by HR Ringer
Samantha Traynor had walked with him to meet the diplomatic shuttlecraft from the Citadel, in part to see him off, but also to greet and escort human Ambassador Anita Goyle back to the hospital; there she would have a brief meeting with Xiùlán and Sammy, after which she’d travel to Armali to attend a meeting of the Matriarchal Forum with Minister of Antiquities Matriarch Elesia.
The ambassador had returned from that meeting the previous day, in enough time to go on a short sight-seeing tour around Serrice Hospital accompanied by Traynor and Maracela T'Rhyn; Goyle had thoroughly enjoyed seeing the sights, sampling the local cuisine and shopping for souvenirs.
It was just Xiùlán and Sammy with Goyle at breakfast; assured by Sammy that there was no electronic eavesdropping within the small executive dining room, Anita broke the news to both as they all enjoyed a mug of freshly brewed Kaffe.
“There’s an organization, mostly confined to the Attican Traverse, but also branching into the Terminus Systems, and…” here she paused for emphasis, “… Earth Alliance Space, mostly in the areas contested by the batarians.” Looking at Traynor, she added, “You have already been peripherally involved with two of their agents, Ms Traynor… a Darius Holden and a Marianna Walsh, correct?”
Traynor’s face erupted in a scowl of loathing at the mention of Heather Gonzales’ murderers, prompting a one-word response, spoken as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth: “Cerberus!”
“Precisely, Ms Traynor… Cerberus.” Goyle drained her mug of Kaffe and set it down.
Samantha was lost in thought as Xiùlán asked, “What are they doing now that has the attention of the Alliance, Ms Goyle? Surely they cannot be that much of a threat.”
“Your General Park would be a better person to answer that question Ms Yuán, as she has given me few details of all that is currently happening; their stated goal is to make sure humanity is at the top of the galactic food chain, and to hell with the other races. There have been a number of suspicious deaths attributed to Cerberus, all human and all in positions of great power, great influence or both.”
Anita looked back at Traynor as she continued, “The hypothesis is that they were responsible for the assassinations of President Enrique Aguilar and Chinese People's Federation Premier Ying Xiong in 2176, and those are only the most recent deaths alleged to have been done on their behalf.”
Sammy studied the ambassador closely before saying, “So, when do we leave for the Citadel, Madam Ambassador? General Park must have something in mind for me.”
“Indeed she does, Ms Traynor,” Anita answered with a grim smile. “Indeed she does…”
* * *
Anita Goyle had stopped by Xiùlán’s new room in the rehabilitation center to find Samantha Traynor, sitting across a table from Xiùlán, with whom it appeared she was having a quiet discussion; they both looked up together when Goyle entered the room, with Sammy being the first to speak. “Ambassador? We thought you were on your way back to the Citadel.”
“I’ll be leaving shortly; I delayed my departure in order to be here for the presentation,” Goyle responded.
The expressions of puzzlement that appeared on their faces were immediately followed by both asking in unison, “Presentation? What presentation?”
The door behind the ambassador opened again, this time to reveal Minister of Antiquities Matriarch Elesia, accompanied by Maracela T'Rhyn. “Good morning to the three of you!” she said. “I just had to come down from Armali before Ambassador Goyle boards the diplomatic shuttle for the trip back to the Citadel! I have a gift… a thank you present, for each of you.” Before anyone could respond, she turned to Maracela, who handed her a flat object wrapped in plain paper. “First, for you, Ms Goyle. This is a certificate of appreciation for your assistance in facilitating the recovery and return of a priceless artifact from the not so distant past. You have proven beyond a doubt that humans can be counted on to do extraordinary things, for no other reason than it’s the right thing to do.” Handing the package to Anita, the asari added, “Thank you, Ambassador, on behalf of the Matriarchal Forum and the Asari Republics.”
Goyle bowed slightly as she took the package. “We can never succeed in life unless we’re willing to help those in need, Matriarch. I am pleased our assistance was successful.”
