The Golden Rule

[SEG-CISR]

Chapter 5 starts! Russell's asleep and ina and Raine be not wanting to checkit, so you'll have to deal with a less-than-optimal snippet to ease you into it.

ôSo what is it you expect us to do? Ambassador, the Council cannot do everything. We have our limits, just as the Citadel Races themselves do. From what we can ascertain, the Hegemony has chosen to do this.ö Councilor Tavos' words came across as perfectly reasonable to all but the one to whom they were directed.

ôSend a ship, or ten!ö The Batarians' Ambassador to the Citadel, Raark, was frazzled, eyes unfocused as he shook with rage. ôI received no reports pertaining to this, and I am one of the most important pieces of the government; there is no way anything on this scale would've been done without informing me, if not asking for my permission! It is clear there has been a mutiny or an attack on the Batarian species!ö

ôThere is no evidence pointing to any of that, Ambassador,ö a third voice pointed out.

Standing behind Raark on the Council's chamber were a trio of Asari. One stepped forward, clad in bulky black armor, and pushed the Batarian aside to gain access to the stand.

ôSpectre Arirerua, what have you found?ö Tavos regarded the tall, purple-skinned Spectre respectfully, mindful of her abilities.

ôScouting the fringes of Batarian space turned up nothing- and I don't mean in terms of what I found. There was plentiful evidence that hundreds of ships had passed through every imaginable route to the five main Relays leading to the home systems, but there was no sign of combat in any trail I could find. No debris, no reports of crimes beyond the usual...ö The Asari trailed off, shrugging. ôThis doesn't point to anything but a recall of the fleets. There is currently no capable military vessel within monitored Citadel space.ö

The Turian Councilor's gruff voice rang out, harsh after years of commandeering military vessels. Captain Velarn, now his race's proud representative to the galaxy, raised the question on his peers' minds. ôBatarian space is Citadel space, Spectre. But you did specify, 'monitored'. What does that mean?ö

ôThe obvious, Councilor. Probes, extranet sources, and informants have all gone silent. Ships of every sort, Salarian to Hanar, have not returned any communications. It's as if nothing behind those five Relays ever existed.ö Arirerua shrugged her shoulders, black pauldrons heavily following the motions of her body.

ôAnd what might have caused that?ö Tavos crossed her arms, tilting her head upwards inquiringly.

ôThere are several theories I can name, but I'm sure Melcar and her C-Sec friend can give you something more substantive than that.ö Arirerua turned her head towards the other two Asari at the dais, standing past the pale Batarian Ambassador. Her blue eyes followed the lighter blue one as she strode up to the podium.

ôSpectre Melcar.ö Velarn nodded in recognition of the agent. ôFrom Spectre Arirerua's words, I take it you and Captain Afthea have something for us?ö

ôI am afraid, Councilors, it is nothing more than theories, as my peer's words are.ö The Asari bowed her head, sparing her colleague a look as she did so. Melcar was much shorter than her purple counterpart, and her armor was likewise smaller. She seemed quite puny in her light grey armor, but both the Council and Arirerua knew she was anything but.

ôBut we would like to know, either way.ö Tavos waved her on.

ôUsing C-Sec's extensive information network, I noticed something that may be connected to the sudden halt in communications from the Batarian home system. As you may know, the Imperium of Man established a colony in the Skyllian Verge's Veyrendth System twenty-two years ago. Soon, the colony grew into a worldwide farm that began to supply the Salarian system of Juren.ö

ôA farmworld,ö the Salarian councilor murmured to himself. Tavos spared him a look, before focusing on Melcar.

ôHowever, two weeks ago, shortly before the Batarians dropped out of the radar... the entire system went silent.ö

ôJuren has reported that their regular shipment did not come,ö the Salarian councilor spoke more loudly this time. The Spectre paused, nodding.

ôYes, sir. C-Sec records show a large number of smaller Imperium of Man vessels rushing back and forth from Juren to refill its stocks, rather than the customary Superfreighter. As it was, the worlds in Juren were in no shortage, but their stockpiles of agricultural produce have since returned to their regular levels.ö

Tavos was silent for a moment, waiting for her to speak further about it, before raising her question. ôAnd what does this have to do with the Batarian Hegemony's silence?ö

ôThere is a correlation in the timelines... two days after the farmworld went silent, so did Batarian space. I believe there is a link. The systems within that cluster had always been full of pirate gangs preying on small vessels, before the Imperium arrived, even if the Hegemony has always had a history of accepting piracy as a way of life.ö Raark scoffed behind her, causing the Spectre to turn.

