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 Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:28 pm
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
Alia smiled and held up her glass.
"The booze mostly."
She smiled lazily and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. She studied the Captain's face intently, trying to discern any sort of tell.
"I'm here, because I like to gamble and drink. And I like to schmooze with famous people."
She waited until the quarian was out of earshot and leaned in close. She spoke in a hushed voice.
"Do you see those quarians? I happened to overhear one of their conversations earlier. They're looking for an agent of the Shadow Broker. Apparently the Broker is interested in a man who is connected with the X57 incident. And the death of your predecessor. I've already forwarded this information to my contractor. And you'll most likely be informed by the Council of the same thing. You are a Spectre after all."
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:37 pm
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
"Schmooze? I get that a lot from the young women and asari, all of them seemingly blinded by ignorance. Private investigator then, huh?"
Whitfield didn't care too much about her nonchalant talk but focused in more on what she said, not because she had mentioned the Shadow Broker, but because she had spoken about Shepard and his untimely death. Of course he'd be itching for some payback; after all, he was one of their own. This business interested him quite a bit, and he wanted to be let in on any information she might obtain during her investigation. But even more so the investigation of Shepard's death was still going on.
"If you have any information about Lt. Commander Shepard's death I'm required to know."
The Captain sat up straight and then leaned forward his face serious.
"He wasn't killed in duty, he was assassinated and I want to know why."
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:52 pm
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
"I don't have any other information. They might, they might not. I'm guessing that's why they're coming to talk to the Broker's agent."
She leaned back as she spoke. Feeling slightly more at ease with the situation. Doran hadn't said anything, but then again she didn't expect him to exactly come over and spill the beans.
"I'm going to keep following them. If I learn anything else, you'll be the second to know."
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:55 pm
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
Kal'Ceska sat quietly for a moment, idly playing with an empty glass in front of him. It didn't take long for the human next to him get up and move, that was no surprise. What was a surprise however was a Salarian who immediately took his place, placing a quick order for a drink Ceska had never heard the name of.
The Salarian, cleared his throat and spoke in that fast beat voice they were known for speaking with. "Heard you were looking for information."
"I was." Ceska responded, noticing movement, and the form of Varassh coming up from the rear. With a quick hand motion Ceska waved him away. The large quarian paused a moment, then took a seat at a nearby table.
The Salarian either hadn't seen the exchange or ignored it... Ceska had to assume it was the latter.
"I think I would be willing to help you, more than willing-- If you could compensate me for my time." the salarian seemed to chuckle, "I'm a very busy man."
"I would be more than willing." Ceska replied simply, not being the aggressor in this game.
There was an uncharacteristic lull in the conversation, but the salarian was quick to pick it back up, "You're the quarian, looking into the bounty on Dr. Hayes," the salarian held up a hand ushering for silence, and shook his head briefly, "the Shadow Broker has eyes and ears everywhere my friend. Information doesn't leak accidentally. We know your turian friend on Noveria, we told him for a reason. He knows some powerful people, you're just lucky to be the first one of his friends to get here."
Ceska remained silent, instead bringing up his omni-tool and taping a few times on it, the salarian quickly did the same, connecting their accounts. Within several seconds Ceska had transferred a large sum of credits over to the salarian.
The salarian seemed satisfied and continued, "Hayes was last seen in the Styx Theta Cluster doing research, the bounty is for him alive, so no mistakes. When you have Hayes contact this number..." the salarian tapped a few more times sending a number to Ceska's omni-tool, "You will be given further instructions."
Ceska nodded simply and began to get up, but the salarian caught his arm, "Remember, the Broker wants him alive."
Kal'Ceska nodded and slipped out of the quarians hand, Ceska moved to Varassh who had risen, "Go get Sa'klee, we have what we need here."
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:55 pm
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
"First" Whitfield corrected her sitting up in his chair, his face still serious.
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:15 pm
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
Alia chuckled at his assumption. Humans were born and they died. They were a relatively short lived species, and the asari lived for one thousand years. She stood and smiled.
