Dialog

Aboard the Adriatic.

After a few hours of negotiations...

My first impression was not good.

- How do they even live here? - David shook his head, looking at the soil and air analyses - if slag mountains and acrid smog could be called such words.

- Judging by the video footage from Leira's helmet, it was bad and short-lived. - Jane looked thoughtfully at the catalogue of prefabricated ship models she had downloaded in advance on her instrumentation. Of course, she wouldn't buy them - even on the comfortable Normandy, there wasn't much room - but no one forbade her to look at them, did they?

The Azari diplomat was not at ease with the archaic technology of the natives after her conversation with one of the natives. However, the fact that a giant piece of the universe came from somewhere in the future was much more perplexing...

If we believe the drone video footage, the number of troops around the Adriatica had become smaller. Still, some fortification works were underway: roadblocks with heavy weapons had been set up on the roads. And the air defences were as if by accident pulled closer...

Captain Amanda Kipling fidgeted anxiously in her chair:

- We've landed, but takeoff looks like it will be a lot harder. - The officer zoomed in on the scout drone. - Fucking hell, guns with throwing charges are not what I expected to see in this century.

- Oh, come on. They seem to be no strangers to dialogue. - Shepard sighed, looking away from the catalogue of models. - After all, they're not crazy to refuse help with their state of the planet, are they? Well, Alliance Command is unlikely to turn down such a convenient base...

(author's note: "They're not crazy.")

How can I put this delicately? Genesis determines consciousness, so...

And about life expectancy: Hellgans rarely lived past 30 before and after the Exodus.

However, they had already adopted it during the conflict and the war with the Vecta. This, however, doesn't change the fact that Hellgans live less than people from the Mass Effect universe, who have access to the wonders of medicine...)

***

Hellgan orbit.

The Azarian Republic ship Star Traveller.

Captain Arya flicked through the materials on the screen from her surveillance of the planet. Despite being ordered to cooperate with the Turian frigate Steel Claw, nothing interesting was found.

No giant propulsion systems could propel the planet between the stars or anything similar.

Leira, who had been sent as a diplomat to the Alliance's Adriatic, reported that the locals were using weapons with throwing charges - which the Azari had long since abandoned, as had most other Citadel races.

"Unless the Krogan has something similar."

However, the captain was pulled from his thoughts by an informant's trill:

- Attention, traffic at the Adriatic's landing site...

***

David Anderson, Jane Shepard and Leira stood at the Adriatic's ramp and silently watched the approaching motorcade of three armoured vehicles. According to the radar data, two pairs of aircraft, identified by the ship's VI as "atmospheric interceptors," were on airborne duty nearby.

The machines were squat, painted a protective dirty green-grey colour, and made a strange impression on humans and Azari, who were used to army combat platforms moving with the comparatively quiet sounds of electric motors. Here, however, the rumble of a running engine (apparently powered by chemical fuel) broke the silence of the grey desert.

The cars stopped a hundred metres away from the ship, defiantly turning their turrets with thin barrels of automatic guns aside.

And the familiar Chief stepped out of the centre and walked towards the contactors.

***

Leira waited for Radek to approach, switched on the translator, and then signalled that she could speak.

- Orders... Escort. Conversation. Command. - The gloved hand pointed to the armoured personnel carriers.

The Citadel envoys looked at each other, shrugged and nodded.

Actually, this was the main purpose of their interstellar journey.

***

On board the Adriatic.

- So - Amanda Kipling stretched out in her chair. - It's just a matter of doing the little things. We sit, we wait, we don't move. Tell the Azari and the Turians the diplomats have gone to work.

- Got it. Anything else? - The XO thought sadly that he'd have to figure out how to keep the crew busy for the next few days.

- Yeah. Tell the turians separately not to shoot anyone. That's one. And two, I think it has been a while since we've had a clean-up on this ship...?

***

Jane Shepard.

The machine made an impression: although it was losing to the Mako regarding armament and the ability to cover the thin armour with mass-effect fields, it was winning in impressiveness and some harsh charm.

But not for long...

BANG!!!

"Also, the Mako isn't as cramped, and the seats are more comfortable," Shepard thought with annoyance.

Besides the two humans and the Azari on board, the APC was Radek (the name Leira had given her) and his two bodyguards.

Jane couldn't articulate why - but she sensed that the guards' and the colonel's far-from good-natured glances were focused on her and Anderson.

