Spectre 117 (Halo & Mass Effect Story)

Chapter 10: You take lead, Chief!

(I do not own Halo or Mass Effect.)

00:57 Hours, February 25th, 2560
Citadel Tower
Citadel
Widow System, Serpent Nebula

"The attack plans will be downloaded to all of your memory cores momentarily." Saren's voice echoed throughout the Council chambers. "You will be expected to follow them. Do not fail me. Do NOT fail the Reapers..."

"You wanted proof?" Udina smugly asked. "There it is."

Unfortunately for Chief, Joe, and Garrus. Saren's holographic image wasn't present at this meeting. Apparently, Saren got word that his men failed to kill the Quarian. So, knowing the jig was up, he was already on the run. It was a bittersweet moment for Chief. It felt good to have an enemy of Humanity on the run, but Saren already had a good head start.

What was priceless, however, was the look on the councilors' faces. Saren was one of their most decorated agents, their favorite pet if you will. They were quick to dismiss any allegations against him, but now that unmistakable evidence was presented to them, the shock on their faces was clear to see.

"This evidence is irrefutable, Ambassador." Councilor Sparatus said, breaking the silence. "Saren WILL be stripped of his Spectre status and ALL efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes!" He ranted.

Sparatus was, clearly, not happy with Saren's betrayal at all. Between his and Garrus's reactions, Chief guessed that being a traitor was one of the worst things you can possibly be in Turian society.

Joe looked upset as well, but not as mad as Garrus or Sparatus. He was just concerned how Garrus was to the subject. The two are partners from C-Sec, so he would be on his side on this.

"I recognize the other voice." Tevos interjected. "The one who also apparently spoke before the Geth. Matriarch Benezia."

"Benezia?" Sparatus asked. "Oh dear. This isn't good."

"Something we should know, councilors?" Chief asked.

"Matriarchs are powerful Asari who are revered for their wisdom and experience." Tevos explained. "They serve as guides and mentors to my people. Benezia is a particularly influential matriarch with many followers and possesses powerful biotics. She will make a formidable ally for Saren."

"I'm more interested in the Reapers." Valern said as he rubbed his chin in thought. "What do we know about them?"

"Only what was extracted from the Geth's memory core." Anderson replied. "The Reapers were an ancient race of sentient machines that wiped out the Protheans fifty thousand years ago, and then vanished. The Geth revere the Reapers as gods and believe Saren to be a prophet heralding their return. Apparently, the conduit is the key to bringing them back."

"Allegedly." Udina was quick to add. "At this time, we don't have evidence confirming or denying the Reapers' existence."

"Do we even know what this conduit is?" Valern pressed.

"No." Chief replied. "But if Saren wants it, we have to assume the worst."

"The worst? And what would THAT be? That these 'Reapers' will return? That they'll do to us what they did to the Protheans?" Sparatus grilled the spartan.

Valern thought a moment longer, then shook his head. "The Reapers are obviously a myth." The Salarian Councillor concluded. "A legend invented by Saren to bend the Geth to his will."

"Most likely, yes." Chief said with a nod. "But regardless of whether or not the Reapers are real, Saren has betrayed you to put together an army of Geth to find this conduit. Whatever the conduit really does, it can't be good."