Rebirth: The Mass Effect. Book 1

I wasn't lying here: I really had such visions. Only three.

"Your words confirm some of our findings in remote, previously inaccessible areas."

"Do you believe me?" I asked, surprised.

"We've already dismissed your words once." Sparatus frowned. "You have provided evidence. We don't want to make the same mistake now. From this day on, you are the Spectr. We believe and trust the Spectr. I see no reason why we should make an exception in your case." The Turian's creepy smile was unexpectedly reassuring. "You have been so persistent in seeking justice. We were impressed."

"I will do my best to justify THAT trust."

Sparatus inclined his head in satisfaction.

"If you find out anything else about the Reapers, Saren, or the Citadel, please notify us immediately." Asari's sensual voice made me strongly associate it with the siren song. "If there is even the slightest risk of repeating the fate of the Protheans, he must be eliminated. We cannot ignore SUCH a threat!"

"As soon as there are real confirmations, I will notify you immediately."

"You can be free, Spectr."

Sparatus' voice was filled with irony and satisfaction from a successful hunt. Bowing briefly, I walked stiffly out of the Council Chamber. I'll be damned if I didn't hear a soft purring chuckle!

The Ambassador and Captain Anderson were waiting for me at the elevator, talking quietly about something. A little to one side stood a frowning Garrus and a confused Tali, who was once again weaving figures from her fingers. Don't you understand? Did my precious former boss say something wrong? They'd be better off if that wasn't the case. I wasn't going to give up the idea of getting a brilliant sniper, who, besides, if he hadn't broken the canon, was an excellent tactician and a loyal friend. The real Vakarian commanded respect in half with affection, and he had a pleasant aura, which is quite rare, especially for those who kill a lot. And Garrus Vakarian killed a lot and without the slightest hesitation. I can't say for sure, I can still see the aura too faintly, but according to the dark fleur swirling at the outer borders, this kind guy's body count has long exceeded a thousand. Charming creature! Downright goodness in the flesh!

Remembering Sparatus' aura, she shivered. Yes, he personally killed a long time ago, but here's the trail... There was a trace... yeah. He's not even going to dissolve in so many years! I wonder who he was before he became an advisor? Obviously, he wasn't shuffling papers.

When I came down the stairs, Garrus perked up, looking at me questioningly. I spread my fingers a little and waved them in the air: the "wait" gesture shown to me by a bored Nihlus. The young Turian nodded slowly and stayed where he was, a look of genuine surprise in his blue eyes.

Neither Udina nor Anderson noticed anything. Tali just squeezed her fingers tightly into the lock, looking from me to Vakarian. I noticed, but I didn't say anything. Smart girl.

"Congratulations, Spectr," Anderson looked up from his conversation with the ambassador.

"Thank you."

"We have a lot to do." Udina was boring, and for the first time I wanted to punch him in the teeth, but I restrained myself. "You will need a ship, crew, and equipment..."

Oh, yes! This is the sacramental moment of handing me the Normandy, a ship studded with wiretaps from nose to ass, which I don't need for nothing! I'd rather use my last money to buy some kind of trough. Or I'll ask the Council. On loan. Sparatus, in theory, should not refuse such a request — he is not the type. Wait, though! I have a mentor who automatically becomes my mentor from the moment of my appointment, because he nominated me. Nihlus probably has its own ship! It was written in big letters in his eyes that he wanted to get off *Normandy*. In capital letters. I also want. I don't think he's going to leave me in this poorhouse: he's too responsible. He's supposed to teach me. And he's already started, though in small ways, because he still speaks with difficulty.

Suddenly, it dawned on me that there were some oddities in Udina's monologue. Emerging from my gloomy thoughts, I quickly rewound the conversation in my memory and was frankly horrified. This brute is going to arrange the official transfer of the ship to the first human Spectr! Moreover, to arrange this action with pomp, feeling, arrangement and a bunch of journalists!

My objections were casually brushed aside, and the ambassador, pleased with himself, literally ordered me to report to the dock in two hours. On that cheerful note, both Udina and Anderson left, leaving me in a state close to comatose.

Holy shit!

