Rebirth The Mass Effect is old. part 12

There was a whiff of determination and apprehension from the doors, with a hint of desperation.

I didn't even have to turn around to find out who it was.

"Come on in, Ashley." The young woman shuddered, but silently came over and sat on the sofa opposite.

"The Shepard Spectrum..."

"Yes?" I sat up straight, took off the headphones from my head where the beautiful vocals sang Moon light blu — my favorite song in that life, pretending to be attentive.

"Something happened?"

"I... I was wrong in my statements about the soldiers from the landing group." Ashley clenched her fists and met my gaze squarely. "They... worthy ones..."

"Reasonable. I prompted." How lovely... In this world, the rules of communication with mentalists are not even suspected! No one on Egros has ever looked someone like me in the eye. And here... It didn't even take an effort for me to slip into her mind.

There are no shields. Even natural ones! Excuse me, how is this even possible? The mind always protects itself! Although... No, here they are. Almost transparent, melted. It's a strange sight, to be honest. Perhaps this is the reason why the locals are so easily suggestible? Who knows?

"I'm glad you realized that."

"Will you drop me off at the Citadel?" Ashley asked bluntly.

"Is that what you want?" I raised an eyebrow lazily, slipping out of the fighter's mind.

"No!"

"Then why the question?"

Ashley was taken aback.

"But... I thought it was you... That I'm not right for you."

"Ashley, you're a great fighter. I have no complaints about your professional training. But until you can adequately perceive the alien members of the squad, I will not be able to take you on combat missions. You know that perfectly well."

"I... understand." brown eyes dropped guiltily, and the storm of emotions in the mental plane was simply amazing.

"Your worldview has been shaped by the pressure of the recent war and the general xenophobia of the Alliance's military forces. Biotics also suffered a lot because of their differences. People tend to be afraid of the incomprehensible and alien, and sooner or later we begin to hate what we are afraid of."

"I'm not afraid of aliens!" Ashley jumped up.

"You're afraid and you don't understand. You don't want to understand. You look at the exterior when you need to look into the soul. Evaluate the personality. Talk to Tali. She's a sweet girl and a great technician. Adams can't get enough of her. But Tali is very vulnerable and completely dependent on her spacesuit. But that doesn't stop her from trying to establish a relationship with the team, and she's just thrilled with Normandy!

Damn it! I didn't even need to make any special efforts to put an unobtrusive suggestion on an unprotected mind! The usual natural effects of mentalists or vampires, and that's it, say what you want and convince what you want! It's creepy!

"And... the Turians?"

It's generally easier for you to communicate with the Turians.

"They are natural fighters. Warriors from generations of warriors. Garrus is a great marksman and tactician. Nihlus... Nihlus is one of the most famous Spectr. He has a lot to learn and a lot to learn. Even Rex admits that, even though the Krogan have a lot more accounts with the Turians than humans do. And nothing, he communicates." But you couldn't. "I shook my head. It's at times like this that I feel ashamed of our race. Perhaps the Council is right: people are not ready to join the galactic society. Moreover, they are not ready to join the Council."

"But..."

"Think about it. Where should we go with such a worldview into a long-established system? Become outcasts because of your own arrogance and overestimated sense of importance? Who needs us like that? Would you let people like us into your own state?"

Ashley thought about it.

And the longer she thought about it, the more confused and... sour her face became.

"No. She wouldn't let me in." the woman confessed.

"You see. Try to look at those non-humans who are currently on board the Normandy in a different way. Don't look at the differences. Look for similarities. Believe me, we're not as different as you might think."

"What about Saren?"

"What about Saren?"

"He's a brutal killer!"

"Just like me." Ashley's astonished face warmed my dark soul. "Saren is absolutely ruthless and doesn't value life. Neither his own nor someone else's. He would just as easily kill anyone or die himself if necessary."

"He's a monster!"

"I'm not arguing. But you know... Saren is the perfect weapon. Except this weapon fell into the wrong hands. And we need to get him back... or destroy it."

"You sound like he's talking... deprived of freedom of choice. Will you have this choice if the command gives the order?"

"But it's possible somehow..."

"It depends on HOW they give you the order, Ashley." I sighed.

"Depends on how... Reapers are almost impossible to resist. At least... The Protheans couldn't. These creatures have an experience that we can't even imagine. Hundreds of thousands of years! What are we to them? Not even children... Just funny, barely intelligent animals. It is not difficult for them to deceive the animal and make it obey. But sometimes the animal CAN kill the trainer."

Ashley was stunned into silence. Apparently, she was trying to imagine Saren as an animal. I hope the proud Turian won't smash my head in for such a comparison later.

"Go get some rest. And think about it. If you decide to stay... I'll give you a chance. If not..." I spread my hands. "I'll help you transfer to another Alliance ship."

"I'll think. Thank you, Spectr." Ashley left, and I sprawled out on the couch again.

The Normandy raced through the repeater channel to the Citadel under the supervision of the night watch. Very soon, events will start racing. In the meantime... For now, you can enjoy the peace and quiet. I turned on my favorite music again. It's been a long time since I've heard her.