Chapter Text
Kelly Chambers’ Office
“Hello Subcommander.” Kelly Chambers smiled as she stood up to greet the Gallena's commanding officer.
“Keep your seat, Kelly.” V’lana replied as she sat down on the chair opposite the counselor’s desk. “I won’t take up too much of your time.”
“It’s all right.” The ship’s counselor exclaimed with a smile on her face, “My next appointment isn’t for another couple of hours.” Her smile fading, the counselor prompted, “I take it you’re here about Garrus and Zaeed.”
Nodding her head, the subcommander responded in the affirmative. “Yes. Can you give me a progress report on how they’re doing.”
“Without violating confidences…” Kelly responded with a frown, “I’d have to say not good. Neither one feels any remorse for their actions. They both see it as administering justice, but for different reasons.”
“Can you go into their rationale?” V’lana inquired.
“I’m sorry, Subcommander.” Kelly shook her head, “That would be a violation of their privacy. To be honest, I don’t think I’m going to get any further with either one of them right now.”
“Understood.” V’lana nodded her head, “What do you recommend?”
“Hmmm…” Kelly pondered her commanding officer’s question for several moments before responding, “Until they are willing to accept remorse for their actions, I don’t see any alternative other than to continue as we have been. However, I think you can lift some of their restrictions such as being confined to quarters. I still suggest that they not be included on any combat missions and that they continue to see me until they do begin to show some progress.”
The subcommander nodded her head in agreement. “I spoke with Councilor Sparatus about it. While he was most displeased at what happened, he said that no charges will be pressed so long as neither one of them sets foot on the Citadel.”
“That’s more than generous.” Kelly declared. “To be frank, I’m surprised he didn’t ask for them to be turned over.”
“I think he would have had I not explained to him what menhei’sahe was. That it in no way frees either Garrus or Massani from the consequences of their actions and offered to extradite them if he should so request. That seemed to have struck a responsive chord in him. We talked about how similar the turian code of honor was to ours in a lot of ways and that he would speak with Executor Pallin. Then Pallin contacted me and we came to the agreement I just told you about—that they’d stay away from the Citadel until further notice. Pallin also told me that he filled Garrus’s father in on the news.” Her lips turning up in a wry smirk, the subcommander quipped, “I have a feeling Garrus is going to get an earful in the very near future.”
“So…” Kelly inquired, “What are your orders concerning them?”
“I’ll follow your suggestions and give the order to lift their confinement to quarters, while continuing the mandatory counseling sessions. And they’ll continue to be grounded as far as combat missions are concerned until you recommend otherwise.”
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to achieve progress.” Kelly responded, “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Hmmm…not right now.” The subcommander replied, shaking her head.
“Anytime, Subcommander.” Kelly answered back, “You know where to find me.”
Garrus’s Quarters
“I cannot express how displeased I am in you.” Castis Vakarian declared, his image on the computer monitor glowering down at this son. “I had thought you knew better than to take the law into your own hands. Instead…you disregard everything I tried to teach you and go off to Omega to play vigilante. Then…when you’re given a second chance…you fuck that up by committing cold blooded murder on the Citadel.”
“I don’t expect you to understand.” Garrus defiantly responded, “You’ve never had your entire team slaughtered because someone you trusted turned out to be a traitor!”
“What have I always told you?” The father demanded, the disapproving glare still on his face.
“Do things right or don’t do them at all.” Garrus answered back, maintaining his rebellious stance. “The right thing was for me to seek justice for my team by punishing the man who betrayed them.”
“You could have done that without blowing his head off.” The elder Vakarian declared, “Once you found out about Harkin, you could have called in C-Sec. They would have taken him into custody.”
“He wouldn’t have told them a thing—assuming they could even catch him!” Garrus bit back with a derisive laugh. “That vole…”
“Vole?”
“A rodent like species common where the Romulans are from.” The younger Vakarian explained before continuing, “As I was saying, Harkin had enough bolt holes and escape routes to easily flee the station. Plus he had the Blue Suns and all those mechs covering for him.”
“Then you definitely should have turned the matter over to Executor Pallin and C-Sec.” Castis lectured, rebuking his son. “C-Sec had the resources to deal with the situation—and probably cleaner and with less loss of life than you and friends just charging in shooting up the place.”
“You weren’t there.” Garrus retorted with a sneer. “C-Sec would have been torn apart.”