"Captain, the first person I give any information to is the person who hired me. And I don't think you're enough of a threat to consider changing my business model."
She finished her drink and stood, still wearing a smile.
"If that was a threat Captain, you should try harder next time. And just for future reference, I'm perfectly capable of defending myself. If you intend on forcing the information out of me, I'll put you through the wall? Understand?"
She paused, still wearing a smile. Her eyes bored into his.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to run."
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:28 pm
Milky Way Galaxy
What Cluster
What Planet
The Captain sighed heavily and stood up from his seat, not that he was comfortable anyways. In fact, he wasn't at all surprised to be threatened by an individual. All she had done was prove to him that she wasn't just any private investigator, and that the quarians and their information were important enough to threaten a spectre over. What she had failed to do was draw him away from the situation and had, instead, drawn him in.
"Ms. Dhaleena, you threatened me, not the other way around. I merely suggested your most favorable course of action."
His helmet had been resting on the edge of the table the entire time, and he midlessly grabbed it and hoisted it up against his hip.
"You act like C-Sec; no doubt your employer is from there. By the time the information gets relayed to me, it'll be too late and I won't be able to help."
His eyes had locked onto Alia's and the blue orbs weren't letting up any time soon.
"You would be doing more good by assisting me."
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:36 pm
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
Ceska and his quarians began to head out of Flux, Varassh pausing to inform Ceska of who it was in the bar. Ceska cast his eyes over to the human Varassh indicated and saw the Spectre in what looked like...a heated discussion with an asari dressed in common clothing.
Ceska made note of her face, and of his, cast his eyes around and with that the three quarians left as quickly and as quietly as they could from Flux.
"Why are we in a rush sir?" Sa'klee asked as they tapped down the stairs to the Upper Wards.
"I'm not entirely convinced it was a coincidence that the only human Spectre was in the same club as we were while gathering very important information. Several things were wrong in there, and the Brokers informant didn't seem to be anywhere in sight. It just didn't feel right." Ceska explained mulling over the things in his mind.
Sa'klee accepted his explanation in silence as the quarians made their way back to the docking bay, and their ship.
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:56 pm
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
Alia smiled. The man had acted like a soldier. Her assessment of him was coming together nicely.
"You humans are so concerned about the short game. I'm more concerned with the long run. Goodbye Captain. Perhaps we will meet again?"
She ended her prolonged smile and walked back to the bar. She thanked Doran for the drink and followed the salarian the quarians had spoken to. He was not a hard man to follow, but he was quick. She followed him to a small alley way just off the main corridor. When he attempted to access the Public extranet terminal she struck.
"What did you tell the quarians?"
The salarian turned in slight surprise. She had no weapons drawn, but she had attached the biotic amp to her implant. She was ready to fight if need be.
"Nothing that would interest you I'm afraid. They were interested in some of the ship parts my company manufactures."
The asari smiled. He was going to be smart. Perfect.
"If you were talking about ship components then I'm an elcor's left arm pit."
"The smell must drive you mad." The salarian said, wearing a proud smile.
Alia looked him in the eye and took a step closer.
"If you're going to behave like a rat, then you can at least be a decent one and give me the information."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I just told them about ship parts."
Alia raised her brow in a contemplative gesture.
"Alright, we'll do it your way."
She reached down and pulled the knife from her boot. She brought the blade up to the salarian's abdomen and poked gently.
"I know you work for the Shadow Broker, and I know that the quarians were looking for information about a man who was involved with the X57 incident. Now. what I don't know is what you told them."
He seemed to tense up. she couldn't tell if it was the knife or the information she had just given him.
"How did you find that out?" He asked in a slightly worried tone.
"The quarians weren't as quiet as you should be in the lower Wards at this hour. Now are you going to tell me what I need to know or do I have to break a finger?"
The salarian visibly paled. He was beginning to realise that she wasn't your regular asari. Then again, the knife at his side probably didn't hurt that much.