While the Azari natives studied the Azari with curiosity, the sight of the humans evoked hatred in the planet's inhabitants.

"Strange..."

BATS!!!

Jane was distracted from her musings by another encounter between her helmet and a sharp protrusion inside the machine.

And she was ready to swear that something resembling a quiet gurgling sound came from somewhere on the colonel's (or his bodyguards') side.

"Laughing? Holy fuck!"

However, the girl was distracted from her outraged thoughts by the changed road: if before they were bouncing on the bumps and potholes of the grey desert, now the car was on a straight and smooth track and began to pick up speed.

- Leira! - Jane caught the attention of the azari, who was marking something on her instrumentation. - Ask if there's somewhere I can sit to admire the view. I prefer to see where they're taking me.

And if he starts being a jerk, threaten him that otherwise, I'll vomit all over the place...

- I thought women were supposed to be more well-mannered—especially a woman officer. - Radek's voice sounded like a nail on a rusty iron sheet.

- However, I've never had a high opinion of Earthmen. So don't worry-your reputation is intact?

Jane groaned inwardly as she noticed the small translator box on the colonel's collar.

- Driver, please open the view windows.

The small loopholes in the sides of the vehicle allowed a small view of the world around them. It did not bring any particular pleasure: the same grey industrial desert, rocks and leaden sky.

- Satisfied? - Jane could have sworn Radek was enjoying seeing her confusion.

- Shepherd! Anderson, why are you sitting there?" the azari hissed.

Anderson didn't lift a finger to restrain his subordinate.

The captain trusted his senses and intuition: it often helped him. And now his gut was telling him that his status as a diplomat was the only thing separating him from being shot in the back of the head. For some reason, the inhabitants of this place do not like people, and Radek emphasises the word "Earthman".

And the sooner the reason is found out, the better the chances of success. And Jane was always unrivalled as a "battering ram"; her simple-mindedness, as a rule, disposes even dry men like Admiral Hackett to her.

***

- Before we arrive at the place - can you explain the reason for such a strong dislike? - Jane tried to catch a glimpse of the lenses of the protective mask, which from time to time seemed to glow with blood-red fire.

If the sensors were to be believed, this effect was caused by some component of the material from which the lenses were made. At a certain angle of incidence and reflection of light, the effect seemed infernal and made her want to grab a crucifix.

"Or rather a rifle - their armour may be old, but it looks very thick..."

- I think you're beginning to abuse your status as a diplomat. And your superiors-" a meaningful glance of the eyepieces at Anderson. - ...is blatantly neglecting his responsibilities in the education of his subordinates.

- Perhaps. - David nodded. - However, Jane expresses perfectly what a less sincere person would never say.

Anderson waited a little longer: Radek did not expect such an unapologetic and abrupt challenge to "frankness".

- Colonel, I trust my gut. And I am a military man used to operating with facts and making decisions based on clear data. As I think, are you. So I'll ask you now - before we arrive in your capital, Pyrrhus: why do you emphasise the word "Earthman" so strongly?

***

Leira tried to save face. After all, the Azari was the diplomatic face of the Citadel, and this was a matter that needed a balanced and satisfying solution.

However, if the Azari had been alone, she would have hissed like an angry cat: Anderson was taking his soldierly ways where they shouldn't have gone.

"And we didn't want to take on the Turian diplomats for fear they'd start a war with their violent temper! And trouble came from when we weren't expecting it..."

Nevertheless, the diplomat turned all ears.

"If war suddenly breaks out - at least we'll know who's to blame. The rarest case in history, by the way!"

As most Azari do, Leira had changed careers before her diplomat training - a long life gives you plenty of room to find your way. And she had once seriously considered a career as a playwright...

***

Radek seemed to be trying to drill his gaze into his vis-a-vis. Shepard tensed, Anderson frowned, and the colonel's two bodyguards moved slightly. Imperceptibly, but the azari could practically hear the sound with which their muscles tensed, and their fingers absently crept a little closer to the handles of their weapons...

Finally, the colonel leaned back slightly. The guards remained seated still, but the diplomat could feel the tension ebbing away.

- There had been... A war. With Earth. - Radek's gruff voice was filled with irritation. - A serious one. You'll learn more in the Palace.

***

Jane calmed down.

"Well: if they've managed to scuffle with Earth, that explains a lot." During the expansion, many political observers began to predict the formation of large interplanetary states and wars to secede from the Alliance and establish leadership over the new planets.

