Rebirth: The Mass Effect. Book 1

"Your race needs to know its place, Captain Anderson. You are not ready to join the Council. Shepard, you're not even ready to join the ranks of the Spectres!"

Anderson took his breath away from such a statement!

"He has no right to say that! This decision is not in his jurisdiction!" Udina growled, clenching his hands into fists in rage.

Tevos raised her head, looking at Specter:

"The issue of accepting Shepard into the Spectres will not be decided at this meeting." In contrast to the ambassador's furious and angry statements, the adviser's deep voice sounded very gentle, with a slight reproach and a hint of displeasure.

"Then what issue is being resolved now?" Saren asked, waving his artificial hand questioningly. "Human are wasting your time, Counselor. And mine."

"There is another noteworthy fact." Anderson said, looking at me. "Visions of Commander Shepard. The lighthouse could have called them."

That's right... captain... I told him not to mention the visions!

"Do we consider dreams to be proof now?" Saren asked with a bit of surprise in his voice, looking at the puzzled advisers. "How can I defend myself against such ridiculous accusations?"

Sparatus shook his head and said:

"I agree. Our judgment should be based on facts and evidence, not on what someone imagined."

"Do you have anything else to say, Commander Shepard?" Valern asked me.

"I'm sorry, Counselor, but I didn't say anything." I replied calmly, then turned my gaze to Saren, examining him with interest. "I asked one question."

He's an interesting bastard. Smart, calculating, sophisticated. A dangerous enemy, that's for sure. But just how much of an ENEMY is he to me? It will be necessary to think about his behavior, gestures, fine motor skills and intonation when there is a free minute and it will be possible to find a quiet place. In any case, the Arterius is behaving strangely.

"In that case, what can you say, Commander Shepard?" Sparatus' growling voice pulled me away from an exciting staring game with a nervous Saren.

"It depends on what exactly interests YOU." I answered calmly, meeting the adviser's hard gaze.

"Tell me about the demise of the Spectre of Kraik."

"There's nothing to tell." I shrugged, watching him with half an eye. "Nihlus went ahead to investigate. We haven't seen each other since we landed, although we've been in touch three times. During one of the communication sessions, he said that he would go check the spaceport, where we were supposed to meet." The adviser listened very attentively, literally spelling out my words. "As we approached the spaceport, we saw a huge ship taking off from the planet. We found Nihlus at the spaceport. He was shot almost POINT BLANK. The wound is fatal. It's all."

"Where is his body?"

"When we left Normandy, it was in the INFIRMARY."

Sparatus took a deep breath.

"Do you have any more questions for me, Counselor?" I asked calmly.

"Tell us about the Lighthouse."

Well, I told him. And about the lighthouse, and about bombs, and about information overload, and about visions of disaster. You should have seen Saren's face at that moment! I specifically emphasized that I had never seen such landscapes and such reasonable ones. As an example, I described the proteanin in detail. The expression on Saren's face warmed my soul. Sparatus watched our exchange of glances very carefully and drew some conclusions. It's funny, while I was talking, Saren was silent, without making a single sarcastic remark or comment. But his eyes were very heavy.

Finally, this long muddle came to its logical end, and the Asari counselor said:

"The Council found no connection between Saren and the Geth's. Ambassador, your request to exclude Saren from the Spectres has been rejected."

Which is to be expected.

Saren bowed to the Council, saying arrogantly:

"I am glad that justice has been done."

After taking one last hard look at me, Saren switched off. He drew conclusions. The question is different. What did he see that he neglected the perfect opportunity to plunge Anderson and me into the swamp while I was talking about the visions. Why didn't you say anything? But he could have. I was giving you a reason on purpose.

The council dispersed, and Udina stood on the platform for a long time, clutching the strong railing in impotent anger. By and large, the Council had just publicly wiped its feet on him, and had every reason to do so, and Saren added from above personally and with special cynicism.

Chapter 6.3 The solution is to find Garrus.

I went over to Captain Anderson. Ashley was being venomous at the Council, and Alenko was gloomily making excuses for some reason. Ambassador Udina looked gloomily at the captain, shook his head.

"It was a mistake to invite you to this meeting, Captain." He said gloomily. "You have too much in common with Saren. The Council questions your motives."

