“A Sangheili in a club…" There was a short pause. “Sounds like the start of a bad comedy.”
Shepard could barely hear Garrus’s words over the bass that resounded through the Afterlife. It reverberate through the club, and she could feel it through the polished metal bar that she leaned against with her compatriots. A grenade could have exploded right beside her and she would have been none the wiser to its presence.
It needn’t be asked what Garrus meant by those words. It was hard to miss what he was referring to.
At the far end of the club, beside the entrance to one of the many private suites of the Afterlife, stood a Sangheili in stark contrast to all the other aliens that roamed the club. Every alien gave the Sangheili a large berth. Even the Batarians, who had a perchance in starting fights, kept a respectable distance. His body was illuminated heavily by the pink and red lights of the Afterlife, and it only made it harder for Shepard to properly identify what sort of faction he came from, let alone the Sangheili’s rank. All she could identify from the Sangheili was his race, as well as the fact he did not don the typical Covenant battle harness.
“You think that’s our contact?” Shepard leaned against the bar counter as if to avoid the Sangheili’s gaze. She betrayed only a few glances his way as she took a sip of the much too alcoholic (and expensive) drink.
“I know its our contact.” Miranda brushed her hair to the side as she hid a sideways glance towards the Sangheili. There was a cocktail in her other hand, barely touched. “But I didn’t think they would be bringing Sangheili mercenaries.”
“Why wouldn't they?” Garrus seemed to have snorted. He was staring directly at the Sangheili. But everyone at the club was staring at the Sangheili, if not talking about him. “But if they were going for intimidation, why not bring a Jiralhanae?”
“Sangheili mercenaries have been much more common since the Covenant dissolved.” Miranda replied evenly. “Besides, jiralhanae are more unpredictable than Sangheili. I wouldn’t trust one here.”
Shepard could have cracked a joke about how Jiralhanae were barely better than Sangheili, but she shrugged it off. “Or maybe our contact wanted to tell everyone else to piss off.” Shepard glanced towards the bar as she took a sip of her drink. Anyone who was fool enough to mess with a Sangheili had it coming to them. And it was pretty obvious that everyone else in the club had the same thought. Even the most drunk patrons of the Afterlife took the longer route than pass by the Sangheili.
But that didn’t mean they were immune to the occasional pissed off mercenary. An observant eye could see pretty clearly that someone was one bad comment away from throwing their chair at the Sangheili. And who could blame them? No one had any love for the Covenant, let alone the aliens who used to be a part of it.
“That too.” Miranda tapped her fingers against the bar counter. “But I wouldn’t want to keep our contact waiting. I hear she has little patience for late parties.”
Shepard gave a shrug as she gave her drink a final sip. The alcohol tingled on her tongue for a moment too long and it burned down her throat unpleasantly. She pushed herself away from the bar counter and strolled up towards the Sangheili who stood guard by the doorway to the private suite. As she approached, she was able to get a better look at the Sangheili who stood guard. He donned an almost ornate armor harness, reminiscent to a more ancient civilization than the usual technologically advanced gear that the Covenant would often don their warriors.
This mission just kept getting more interesting.
On her approach, she expected the Sangheili to be aggressive to her advances and somewhat problematic to the mission at hand. But, to Shepard’s surprise, the Sangheili merely bowed his head and deftly moved to the side. He gave a motion with his serpentine neck towards the door and kept his arms crossed over his chest, his watchful gaze kept towards the Afterlife patrons.
Shepard could almost see the boredom in his eyes.
“Looks like we’re expected.” Garrus eyed the Sangheili carefully.
Shepard craned her neck upward to the Sangheili who seemed to take no further interest in the three of them. Damn. She didn’t realize how tall a Sangheili was until she was right beside it. It wasn’t often she was sent out on missions against the Covenant, the Alliance had better uses to send her elsewhere. Most of the ones she stood beside were dead, so they were always looked down upon. Those Sangheili that didn’t join the Covenant were rare, at best, and if there were one before the breaking of the Covenant, she had never met any. She felt lucky that whomever hired this alien was on her side.
At least, she presumed they were.
Without another glance, Shepard pressed the button to enter the private suite. The doors slid unceremoniously open. On the other side was a hallway and enough soundproofing to give Shepard a reprieve from the oppressively loud club music.
At the other end of the hallway another Sangheili stood guard wearing the same armor as the previous one. He barely looked as though he fit in the hallway and was hunched over to accommodate for the lack of horizontal space. It came as a surprise to Shepard that the Afterlife offered this much security measures for their private suites, but knowing the type of people that passed through here she felt silly to not expect as much.