However, these turned out to be mere words. Earth remained the locomotive of economy and technical progress, a reliable rear of the Alliance. The few shipyards capable of building interstellar spaceships were not the least reason: most enterprises were located in the solar system. Several attempts were made to "break" this monopoly, but they all failed. According to rumours - not without the involvement of the Alliance Secret Service, but...

"No man is a thief."

"Perhaps it's even better that it didn't work out..." - Jane caught the gaze of one of the guards.

The lenses flashed a blood-red glare.

It was starting to get concretely annoying.

- Entering the city limits. - The driver informed over the speakerphone. Jane finally gave up the useless game of staring at the gas mask and stared curiously into the narrow loopholes of the APC...

***

The city was overwhelming. Even at high speed, without the ability to see details, it radiated power and aggression, not the usual aura of greed and cynical calculation of Alliance or Azari cities, but something animalistic.

The large metropolises of Citadel space would clamour and crush anyone too weak to live in a large city, but here that aggression was directed as if outwards.

The city looked like some giant vicious beast, gnawing into the unfriendly planet with all its strength.

Strict grey monoliths of towers and industrial complexes, identical buildings of residential houses, and monorail lines - "air underground" was one of the most widespread transports, along with underground.

And the familiar emblem of three arrows on some buildings - carved in stone or mosaicked on grey walls.

"There is too little light. Though with the city being partially underground, it's no surprise."

The wide motorway was practically empty. And in general - the amount of public transport suggested that the main purpose of these really wide and smooth roads is transporting goods, not people.

"Really - like a factory..."

The car rushed along the wide motorway for about half an hour, made several sharp turns (Radek looked meaningfully at the driver) - and finally stopped.

Through a small embrasure, Jane could see the Palace...

***

Anderson whistled mentally.

"The Palace was basically a medieval fortress that someone had decided to recreate with modern materials and technology.

And now they were walking down endless corridors, accompanied by the same Radek and his guards. Captain Anderson was trying to remember the last time he had seen similar architecture.

"In history class. No other way. And anyway: it's as if everything here is so crude and monolithic on purpose..."

Occasionally, there were other... Hellgasts in the wide corridor.

"It's a strange name for them, but it suits them just fine."

Servants, officials, attendants or military personnel.

Again, they were dressed in uniforms - extremely similar to the fancy uniforms from historical films and books, but "modernised". And the invariable attribute was a mask and goggles - which hung on the left side of the belt, and some had them on their faces.

The Hellgazers' faces were extremely unmemorable: grey skin, hair either short or nonexistent. A couple of times, they came across a woman: thin, with a short, simple haircut, she was carrying a folder with documents (paper!) down the corridor, but at the sight of Radek, she stepped back against the wall and froze until the group had passed.

The colonel greeted her with a brief nod.

And then it was the same: corridors, corridors, guard posts and soldiers in heavy armour standing like statues.

Skolar Vizari was not in the habit of skimping on security.

Finally, they entered the office - behind a massive, black, wood-panelled door, the only decoration was the emblem of three diverging arrows, which had been seen many times...

***

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock...

Jane glanced at the massive mechanical clock that would have cost a fortune in the Citadel. It was unaccustomedly loud and drowned out even the girl's breathing.

The clock could have been a more impressive item in the study.

So, the study...

As if it came from old films: dark colours, everything was rectangular and conservative. No oval shapes or curved chrome legs that are so popular in the Citadel.

Opposite the front door is a table with a chair behind it. Even further away is a window that looks out onto some building as grey, massive and monolithic as the one they are in now.

And in the chair sat HE.

Jane had never before experienced such a prickly stare. His irises were glowing slightly red (that colour again!), and his wrinkled face was uncomfortable. Somehow I thought that the owner of such a look would be able to put down a krogan without violence.

- Without incident?

- Yes, I think so," Jane bit her tongue as she realised that the question had been put to Radek.

He hesitated a moment and said:

- I... Explained to our guests during the dialogue that diplomats from Earth are not very welcome here.

- Well, that's easier. - Visari turned his gaze to Anderson. - But I see no reason to refuse the dialogue.

So, what brings you to my planet?

- Leira Taryl, an envoy from the Citadel. - The azari interjected. - And we have come to contact your planet and government - for further fruitful cooperation.

The Hellgan Emperor gave the helmeted alien a hard look. The alien withstood the gaze and smiled politely.