ôPiracy? We are in complete control of our citizens, thank you very much.ö He glared down at the Asari, studiously ignoring the one head and shoulders taller than him standing right beside her.

ô... yes, the Hegemony accepts privateering as a way of life,ö Melcar tried.

ôSo, what is your point?ö Valern waved off the Ambassador's arguing of semantics.

ôWell, I believe tha-ö She was interrupted once more, this time by her partner in the investigation.

ôCouncilors, there is an Imperium of Man shuttle en route to the Citadel. There are no scheduled meetings between the Emperor and the Council on our records, so the navigators thought it would be best to contact you on this matter.ö

Velarn and Tavos shared a look, then with the Salarian Councilor. ôThere is no meeting scheduled meeting between ourselves and the Imperium. However, as a Citadel race, entering the Citadel as a Human is perfectly legal. Ask them of their business within the station.ö

Afthea relayed the information and orders, then was silent for a moment.

ôThey're... here to check out their new embassy?ö

There was no sound within the chambers for a few seconds, before Spectre Melcar whirled around to face Ambassador Raark with a disbelieving look on her face. Quickly, looks of horrified realization took over the faces of all those present.

ôAgents Melcar and Arirerua, take the Ambassador to the embassy, and stay there. Afthea, tell them to direct the Humans to the Tower,ö Velarn quickly gave out orders, before turning to his colleagues. ôCouncilor Tavos, I believe we must reschedule any appointments we have for today.ö

ôIndeed. Captain, go to the C-Sec headquarters with a company of your men to guide the Humans here, should they refuse to come on their own volition. We need to regain control of the situation before their response to this slight causes even more trouble.ö Tavos blinked tightly, before leaning forward and looking down at the small garden beneath the Council's dais, trying to relax her mind for the upcoming crisis.

Tell me what you think

 

[snthsnth]

but their stockpiles of agricultural produce have returned to their regular levels after this.

This reads a bit better:
'but their stockpiles of agricultural produce have since returned to their regular levels.'

an Imperium of Man shuttle en route for the Citadel.

an Imperium of Man shuttle en route to the Citadel.

Should they feel disinclined to come on their own.

This is a sentence fragment. Finish it, bind it to the previous sentence, or change it. 'They may feel disinclined to come on their own.' feels very haughty, like the canon Council.

---------------------------

I love the bit where the other shoe drops. I can almost hear their thoughts. 'The humans have an embassy? When did ... that ... ... oh, no.'

@Kelenas, a lot of little things change if you change Shep's history. Thanks for reminding me why she didn't show.

 

[kelenas]

Is it just me, or did the humans basically just tell everyone that they're gonna stomp the Batarians into the ground and take their stuff? At least, that's the way I'd interpret their declaration in context with the meeting.

@snthsnth: No problem. The main impact from Background is in three Sidequests; Colonists get to deal with the former slave, Earthborn have to deal with a member from one's former gang, and Spacers get to make a call to their mother about her former comrade. Aside from that, it's mostly dialogue.

- Kelenas

 

[SEG-CISR]

but their stockpiles of agricultural produce have returned to their regular levels after this.

This reads a bit better:
'but their stockpiles of agricultural produce have since returned to their regular levels.'

an Imperium of Man shuttle en route for the Citadel.

an Imperium of Man shuttle en route to the Citadel.

Should they feel disinclined to come on their own.

This is a sentence fragment. Finish it, bind it to the previous sentence, or change it. 'They may feel disinclined to come on their own.' feels very haughty, like the canon Council.

---------------------------

I love the bit where the other shoe drops. I can almost hear their thoughts. 'The humans have an embassy? When did ... that ... ... oh, no.'

@Kelenas, a lot of little things change if you change Shep's history. Thanks for reminding me why she didn't show.

Ah, thank you

 

[Halcyon7]

Did the Emperor just eat the entire Batarian Hegemony?