“Maybe…maybe not.” Castis replied, somewhat conceding, “But that wasn’t your call to make. You didn’t and still don’t have any justification other than appeals to a code of honor that we happen to share somewhat with these Romulans.”
“Are you quite through?” Garrus scowled, “I have things to do.”
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Castis responded, “We are. I can see that you’re not interested in anything I have to say. I guess that human expression is true that sometimes you have to learn things the hard way.”
“I guess so.” The turian vigilante grumbled, “I’ll talk to you later, Father.”
“Take care of yourself, Son.” Castis replied, “And please…think about what I and the others are trying to tell you—before it’s too late.”
As his father’s image on the monitor faded away, to be replaced by a blank screen, Garrus heard the door chime. Taking a deep breath, he called out, “Who is it?”
“It’s me…Liara.” The voice of his asari comrade and friend replied through the speaker, “Can I come in?”
“Sure.” Garrus responded, permitting entry. Flashing the turian equivalent of an ironic grin, he quipped, “I suppose you’re here to chew my ass out too.”
“Cilla told me that your confinement to quarters has been lifted.” Liara replied with a smile as she entered her old friend’s quarters.
“You and Lieutenant Commander Oudekirk have been spending a great deal of time together from what I’m hearing.” Garrus remarked as his old friend sat down on the sofa.
“We’ve become good friends.” Liara answered back with a smile, “We have much in common and share a lot of the same interests.”
“Such as?” Garrus prompted grinning.
“Bridge.” Liara responded, “Philosophy…history…archaeology. She’s very well read—you should see her library sometime.” Turning the focus of the discussion back to her friend, she inquired, “What about you? How have you been doing? Any plans to celebrate your release from house arrest?”
“I’m still grounded.” Garrus grumbled, his smile vanishing. “The Subcommander doesn’t trust me on away missions. She’s afraid I’ll go off half-cocked or something.”
“Does she have reason to feel that way?” Liara queried.
“No.” Garrus shook his head. “I laid to rest the ghosts of my team. I did the right thing and no amount of ‘counseling’ from our resident shrink is going to change my mind on that.”
“I see.” Liara sighed as she realized that her task was futile. Rising from her seat, she said her goodbyes, “I’m sorry, but I have to go now. Cilla and I have the holodeck reserved. She’s taking me, Satra, and Samantha to the Tulip Festival in Amsterdam. We’re going to see the Flower Parade and then visit the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens.”
“Sounds like a fun afternoon.” Garrus replied. “Enjoy yourself.”
“Thanks, I will.” The asari archaeologist responded as she made her way to the door. “Oh…one last thing that you might want to think about…” she uttered as the door slid open, “What would Shepard have said to you if she were able to talk to you now?”
As the door closed behind his old friend, the turian vigilante let out a breath of air as he muttered in a low voice, “She’d have said that I was a better man than that.”
The Raptor’s Nest—Garrus and Zaeed
“Knew I’d find you here.” The grizzled mercenary said as he took the stool next to Garrus at the bar. Calling out to the Bolian bartender, he ordered, “Whiskey—the real stuff.”
“Zaeed.” Garrus acknowledged as he held out his glass for a refill of turian beer. “I see the Subcommander freed you too.”
“Yeah.” Zaeed responded, “Also told me that I had to continue going to those bloody counseling sessions or she’s going to drop me off when we get to Omega. Told her to drop me off.” Downing his whiskey, the hardened soldier lowered his voice, “I got a lead on where Vido’s located. I’m going after him and I could use your help.”
“You realize that means I’m going to get kicked off too.” Garrus answered back as he took a drink.
“I figure you owe me.” Massani responded. “Besides…” The mercenary added, sweetening the pot, “My sources tell me that he’s taken over an Eldfell-Ashland refinery and is using the workers there as slave labor. Figured that might interest you.”
“And you’re calling it in.” Garrus sighed, “All right. I’ll do it for two reasons. First, to free those workers and punish Santiago. Second, I honor my debts. I’ll inform the Subcommander and be ready to leave with you when you’re ready to go.”
“Good man!” Zaeed exclaimed as he patted the turian vigilante on his back and told the bartender to refill their glasses, “And keep ‘em coming! I’m paying the bill for the both of us.”
Gazing into the eyes of the turian seated on the other side of her ready room desk, V’lana gave him one last chance to change his mind, “Are you sure this is what you want, Garrus? If you decide to go through with this, you’ll have to do it using your own resources—I can’t let you have any of our weapons, armor, or technology.”