Chapter 11: Spectrum Rights

Udina, who had managed to decide the fate of Normandy with the command of the Alliance Air Force, inflated the whole action from the ship's transmission, and with a pleased face he talked about a Great Moment for all Mankind, about the first Spectr and other pretentious nonsense that politicians love to hang on the ears of the population, and which they themselves do not believe for a moment. I had disconnected from what was happening half an hour ago, reacting only to direct treatment and getting off with dry official phrases, which did not please the ambassador too much, but was understood by Captain Anderson, who was given another ship by the command. In reality, no one was going to write him off, so soon he would leave the Citadel and continue to serve in the Fifth Fleet on a new cruiser. "Eye of the Storm".

Tali and Garrus watched all this with a degree of bewilderment, and the young Quarian was also very scared when they wanted to kick her out of this event, but then I kicked in. Since I am the acting Spectr and the main culprit of this filth, no one dared to go against my word. Udina pursed his lips in displeasure, but said nothing, correctly interpreting my gaze, while Anderson grinned knowingly. And now I was standing and watching the reaction of two aliens to the activities of our politicians and journalists. And the reaction was extremely curious.

Tali was interested in everything: Before the Pilgrimage, she had never left a Migrant Fleet, everything was new to her, and she had not yet attended such events. The girl was hovering by the wall next to the gloomy Vakarian, burning with curiosity. Garrus, on the other hand, wasn't thrilled with what was happening. Good girl, I understood correctly what the ambassador did. Unfortunately, it was impossible to interrupt Udine without a scandal: he broke up and definitely got a taste. I stood there, smiling and furious, acutely regretting that the gift of mentalism had not even begun to open yet.

And then, quite unexpectedly for everyone present, Councilor Sparatus arrived at the dock. Udina tried to draw him into this event, but one cold warning glance, and the ambassador was blown away, quickly curtailing the action.

Words cannot express how glad I was to see my new boss! Especially when he silenced the ambassador with one short, imperious gesture and said dryly:

"Ambassador Donnell Udina. Since you're done... I'm taking the official part from Spectr Imrir Shepard."

The hint to "Liberate the territory" was understood quite correctly, and the crowd of journalists and the military of the Alliance, led by Anderson and Udina, hurriedly left the berthing area. Garrus, who was about to jerk, was stopped by my gesture, which did not pass by the adviser's attention.

"An advisor?" I looked at Sparatus questioningly.

The powerful Turian tilted his head slightly to one side and said calmly:

"I want to see the body of the Nihlus Krayk Spectr."

Ouch... And I didn't tell him about Nihlus... yeah... It didn't work out well.

"I'll walk you through."

In response, a benevolent nod and a VERY cold gaze. The topic of Nihlus' death is quite painful for him. I don't want him to kill me out of the goodness of his heart when he finds out the truth...

We were greeted by silence and wary glances from the XO and a few people on the ship: due to the transfer of the ship, the crew would be reorganized, and now there were only the minimum number of people on board. The thought of who they were going to put on my ship made me feel sick. And so he's covered in bugs!

My appearance in the company of three aliens caused a lot of sidelong glances, at least no one was senile enough to blurt something out. Or was it Sparatus' gaze, full of kindness and understanding towards others, that had such a life-giving effect?

"Garrus, Tali, wait for me here." I pointed to an empty table in the recreation area.

The guy nodded understandingly and dragged the Quarian away with him. The girl completely fell out of reality, enthusiastically examining the ship.

"Advisor." I put my palm to the sensor, allowing the ship's VI to make an identification.

The indicator changed color, and the door opened, allowing us to enter a small airlock. At least Udina managed to hand over the appointment order, and I'm already listed as the captain of the ship. Otherwise, it would have been an unpleasant embarrassment if VI hadn't let me through.

"Quarantine?" Sparatus waited patiently for the disinfection procedure to finish.

"The standard protocol is when there is a seriously injured patient in the infirmary." I replied, following the movement of a barely noticeable blue line on the floor.

The dark gray-green eyes narrowed. A soft squeak and a door sliding into the wall prevented the Turian from asking a sacramental question. It took him a split second to glance around the small room and notice the colorful company entrenched around the far bunk.: For the fourth day now, Darg and Dylan had been dragging themselves to the infirmary to chat with the rapidly recovering Nihlus, combining this process with visiting Dr. Chakwas for daily checkups, which included me.