Then the prickly eyes shifted to Captain Anderson.

- I am here as an envoy of the Systems Alliance; Jane Shepard is my assistant and deputy.

The girl tried to show a polite smile.

- I am here to establish political and economic ties between the Systems Alliance and the planet Hellgan.

- Why?

Jane thought she'd misheard. Judging by the frozen Leira and the slightly surprised Anderson, neither had expected such an answer.

- You see, the trade will allow...

- Hellgan is self-sufficient. - Vizari remarked gravely. - We produce everything ourselves. By our... History, shall we say.

Anderson took a deep breath. It looked like he would have to come clean - as he had done with Radek.

After the brief explanation in the car, the colonel didn't express his emotions for the rest of the journey - and how could he tell what he was feeling under the gas mask? However, if one were to trust one's gut, Radek had at least stopped seeing Anderson and Jane as enemies.

And started seeing them as potential enemies...

- Tell me, how do I address you, sir? I wouldn't want to compromise decorum.

Visari gave the captain the same hard look, thought for a moment, and then said:

- "We can just call you by your first name. It'll be shorter and quicker.

- Sir, you've come from nowhere and appeared in an area called the Skillian Limit. And this area has long been a point of contention between the Batarian Hegemony and the Alliance.

And the Batarians won't talk to you - they're known for slave trading and raiding human colonies.

- Hellgan is NOT a colony. - Visari's calm tone sent shivers down the azari's spine, but that didn't stop Anderson.

- I apologise if I offended you in any way. - Anderson put his hands forward conciliatorily. - But to the Hegemony, you're a colony like any other. Even worse, a rich colony. And with all due respect, you're not likely to be able to handle a Hegemony attack. And the attack will follow - because I'm sure their scouts have already realised that you have NO mass effect guns, and you'll have to deal not with gangs of pirates but a full-blown invasion...

- But there's plenty of other stuff and people ready to fight. - You could freeze Palaven with a Visari voice. - Technology doesn't decide the outcome of wars. It's the people that decide the outcome.

Jane noticed that Colonel Radek was now standing behind Vizari's back, looking like the epitome of the word "loyalty": a still figure, not moving a muscle (though it was hard to tell under the thick layer of armour).

Somehow I thought that with the same dignity and determination, Radek would finish off all the diplomats.

They had to surrender their weapons just before entering the Palace, and now Jane felt naked.

Anderson took a spare pistol from a hidden pocket, remembering to shame his deputy.

- You arrived unexpectedly. You are now a mystery. And politicians are afraid of those who are a mystery. - Anderson continued to push his line. - And believe me, in this respect, the Citadel politicians are no different from any other politicians...

- Did you just subtly insinuate that I'm afraid of you? - The Emperor's bloodless lips curved into a smirk. - Not really. Of course, you are a potentially dangerous enemy. But...

- What does "enemy" have to do with it? - Anderson wondered. - Understand: the very fact of your transfer from somewhere else is an extremely important event, which may be of Galactic importance!

If Hellgan agrees to cooperate with the Alliance, it will solve many future political conflicts that will undoubtedly arise! Both with the Batarians and with the other races of the Citadel...

Both for the Citadel and for Humanity...

- Don't give me any big words about "humanity"! - Visari put his fists on the table and straightened up, somehow hovering over the diplomats, although he stood far away from them and was not the most prominent height.

- You already know that we are from another world. A very different world. - Visari glanced at the azari, who had retreated into the shadows.

- Yes, the colonel mentioned it, but...

- But your "humanity" is hardly different from our "humanity". So remember, Hellgan takes the Alliance's wishes into account. But he doesn't see much point in it, especially regarding political cooperation.

As for you...

Skolar Visari ran his fingers across the table in a short drumbeat, studying Leira, and delivered his verdict:

- Hellgan is willing to open an embassy on the Citadel if that's what it takes. And willing to trade. We can offer minerals and rare earth elements. Also, heavy engineering.

- Well..." Azari coughed. - I'll need to see the goods.

- You'd better talk to Stahl about that; he'll be here soon. - Visari waved his hand invitingly towards the reception area.

- As for you - Visari smirked, looking at Anderson and Shepard. - Please proceed to the rooms provided; you will be accommodated with all the proper amenities. Or, we can take you to the ship, where you can wait while we coordinate with your colleague.

It'll take at least a couple of days.

***

Evening.

- Well, they have a peculiar notion of comfort and status...