EDIT : If it's the Emperor himself on that shuttle, everything is pretty much over.

 

[snthsnth]

Humanity has either completely conquered the Bats, making them a subject race, or they've wiped them out. The former seems pretty unlikely to me.

I find two things interesting. Firstly, no debris. This means that the ships retreated, were captured without a fight, or were completely annihilated. Secondly, the Spectre Arirerua didn't enter Batarian space, merely noted that there's no communications leaving it. Why didn't she enter, she has the authority. Was she low on time?

@Kelenas

I don't think I've ever played a Spacer all the way through. I may have to try it some time.

 

[SEG-CISR]

I find two things interesting. Firstly, no debris. This means that the ships retreated, were captured without a fight, or were completely annihilated. Secondly, the Spectre Arirerua didn't enter Batarian space, merely noted that there's no communications leaving it. Why didn't she enter, she has the authority. Was she low on time?

Same reason why Shepard didn't go into Ilos as soon as possible; she checked back to the Citadel to ask about back-up, because she didn't want to go in alone and face what might be a hostile Batarian Hegemony.

Also, Halcyon, I'm sigging that. I laughed so hard.

 

[SEG-CISR]

Wait, nevermind. Don't ignore it. This is a quick and dirty snippet I wrote to celebrate 40k views on Spacebattles. Go over there and party.

Two dozen soldiers stood at the Citadel docks, keeping the nearby star's rays from reaching the cowering C-Sec officer beside the elevator.

ôSummon the elevator.ö The terrified Turian acquiesced in a moment, pressing the button on its side. As he did so, the leader of the crowd turned to his subordinates. ôYou know who your targets are.ö

Twenty Space Marines, whose armor glowed a bright yellow in Widow's sunshine, raised their weapons in assent. Their leader, whom they all far outstripped in height, turned back to the elevator as a chime rang through the landing bay.

ôCome.ö

Barely half of them managed to fit, going down in a moment. The shorter human stayed behind with his men. ôWhen they arrive, I want you to bring the elevator right back. Do you understand?ö

A silent nod was his response, and as the guard got to work on his Omni-tool, a crackling sounded from the man's ear. He tilted his head, waiting for the communication.

ôTHERE'S A FUCKING ARMY WAITING FOR US DOWN THERE, SIR.ö His Marine's gruff voice was loud enough that the Turian looked up at him, only to flinch and get back to work upon seeing his expression.

ôDon't do any stupid shit while I get down there; remember the orders.ö

It was scarcely a minute later when the elevator, and another message came from the Astartes in the C-Sec headquarters. ôTHESE ASSHOLES KEEP ASKING TO SPEAK TO OUR LEADER. IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT THEY WANT TO WAIT FOR YOU, SIR.ö

ôWell, tell them to wait the fuck up; we'll be there in a few seconds.ö

ôTHEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT.ö The sound of a Bolter being readied for combat sounded through the connection.

ôAre they firing?ö

ôNOT YET.ö

ôSo don't.ö

ôONE OF THOSE FOUR-EYED FUCKS IS WITH THEM!ö A guttural growl came along with the message, alongside echoes from other Marines.

His eyes narrowed, and he bared his teeth. ô... you know your targets.ö

ôKILL THESE FUCKING XENOS.ö From both the man's ear and far below, the sounds of gunfire and the Astartes' painfully-loud shouts rang through the elevator after that statement, and he shut off the communicator. As they reached the C-Sec Academy, the sound had crescendoed once more.

By the time the thick doors leading outside opened, there was no noise besides the groaning of incapacitated C-Sec and the occasional gunshot as a Marine walked around the floor with a Bolter in hand. The group filed out of the elevator to the sound of another explosion, followed by the splashing of body fluids. Unarmored beings didn't stand a bolter's shell too well.

An Astartes reattached his weapon to the back of his armor, before leaning down and grabbing a small, blue woman by the wrists. He pulled her up to the man's height, the Asari's head lolling about as he shook her.

ôTHIS IS THE XENOS' LEADER.ö He shook her, although he himself seemed to shake as he kept himself from crushing her in his hands. Ignoring the Space Marine and officer in front of him, he continued to assess the situation.