The three slid passed the alien, and once the second door slid open the three of them were mildly surprised to see a rather open and lavishly decorated room with dim lights. At the center of the room was a large round table furnished with much too plump modular couches. Towards the side, there was a multi-species kitchenette-bar combination with a Turian bartender and a lingering smell of coffee.
Unsurprisingly, the room was also furnished with another Sangheili on guard and Batarian mercenaries.
Sitting rather pleased with herself at the center of the table was Aria, and beside her was a human woman whose hands were cupped around a mug filled with coffee. But this was not what surprised Shepard. Shockingly, another Sangheili sat comfortably as it could beside the human woman. His skin was pale grey and the armor he donned was almost as ornate as the other Sangheili that Shepard saw, if not more. It was white and had black and gold trim scattered over the armor. Then, standing beside that alien and the woman was a Spartan. They donned the typical MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor. Instead of the usual green that Shepard was accustomed to, it was bathed in a stark red. Curiously, however, Shepard noted a strange charm that dangled from their chest. It almost looked… like a teddy bear.
The entire situation was strange, and Shepard could barely begin to determine the political positions of those who sat at the table.
“Took you long enough.” Aria chided. She made a motion with her head to the chair beside her. “Was beginning to think you got lost.”
“Hard not to notice the Sangheili guard.” Shepard slid into the couch beside Aria and glanced towards the unfamiliar party that sat in opposition of her.
“They insisted on Sangheili guards.” Aria rolled her eyes. “But it isn’t my decision if they want to paint a target on their backs and have all of Omega look their way.”
“No offense, Aria.” The human woman looked up from her coffee. She looked bored and peevish. “But I would sooner put my trust in the Kig-Yar than any mercenary you decide to hire.”
Aria gave a snort, but left it at that.
The woman looked towards Shepard with a rather judgmental eye. There was a long silence as she inspected the commander carefully. Then, what seemed like hours later, she finally spoke. “Well, I suppose Cerberus has treated my project well enough.” She gave a shrug as she took a sip of her coffee.
Shepard sat quiet for a moment. Her brows furrowed at the woman’s cryptic statement. “Your project…?”
“My, my…” She shook her head with a tinge of annoyance on her features. “It seems that Cerberus decided to scuff my name out of the project, didn’t they?” She glanced towards Miranda. “The Lazarus Project. Or, rather it was my project until Cerberus and I had our differences. I wouldn’t say we parted ways amicably, but here I am at their doorstep once more.”
“With Sangheili, none the less.” Miranda interjected.
“You can never be too careful about Cerberus.” She kept her gaze on Miranda. “Much like the System Alliance and the Citadel Council. Given how everyone has their own opinion of what they would do with me, the Swords of Sanghelios have treated me far better than anyone else has.” She relaxed her shoulders slightly, giving the Sangheili whom sat behind her a sideways glance. “But I am not here to ask for your help, Shepard. Rather, I come to offer my aid to you.”
“A name would be a good starting place.” Shepard glanced from Miranda back to the woman.
“My name is Catherine Halsey. I am surprised you do not know who I am by appearances alone.”
“The Halsey?” Shepard drew back in shock. She had learned about Halsey in books, and the Alliance has had her head on their wanted list for as long as Shepard could remember. Most of their reasoning was classified, but the accusations were heavy enough that the System Alliance turned their heads her direction. She had been MIA for so long that most people thought she was dead. Though, seeing her surrounded by Sangheili and her previous mentioned alliance with Cerberus was beginning to slot the pieces into place.
She had grown much older since the wanted list had been put out. She aged well, but it was obvious in the ways her eyes looked that she had seen and been through more than she cared to divulge.
“You’re a wanted woman.” Shepard leaned in, more interested than ever now.
“So is everyone on Omega.” Halsey shrugged.
“Sure. But not everyone has the entire galaxy on its hit list.” Shepard glanced towards Aria. “I’m guessing that’s why you’re here.”
“I’m the only reason Halsey even is able to breathe on Omega.” Aria smiled. “My portion of the payment is part of your mission. And I’d love for you not to screw it up so I’m out of what I’m owed.”
The Sangheili beside Halsey clicked his mandibles together. And Shepard noted the annoyed look on his face. But, to his credit, he did not say anything. At least, anything that her translator could pick up.
