The Citadel V
The team heads further in before meeting Anderson at the bottom of the stairs to the hearing.
"Quick, they've already begun the hearing." Anderson says escorting the team up the stairs.
"The geth attack is a matter of some concern. But there is nothing to indicate Saren was involved in any way." Tevos explains
"The investigation by Citadel Security turned up no evidence to support your charge of treason." Sparatus says dismissively.
"An eyewitness saw him kill Nihlus in cold blood!" Udina vehemently argues.
"We've read the Eden Prime reports, Ambassador. The testimony of one traumatized dockworker is hardly compelling proof." Valern calmly retorts.
"I resent these accusations. Nihlus was a fellow Spectre. And a friend." An orange projection of a bionically augmented turian argues before the Council.
"That just let you catch him off guard!" Anderson shouts in a rage.
"Captain Anderson. You always seem to be involved when humanity makes false charges against me. And these must be your protégés, Commander and Lieutenant Colonel Shepard. The ones who let the beacon get destroyed." Saren says with a barely restrained sneer.
"The mission to Eden Prime was top secret. The only way you could know about the beacon was if you were there!" Sampson exclaims accusatorially.
"With Nihlus gone, his files passed on to me. I read the Eden Prime report. I was unimpressed. But what can you expect from a human?" Saren says in disgust.
"You can expect me to kill you the next time we meet!" Sapphire says giving an enraged shout.
"Your species needs to learn its place, Shepard. You're not ready to join the Council. You're not even ready to join the Spectres!" Saren chastises.
"He has no right to say that! That's not his decision!" Udina shouts in protest.
"Their admission into the Spectres is not the purpose of this meeting." Tevos adds staring at Saren.
"This meeting has no purpose. The humans are wasting your time, Councilor. And mine." Saren says with disinterest.
"You won't be able to hide behind the Council forever." Sampson says with a glare.
"There is still one outstanding issue: Commander Shepard's vision. It may have been triggered by the beacon." Anderson puts forth.
"Are we allowing dreams into evidence now?" Saren scoffs, "How can I defend my innocence against this kind of testimony?"
"I agree. Our judgement must be based on facts and evidence, not wild imaginings and reckless speculation." Sparatus dismisses.
"Do you have anything else to add, Commander Shepard?" Valern asks.
"There's nothing to add. It would be a waste of breath otherwise." Sampson adds the last bit under his breath.
Sparatus and Tevos share a look before Tevos speaks up, "The Council has found no evidence of any connection between Saren and the geth. Ambassador, your petition to have him disbarred from the Spectres is denied."
"I'm glad to see justice was served." Saren says smugly before disconnecting the transmission.
"This meeting is adjourned." Tevos says, ending the hearing and causing the team, Anderson, and Udina to walk down the stairs to a lightly traveled section of the Council chambers.
"It was a mistake bringing you into that hearing, Captain. You and Saren have too much history. It made the Council question our motives." Udina chastises.
"I know Saren. He's working with the geth for one reason: to exterminate the entire human race! Every colony we have s at risk. Every world we control is in danger! Hell, even Earth isn't safe!" Anderson argues heatedly.
"What's this about a history between you and Saren?" Sapphire asks.
Anderson sighs before pacing slightly, "I worked with him on a mission a long time ago. Things went bad… Real bad. We shouldn't talk about this here. But I know what he's like. And he has to be stopped." Anderson says skirting the issue.
"Understood, what's our next step?" Sampson asks.
Udina brings his hand up to his chin in thought, "As a Spectre, he's virtually untouchable. We need to find some way to expose him."
"What about Garrus, that C-Sec investigator? We saw him arguing with the Executor." Kaiden chimes in.
"That's right! He was asking for more time to finish his report. Seems like he was close to finding something on Saren." Ashley adds.
"Any idea where we could find him?" Sampson asks Udina.
"I have a contact in C-Sec who can help us track Garrus down. His name is Harkin." Udin explains.
"Forget it. They suspended Harkin last month. Drinking on the job. I won't waste my time with that loser." Anderson objects.
"You won't have to. I don't want the Council using your past history with Saren as an excuse to ignore anything we turn up. Sampson will handle this." Udina retorts.
"You can't just cut Captain Anderson out of this investigation." Sampson objects.
"No, the ambassador's right. I need to step aside." Anderson reluctantly admits.
"I need to take care of some business. Captain, meet me in my office later." Udina says walking off on his own.
"Harkin's probably getting drunk at Chora's Den. It's a dingy little club in the lower section of the wards." Anderson says, recounting Harkin's habits.
"Maybe there's another angle to explore?" Sapphire asks.
"You should talk to Barla Von. Over in the financial district. Rumor has it he's an agent for the Shadow Broker." Anderson suggests.
"The Shadow Broker?" Ashley asks in confusion.
"An information dealer. Buys and sells secrets to the highest bidder. I've heard Barla Von's one of the top representatives. He might know something about Saren. But his Information won't come cheap." Andeson briefly explains.
"Udina said you and Saren have a history. What exactly happened?" Sapphire asks, pressing Anderson for more information.
Anderson sighs before rubbing the bridge of his nose, "It was about twenty years ago now. I was part of a mission in the Skyllian Verge. I was working with Saren to find and remove a known terrorist threat."
Anderson pauses for a moment to steady his trembling hands clenched into fists before continuing, "Saren eliminated his target. But a lot of people died along the way. Innocent people. And the official records just covered it all up."