Turning back towards Maracela, the matriarch was handed one rather large package, magnificently wrapped in gold and silver foil; Maracela, holding another package of similar size and appearance, stepped forward to stand beside Elesia, who directed her attention to both young women. “Service Chief Yuán… Serviceman Traynor… It is my distinct honor to present these to each of you.” Elesia handed her package to Xiùlán, while Mara handed hers to Sammy. Each of them carefully removed the beautiful wrapping to reveal an instantly recognizable shape.
Elesia explained, as each was unwrapped, that what they were holding were Asari Songblades, throwing weapons comprised of five individual blades arranged around a central grip; though quite similar to Japanese throwing stars, these were considerably larger in diameter. “These are modern examples of the traditional weapons used by huntress acolytes in pre-technological Thessia. You’ll note the patterns of recesses fashioned into the flats of their blades; when in flight, these recesses cause the blades to ‘sing’, providing auditory focus for a biotic, who can steer their flight utilizing microgravity fields projected onto the blades. It is an elegant weapon, from a simpler, more civilized age.”
Traynor was completely amazed at the generosity of the asari people; carefully setting her new weapon on the table, she turned to face the asari and said, “Thank you, Matriarch Elesia. You honor me… honor us both with your gifts.”
Xiùlán took Sammy’s hand and pulled them both down in a bow as she added, “Thank you, Matriarch. You… and the asari people… are extraordinarily generous.”
‘Goddess… these two have exceedingly good manners. Are all humans so polite, I wonder?’ She felt her face flush slightly as she returned their bow before turning to Anita Goyle. “Just to remind you, when Ms Yuán is back on her feet, I intend to sponsor her and Ms Traynor as my guests at the Armali Palace Art Gallery so they can see and understand the importance of the piece they have risked life... and limb... to recover for us. I will arrange for a private, after hours tour in order to keep their presence on Thessia as much a secret as possible.”
Goyle nodded as she responded, “Thank you, Minister. You are too kind.”
The matriarch smiled at that as she turned back to Traynor. “Excellent. And you, Ms Traynor… I understand you will be undertaking short missions for the Alliance… returning here to visit Ms Yuán between trips into the Traverse? Be sure to have Maracela here tell me when you are in Serrice. If I can arrange it, I will come visit during those times.”
“Thank you, Ma’am… I will be sure to do that.”
* * *
* PARNITHA SYSTEM • ALLIANCE SHUTTLECRAFT, AT LARGE *
Samantha Traynor had her total mass calculated and transmitted to the relay in preparation for her trip to the Citadel. As the UT-47 continued its approach to the ancient machine, she thought about her Inamorata, left behind on Thessia. ‘Can’t be helped, dammit! Need to get ahead of whatever problem General Park has uncovered, and hope to ‘ell I don’t have to physically confront anyone. Maybe, while I’m on the Citadel, I can get a replacement cuisse and compression pants for Xiùlán.’
All of this ran through her head as she watched the Relay grow larger on her viewscreen. She smiled as she thought of Xiùlán, insisting that Sammy join her in bed for just a little while, before her scheduled 0230 departure time from Serrice. It had been… interesting. Xiùlán had lain on her right side in order to spare her left thigh. The loving embrace in which she held Sammy had been difficult to leave, which Sam suspected had been Yuán’s plan all along. Saying a final ‘I love you, Xiùlán’, Sammy had gathered her packs and left before either of them could start crying… she did not need to see her lover weeping as she left for wha
t was hoped to be a short trip.
As the enormous eezo core within the spinning containment rings brightened in anticipation of a transit, the rings themselves gradually increased their rotational speed; once the shuttle entered a pre-determined distance from the structure, great waves and sheets of blue-white lightning formed along the length of the relay, reaching out to envelope the shuttle. The UT-47 was drawn into the funnel-like opening of the space-time corridor created by the relay, where it was nearly instantaneously pulled through billions of kilometers of space, emerging in a similar cloud of energy discharges beside the relay in the Widow System.
As the shuttle rapidly decelerated to sub-light velocity, Traynor resumed manual flight control and set course for the Alliance docks at the Citadel; she wanted to drop Xiùlán’s armor plate and compression pants off at the Alliance armory before continuing on to Alliance HQ in Vancouver.
