from a shot to the back.

"Nihlus," his mentor greeted, turning to face him.

One of the few universals of Citadel life was others professed difficulty in reading turian bodylanguage. It was one of the few stereotypes that were true. The thick, inflexible plating that covered their bodies and faces were well-suited for radiation, but not so much for social subtelties. All turians found it, to a degree, difficult to read each other.

Nihlus was better than most at it: it was part of why the Council had accepted him as a Spectre. But if he was good at reading emotions, Saren was better at hiding them. The older turian always presented an unfaltering mask of disdain towards others. One could never find anything there that he hadn't chosen to have seen.

This time was no different. As he examined Saren, there was no more hint to his thoughts then there had ever been. However, there were some.. differences, from the last time he had seen his mentor.

Saren had never been attractive by turian term. His skin was too pale, his eyes were too monotoned, and his build, with his near-lack of a fringe and his feminine waist, was unusual at best. The paler turian had never cared. Still, this was going a bit far.

"I see you've made some.. upgrades," Nihlus added. Bionic improvements weren't unheard of, but showing them off so brazenly as Saren had was unusual, to say the least. Most people hid them, or at least attempted to make them interesting. Some of the things that asari had done with wires and tentacles were impressive, to say the least.

Saren had done neither. Tubes and wires were exposed freely throughout his body and face, interweaving his armour like vines on a tree. In places where the plating was exposed, Nihlus could see the painful looking scratches and splintered edges where the technology met flesh. It made his own skin ache just to look at.

Saren simply looked at him. There was an amused, derisive cant to his mandibles, but he did not grace the comment with a response. Saren had seldom explained himself to Nihlus when he had been serving as the younger turian's mentor. He didn't seem inclined to start now. "The Council thought you could use some.. help on this one," he said instead. His hand brushed lightly againsnt Nihlus's shoulder, and startled, Nihlus edged back. If he hadn't been amused before, Saren certainly was now as he pushed past his former apprentice.

"Perhaps that was wise," Nihlus admitted slowly. "The situation here is.. bad."

"Oh?" Saren had approached one of the railings and as now leaning againsnt it, peering off towards the distance. He looked almost serene, but Nihlus knew from experience how quickly that could change.

"I wasn't expecting geth here." A mandible quivered with distaste. "And --"

A soft buzzing along his lower jaw alerted him that a call had come through on his communicator. The human, of course. He had almost forgotten him.

Nihlus answered the call. "Yes, Commander?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Saren stir. He shifted, trying to catch his mentor's eye, and tapped the edge of his jaw: the universal sign for a call. If Saren noticed, there was no sign.

"The scientist - shit, Ashley, behind you -" Shepard inhaled sharply was breathless and clearly agitated as he gave his report;

"Yes. My mentor. He's with me now," and if Saren had stirred before, now he was fully watching. There was no sign of amusement now; instead, his mentor looked almost calculating as he watched him. Nihlus turned, hand brushing along his pistol as he peered down the hill. There was no sign of his humans yet, but.. "How far are you from the spaceport?"

"Half a klick, maybe? Four, five minutes, tops. Will call when we get there." There was a soft buzz as the call disconected.

"That was Shepard," he said, turning his attention back to Saren. "They have a squad coming up here. We're heading to the beacon--"

The deck was empty.

".. Saren?"

 

Shepard is not having a good day; first he ends up in the hospital (wing), and now this. He exhales slowly, and wonders if he "What do you mean," he asks flatly, "Nihlus isn't going to support us?"

"He doesn't believe Saren was involved," Anderson says.

"Fucking great."

Anderson pointedly ignores that. "I'm speaking with the ambassador to see if we can arrange a meeting with the Council. In the meanwhile, if you could speak with Nihlus.."

"Me?" It isn't just the pounding migraine that's looming threateningly over Shepard that makes him reluctant. He tries to figure out several ways to speak his mind, but between the headache and the look Anderson is giving him, he blurts out the first thing that comes to mind: "I'm not exactly a diplomat, sir, unless you count shooting people. But you can't shoot in a ship like this anyway, and--" He falters as Anderson's disapproving stare deepens. "I mean, that came out wrong--"

"Commander," Anderson says, and he shrinks onto the table.