"You'll have to pay me for it. It's not going to be cheap."
"Let's see, you have three fingers. Which one do you use least?"
"OK! OK! I'm just a middle man. They're after Dr. Hayes. He's a human physicist. He's in the Styx Theta cluster. Just let me go."
Alia put the knife away and smiled.
"Now was that so hard?"
She accessed her Omni-tool and sent two hundred credits to the salarian's account.
"Something for your time."
She turned, and left the Alley. On the elevator ride back to the Presidium she was on the COM with Executor Pallin. When she had delivered her report he sounded serious.
"Styx Theta? Hmm... I'll relay the information to the council. Good work Dhaleena. And thank you."
"You're welcome Pallin. Maybe we should have a drink some time?"
The turian official laughed and closed the line. When she stepped out into the light of the Presidium, she wore a confident grin.
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:18 am
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
And standing there to block that premature light was Captain Roland Whitfield, standing with his arms crossed and his eyes trained relentlessly on her. He wasn't quite as angry as he was annoyed with her, "so Dr. Hayes is in the Styx Theta Cluster. Learn to encrypt your channels, Dhaleena." Whitfield uncrossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the asari.
"And for your information it's my job to be concerned about the future of this galaxy."
During the time she had been interrogating the salarian he had made his way up to the presidium where he had waited for her, and in turn the information. He couldn't believe her immature attitude for an asari; she was obviously relatively young for her kind.
"If you didn't spend your time sitting around drinking or doing nothing, then maybe you'd be useful. You're only worried about the current problem, nothing about the long-run."
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:43 am
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
"Captain, we've only just met. And we're already trading barbs. What ever happened to the first date?"
She gave him another smile.
"And the channel wasn't encrypted because I saw no reason to encrypt it. There's been a bounty on that man for weeks. I just didn't think they'd be connected."
She rolled her head and cracked her neck. When she spoke next, it wasn't like a cop, or a retired person. It was the voice of a soldier. Of someone who had seen death and taken life. Taken many lives.
"And Captain, I spent the last 123 years working on keeping the galaxy safe. I'm enjoying a brief interlude between jobs. I'm focused on the current situation because it gives me something to do. And once again, you are so focused on the short term that you fail to see the consequences in the long run. Your kind constantly seeks to bring things out of balance. Your kind has only been part of the galactic community for a very brief time Whitfield, and I have been alive for all of it. Giving you this information would most likely lead to your death. You would have me willfully endanger the second human Spectre? Have their new white knight killed after only a few weeks of duty? What would that accomplish? Full scale war with the batarians? With the turians? With whomever the Alliance blames for your death? There are already millions of humans searching for a culprit. They would kill an entire species to avenge Shepard. Your kind is driven by your passions and emotions. Don't forget that."
Alia didn't want to see humanity driven mad by loss. She had been saddened by the loss of Commander Shepard. Not many non-humans had been. Perhaps she just sympathized with mankind more than others, or perhaps she just liked them for their bravado and all or nothing personality.
"And if you are so desperate to help protect the future of the galaxy, why are you so interested in a simple bounty? Or are you not so incorruptable as the Vids make you out to be?
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:54 am
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
"Yes, I would have you willfully put me in danger, because the fate of the universe could lie in the arms of that man, and I don't think anyone else understands what is quite needed to keep him alive!"
The Captain was --- for lack of a better word --- pissed off at the asari. She was right, but neither was he (to a small extent in this situation). Having been yelling at her he didn't quite charge her but her strode up in front of her so that she wasn't a foot away. However, he was definitely much more intimidating when he lowered his voice.
"And for the record, I don't care what those Vids make me out to be. I didn't want all that ceremonious bull s**t the Council put on."
Whitfield had narrowed his eyes and was shifting his from one of her eyes to the other as they stood in silence for a brief moment. Roland grunted softly but audibly as he stood up completely, and turned away from her.