“You must want something big if you’re putting yourself in this much danger to talk to me.” Shepard looked back to Halsey. “I assume payment is just as big if Aria is in on it.”
Halsey gave a smirk. “Bigger than you can imagine.” She lifted her hand up. As she did, one of the Sangheili guards lopped forward and presented Shepard with a data-pad. “I come with information and an upgrade that would make your current ship a pale comparison to what it is now.” Shepard took the data-pad from the guard and began to scroll the details. “I heard you were in the market for one.”
“How do you know about our mission?” Shepard glanced upward.
“It wasn’t difficult to hack into the Cerberus network.” Halsey replied rather pleased with herself. “How did you think I got in contact with Miranda to organize a meeting here?”
Shepard glanced towards Miranda as if to confirm what Halsey said. Miranda looked annoyed with the doctor, and it showed rather plainly on her face. “She’s telling the truth.” Miranda replied with barely concealed venom. “Unfortunately for Cerberus, losing an asset like Halsey was more than we bargained for.”
“I am sure Cerberus would love to have me back.” Halsey smiled at Miranda. “But judging by the look you have, I think we both have a different idea of what that reunion might be like.”
Shepard noted the fingers on Miranda twitch. The Sangheili guard must have noticed it too, because his posture seemed to hunch just slightly. She didn’t want to have a brawl break out, and whatever bad blood between the two would have to wait another time. Shepard raised her hand to calm Miranda, and the tension in the air dissipated slightly. At least enough for the guard to lower his aggression.
Shepard looked towards Halsey, her hand lowering to give the doctor a proper once over. “It does seem a little suspicious that you decide to come crawling back to Cerberus under the guise of helping.”
“It is no guise, Commander Shepard.” Halsey shook her head. “The Citadel Council might consider you a fool in chasing the ghosts of the Reapers. But I am no fool.” Halsey crossed her arms over her chest. “The Forerunners were more forthcoming with their knowledge about the existence of the Reapers, more so than the Prometheans. And, as the leading expert on Forerunner technology, it would be unwise to presume that the Reaper threat does not exist. As much as I would love to bring my findings to the Citadel Council, they dislike me more than Cerberus. Should I even step one foot on the Citadel, the Council would prefer to parade my arrest to the galaxy and lock me behind bars than to listen to anything I have to say.” She sighed. “And I, just like everyone else in the galaxy, do not want to meet death sooner than I have to. I am sure you understand.”
“Point taken.” Shepard shrugged. “And I’m sure your help comes with a catch.”
“There is always a catch, Commander Shepard.” Halsey gave another smile. “I think my friend here can provide you the details.” She motioned with her hand towards the Sangheili whom sat beside her.
The Sangheili beside Halsey gave a small nod. He leaned forward, and laid his hands on the table. Shepard was admittedly a little nervous being inspected by the Sangheili. It wasn’t often that she got this close to one, and often those that permitted a human this close to them was because it lead to an inevitable fight.
“I am Seasa ‘Wadunai.” Seasa introduced himself. His voice was surprisingly a lot smoother than Shepard was expecting. Even more surprisingly, Seasa spoke in English. “I was once High Councilor for the Covenant before the Great Schism of our people. It honors me to meet you who showed us the lies of the Covenant.” Seasa placed a hand upon his chest and bowed his head.
“Wait. Wait.” Shepard drew back. “When did I do this?” She looked from Halsey to her companions.
“Ah…” Seasa mused. “Catherine Halsey did say you may not know. Your revelations about the Reapers showed us the truth unclouded by the Prophet’s lies. Our people owe you a great debt.” He turned his head sideways slightly.
Shepard glanced down at the data-pad. “This part of it?”
“A small gesture, by comparison.” Seasa nodded his head. “During my time as High Councilor for the Covenant, I have come to learn and acquire a knowledge of many things. Things that even high ranking San’Shyuum were not privy to. I was not a fool to see the hoarding of Forerunner artifacts by members of the clergy, and I kept a watchful eye to see where these artifacts have gone.” He gestured towards the data-pad. “Unfortunately, with the breaking of the Covenant, many of these artifacts were destroyed or lost to the Great Schism. But I have managed to track an artifact that would greatly enhance the capabilities of your ship.”
Shepard looked down at the data-pad. Her eyes glazed over the symbols. The internal translation system did its best to translate what it could, but there were many Covenant symbols that were left up to interpretation. It made sense given how isolated the Covenant was from Citadel controlled space. But even from the rough translation, the artifact in question would be a great boon to the Normandy.