"Yes. Sorry. Right."

"I reaise that you are not trained in diplomacy," Anderson says, and somehow he manages to make that sound both disparaging and fond. Shepard manages, through sheer force of will (and the fact that movement is beginning to make his head ache even worse, if possible), not to become one with the table. "But Nihlus has a certain respect for your abilities. Perhaps you will be able to convince him, having been on the field, whereas I could not."

"Maybe," he says doubtfully, climbing off of the table gingerly. He takes advantage of the fact that Chakwas's left to rummage through the infirmaries shelves. He knows there's medication hidden up here somewhere: with multiple biotics onboard, there *has* to be.

He halfheartedly listens to the directions that Anerson rattles off (six months on this ship, and he still hasn't seen much past the crew's quarters and mess hall), palms an aspirin and sets off, wondering if this day can get any fucking worse.

 

If Nihlus was surprised to see Shepard outside his quarters, he didn't show it.

"Commander," he said smoothly, leaning againsnt the doorframe. "It's good to see that you are awake."

"It was just a minor concussion," he demurred. "Nothing medi-gel can't fix, yeah?"

There was an awkward moment

 

 

"Okay, this.. is starting to creep me out," Shepard admitted quietly, blinking as they stepped out of the shop. They could still hear the volus chattering behind him on his communicator. The door shut behind them, cutting off the deep-pitched voice, and the commander relaxed. "Does everyone here know my name?"

"Well, you are kind of famous." Ashley rolled back her shoulders, grimacng as one popped. "Damn, I need a shoreleave."

Kaidan snorted. "I think we all do," he said, falling back in step with them as Shepard set off. The streets of the Citadel were longan winding, and the signs were of little use.

---

"You sure have to climb a lot of stairs to reach the council. Think that's supposed to be symbolic of their importance?"

"Nah. I bet all these staircases aren't just for show. They make for good defensive positions if this place is ever attacked."

"Maybe," he said, glancing at the staircases. "But it's a moot point. No one would ever attack the Council."

Ashley shrugged. "There wasn't always a Council, was there? Who knows what the Protheans built this place for.."

Shepard tuned them out as they walked on.

"Nihlus isn't exactly pleased with the investigation. Watch your back, Commander," Garrus called after them.

Udina and Anderson stood to the sides, by the railings, while Kaidan and Ashley stood behind Shepard. Nihlus stood apart from them all, half-draped across the railings as he watched the balcony where the council would preside. Shepard couldn't help staring. He'd never seen Nihlus outside of armour.. nor, for that matter, any turian at all, and it was disconcerting to see exactly how much the alien's build differed.

"Do you really think I would pull my recommendation solely because of this, Commander?" Nihlus sighed. "If it were anyone other than Saren, it would not be such an unreasonable accussation, Commander," he said, bored. "As is.. think of this as a learning experience."

"Why are you so sure it's not Saren?" If Separd hadn't been on Eden Prime, the turian's cool confidence would've been enough to sway him. Even now, he felt dout creeping in. He shook off the feeling. Even if he had mae a mistake - and the very thought rankled - Captain Anderson would not. "He was there," he insisted. "You saw him yourself. You heard the reports.."

".. of injured, traumatised humans." He tilted his head to look at Shepard now, mandibles twitching in what he'd come to recognise as a smile. "Humans who often can't tell turians apart in the Citadel, when there are no guns firing in their faces or armies invading. Commander," he said, "if it had been Saren, he wouldn't have been caught."

"But enough." Shepard followed Nihlus's gaze to the balcony, where he could hear the beginnings of movement. "The hearing is about to start."

Sure enough, moments later, the Council appeared. An asari, a salarian and a turian moved into their respective positions. If it hadn't been for the robes, Shepard would've scarcely believed they were the Council: they looked no different than any of the aliens he had passed on the street. And he had seen few asaris, but certainly the matriarch's were supposed to look.. older?