"I'm done with you" he said with disgust as he walks with purpose towards the elevator for C-Sec.
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:19 am
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
She shook her head and continued walking. It would be a waste of effort to get all worked up about the human Spectre and his attitude. She had to admit, there was something intriguing about his attitude. Perhaps it was simply the mark of a true soldier. One who didn't want any of the ceremonial crap heaped upon their shoulders. Or perhaps he was just a talented conversationalist. For the time being, she was done with her business. Rather than make her way to the Citadel tower or the Embassies, she returned to her home, where she could meditate for a time. This situation needed careful thought, not impassioned action. Whitfield had caught her off guard, and she needed to be prepared for any future conflicts.
When she returned to her apartment, she cleared the balcony and sat in the middle of the main room, staring out into the Presidium. She let herself relax so utterly that she ceased to notice any and all physical sensation. She was adrift within her mind, and though she saw the world about her, she focused only inward. She unfolded the layers of her mind and examined the most recent events of the day. She found her center and worked up from there. Her breathing accelerated to match the beating of her heart, then slowed with the heart beat until it seemed to follow the steady ticking of a metronome. She detached herself from her body and embraced her consciousness. She had been rash, passionate, impatient, and too human. It was not a concept she relished. However once she restored her inner calm she was able to focus entirely on her actions and the events that had taken place. Alia remained in this meditative state for one hour, before rising and returning the furniture of her apartment to its original orientation.
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:41 am
Milky Way Galaxy
Widow Cluster
Citadel Station
Kal'Ceska and his staff returned to C-Sec where they were to fill out some more forms. 'Official policy' it was called, C-Sec checked and re-checked everything.
One human officer brought up a small datapad and poured over it, "You spent time at the club bar and casino Flux?"
"Yes." Ceska replied shortly.
"It says here you didn't go anywhere else, is that correct?" The C-Sec officer tapped a few times on the data pad, reading text as he did spoke.
"That is correct." Ceska's head bobbed in assent.
"It also says you made a large withdrawal from your account while on the Citadel, is this correct?" The officer almost seemed to be gleaning pleasure from that fact. As though he had caught Ceska doing something wrong.
"Yes, that is." He said, his voice tired.
"What was the purpose of this withdrawal?" The C-Sec officer pressed.
Ceska didn't know if this was something that C-Sec was privy to, but he decided to cooperate. "I owed a friend of mine money." He told the officer without conflict in his voice.
The C-Sec officer seemed unsatisfied but sighed and finished with some formalities. It wasn't long before the quarians were allowed to return to their ship. Once on board Ceska tapped the location given to him into their NAV computer. "Take us there, now." He told his crew.
They all took their stations and began preparations to leave the Citadel. With a loud clank the clamps released from the small quarian security vessel and the ship backed out slowly. Clearing the docking arms the vessel turned and flew into Citadel Space with a direct course for the Mass Relay, beginning to set a vector for the Styx Theta system.
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William the Conqueror Captain
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:24 am
Milky Way Galaxy
Styx Theta Cluster
Approaching Erebus System
Aboard CSV Spirit
"This data makes no sense!" The scientist yelled at his screen, frustrated at the computer, his VI, his ship, everything, he was so close to understanding it all, then measurements like these threw a wrench into the whole thing. Dr. Hayes turned to the VI terminal, "Yuri, this is data is accurate right?"
"To within a tenth of a percent, yes," The VI appeared within a few seconds of being queried. Dr. Hayes was more than aggravated and the VI could tell.
"Damnit, there is no way this is possible, the data, it's well off from what I was predicting, there was no drop in power what so ever!" The good doctor pounded his fist on the metallic counter, sending a massive thud through the room. The doctor decided that it was best if he didn't let his anger vent though, there was a way to fix all of this, gather more data.
Dr. Hayes let out a grunt then breathed out slowly, "Up the drive core to 100%, I want to get down to Nepmos as quick as we can. Once we're done their we're making another jump, I need more data."
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