She glanced up towards Seasa and gave a smile. “This could increase our chances through the Omega Relay by 31%.” She handed the data-pad off to Miranda who stared down at the information with great interest. Garrus leaned over her shoulder, his eyes glazing over the information. “But, judging by what you just said, I assume you don’t have it.”
Seasa seemed bemused. “I would not meet you at such a place if we had it.”
“Let me guess. You need me to go get it.” Shepard leaned forward and clasped her hands on the table. “And it won’t be easy.”
Seasa nodded his head. “The Banished have acquired it first.”
Garrus seemed almost too amused by this information. He gave a chuckle as he shook his head. Already ready to write off this mission as nothing more than a rumor. “I rather take my chances in Geth controlled space than deal with the Banished.”
“It is why we come to you with this information.” Seasa nodded his head. “I have full confidence that if anyone can acquire this artifact, it would be you.”
Shepard sighed and reclined back into her seat with her arms crossed over her chest. If there had been more time, she might have mulled over this information a little bit more. But, given both the limited and unlimited resources at her disposal, even she knew, deep down, refusing this mission would have been foolish. Forerunner artifacts were a hot commodity. Even hotter than Promethean ones. As much as everyone loved to focus on the grandiosity of Promethean artifacts, Forerunner ones were overall better and much more technologically advanced than Promethean. The only draw back was that the Covenant considered these relics to be extremely religious, more so than the Hanar with Promeathans. They hoarded Forerunner artifacts with the veracity of a Varen acquiring its first meal of the day. And anyone who got in their way was met with brutal annihilation. But it seemed that ever since the Covenant dissolved two years ago, it became a free for all. For the better or for the worse.
Anyone who was anyone was trying to get Forerunner artifacts, and no unified government could control the outbreak of the spread. Hell, it was even said that the Krogan were trying to inject themselves with Forerunner metal just to get a better chance at viable offspring.
But given what Shepard knew about the Banished, it was almost too much trouble than what it was worth.
Almost.
“I’m interested.” Shepard finally said. Garrus stared incredulously at Shepard, but he must have eventually come to the same conclusion as her.
Seasa gave what Shepard could only consider a ‘smile’. Seasa continued: “The artifact is kept within the Banished group called Supplicant’s Sword.”
“Supplicant’s Sword?” Garrus guffawed. “They’re still around?”
Shepard looked towards Garrus. A brow lifted. “You know them?”
“Back when I worked for C-Sec on the Citadel they were a pretty large gang of Turians. Petty thievery and blackmail. Until one day they took the ambassador of the Unggoy hostage asking for Forerunner artifacts that the Unggoy had apparently been hoarding in her office.” Garrus shrugged. “No one ever thought they would escalate into terrorism, but C-Sec did a pretty good job in putting down the group.” He scratched his mandible for a moment, “Well, I suppose we all thought they did.”
“Would it surprise you to hear that they’re being led by a Sangheili now?” Halsey turned her attention to Garrus.
“Not really.” Garrus shook his head. “As much I hate to admit it, the Sangheili and Turians are more in common to each other than we take credit for. For the better and for the worst.”
“You are more humble than most Turians.” Seasa nodded his head. “Many would rather fall on their sword than admit that truth.”
A strange analogy. Shepard folded her hands on the table. “So, who’s the new leader?”
“Anat ‘Wadunai.” Seasa replied.
An awkward silence weighed over the room.
“’Wadunai…” Shepard repeated the clan’s name. “I’m no xenologist on Sangheili, but I’m assuming there is a family connection.”
“Yes.” Seasa confirmed. “He is my brood-brother.”
“Think I found the actual catch.” Miranda muttered under her breath.
Shepard could only crack a smile. The politics of the table were beginning to become clear. “So, you want me to kill him. And in exchange I’ll be given a portion of the Forerunner artifacts on board this ‘Supplicant’s Sword’.”
Aria gave a chuckle. “You really haven’t worked with any Sangheili, have you?” Shepard turned to Aria with a raised brow. But she motioned for Seasa to continue.
“I will kill him.” Seasa put as bluntly as possible. “It would sully my clan’s honor should I leave a human to put an end to his misery. What I truly offer is my hand in slaying the dishonored and the resources to go after his folly.”
Aria’s smile was now wide as she looked to Shepard. “And that is the catch.” She pointed to Seasa with a smile. “But, if I’ll be honest, Shepard, if you don’t plan on taking the mission, I’ll be damn sure to. You just take the heat off of me.”