* * *
* SOL SYSTEM • EARTH, ALLIANCE HQ IN VANCOUVER *
“Serviceman 1st Class Samantha Traynor, 8256-DH-7968, reporting as ordered.” Standing at attention, Sammy waited for the Marine Corporal serving as the OD to recognize her and ask her business. When she told him she was here to meet with General RaeLee Park, he immediately sent an inquiry to the general’s office server; upon receiving a reply, he stood and indicated a hallway with a wave of his hand. “Second door on the right, Ms Traynor. The general is expecting you.”
With a ‘Thank you’ and a nod of her head, Sammy walked past the corporal’s desk and entered the hallway; coming to a halt in front of the door, she rapped on its surface with her knuckles. A curt ‘Come in,’ could be heard through the wood paneling. Sammy opened the door to a rather opulent looking office; on seeing General Park standing at a table next to her desk, Traynor walked through the doorway and closed the door behind her, coming to attention a meter from the front of Park’s desk. “General Park?”
The general glanced over her shoulder at Sammy before picking up a pair of mugs, each emblazoned with the Earth Alliance seal; handing one of the mugs to Traynor, Park indicated she should sit in the chair beside the desk as Park herself took her own seat behind the desk. Taking a cautious sip of tea, the general set the mug down as she fixed her eyes on Sammy and said with a wry grin, “It’s hot. Don’t burn your mouth.” Steepling her fingers in front of her with her elbows on the desk, she said, “Now then… Tell me, how is Yuán’s recovery progressing? Is Anita Goyle telling me the truth about Yuán needing your presence in order to heal?”
Traynor felt the blush creeping up her neck from beneath her collar. “Well, you’re already aware we’re in a relationship, General. I can say in all honesty her perceived pain is less when I’m in the room with her, and the rate her leg is healing from the surgeries has been faster than the doctors predicted.”
Park’s skepticism was apparent. “Those are asari doctors having very little experience with human physiology. How do they know Yuan’s rate of healing isn’t normal for a human?”
“Differences in environment aside, General, anatomical differences are negligible. That asari heal faster than humans may be due in part to their environment… Hell… Yuán’s Chinese heritage may be helping her heal faster than expected.” Traynor sipped her tea, then skewered the general with her eyes and said, “Begging your pardon, Ma’am, but you didn’t have me come all this way to Vancouver just to ask me how Service Chief Yuán is progressing… what’s happening out there that has you concerned?”
Park lowered her eyes as she took a sip of tea to collect her thoughts. ‘Damn! This kid is really eager! Time to lay it all out for her…’ With a short ‘huff’ of amusement, Park replied, “A few things have happened while you were on assignment with Yuán and Buchanan.”
“Cerberus!” The word rolled off Samantha’s tongue like an oily poison. “Whatever they’re doing cannot be good for the Alliance. What brought them to the top of the pile of miserable rubbish we have to deal with?”
Park’s grim smile held no humor or joy. “In 2165 agents sent by Cerberus murdered several crewmen aboard the SSV Geneva in a failed attempt to steal antimatter. They’ve engineered several accidents that have exposed colonists to dust-form element zero, which leads us to believe they’re researching ways to force biotic abilities onto humans, and damn the consequences of still-births, deformed babies, or those that develop brain cancers.” Park took another sip from her mug and sighed. “Then there’s the string of assassinations attributed to them, going back to before 2170.”
“There have always been political assassinations, General. What makes these any different?”
Park selected a datapad from the several on her desk; handing it to Traynor, she explained, “The people selected as replacements were all either sympathetic to causes espoused by Cerberus, or easily manipulated to become virtual puppets.”
Samantha read through the list of names – Pope Clement XVI, replaced by Leo XIV, whose eschatological beliefs were more in line with Cerberus’ goal of militarizing humanity; the Illusive Man was believed to have ordered the death of Claude Menneau in 2173 in order to allow Charles Saracino to become the leader of the Terra Firma party. Cerberus also supplied funding to Michael Moser Lang, who gunned down United North American States president Enrique Aguilar and Chinese People's Federation premier Ying Xiong in 2176.
