CH 13

"I want this entire place locked down, right now." Anderson yelled as he came inside the embassy. He had faith in his marines, they would follow orders. It was now his job to appraise the current ambassador of the unfolding situation. Ha had to convoy what little he knew. God, he wished that he had a beer. He had seen something today that should be considered impossible. No, now that he thought about it, he had seen two impossible scenes today.

The scene of a sniper shot being split into two with the help of a cold weapon, and the scene of a child basically landing three shots at a target approximately a yard away. It was impossible for any soldier to shoot the same spot more than one time. The girl did it three times, using simple iron sights, and with a rifle that was beyond outdated by more than four centuries. A style of rifle used back in world war one. There were just so many things to consider while making an attack with such a rifle, distance, wind strength and direction. 

Both of the children were monstrous in their own ways, Forget about that, the ability to track their fellow children and safely extract them. He was not sure how Anita Goyle would react to the commotion caused.

Anderson took a deep breath as he entered the main office.

"Ambassador." Anderson saluted.

"Captain." The ambassador cupped her hands as she looked at the captain. "What can you tell me before I meet our little liberators?"

Anderson looked impassively at the ambassador. "They did what we should have done. The foremost job for the System Alliance is to protect humanities place within the stars."

Anita Goyle stood up as she stared at Anderson, her gaze conveying no emption as she inputed something on her terminal. She turned it around to show it to Anderson."In the last fifteen minutes, I have had calls from the Councilors, the Navy, a few Matriarchs, the C-Sec. I have been ignoring them ,citing an emergency in progress. So Anderson, don't quote any of that to me."

She sighed. "It is fortunate that such things are in my job description and I like the little buggers enough to take a few questions. You have no idea what type of goldmine you just brought me Anderson."

There was a slight smile on her face. "I have already leaked a few details to the media. C-Sec, failing to protect the people in their own home from slaver. The Council, letting the Bartarian having free reign of the citadel, taking their pick of innocent citizens. Anderson, it is my job to turn any opportunity into an advantage." 

Anita sighed. "Besides, I am about to retire soon. The parliament has summoned me back to Earth. No matter the outcome, this would be my last act as the human ambassador to the Citadel."

"That is a relief to know. It would be a pity to see you go, you are one of the rare good ones." 

"Just trying to do my job, Anderson. It will be good to enjoy my vacation."

"You have earned it. So, why do you want to meet the kids."

"To give them my thank as well to scold them a little. They should have no business involving themselves in these matters."

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Alex and Tanya were present inside a lounge. They had just recently been separated from the toher group of kids. It took some time, but Alex had managed to get the other alien children to open up to him. Tanya had just ignored everyone else and was in deep thought. 

Alex had also been swamped by other for requests for autographs. One that he was happy to comply with. The various marines and workers had taken his autographs for themselves and their friends.

They were in general awe of him and his ability to deflect a bullet. Alex had chosen to wisely stay quiet about the fact that if he had his lightsaber. He could have done a lot more. In his hayday, he alone had advanced on regiments on clone troopers while wielding his lightsaber and deflecting their shots. Yet, his eyes could not help but fall to his own Katanas. The one that he had used to deflect a sniper round was a little chipped. These Katanas had accompanied him for a very long time, and he had formed an attachment to them. It was truly a pity.

They shall not survive the next engagement. The burden from the tournament had already worn them down. He would need to replace them soon with something made of a sterner material. If only he had a Khyber crystal, then things would be much easier. 

For now, they were waiting.

"So, what are you thinking about?" Alex asked Tanya.

"I am wondering how this may go. I am making plans and contingencies for each of those plans." Tanya paused. "It may be necessary for us to leave the orphanage sooner. Our presence may make the orphanage a target. I am thinking about how to leverage this."

Tanya looked up towards the door. "Our esteemed visitors are here now."

And so the door opened and Anderson walked in accompanied by a woman with greying hair.

"Do you know who I am?"

Alex stayed silent, he had no idea who he was facing.

"Anita Goyle. The first ambassador from Earth to the Citadel, the one responsible for peace talks with the Turian Hierarchy. Negotiator for the general agreement between the Council and the Humans, resulting in several concessions, which put the System Alliance ahead of the other associated races. Making Earth an advancing power leagues ahead of the other associated races, and just below the Council races."

Tanya took a gulp from a glass in front of her as she looked at Anita Goyle. "Did I miss anything?"

Anita's expression broke into a smile at the unintended praise. "Did anyone tell you that you are suited to become a politician?"

"I am only interested in my own work for the moment." Tanya answered.

"A pity. But your actions beg to differ." Anita Goyle.

"My actions were necessitated by the circumstances. As much as I hate to admit it, I have grown rather close to the little buggers." Tanya.

"A politicians with a heart, you would do wonders." Anita Goyle.

"I consider myself to be a pragmatic above all else. I am not interested in such simple affairs where other people hold my chains and limit me." Tanya.

"Ah, so you are a libertarian as well." Anita Goyle. "A pragmatic and a libertarian as well, such contrasting ideals."

Tanya shrugged at that. "We humans are hard wired like that. We are the only species that can hold two contradicting ideals at the same time. We believe in peace, yet we prepare for war. Peace through war, there is a reason that the other races are afraid of us. We are chaotic by nature, ambitious but short lived. We are expanding at an unprecedented rate and it is scaring the other races. Is that not right?"

Anita began to laugh."hahahahahaha!" After she calmed herself, she looked at Tanya. "It is truly a pity that you do not plan to join the System Alliance." She paused as she closed her eyes. falling into deep thought. "Would you not become my protege. I could adopt you and teach you everything I know. I can promise you that you will reach unimaginable height." The more Tanya opened her mouth, the more impressed she became. She just could not help herself. She did not want to let this talent go to waste.

Tanya did not even need to think about this. "No. I have my own dreams that I want to achieve." A dream about having an easy life. She was not going to involve herself in politics. She would rather make some easy money and relax. Assassinations and intrigue from within and without, no thank you.

"Well, I will ask you again in the future." Anita was very thick skinned. If necessary, she would bug Tanya until she agrees. One did not reach a high post like hers without having a thick skin.

Alex and Anderson had been switching between looking between Anita Goyle and Tanya as their verbal match had continued.

Both of them had not been able to get in a word edgewise.

Anita now turned her attention to Alex, a complicated look in her eyes. "So, you are our little star. Capable of taking a fully grown Krogan in single combat, fight in an adult tournament. Responsible for financial loss for a variety of people, and now you somehow can even split bullets." Her hand went to her forhead, as she felt the oncoming signs of a headache. People would ignore Tanya's action with a gun and would instead focus on Alex who had done something never been done before. A few of the Asari Matriarchs had been messaging her Terminal, promising a few eezo mines provided that he train and join as an exchange soldier within their special soldier programs.

The offer was so tantalizing that she did not know how to refuse without sounding stupid to her superiors. An eezo mine would give a few trillion credits a year and fuel the growing need for eezo within the expanding fleets of the System Alliance. In the end, the only thing she could say would be the fact that Alex was not a soldier and not directly affiliated with the System Alliance in any way. She had no idea how to explain this to her superiors sitting in London. It was fortunate that Anderson and Admiral Hackette were throwing their weight around. In the end, she had only one thing to say.

"Can you not do these heaven defying stunts next time." She looked at Alex.

"No promises." Alex gave her a wide smile.

This brat. A few veins popper on her head. Just a few more months, than this brat would be someone else's problem.

"We have been summoned to the Council. Just follow me and don't cause any problems."

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Garrus was present in front of the Human Embassy. A few of his officers present with him to provide an escort. He was still angry with his sister. If she had told him that she was going to take the fight to these slavers, he would have joined her. Rules and regulations be damned. No, but she just had to leave.

And now, these humans were pointing their guns at him.

"Sir, please step back. Under the code 517 of the citadel charter. This embassy in under lockdown, until we have order from above we cannot let you pass. Please stay back, or else I will be forced to open fire."

He could not have an incident with the humans at this point. Tensions were running high and he would rather not take a risk. He showed his hands in a surrender as the human relaxed.

"My sister came with the children. I will be the last guy trying to press any hostilities." Garrus explained. With a show of hands, telling his fellow officers to put down their damned weapons.

"Sir, your sister is a spit fire. Unfortunately, we are considering the Citadel to be compromised at the moment. We cannot allow you to approach, unless we get orders from above."

Garrus was really hoping that the human ambassador would be contacted soon. There was so much that he could do at the moment.

Soon, one of the marines got a communication from his ear piece. With a single hand, he ordered his fellow guards to relax their posture. "The human ambassador is to be escorted to the Council along with the witnesses."

"I want three people to accompany them. The C-Sec are considered a non threat for now. Continue the lockdown for now."

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Soon, Anita Goyle accompanied by Tanya and Alex came out. Anderson was present along with two marines. They were followed by Solana who was also in full body armor and armed.

The C-Sec officers formed an escort around them and so they left for a meeting with the Councilors.

Garrus while passing Solana gave her a pointed glare. Solana had the presence of mind to look down in shame due to her actions in deceiving her little brother. She also did not know what to ell the councilors. How was she supposed to say that the little girl that was with them was responsible for the slaughter of the Bartarian pirates? Would anyone even believe her? 

The boy with her was equally ridiculous, deflecting a bullet with a sword. She had seen that scene and she still had trouble believing it. There was a limit to how much can anyone parry,

In the end, she decided to go with the flow.

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Soon, they were outside the council chambers. The C-Sec had separated themselves from them as they stayed outside. Anderson turned to his fellow marines and nodded to them as they went and stood guard outside as well.

"Please, deposit your weapons." A well dressed Asari was waiting for them at reception as Anderson placed his rifle and gun on the desk in front of her. She noded at him and placed them to the side. Her eyes turned towards Alex and Tanya both of them refused to relinquish their respective weapons.

"I believe that we are carrying antiques." Alex explained with a smile. "According to the Citadel charter of weapons and definition of what can and cannot be classified as weapon. To be considered a weapon, the presence of Mass effect technology is necessary." He waved his hand to his sheathed Katana and the Gun slung over Tanya's back." We are not carrying weapons, these are antiques." There was a smile on his face as he explained to her.

"Technically, that is true but-" The Asari tried to say, but Tanya interrupted. "I believe that we are following regulations as stated by the law. If you have a problem with that, then have them changed before talking to us." She looked pointedly at the Asari making her cower.

It was at that point that Anita Goyle interrupted. "As was stated, they are just carrying toys. Now please, it would not do to keep the councilors waiting."

The Asari nodded with a sign and gave them a signal to proceed,

So the door opened, and they proceeded inside.