The Astartes' frightening skill had always been something awe-inspiring to him, but this display of power did nothing to warm up his heart. John Fuklaw's hard eyes roved over a company of aliens knocked out mingled with the occasional mauled corpse of a Batarian. He nodded, before peering back at the blue woman, whose lip was split. He grabbed her chin, lifting her inert head and looking closely at the blood dribbling from her mouth.

He suddenly snarled, releasing her and quickly backhanding her in the same motion. An expression of confused pain flitted across her face, before the Asari's eyes opened blearily.

She stared at John uncomprehendingly for a moment, before finding herself. ôHu... man?ö

ôThat's right, Xeno. You had something to say to me?ö

ôYou're...ö she shook her head slowly, before continuing. ôThe leader of this group? You've assaulted a C-sec company in the heart of the Citadel, unprovoked, having entered the Citadel with clearly hostile intentions. What do you have to say for yourself?ö

John blinked once, then growled. ôUnprovoked, alien? Ask the millions dead because of them. And you want me to explain myself? Who the hell are you?ö

ôCaptain Afthea, commander of all C-Sec forces within the Citadel. As the subject of a Citadel race, you are required to obey us, Human. Stand down.ö

ôStand down? Have you not seen what the Imperium's protectors have done to your pathetic soldiers? I'd like to see you try. We have been ordered to not kill, but there are limits, Xeno. Tell this to the Council: We are not after you, just the four-eyed fucks.ö

He nodded up at the Space Marine, and the Asari was unceremoniously dropped on the floor. She scrambled to stand, but didn't act against the Humans as they walked up towards the elevator to the Presidium.

ôThis is going to cause such a shitstorm,ö she groaned, rubbing a palm over her cheek before ringing up the Spectres that were headed for the Embassy. ôAgents, the humans took my people out... they're killing Batarians, and only Batarians... so I think you should get the Ambassador away from there.ö

She paused as she listened to the Spectres' response. ô... wait, what? What do you mean, he's gone?ö

Tell me what you think, except for "It's too short." I whipped it out in two hours without any real burn to write for this special occasion, so of course there isn't much. But it's apparently not THAT bad.

 

[Halcyon7]

I'm just saying. The entire Batarian space gone silent? In that short of a time, with no fanfare? The only thing that could do that would be Warp fuckery, and the Emperor's the only one who can muster that kind of working.

Delicious Warp num-nums. The Emperor demands it.

 

[snthsnth]

Actually, to silence an area of space in MEverse you've only got to kill the comm buoys. Given that the Bats are going extinct, it wouldn't be unrealistic to assume that everything in Bat space has been destroyed, and killing the buoys that are at the Mass Relays would cut off the comms before a message could be sent out.

Warp problems would be more useful if the Bats were dependent on the Warp, like the canon Imperium.

In other news, the Imperium has found a way to make their bolters semi safe, with a new LTL round.

I assume that the disappearing act was done by the Bat ambassador, whose hiding act will cause a great deal of trouble. I have a feeling that his death will be public, and televised.

Same reason why Shepard didn't go into Ilos as soon as possible; she checked back to the Citadel to ask about back-up, because she didn't want to go in alone and face what might be a hostile Batarian Hegemony.

Strange comm silence from an old... ally and entering uncharted, definitely hostile territory are quite different things, and she could have called the Council to ask what's up or entered their space briefly, observed the destruction of the buoys (or their general absence) and retreated. That said, I get what you're saying, and it makes her seem more generally cautious than Sheppard was.

 

[Darth nylon545]

I have to say why do people care so much about how the citadel races feel. To hell with them, they should be grateful that when Imperium Terra appeared that the GEOM woke up and thus was able to prevent Humanity from launching genocidal crusades against them. We all know that Imperium tech is superior, at least in weapons, to anything the arrogant citadel races can bring to the fore. The Imperium's tech aesthetic looks like its from the middle ages but what really matters when it comes to technology is its function not looks and in function Imperium of man tech shi#s all over them ex: Titans, Nova Cannon, Warp Drive, Bolter, Las Weapons, Plasma Weapons, Cloning etc.