Shepard frowned at Aria. At least she was being honest.
Miranda shook her head. “I’m not too sure about this.” She looked over to Seasa with a hard stare. She seemed unconvinced by this mission. “How do we know you’re not Covenant loyalists or indoctrinated by the Reapers? You were a High Councilor for the Covenant. You all practically worshiped the Reapers until the Covenant dissolved.”
Seasa glowered at Miranda. “It is true that many on High Charity fell to the indoctrination to the Reapers. But if you believe me to be indoctrinated then I invite you to kill me.”
It was not a threat, but an invitation. Seasa raised his hand and laid down an energy sword onto the table. Both Shepard and Garrus gawked down at the display, and Aria seemed amused by the sudden entertainment.
Thankfully, Halsey was the first to speak up. “Seasa is not indoctrinated. I have done the testing myself and guarantee with 96% accuracy that he is not influenced.” She shook her head with a sigh. “If you plan on not taking Seasa, I can assure you it would be impossible to even get close to Supplicant’s Sword. The bad blood goes both ways.” She shrugged. “At the end of the day, I am only here to install the Forerunner artifact onto your ship and pass on the information to Aria. Without Seasa, the mission is as good as dead in the water.”
Just my luck… Shepard bit the inside of her cheek.
Quite frankly, she didn’t know a thing about Sangheili culture or whatever internal politics that went on between them. More than anything, however, she did not want to be caught between two feuding siblings over their honor. But a Sangheili in any military capacity on the Normandy would be a great boon to the ship, even if only temporary. But Miranda’s concern did not go unnoticed. It was known that the Covenant, especially those high within the ranks of the clergy, had been indoctrinated by the Reapers. Though Shepard trusted Halsey’s findings, she had admitted herself that it wasn’t entirely accurate. And Shepard couldn’t bring herself to endanger her crew even with the slim chance Halsey was incorrect.
Halsey must have known what Shepard was thinking. She leaned in, her hands clasped onto the table. “If you still feel that you must be assured that Seasa is not indoctrinated, I will even throw in my own bid onto the table.” Her eyes glanced towards the Spartan that stood unmoving. “If you feel as though Seasa would jeopardize the mission, I can give you a certain… level of insurance.”
Shepard noted how the Spartan shifted slightly in their armor. Their helmet turned slightly towards Halsey, and though Shepard couldn’t see what they were thinking, she had a good feeling she seemed annoyed by the sudden change of plans.
“A Spartan…” Shepard leaned back and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. She had never worked with a Spartan before, but had heard they were essentially one man armies. Genetically engineered soldiers to handle all the dirty work that the Alliance needed them to do, all hand reared by Halsey herself. It was what made her so dangerous to the Alliance and the Council; and also what made her so prized by the galaxy.
Shepard turned her head to Seasa. He sat there, unaffected by Halsey’s offer of an insurance plan.
“We’ll do it.” Shepard said, finally.
Aria nodded her head with a smile. She made a sideways glance towards Halsey, pleased with the outcome of the business meeting. “And you almost didn’t believe me.”
“Family feuds aren’t my thing.” Shepard continued. “My concern is getting the technology we need to get to the Omega Relay. I won’t be putting my team in jeopardy for ‘honor’.” She stared at Seasa. “You’ll be under my command. Any order I give will be followed. If I say jump, you jump.” Seasa’s gaze met Shepard’s. It almost looked… amused. “Is that clear?”
“Perhaps you should give that conversation to the Demon…” Seasa kept his gaze. “I have heard she is less amicable to work with than others.”
Shepard turned towards the Spartan that still stood. But now, she was looking straight at Shepard.
Halsey gave a small smile. “I can assure you, Sierra-023 will follow your command so long as it does not go against the terms we have set out. Just be sure to not treat them like children, they are my finest creations.”
It was strange to hear another Human be called a ‘creation’. There was little that she knew about the Spartan-II project, but she was familiar with all the outlandish stories that families would tell their children at night in order for them to behave. That the Alliance would scoop them up at night and turn them into machines. Standing in front of a Spartan now, Shepard was beginning to understand that there might have been some truth to that statement. She wondered if, in a sense, Shepard was the same as this Sierra-023. Both of them had the touch of Halsey now.
“Duly noted.”
Halsey nodded her head with a smile. “We knew you’d take it, Commander Shepard.” Her smile faded. “But please, do not disappoint.”