To which I heard a beautiful canonical answer:

"I know Saren! He and the Geth have a common goal: to destroy the human race! Danger threatens every colony of ours! Every world we control is under threat. Even the Earth is in danger!"

I do not know, does the captain really think so, or is he just trying to set us up in the right way? I mean, me, Ashley, and Kayden. So you don't need to configure these two. Ashley already sincerely and fiercely hates Saren for being involved in the death of her squad. Alenko, like a weather vane, rotates after the official version of the Alliance, and now there was a command to hate.

"How do you know Saren?" I asked.

The captain clenched his hands into fists and unclenched them, and began to pace slowly in front of us.

"I once worked with him on an assignment. Then things went badly. Very bad. It's not worth talking about it now. But I know what he's really like. He must be stopped."

"What's the next step?"

"He's a Spectr," Ambassador Udina said reasonably. "This means that he is theoretically inviolable. He needs to be exposed somehow."

"What about Garrus?" Kayden asked suddenly. "That investigator from the C-Sec. We saw him arguing with the director."

Anderson and Udina exchanged glances.

"Exactly. He also asked for more time to investigate." Ashley added. "It looks like he's found something."

Ashley is a smart woman. For all her dislike of aliens, she got Garrus' hint right.

"He's worth talking to. Perhaps he can provide some clues." Udina nodded in agreement. "I have a friend at the C-Sec. He'll help us get to Garrus. His name is Harkin."

Anderson grimaced.

"Forget about him. Harkin was fired a month ago for being drunk at work. I wouldn't waste time on it."

For the first time, I was in solidarity with the captain. Harkin may be able to help, but...

"You won't have to." Udina muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't want the Council to use your story with Saren as an excuse to distrust us. Let Shepard handle it.

"I'll do it, sir," I replied clearly, looking at the captain with devotion.

Anderson nodded in agreement.

"This is the best option."

"I have urgent business, Captain. I'll meet you later in my office." And with these words, the ambassador went to the elevator. That's great. The first stage has been completed. Now it's time to beat Anderson up and go in search of Vakarian. Ideally, without Kayden and, especially, Ashley. The only thing I needed in the company was a militant xenophobe. I need Garrus, and I don't want to spoil the first conversation with some xenophobic prank that Sergeant Williams is good at.

"Commander, Harkin is probably drinking in Cora's Lair. This is a small bar with a dubious reputation in the lower part of the residential sectors."

"I'll go there immediately, sir." I informed him, and the captain nodded approvingly. "Captain, you were familiar with Saren. What happened then?"

The captain sighed heavily, but nevertheless replied:

"Twenty years ago, I carried out a mission in the Skillian Region. Saren and I had to find and destroy a known terrorist. Saren destroyed the target. But at the same time, many innocent people died. And they didn't mention it in the official records. But I've seen his methods. He has no conscience. There is no doubt. He could have killed thousands of civilians to end the war."

"Me, too." I said dryly.

Kayden's face fell, and Ashley blinked in surprise. Yes, yes, that's the kind of cute monster I am. What did you expect from Butcher Torfan?

"I know how the world works, Commander." the captain said with displeasure. "Sometimes we have to make unpleasant decisions. But only if there is no other way. Saren didn't even try to look for other options! It's ruined. He loves violence and murder! And he knows how to cover his tracks."

Even so? Let's see what I learn about Saren during our personal meeting. No matter what Anderson is telling me now, I'll only know the truth when I see the legendary Spectre live. He won't be able to lie to me or conceal anything, unless, of course, His Highness Sovereign Nazara intervenes in our sweet little feud, he won't be remembered by nightfall.

"Captain, it seemed to me that Ambassador Udina was not getting along well with the Council." I asked cautiously.

"He's just confused."

Is this Udina or something? Confused? Well, yes, that's the case.

"And what made him confused?"

"The Council insists that human's should be part of the galactic community." The man replied with displeasure. "But there is no help from him!"

I wonder what kind of assistance they want?

"And what do they want?" I voiced my question.

"They want us to expand and control unstable regions. Such as the Skillian Edge and the Attic Traverse. But when we face difficulties, they don't want to help us!"