- What am I hearing, Shepherd? You're a diplomat, and you're demanding a five-star hotel and black caviar? - Anderson gave his subordinate a shove.

She snorted:

- 'Mm-hmm. And a couple of bottles of champagne...'

In the Hellgans' mind, the "proper amenities" looked like a spacious room with green walls and two bunks, which, for some reason, reminded Jane of the fun days of life in the cadet barracks.

Anderson, too, was taken aback at first but later, laughing, said he was glad to "remember his youth".

Well, the facilities were still there - separate shower and bathroom.

- They're not happy to see us. - Jane said thoughtfully. Anderson, who had sent a brief report to the Adriatic, nodded.

- Not welcome. And the most annoying thing is that they must tell us the truth. There's something they're not telling us.

- Well, let's say they had a falling out with the Earth government. But there are no traces of war on the planet - so it was long ago. - The girl reasoned.

A stubborn red strand ran down over her eyes, and Jane blew it away.

- And what - are they still mad about it?

- Maybe..." David rubbed his chin meaningfully. - But I'm getting more and more the feeling that we're missing something...

The thought was moving, but it didn't want to form.

- No way?

- No, I got it! - Anderson slapped his knee. - "Hellgasts!

- Um... What?

- Why "Hellgasts"? Why not 'Hellgans', not some 'Hellganians'? I'm an old man, but what were you looking at?

Jane looked at the big man in the captain's uniform with scepticism. Sure, he was older than the girl, but looking at the bull's neck and powerful arms, the last thing on her mind was "old".

- Well, young...

- Who among us is younger, and who was being pounded into "interplanetary political science"?

Anderson stood up and started pacing around the room, snapping his fingers.

- How long had they been in isolation back there? Before coming to us?

If long, that would explain the actual absolutism on a planetary scale and their separation from humanity...

Oh, shit! - Anderson froze, struck by a hunch.

- What is it? - Shepard felt that she was about to hear something extremely unpleasant.

- Jane... It's more serious than that... If they think they're a separate race, then.....

- I don't want any more quiet days in the Skillian Limits. - Shepard summarised. - Even if we and the Citadel establish a peaceful dialogue with them, they will surely clash with the Batarians as a "very big" one. I mean...

- So there are not two sides in the Scillian Limit, but three. - Anderson sighed tiredly. The discovery did not bring the expected relief.

- And the third side is extremely embittered, and it is unknown what it is capable of...

***

- Well... It's not so bad... - Stahl smiled like a cat that tasted sour cream.

- And without the posturing? - Visari took the data tablet and studied it carefully. The Citadel took platinum, iridium, and some other materials.

The specifications for the cargo containers had already been sent to the factories - the Azhari had thoughtfully brought the technical documentation with her.

- Their engines... We won't be building one of those any time soon. - Stahl said regretfully. - But they were interested in the parasite.

- Careful! - The Emperor frowned. - Petrusite is a strategic raw material. We may still need it... Most likely as a weapon.

- Do you think this Alliance will decide to go to war? - Colonel Radek was examining documents on equipment supply to the garrison in the capital.

Or rather, he was studying a report on defective equipment supplied to the capital garrison...

- What the... - Mael was usually as impenetrable as a rock, so such an emotional exclamation was unusual. Stahl and Visari looked at the colonel with interest.

The latter, coughing, read:

"... due to a lens processing malfunction, half of the third battalion of the Planetary Defence Force currently has bright red visors.

This effect can be seen even during the day and in a lit room. At night, two burning eyes can be seen from a considerable distance.

Please take action..."

Stahl snorted:

- I see... The protective coating has been overdone. Several times over. He got the hint: we'll find out who is violating the production regime. And we'll punish them.

- That's good to know. - Visari mentally pictured the rows of soldiers with gas mask lenses burning with infernal flames.

The inner perfectionist simultaneously admired and committed suicide.

- Well... - Stahl began to gather his papers. - So we're against the Alliance along with the Citadel?

- No. Not at all. - Visari twirled a pencil in his fingers, then scribbled something in a notebook on the table. - Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Tomorrow Anderson will once again begin to describe the advantages of the Alliance, and I will offer to exchange experiences.

Or what if the evil ba-ta-ri-ans come - Visari read the new word in syllables. - And hurt us. And as everyone knows, Hellgasts are extremely vulnerable and tender...

Stahl cackled merrily, and even Colonel Radek showed something resembling a smile...