The Imperium of man Wants to expand, it is their right just as it is the right of the Citadle races to expand as well. The Citadel races can't keep up, well to bad for them, tough luck but thats life and the universe doesn't care. If I was the IOM's position of when the Batarians attacked I would have first gone to the Citadel with the evidence of the Batarians wrong doing and in front of the council make a declaration of war against the Batarians after showing the evidence, and as I am making that declaration I would have my warships launch a limited invasion of Batarian space.

I would like to know how would the posters here handle the situation of retaliating against the Batarians if they were in the GEOMS place?

 

[snthsnth]

Assuming I had the same forces as the (TGR)IoM I'd wipe them out. No limits. I might raid the worlds before destroying them, and take large deposits of Eezo and metals. But no limits, balls to the wall slaughter.

But I wouldn't want to make the other races hostile, there's really no benefit to doing so. What does the IoM gain from defeating the Asari? Planets? Tech? The IoM is so much better than the MEverse that they don't need to fight them. They had over 500 systems and 800 planets before reaching the 'main' relay network. The Citadel races have nothing to offer except friendship.

On the other side, the Imperium wants customers to buy their surplus food and to explore the galaxy. Not to rule everything. The Emperor HIMSELF wants to JOIN the galactic community, not conquer it.

And how the hell are the other races supposed to know what the Imperium is capable of? They've given off the impression that they're a low-tech, traditional species that likes to farm. Some individuals are impressive, but they're really not that great otherwise. We know the truth of the matter, because we're seeing most of this from the Imperium's point of view.

 

[Darth nylon545]

Assuming I had the same forces as the (TGR)IoM I'd wipe them out. No limits. I might raid the worlds before destroying them, and take large deposits of Eezo and metals. But no limits, balls to the wall slaughter.

But I wouldn't want to make the other races hostile, there's really no benefit to doing so. What does the IoM gain from defeating the Asari? Planets? Tech? The IoM is so much better than the MEverse that they don't need to fight them. They had over 500 systems and 800 planets before reaching the 'main' relay network. The Citadel races have nothing to offer except friendship.

On the other side, the Imperium wants customers to buy their surplus food and to explore the galaxy. Not to rule everything. The Emperor HIMSELF wants to JOIN the galactic community, not conquer it.

And how the hell are the other races supposed to know what the Imperium is capable of? They've given off the impression that they're a low-tech, traditional species that likes to farm. Some individuals are impressive, but they're really not that great otherwise. We know the truth of the matter, because we're seeing most of this from the Imperium's point of view.

Everything you said is true however you're response to the Batarians is very bloodthirsty and thus very IOM like. Its just I have no problem with using Genocide against alien races but I prefer to use that solution as a last resort or if that race is like the Daleks or Tyranids, then my first response is Exterminatus.

Hell if the Batarians had just been pirates I would have informed everyone what had happened as well as declaring that the IOM is launching a crusade against pirate everywhere, but we know that this attack was government sponsored thus why my limited invasion but no invading the planets just capturing the star systems and then isolating the planets. I would then tell Batarian government that they have to make reparation to the IOM for their crimes and if they respond: No, then I will Exterminatus the planets.

 

[snthsnth]

Fuck, hit F5, lost my response.

I don't like the Bats because I know what they do if I don't wipe them out. They cut themselves off and make raids on human worlds, with the excuse that they're just pirates.

And as far as hypothetical reparations go, my price would be so steep that the Bats wouldn't ever accept them. I'd have lost a large ship, an experienced crew, their massive cargo, an entire agriworld, and millions of civilians. I'd place about four or five systems (with habitable worlds) as the minimum value of these assets. Since these are reparations the minimum I'd accept would be ten habitable systems.

I also never said Exterminatus. I was careful about that. I'd destroy the worlds yes, down to the bedrock, but I'd leave them in a state that I could still use them in the future. Or trade them to my allies.

Given that Emps doesn't have my foresight (though he has his own) I would assume that he uses reports from the battlefield. The most experienced survivor says that the attackers are SpecOps, and Emps knows the only thing they did was destroy a colony. What would cause him, given humanities history, to show mercy? They wanted the system but Man got there first, they have no valid claim, so they decide that if they can't have it no one can, and they blow it up.

 

[SEG-CISR]

Given that Emps doesn't have my foresight (though he has his own) I would assume that he uses reports from the battlefield.