The energy boost squeezed out of me everything that was not needed to maintain my body's vital functions, which made me sleepy and sluggish, often responding at random and looking like a somnambulist. But Nihlus' recovery proceeded at a truly record pace: borrowed pure concentrated vital energy spurred already high natural regeneration and significantly increased the Turian's immunity. The wound that was supposed to bring him to his grave was healing VERY quickly. At this rate, the Spectr will be able to get back on its feet in a week.

I can't even imagine what it cost Sparatus to remain unperturbed: the mental plane was simply overwhelmed by the storm of emotions that, like a tsunami wave, rose in the adviser's soul at the sight of a living, albeit not particularly healthy Nihlus. Surprise, relief, joy, and intense anger ran through his nerves like boiling water. Oh, my... Somehow, I suddenly wanted to just run away. Judging by the way Nihlus froze, he had about the same thoughts.

The counselor slowly turned his head and looked at me with a sharp gaze. The anger dissipated, replaced by cynical irony and a slight echo of approval.

"You are very... It's interesting to make a report."

I shrugged my shoulders.

"The report stated that the Nihlus Spectr had received a fatal wound." I said phlegmatically. "Who knew that the Udina Ambassador would do such a thing... Hasty conclusions?"

Sparatus sauntered across the infirmary and stopped a couple of meters from Nihlus, glanced briefly at the instruments, and grunted.

"A fatal wound?"

"yes." I shifted my questioning gaze to Nihlus and nodded at the wall.

He understood me and instead of answering, he silently raised his hand, showing the working prism of the jammer.

"Six minutes." he croaked, barely audibly.

"There was a reason for making SUCH a report." I added.

One look at the prism, a slight wave of surprise, and a legitimate question:

"In the infirmary?"

"She's all over the ship!" Derg flared up, not recognizing the Turian standing next to me as a representative of the highest galactic authority. "Darling, there's some news. Your landing party is being transferred from the ship."

"How is it translated?" I was taken aback by this turn.

"Captain Anderson takes you to his ship."

"Who will stay on board?"

Dylan grimaced and replied:

"Alenko and Williams."

Holy shit! Ashley and Kayden. Biotic is a disabled and aggressive xenophobe! It's just amazing. There are no words.

Canon is canon, but I'm not going to give Darg and Dylan to Anderson. I wonder if Udina will scream a lot if I demand them on the ship, taking advantage of my new status? I'll get them anyway, even if I have to go directly to Hackett, the commander of the Fifth Fleet, to which my landing group is assigned. I don't think the admiral will refuse such a small request to the first Spectr.

It would have been better if Captain Anderson had given me my fighters voluntarily.

Sparatus, thank all the gods, did not comment on this in any way, but his eyes were VERY expressive!

"I'll figure it out. Stay in the infirmary for now." I rubbed the bridge of my nose tiredly. "When do you need to report to your new duty station?"

"Yes, it's about time." Derg spread his hands. "Captain Anderson gave Dr. Chakwas the time he needed to complete his examination."

"That's how?" I turned to the doctor, who was calmly watching the whole circus. "How long will the FULL examination take?"

"Three days." The doctor smiled. "Commander Shepard, since you are the captain of the Normandy as of today, I strongly recommend that you contact Admiral Hackett and send a request for refitting and refitting the ship. Normandy is not ready for long-term autonomous flights: supplies of medicines are extremely limited, there is a complete lack of equipment and medicines necessary for the treatment of the dextro-organism."

"Doctor." The adviser's low, vibrating voice was tinged with irony. "Make a list of everything you need."

"Excuse me?" Karin looked in surprise at the powerful Turian in black and blue civilian clothes of unusual cut.

The woman's gaze caught on a small, four centimeters in diameter, platinum badge, dimly gleaming against the background of matte black fabric just below the man's left collarbone. A simple five-pointed emblem... worn by only three sentients in Citadel Space. Chakwas's gray eyes widened in surprise: She realized who had come to the infirmary.

The counselor grinned, correctly interpreting the doctor's sincere surprise, and explained:

"The Special Corps is engaged in providing the Spectr ship." The heavy gaze shifted to the young Turian. "Nihlus, bring Imrir up to date."

"The building?" Kraik asked briefly, instantly realizing WHAT Sparatus had just said to him.

"Turian."

"Status?"

"Full." the adviser kindly replied.

Nihlus blinked in surprise, gave me a hard look, and replied: