Chapter 11

June 23rd, 2158

16:21

Widow-System

Citadel, Council Chambers

"In the name of the Council and the Citadel, I welcome you, representatives of humanity, to the greater galactic community."

With these words from the Asari councilor, the first official meeting between humanity and the Citadel began.

She put her right hand over the place where a human's heart would be and inclined her head for a fraction. Her melodious voice spoke of training and experience in diplomatic and political affairs as she greeted us.

"I am Councilor Tevos of the Asari Republics, and in their name, I greet you once again," she said with a smile, something that was so irrefutable human that I could feel how my companions were baffled for a moment.

Not that I was any better. The Asari may look like human women, but in the end, they were not.

In the games, it was just an accepted fact that aliens existed.

They used human gestures, and their mouths moved perfectly to imitate the translated words. It was just a game, after all, made by humans for humans.

But this was not a videogame, not for me, not anymore.

And that was what baffled us so much.

Councilor Tevos could have learned about smiling through research, but it looked so natural that it couldn't be something she just had learned.

That two distinct species, evolving on two different planets, thousands of light-years apart, could develop the same gesture, probably even with the same meaning. The odds for such an occurrence had to be close to zero.

Close to zero, but not impossible, as we could see.

After Tevos raised her head, the Salarian to her left continued with the introduction, and this time I noticed that his mouth did not move to fit the human words I heard.

The volume of my translation device hindered me from hearing his original language, but I would try to listen to the Turian Councilor's language after the Salarian.

"I'm Councilor Sekar, delegate of the Salarioan Union," he said slowly and carefully as if stopping himself from rushing his words.

I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. The image of Salarians, which I had in mind, was always that of a fast-talking Mordin Solus.

While it was a generalization of a whole species, the fact of them talking fast was probably true. Their short lifespan emphasized the need for efficiency, and to speak slowly would not fit into that.

And if my guess was correct, then Councilor Sekar had been elevated to the position of councilor very recently.

Just as the Turian councilor was about to introduce himself, I remembered to tone down the volume of my translator.

Only enough to hear how he spoke in his native language, but still loud enough to listen to the translation.

It was an odd mix of whistling and chirping, a metallic undertone added to it, nothing that a human could imitate without either insulting someone's mother or speaking with a dialect that would make every Turian in hearing range laugh.

"I am Councilor Adarchy, representative of the Turian Hierarchy," he spoke full of pride and confidence.

Even though the translators weren't yet sophisticated enough to catch emotional nuances in an alien's voice, the confidence of the Turian was plain to see.

It wasn't that I had become an expert in Turian body language, but the general feeling I got of Councilor Adarchy was one of self-confidence.

The traditional markings every Turian had, consisted of red bars on his mandibles and a 'V' on his forehead. The red was almost shining in the light of the chambers.

"It is a great honor to be here," said Anita, after it was clear that the introductions of the Councilors were over. "My name is Anita Goyle, a representative of humanity, together with my associate, Oscar Denebren."

When Anita called my name, I had just returned my translator's settings to normal, and I used a greeting closely resembling that of Councilor Tevos.

"It is an honor to meet you," I said and put my right fist over my heart and bowed slightly.

"It is also an honor to us to greet a new race on the Citadel," answered Councilor Tevos practiced.

"Before we begin with the official matters which brought us together today, I would like to give a brief overview of our history and the Citadel. So that we can move forward with understanding in our hearts."

While nicely put, I knew what she was really doing. She wanted to awe us with the long history of their civilization, to let us feel small in their presence. Furthermore, depending on what she understood under the word brief, it could also be a tactic to exhaust us, to make us worn out for when the real diplomatic talks would begin.

Anita, ever the seasoned diplomat, knew this as well, but her response was just a smile.

"We will gladly listen. Understanding is the first step to living side by side peacefully. Of course, I will do the same after you finish, Councilor Tevos. If that is agreeable for you?"

I had to suppress a smirk when Anita took the ball and placed it back into the Council's court masterfully.

"An excellent suggestion, Diplomat Goyle. Eager to learn," answered Councilor Sekar, the Salarian not noticing the side glance that the Turian Councilor gave him.

"Then let us begin," said Councilor Tevos, her smile straining for a moment that only the most observant noticed.

And my guess was correct. The 'brief' overview was to wear us out.

It was arduously long, with no new information provided.

It would have been a novel experience if we hadn't known most of it from the Turian Codex we salvaged.

A few interesting tidbits were among her explanation but were ultimately insignificant.

Her take on the Rachni-War and the Krogan Rebellion was unsurprisingly one-sided to put the Council and, by extension, the Citadel in a better light.

She mentioned the Quarians only in passing and lost no word about the Geth.

While she continued to describe the arrival of the Batarians on the Citadel, I took a moment to observe the other people in the room.

There was a group with one representative of every species associated with the Citadel standing close by.

A Hanar, a Volus, and an Elcor stood pretty close to each other, probably discussing something with each other if I interpreted the Hanar's flashing right. I wasn't absolutely sure, but I thought to remember that Hanar communicated via bioluminescence and that instead of speaking words like any other species present, their bodies glowed in specific intervals when they were saying something.

Apart from this group stood a lonely Batarian, who followed the happenings closely, his head bent slightly to his right.

A gesture that would mean confusion or curiosity to a human, but to a Batarian, it meant something different.

I heard or read somewhere, in my old life, that the angle a Batarian bent his head or how his eyes moved was the way how they expressed impressions or emotions subtly.

And that specific angle was to show superiority to someone he sees as a lesser being.

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes, knowing that I was probably correct from what I knew about Batarian culture.

It wasn't much that I knew, but what I knew was more than enough.

Enough to know that humanity and the Batarians would never become even remotely friends.

I turned my attention back to the Councilors when Tevos seemed to get to the end of her 'brief' overview.

While the Salarian councilor looked as attentive as ever, Councilor Adarchy seemed like he would prefer to be anywhere but here at the moment. Or so it seemed from the way his left 'index' talon tapped his right arm rhythmically.

"I thank you, Councilor Tevos, for your detailed overview of the Citadel's history," said Anita after Councilor Tevos finished. "Now, I would like to tell you about humanity's history if you would like."

"Please, go ahead," was Councilor Tevos' response, professionally ignoring Adarchy's grumble.

Anita, adept at reading a room's mood, kept her retelling of our specie's history short. In not even ten minutes, she covered our beginnings as traveling hunters and gatherers to becoming farmers that stayed in one place, from our formation of villages to the creation of nations.

She talked about how the discovery of making fire set us on a path of advancement that would lead us to leave our homeworld one day.

If there was one thing that Anita could do better than anyone else, it was telling a compelling story.

Even the Turian councilor, who had been pretty bored during Tevos' explanation, was listening intently.

At that moment, Anita had the attention of the whole galaxy.

"We... thank you, Diplomat Goyle, for the wonderful retelling of your kinds' history," said Councilor Tevos, still a bit mesmerized.

"It really was," commented Councilor Adarchy. "So full of life, I almost could see how their species evolved before my eyes. Wouldn't you say so too, Councilor Tevos?"

You didn't need a sophisticated translation device to hear the amount of sarcasm Councilor Adarchy directed at the Asari.

In any direct comparison between the Asari councilor and Anita, Tevos's way of telling the history of the Citadel would be found lacking.

"You're right," answered Tevos, her smile straining a bit at the Turian's dig.

"But there are more matters that we need to discuss today, for example, the creation of an official peace treaty between the Turian Hierarchy and the Systems Alliance."

With those words, all lightheartedness present in the room disappeared at once, and a more solemn mood came into being.

"That is a matter that should not be delayed," said Adarchy, his posture going rigid for a moment before slightly relaxing.

"The Primarch of Palaven, the highest leader of the Turian Hierarchy, has given me the permission to negotiate such a treaty. Do you, Diplomat Goyle, have this authority as well?"

"I do, Councilor Adarchy," answered Anita concisely.

"Then let me tell you in the name of the Hierarchy that we truly regret that it came to this incident and that the Hierarchy is prepared to pay reparations."

That was... more than we had hoped to expect.

In most of the discussions between Anita and me, we thought that the Turians would say that they were sorry but would be too prideful for anything else. Offering to pay reparations was not something we expected to get from the Turians so readily.

Maybe they had seen something of themselves in how we stood our ground and fought back in the face of unfavorable odds.

It could also be that they saw us as a potential ally. One that could help in defending the borders of Citadel space.

Whatever the reason was, it started the negotiations in a good tone.

"In the name of humanity, I accept the apology of the Turian Hierarchy," said Anita, bowing her head slightly in gratitude, Councilor Adarchy's words not even fazing her for a moment. "Our diplomats can discuss the details of the reparations at another time.

But there is one thing that my people are demanding before a peace treaty can be signed."

"And what is this thing?"

Anita took one deep breath before saying only one word that echoed in the chambers: "Justice."

"I see," said Councilor Adarchy, crossing his arms and leaning back a bit. "Your people want the perpetrators of the attack on your colony to stand trial if I understand correctly."

"That is correct."

"You understand that my people acted accordingly to Citadel Law? The unsanctioned opening of a mass relay is a capital offense punishable by death."

"We learned of this law only after the diplomatic envoy arrived in the Shanxi system. Before that, we didn't even know that the Citadel existed."

"May contribute to discussion," interrupted Councilor Sekar before Adarchy could reply. "Citadel Law clear on subject of opening relays. My people went over them in the last months, personally rechecked them as well. But only in Citadel space, not in the territory of humanity. Situation like in the Terminus systems, opening of relays heavily discouraged, but not forbidden, in theory."

"That certainly puts things in perspective," sighed Councilor Adarchy before straightening himself and turning his head towards the other two Councilors.

"Councilor Tevos, Councilor Sekar, I would like to propose that the Relay protocols are revised and broadened so that such a situation like we have now can't happen again."

"I was about to propose the same as well," answered Tevos, while Sekar only nodded.

"That still leaves the issue of a trial for the perpetrators responsible for the attack," reminded Anita before the subject got swept away by other issues.

"The Turian Hierarchy will take care of it, do not worry," assured Councilor Adarchy.

"That is not something that the Alliance will accept."

"We will not send our people to you to be made an example of," responded Adarchy heatedly.

Anita held her hands up in a placating manner and returned:" That is not our intention, Councilor. We never expected you to transfer the perpetrators to us for trial."

She wasn't lying, we never expected them to do this, but that didn't mean we wouldn't have liked it if they did.

"It is just that we wish for the courts of law here on the Citadel to hold the trial. My people will not accept that a Turian sentences one of his own for crimes against them. To them, it will seem like you are too biased to deliver a just verdict."

Adarchy was about to open his mouth to respond when Councilor Tevos inserted herself into the argument.

"The integrity of the Turians is unquestionable, on that you can trust me."

For that comment, she earned a grateful nod from the Turian councilor.

"But your species only arrived in the greater galaxy. It is normal that your people have reservations against fully trusting someone you've just met. With Councilor Adarchy's consent, I would like to organize a team of judges consisting of all Council species so that the Turians have a say in the judgment and that impartiality is ensured."

It spoke of Councilor Tevos' long diplomatic practice. In one move, she integrated herself into an argument before it could become heated and gave a solution that helped the Turians to save face and gave us what we wanted.

"The Turian Hierarchy gives its consent," said Councilor Adarchy, taking the opportunity as it presented itself.

"The Human System Alliance also consents," commented Anita as if our agreement had been necessary.

"Then may I take this as a sign that there is nothing else in the way of signing an official peace treaty between the Turian Hierarchy and the System Alliance?" asked Tevos.

Neither Anita nor the Turian councilor objected to her claim, and a practiced, beaming smile spread on the Asari's face.

An Asari, dressed in a modest dress, came towards Anita and carried a datapad in her hand.

One of our guards stepped in her way and held his hand out for the datapad, which she gave him without complaining.

The datapad remained in his hands no longer than a moment before Anita had it. She quickly read over the displayed treaty and signed with a flourish. The Turian Councilor, on the other hand, just tipped a few commands in the console before him.

"And with that, any and all armed conflict between the Turian Hierarchy and Humanity is ended," proclaimed Councilor Tevos. "May the goddess watch over our all future."

Applause echoed in the chambers and probably among the Citadel Wards or even other worlds if this meeting was broadcasted live over the extranet.

After the applause settled, Anita gave me a subtle nod to tell me that it was time for our gift.

It was something found on Shanxi, and I saw it on a list of salvaged goods only by coincidence. The moment I read its description, I reread the Turian codex to check if I remembered it correctly and put up a request to deliver it to me.

Nothing endears you to someone as much as when you give them a part of their cultural heritage back.

"Councilor Adarchy," I said, speaking only for the second time in this place.

When I saw that his attention was on me, I slowly put my hand in my jacket to pull out the package I secured there. While slowly pulling it out so that my actions would not be interpreted as dangerous, I said:" In light of today's events, we have a gift for the Turian people."

"A gift?" he questioned. "What kind of gift?"

"Well, it is not exactly a gift," I answered with a slight smirk. "It is more the act of returning something that belongs to your people."

I held the package out to a Turian C-Sec officer, who took it and went towards Councilor Adarchy, but not without discretely scanning it with his Omni-tool.

Adarchy took the package from the C-Sec officer after getting the confirmation that it was safe.

The moment he opened it, his eyes went wide, and his mandibles fell slightly.

"This... this is..." he stammered, completely astonished.

"If I may ask, Adarchy. What is it?" asked Councilor Tevos.

"It is the banner of the 38th Regiment. I got reports that it was lost during the battles, presumably destroyed," Adarchy answered, his focus not wavering away from the banner.

After half a minute of silence, he raised his head and looked me in the eyes, and said:" I, and every other Turian, thank you and your people for giving this back to us. Since you did, I guess you know of its importance?"

"We do, Councilor," I responded. "In our studies of the galactic Codex, I came across the section that explained the importance of the Regiment banners to the Turian people. Something like that has to be returned to its rightful owner."

Councilor Adarchy just nodded and glanced one last time at the banner before handing it off to one of his aides, who took it with reverence.

Somehow I knew that with that move, humanity made another good impression on not just the Turian Hierarchy but on the other Citadel species as well.

The Turian councilor cleared his throat and asked:" Didn't we have more things that we needed to discuss? I think we should continue."

And we did.

First came the discussions of humanity holding to all Citadel treaties if we wanted to become an associated species.

The banning of unsanctioned openings of mass relay became a topic once again but was ultimately the easiest to agree on.

While we were on the topic of relays, Anita didn't manage that the fleet behind the Shanxi relay towards Citadel territory withdrew but she achieved a partial success in that no more ships would be added and that the Turians reduced their presence by around a third.

The Salarians and Asari would fill that hole as fast as they could.

That meant that they either would be sent shortly after the meeting or that they would never arrive before we joined the Citadel, making the fleet unnecessary.

Just as we came to an end with our discussion about the Treaty of Farixen and what exactly the stipulations were, the Salarian Councilor said:" We will need an evaluation of your dreadnought count, of course. A Spectre will be sent for this. In around five years, if you consent?"

"We consent to the evaluation. Though we must require that any Spectre sent into Alliance territory notifies the official authorities," responded Anita.

"That is highly unusual, Diplomat Goyle. Normally, Spectres do not have any obligation to report their presence to any authority," said Councilor Tevos. "Their line of work often requires them to act fast and concealed. To let anyone know of their presence could mean a difference in accomplishing or failing their mission."

"We acknowledge the fact that Spectres usually have the freedom to decide how they accomplish their goal," placated Anita, "but at this time, we are worried about the implications they could have on our people."

"What kind of implications are you thinking of, Diplomat Goyle?" questioned Councilor Adarchy.

"As we understand it, a Spectre's actions are not punishable by law, no matter what offense. We fear that if a Spectre has to take drastic measures to reach his goal without any input from official authorities, it could create xenophobic sentiments among our citizens.

They would not see an agent who does his - or her - best to protect all species of the Citadel but an alien that killed without reprisal.

Since we are democratic, this could lead to someone coming into power who would not pursue friendly relations."

"That would be indeed troublesome," the Salarian Councilor commented.

"We understand your concerns," said Councilor Tevos, "but that is the way Spectres have operated for centuries. Surely that should be enough to give them the trust needed."

"We humans have a saying," I interjected, "that trust is earned and not given. I implore you to let us observe how the Spectres work for a time until we too come to trust them you do."

The Councilors exchanged glances, and I could see how Councilor Sekar gave a nigh unnoticeable nod.

"We concur that for such a young species as humanity, the freedom the Spectres have can be unsettling," said Councilor Tevos as their chosen spokesperson. "In that light, we agree that Spectres will report to human authorities if they have missions that bring them into your territory. At least until you have fully joined the Citadel."

"Thank you, Councilors," Anita and I said at the same time.

After a short silence, Councilor Tevos continued to say:" I believe we have discussed all major topics that needed to be addressed. Furthermore, I am of the opinion that we all need a break. We have prepared rooms in one of the best hotels here on the Presidium for you."

"We thank you for your generosity," said Anita.

"I declare this meeting adjourned."

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June 23rd, 2158

22:46

Widow-System

Citadel, Hotel Sirenea

I stood at the window that encompassed one side of the communal room of the hotel suite they had given us, looking out at the Presidium.

While the current activity could not compare to its daytime business and probably to any time in the Wards, life was still going on.

Behind me, the majority of our group was engaged in quiet conversation about the day's proceedings.

Two of Anita and my security detail were already asleep, resting for a later shift of keeping watch.

I could hear Anderson's and Ryder's voices, but I didn't focus on what they said. An hour ago, they had declared the suite free of any listening devices, the devices they had found were thrown out the door but not destroyed. Ryder had jokingly said that they looked expensive and wanted to give them back to our listeners. Courtesy and a warning in one.

While I was observing the view, I noticed in the reflection of the window that Anita approached me with a wineglass in each hand.

I took the one she held out to me with a quick "thank you" and clinked glasses with her.

The quality of the wine was excellent, and I immediately recognized the taste.

How could I not, when it was the same wine my father bought on the day I was born? He wanted to drink this wine with my mom and me when I became an adult. Sadly, that never happened since both died before that day. When I became eighteen, I only drank a third of the bottle and kept the rest. It was my way to thank my parents for giving me this life, something I would be grateful for till I died again.

The bottle of wine from the year 2100, or century-wine as some call it, pressed in France, had a place of honor in my apartment in London.

"Do we have something to celebrate?" I asked with a side glance to Anita. "I remember that you said you would only bring this wine out if we had something to celebrate."

"In my opinion, the fact that our first meeting with the Council went better than expected is something to celebrate," answered Anita with a smile and took a sip of her wine. "I just wanted to check on you. What are you thinking right now?"

I hummed noncommital, asking her a question in return: "When you look out, what do you see?"

"I guess you don't want the literal answer, so I give, I don't know."

"Opportunities."

"For what?" she asked," Technological, social, medical, or what?

"All that and more," I answered with a smile.

"Do you see those skycars flying around?"

"I do. What about them?"

"They are a perfect example," I said and pointed at one.

"We do not have the know-how or the industrial capabilities to create so many of them, especially for people of all ways of life. In that, they have us beat, but I do see one point where we will find our own niche in this market."

"How so?" questioned Anita. "I know that you're good at what you're doing, but the Citadel species had centuries to refine their design, their engines, their everything. It wouldn't be possible to supplant the established brands. They will always be cheaper than yours, at least for decades, maybe even centuries."

I couldn't hold a snort back as she said that, and I asked amusedly:" What makes you think I want to fight them with prices? That would just be plain stupid."

"If not that, what would you do?"

"One of the best qualities that humanity possesses, one that I greatly admire, is individuality. And with that in mind, I will find a way to carve out a part of the market for myself."

"Individuality? What are you..." started Anita before slowly coming to the same realization as I did as she continued to watch the skycars.

"They all look the same."

"That's right," I agreed. "The only difference between them is their paint job and what specifications they have. But every car body is the same. And don't forget that we're on the Presidium, the place where only the rich and influential live."

"You don't want to make them better or cheaper," realized Anita," you want to make them look different."

"Correct again," I replied with a smirk on my face. "Why should I fight on a battlefield my opponents had centuries to make it their own? It isn't just a human thing to try to be different from the others. It's just that we take more pride in this sentiment. Everybody wants to be seen, everybody wants to be noticed, and I will make use of that."

I took a small breath and finished with a statement that would partly define the coming years.

"Individuality is our greatest advantage, and I will show the galaxy what happens if thousands of individuals come together. Because then, they can turn fantasy into reality, and no dream seems unachievable."