Your foresight?

 

[Belgarion213]

He has access to the races pages of the ME and ME2 Codex. Its what they did in the game.

 

[snthsnth]

He has access to the races pages of the ME and ME2 Codex. Its what they did in the game.

Bingo. It was better explained, but I hit F5 and lost it. By then it was late, and I just retyped it quickly.

 

[SEG-CISR]

oic

Well, I had to take my Physics Regents exam this week, which I'm reasonably sure I kicked ass at, but I was forced to study all week (save for the day I went to class, and one I went out to watch movies in, and the days after...) so I didn't get much in the way of writing done. Now I'mma try to get back to that groove; I have a weekend now, I best not waste it.

 

[Sleeping_Life]

Damn, this story is amazing.

 

[Dark Abstraction]

This story is fascinating, I'm really liking the realistic flow of events, given the conditions occurring and the characters themselves are fleshed out pretty well.

I do have a bit of an issue with the Space Marines only speaking in caps, seems to throw off the story progression a bit, though you may have a reason for it. It just seemed like they were channeling a bit too much of the Angry Marines. Again though, if that was your intent, disregand that part.

And now that I've justified this mini-necro with constructive input, I'd like to say that I'm loving the Imperium kicking Batarian ass the way only the Imperium of Man can - Complete extermination of an entire species FOR THE EMPER-... for the good of the entire galaxy... No no no, it's not personal, why would you say that? We only treat xeno-...enemies..like that. :angel: (( :evil2: ))

 

[Deathwings]

This story is fascinating, I'm really liking the realistic flow of events, given the conditions occurring and the characters themselves are fleshed out pretty well.

I do have a bit of an issue with the Space Marines only speaking in caps, seems to throw off the story progression a bit, though you may have a reason for it. It just seemed like they were channeling a bit too much of the Angry Marines. Again though, if that was your intent, disregand that part.

And now that I've justified this mini-necro with constructive input, I'd like to say that I'm loving the Imperium kicking Batarian ass the way only the Imperium of Man can - Complete extermination of an entire species FOR THE EMPER-... for the good of the entire galaxy... No no no, it's not personal, why would you say that? We only treat xeno-...enemies..like that. :angel: (( :evil2: ))

Errr...those ARE the Angry Marine. :sweat:

 

[Dark Abstraction]

Oh, well that explains it then. Somehow didn't piece the commissar together with the Angry Marines. :sweat2:

Right then, nothing to see here folks. Carry on.

 

[Drunken_Loli]

Oh, well that explains it then. Somehow didn't piece the commissar together with the Angry Marines. :sweat2:

Right then, nothing to see here folks. Carry on.

Don't feel bad it happens to everyone eventually. The aliens need to learn not to dis the holy bolter :evil2: .

 

[SEG-CISR]

before I pass out, please do note I'd like some comments on my technical skill. It has been some time since I put something out that wasn't poetry. Too damn long. So tell me what you all think.

The steps that took them there weren't loud, although their presence more than made up for it.

Spectre Arirerua's eyes followed the advancing group as Melcar spoke with Captain Afthea. The purple-skinned Asari was tall, and clad in the heaviest armor anyone of her species could possibly handle, but even the smallest among them dwarfed her. She was trained to not be intimidated by bulk, however, and stepped forward to intercept the heavily-armed force that had simply strolled onto the Presidium.

The smallest of the humans, a peculiar exception of all things she identified those of his species with, stood at the head of the group. He stood no taller than her, and was garbed in clothes, rather than thick armor. His distinguished look and position identified him as the leader of the bunch. She pointedly stared him down, but he had no eyes for her, instead gazing intensely at Spectre Melcar. Said Asari carelessly continued conversing to her C-Sec partner.

"It was not our mission to guard the Ambassador, but to secure the Embassy. That he happened to be along for the ride, and fled, is of no consequence to our objectives," she dispassionately relayed into a communicator. She could be clearly heard by the Imperial soldiers, and flaunting the loss of a high-priority target to them.

The Commissar's face hardened, his brows drawing closer in a glare towards her. Her own brows, hairless since conception, rose up mockingly.