The salarian was the first to speak. "Let the hearing begin."

---

"... as we have said, Ambassador. The geth attack is a matter of some concern," the asari counciler admitted. "But there is nothing to indicate Saren was involved in any way."

"Eyewitnesses saw him walking amongst the geth, counciller. Multiple eyewitnesses."

"We've read the Eden Prime reports, Ambassador. The testimony of four traumatized dockworkers is hardly compelling proof, especially in light of Nihlus's testimony." The salarian counciller, this time.

"These accusations are absurd. Why does it not surprise me they've been put forth by Captain Anderson?" The turian snorted, eyeing the captain. "You always seem to be involved when humanity makes false charges againsnt me. And this," his gaze slid to Shepard, "must be your protege, Commander Shepard."

He smiled thinly. "The one who let the beacon get destroyed."

Shepard had heard stories of Saren growing up. Even on Earth, with it's xenophobic attitudes, there was a certain level of admiration towards the turian spectre. Everyone had heard the stories of his exploits, and the extranet was constantly abuzz with rumours of his coming and going. In an age of technology, Saren seemed to be something straight out of an old story, a hero (or, some complained, a villain) from older times.

He'd heard of Saren, of course, but he'd never really considered the turian was an actual person. There was something surreal about watching the holographic form of the spectre and realising this was the man who's exploits had painted his childhood. And the man who was responsible, if Anderson was right, in slaughtering hundreds of colonists.

Nihlus sighed, watching his mentor through half-lidded eyes. He'd straightened up when the hearing had started, but he sounded no more interested in the hearing than he had before. "We have discussed this, Saren," he said plainly. "The female guard was the one that activated the beacon and set off it's self-destruct sequence, not the commander."

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched

"I remember you reaching that conclusion, Nihlus," Saren said lightly. "I do not remember agreeing. He should've controlled the guard. That is, after all, a commander's job."

"But," he sighed, "what can you expect from a human?"

"The mission to Eden Prime was top secret," Shepard said. He stepped forward, the better to block Ashley from view; judging from her expression, she was around ten seconds from plunging over the rails and testing, first-hand, how hard it was to strangle a hologram. Or the counciller's. He doubted she was feeling very picky. "How do you even know about the beacon?"

Saren's voice was almost paternal in it's condescension when he spoke. "Nihlus chose to share his files with me, in light of this hearing." Shepard glanced at Nihlus. The younger spectre was leaning againsnt the thin railing, his head propped up by an elbow. He seemed quite relaxed, considering his friend was on trial, and Shepard's stomach twisted.

There was a sharp intake of breath from behind him; Ashley had followed his gaze. She hissed under her breath, low enough that Shepard almost missed it: "We're fucked, aren't we."

"I read the Eden Prime report," Saren continued. "I was.. unimpressed." Judging from his tone, that was an understatement.

Anderson frowned. "I wasn't aware we were sharing vital information with the accused, Councillers."

It was too much.

"I don't even know why we're having this trial," he burst out. Beside him, Udina flinched as if he had been struck, and he rushed on, "Look at him! He's covered in.. wires, and tubes, and who knows what else.. he even looks like the damned machines!"

"Biotic implants are hardly illegal," Saren purred. "Do you see, councillers?" He was openly mocking now. "Such immaturity, and they call this is their finest member?"

Saren held his gaze. Saren had made no more attempt to hide his eyes than he had the rest of his implants. They were blue, without the

Shepard broke eye contact first, flushing despite himself.

Saren laughed, sharp and bitter. He was openly mocking now. "Your species needs to learn it's place, Shepard. You're not ready to join the Council. You're not even ready to join the Spectres!"

"I disagree, Saren."

"You've always held such idealism towards the humans, Nihlus." He smiled thinly. It has compromised your judgement before."

Nihlus tensed. "Saren--"

Whatever he had been about to say, he was interrupted. Udina leaned forward, his hands clenching the bar. His fingers were white. "He has no right to say that," he protested. "That's.. it is not his decision!"