Samantha looked up at General Park, saying, “This one name… Lang? I’ve seen the name before, but not associated with Cerberus. He’s an independent contractor, hiring himself out for the best payday.”
Thinking ‘Good! She’s picked up the scent!’, Park nodded her head as she said, “Lang disappeared from view after taking out the Chinese premier. Last word we had indicated he was stalking Raherix Ursivus, a warmonger in the Turian Hierarchy.” Picking up a different datapad, Park gave it to Traynor in exchange for the one she was holding. “Everything we know about Michael Moser Lang is on this device. Copy the data to your omnitool. I need you out in Council Space tracking down and stopping this guy from doing whatever he’s been paid to do. You don’t have to stay out there continuously, Samantha, but I do need regular updates on your progress. I have a feeling that whatever he’s been paid to do is going to happen… soon. I’d like to prevent him from carrying out his plan, whatever it is.”
As Traynor downloaded the information, Park continued, “We’ve equipped a small ship for your use. Big enough for a proper eezo core, so it’s faster than your shuttle, which can be carried in the hanger bay. It’s armored, shielded and has defensive weaponry, but it’s no warship, so don’t get cocky out there.”
“How big?” Traynor wanted to know.
“Smaller than an Alliance corvette. We repurposed an old turian corvette – 50 meters in length – the Spirit’s Rage.”
Sam’s chuckle was without humor. “50 meters? The UT-47 will take up a third of that. Engines, HVAC, fuel and supplies probably another third… living quarters amount to only 14, 15 meters? Not much of an improvement over living in the shuttle.”
Park grinned. “Wouldn’t want you to get spoiled with a lot of luxuries, Traynor. It does have a full galley, and a lavatory with shower stall. Sleeping quarters are tight – two berths, one above the other.”
“Perfect. Will Buchanan be coming along?”
“He’ll be your pilot… and backup, should you get into trouble. I don’t anticipate you needing to go dirtside much. The equipment in the UT-47 will be plugged into the Spirit’s Rage while the shuttle is docked within – you’ll be using the computers in the shuttle for your search, but their ‘reach’ will be considerably enhanced by using the power, sensors and antennae of the corvette.”
Traynor handed the datapad back to the general. “When do I leave, and where do I go to start this search?”
Park set the datapad on the desk, leaned back in her chair and sighed. “I wish there were more time, but… I need you out there yesterday. Your shuttle has been stocked with equipment and supplies you may need. Buchanan has Spirit’s Rage in o
rbit – just go back up in the shuttle and dock with your ship. Your first destination should be the Citadel, then the Trebia system in the Apien Crest – you’ll need to determine the whereabouts of Raherix Ursivus, track his movements. I have a terrible feeling in my bones, Sam. That turian’s number has come up… we just need to find out how, where, and most importantly, when.” Standing, Park stuck out her hand. “Good luck, Samantha… fly safe.”
* * *
* SPIRIT’S RAGE • AT LARGE *
Traynor and Buchanan had flown from the Local Cluster to the Widow System, where they had placed Spirit’s Rage in a ‘parking’ orbit about the Citadel, blending in with the many freight haulers and military craft that seemed to be locked in a perpetual dance around the station. Sammy felt that a day spent monitoring comms at the Citadel might bear fruit, and the pair could explain their presence in the Widow System a lot more convincingly than if they were in the turian system.
Sammy was inside the shuttle, listening in on supposedly secure communications between the numerous turian ships in the system; she had the system flagged to alert her to any comms traffic coming from the turian councilor’s office. While one system monitored ship-to-ship and Citadel-to-ship communications, she setup a second system to monitor the comms between the Apien Crest and the Citadel.
She needed to find Raherix Ursivus before Lang did. The turian was an agitator, traveling among his people’s colonies spreading his brand of anti-human hatred. Ursivus’ popularity had been slowly growing since the end of the First Contact War, to the point there were those in Alliance Command (including General Park) that felt another war with the turians was an increasing inevitability.