"The Citadel has shown itself to be many things, but hopelessly incompetent at the highest echelons is not one of them, so far. I find myself doubting that you lost an Ambassador. People... beings, even Xenos, are hard to miss."

"The Ambassador left our custody of his own volition. He was far from lost, and that was not a public conversation you listened in to. Human, would you like to explain yourself... all of yourselves? You are violating dozens of laws as we speak."

"We are following directives of our own," was the swift rebuttal. "Which you are interfering with. We have our targets. The Citadel has been cooperative in the past decades, and I think this relationship should be cultivated by yourselves backing off and allowing us to reach our targets."

"We are Spectres, as far as you are concerned, our word is as good as the Council's. And that word is that regardless of your mission, you are seeking a Batarian protected by the Citadel. Not to mention your murder of dozens in the C-Sec Academy." Arirerua stepped forward, finally drawing a look from the small human.

"We were given targets, one of which you are withholding from us. You cannot honestly believe you will make us back down, this is a directive coming straight from the top."

Melcar's eyes narrowed. "The Emperor never showed any displays of such brazen incompetence as to send twenty men into the Citadel with hostile intentions."

"Mankind sees no use in deceit and lies, we tell the truth." John growled. "Do not ever imply He is incompetent in any capacity again, Xeno. We did not come with hostile intentions, only to round up the last of our targets. However, our intentions may shift if you will not quiet your insolent mouth."

"I don't think you've really thought this through," Arirerua noted, crossing her arms. Her armor, although bulky, did nothing to impede the movement.

"I don't think you're in a position to say that, when you are attempting to face down a squad of Astartes on your lonesome."

Melcar looked around.

The Presidium Embassies were in one of the more peaceful and restricted parts of the Citadel. There, politicians could go about their work every day without being interrupted by roving bands of tourists, as most people working on other areas in the Presidium would. Even as the situation with the group of humans became more tense, the place retained its serenity.

The Asari could not help but reflect that, eying the C-Sec strike teams set up in various offices. They were visible to all, but they didn't mean to be hidden.

"I know you can see we're not alone," she noted, peering at the lead human. He was still unmoved, frowning harshly at her like he had been since they locked eyes. "If you begin a firefight, you are surrounded by our forces. You will not come out of this victorious."

"You don't seem to understand what you're up against here, Xeno. Give us the Ambassador." The Commissar stepped forward, and the Space Marines behind him readjusted their weapons in unison.

The harsh sound of weapons being readied echoed through the embassies for a moment, before Melcar continued. "We do not want to damage the Citadel's relations with the Imperium of Man in this incident. Stand down, human. What Batarians may have done against your kind is done and over with."

Arirerua pitched in, "Annihilation is not the answer to your problems. You may believe they did something against your people, but that is no excuse to kill innocents."

She felt the scrutiny of all the humans, including the warriors in yellow armor, on her.

"No," John said, before turning to Melcar. "Stop denying the Emperor's Will before we take to aggression."

"Stand down, human. I would be justified shooting you down where you stand, but for relations' sake I am willing to let you all be tried fairly, even under your own law." Melcar's eyes finally narrowed, the smaller Asari beginning to lose her patience.

The Commissar's bolt pistol was suddenly pointed at her, and a gunshot cracked the veneer of calm that had been resting over the embassies. Melcar stood her place, shields flaring brightly alongside her powerful Biotic barriers. She had an assault rifle in her hands, and orders on her tongue.

Arirerua stood not off to the side as her colleague was, but in the middle of the embassy reception hall. However, her position, although less advantageous, was offset by her extremely heavy armor with barriers comparable to a small ship's. Conversely, that, in itself offset by her having to deal with more shots from larger weapons en masse, still came out to be disadvantageous. Before the smaller Asari could shoot at the humans or an order at C-Sec, her fellow Spectre was already flung back to the reception table, cowering in a Biotic bubble.

Then, in a moment, the teams were mobilized, streaming down from the offices and through the doors on either side of the table that both sat at the end of the hall, and currently housed an Asari trying to regain her wits. However, that was when the Space Marines stopped shooting at Arirerua and began to focus on the growing number of threats, including Melcar.

They did not see Blasto the Hanar Spectre floating up from the elevator shaft to their flank.

 

[Mercsenary]

Oh wow. Blasto.