That's how? I wonder what kind of difficulties are we talking about? Is he talking about the fact that the Alliance has spread across dozens of colonies, to which he has only two or three patrol ships? They don't help so well! There's nothing to breed colonies if you can't protect them from your neighbors! And apart from Batarian slavers, no one attacks impoverished villages. If you help, they'll sit on your neck and dangle your legs. They're already trying to sit down.

As far as I remember, when the Hierarchy arrived at the Citadel, they did not complain that they were missing something there. They went to war with the Krogan at the request of the Salarians, won it, and then for a long time refused to join the Citadel Space, believing that the forced use of the gene pool developed by the Salarians was a disgrace to their honor. But they used it anyway, because the alternative was the complete annihilation of the ENTIRE race. The choice was made, and General Mercury, who made it, resigned after the victory and disappeared without a trace.

"Is that the only reason?"

"Not quite. Everyone knows that it's only a matter of time before people join the Council. However, our ambassador believes that this should happen as soon as possible. And I agree with him."

"Maybe we could join the Council faster if we cooperated more with other races?" I asked cautiously.

"You bet! If we do everything they tell us, they will welcome us into the Council with open arms. The problem is that we're not too happy with it."

Yes, who would doubt that you are not satisfied with this. It's necessary to obey some kind of xenos. Yeah...

"I kind of understand them. They don't want us to dominate the Council. It is based on cooperation and alliances. But we must protect our interests."

So we are not satisfied with cooperation and alliances? Give US EVERYTHING AT ONCE? And just because we're so exceptional? Good logic.

"Is it that important? Joining the Council?" Ashley asked.

"The Council makes all the most important decisions in the Galaxy, and we must obey them. We don't have a strong navy or allies to go against the Council. By gaining a seat on the Council, we will have the opportunity to influence its decisions and protect our own interests. We won't have to dance to their tune to get our way!"

It's amazing not to get up! We don't have a fleet, we don't have friends, we don't have ANYTHING, but we will try to get the rights! And they're also unhappy if stronger races get punched in the face. Amazingly simple! Why would they do that all of a sudden?

Lovely! I love my native race.

"Take, for example, the current situation. If we were on the Council, we would have sent the Citadel flotilla to deal with Saren. And the problem would have been solved."

I wonder if the dear captain has ever wondered whose ships this flotilla consists of? He gave it away beautifully! We would have sent a flotilla. Is she yours? Do your people serve on her ships? No? Oh, yes, there are Turian ships, what a pity.

I stood there and didn't know what to say to the captain. No, I understand his logic, but I don't accept it. Perhaps because I was more than once a member of a race that was at war with this very humanity? People's opponents may be different, but people themselves don't change. From world to world, it's the same...

Are we that hopeless?

I hope I will meet an adequate human civilization again. Doubtful, but I would really like to. Captain, there's not much time. If you don't mind, I'll go find Officer Vakarian.

"Go ahead." Anderson nodded in agreement.

"Ashley, Alenko, rest until morning."

"You're not going alone, are you, Shepard?" Ashley asked suspiciously.

"Also, how will I go! And no arguments! You, Ashley, are xenophobic. No offense, but I won't take you to the Lower City with me until you get over your complexes. You, Alenko, are a military man to the core, and it shows. So..." I spread my hands.

"And you?"

Taking off my jacket, I gave it to a stunned Alenko, tousled my carefully coiffed hair, hid the gun, tore off the patch from the sleeve of my T-shirt, quickly turning into an ordinary civilian dressed in paramilitary clothing.

"Captain."

I easily ran down the stairs and went to the elevator. The recipient's military bearing slipped easily, exposing old habits of movement. There were three stunned stares at my back.

Chapter 7.1 Dr. Michelle's office.

Theoretically, I knew where to look for the irrepressible Turian. Really, first I should go to Cora's Lair and talk to Harkin, a former C-SEC who got kicked out for drinking. He'll tell me where Garrus is heading, but the feeling that I'm LATE has been boring into my brain since the Council, so I spit on the drunk and pulled over at the nearest taxi terminal, quickly scrolling through possible destinations.

There were some... Tens of thousands! There are hundreds of clinics... Which one is the one I need? All I remember is that the key character is Dr. Michel. Damn it! How do I find the RIGHT clinic?! Okay, stop! Why am I being stupid? This is a real world, not a linear game!