"I assure you, ambassador--"

The room was beginning to ring with voices; Saren's, lazy and mocking, Udina's, beginning to rise with agitation, they were all

The turian counciller rolled his eyes and raised his voice. "Enough," he growled, and the room went silent.

Impossibly, Saren still looked smug. "My apologies, counciller," the turian purred.

"Shepard's admission into the Spectres is not the purpose of this meeting," the asari counciller interrupted smoothly.

"This meeting has no purpose. The humans are wasting your time, Councilor. And mine."

"Saren is right." Nihlus's attention finally drifted from his. "The Alliance has made their case," he said lightly, "and the Council has seen their.. evidence." He smiled thinly. "I am sure we all have other things we need to do."

Shepard hadn't expected Nihlus to side with them. Still, his behaviour -- and the bored confidence with which he was delivering this bullshit -- still rankled.

A soft hand tugged his elbow. "Calm down, Shep," Ashley murmured, keeping her eyes on the councillers. "You're practically shaking."

Anderson frowned back at them, and Ashley quieted. "There is still one outstanding issue, Councillers." The captain's gaze was steady as he looked up at the councillers, a silent appeal. "Commander Shepard's vision."

Saren laughed. Unruffled, Anderson continued. "It may have been triggered by the beacon," he said steadily.

Saren sneered and stepped forward, looking over the crowd of humans with derision. "Are we allowing dreams into evidence now?" Another laugh, clipped and bitter, and he asked mockingly: "How can I defend my innocence againsnt this kind of testimony?I'm afraid I don't remember my own."

"I agree." The turian counciller shifted, adjusting his robes absently. The asari counciller sighed, her thin lips twisting into a disapproving frown. "Our judgement must be based on facts and evidence," he emphasised the word, "not wild imaginings and reckless speculation."

The salarian councilor was the only one that didn't seem tired of the hearing. His rheumy black eyes were impassive as he turned to face Shepard. He asked: "Do you have anything to add, Commander Shepard?"

With that, all eyes were fixed on him. Saren's mandibles were flaredn open amusement; he met Shepard's eyes evenly, and he'd be damned if the bastard wasn't already gloating. Nihlus was no better, although he at least had the courtesy to hide his 'smile.'

Udina's expression was passive, although there was a warning in his eyes as he watched Shepard. 'What', he wondered, 'does he think I'm going to say?'

Anderson would not look at hm. The older man kept his gaze fixed on the council, and the asari in particular, as if in a silent appeal. If he had expected help from his captain, he was out of luck.

"Commander," the asari prompted.

"No," he finally said. "I have nothing else to say."

He might've pleased the asari with that answer, or perhaps she was simply relieved the hearing was finally over. Either way, there was a ghost of a smile on her face as she spoke next. "Then Ambassador, your petition to have Saren disbarred from the Spectres is denied."

Udina's face blanched. He opened his mouth in protest, but the asari counciller lifted her voice in response. "The Council has found no evidence of any connection between him and the geth," she said firmly. "

---

"But only if there's no other way!" Anderson was damn near pacing. "Saren doesn't even look for another option. He's twisted. Broken. He likes the violence, the killing.. and," he paused, completely serious as he met Shepard's eyes. "He knows how to cover his tracks."

Shepard massaged his nose. He had trusted Anderson's judgement, allowed himself to be caught up in his and Udina's righteous fury. He had never considered the captain might have ulterior motives in having Saren's status stripped. "Captain," he said slowly. "Nihlus said that if Saren had done this, he wouldn't have left witnesses."

"Normally, he wouldn't," Anderson admitted. "There's a lot of things that don't make sense about this, Commander, but you don't get the same testimony from fifteen people if they're all false."

"Alright. I.. trust your judgement, Commander." It was stupid and naive, but it was still true. If Anderson had withheld information.. well, the captain had his reasons, and it wasn't Shepard's place to question them, no matter how sour the thought seemed to him.

"Thank you."

"You want me to investigate Saren," he said slowly. "But Nihlus still intends on nominating me for the Spectres. If he decides to accompany us, then what am I supposed to say?"

"You'll have to figure out that, Commander."