“I’m sure, Subcommander.” Garrus replied, matching the Romulan’s gaze. “It’s a matter of honor.”
Letting out a sigh of exasperation, V’lana snapped angrily, “I’m getting sick of hearing that phrase. Very well, we’ll be at Omega in two standard hours. You and Massani can disembark there. Once you leave the ship—you’re on your own.”
“I understand, Subcommander.” Garrus acknowledged, rising to his feet, “I’d better get packed and say my goodbyes. Thank you.”
As the turian vigilante turned to walk away, V’lana called out to him, “Wait a second.” She requested, “I just wanted to say one last thing.”
“Ma’am?”
“This.” The Romulan’s eyes now taking on a worried look, she declared, “As far as I’m concerned, once we drop Massani off, that’s it for him. He will not be allowed to return. In your case, it’s different story. After you’ve finished fulfilling your debt of honor, if you want to come back, you can.”
“Why make the exception for me, Subcommander.”
“You fucked up, Garrus. Make no mistake about that.” V’lana forcefully exclaimed, “Maybe it’s just my human part coming through and pushing the Romulan part back, but I think the difference between the two of you is that Zaeed is a lost cause, while you’re still a decent being at heart, and I’m willing to give you a second chance. We have a monitoring station at Wrex’s camp on Tuchanka with subspace communications. Contact us, and we’ll arrange for you to be picked up and you’ll be welcomed back.”
“Thank you.” The turian responded in a subdued voice as he turned to leave, “I’ll think on what you just said. If there’s nothing else…”
V’lana replied in parting, “Jolan tru, Garrus.”
Saying goodbyes
“You don’t have to do this, Garrus.” Tali pleaded as she watched her old friend pack his things into a carryall. “You don’t owe that bosh’tet a damned thing.”
Smiling warmly at the young quarian, Garrus responded, “It’s not so simple, Tali. Even if I didn’t owe Massani for coming to my aid, I’d still go after Vido Santiago. He’s a very bad man and bringing him down will give a lot of people who’ve been hurt or lost loved ones because of him get at least some peace of mind.”
Raising her voice, Tali rebuked him as she turned and walked away, “Do you honestly think that Massani is a total innocent here? That bosh’tet was head of the Blue Suns until his ‘friend’ turned on him. Don’t think that he won’t do the same to you.”
“Gonna try to talk me out of going too, Alenko?” Garrus asked as he nursed his drink at the bar.
Shaking his head, Kaidan replied as he took the stool next to his old comrade, “Nope. I know better. It would just be a waste of time and breath. I just thought I’d buy you a beer or two before you left.”
Nodding his head as he held his glass out to the bartender, Garrus replied with a slight grin, “I’ll take you up on that.”
After several minutes of small talk and reminisces about their time together on the old Normandy, Kaidan remarked, the thoughtful look in his eyes belying the smile on his face, “Do you remember the time Shepard and I went with you when you tracked down that salarian doctor?”
“Doctor Saleon?” Garrus nodded his head as he took a drink from his glass, “Yeah. He was calling himself Dr. Hart at the time.” His face now taking on a sour expression, the turian bitterly remembered, “She held me back from killing him, but he drew down on us and we had to take him out anyway.” After a momentary pause, the turian inquired, “Did she tell you about our conversation when we got back to the Normandy?”
“No.” Alenko shook his head, “You know how she was—a private conversation was just that. Private.”
“Yeah.” Garrus acknowledged with a sigh as he revealed the details of their discussion. “She told me that I couldn’t predict how people could act, but that I could control how I respond to what they say and do and that was what mattered in the end.” Shaking his head, the turian vigilante growled, “She was right in that you can’t predict how someone is going to act, but she was wrong in letting someone who was obviously bad take the initiative. And that wasn’t the only time that she left herself open—or have you forgotten about that batarian terrorist, Balak? The one who took over that asteroid and tried to crash it into Terranova?”
“Yeah.” Kaidan replied. “I was there. It was me and Ashley on that run.”
“Then you remember what happened.” Garrus declared challengingly. “Balak had taken hostages—the survivors of the engineering team working on the asteroid. You broke into their main facility after shutting down the torches.”
“Right.” Kaidan affirmed, at once seeing where his turian friend was taking the discussion. “Jane was faced with a hard choice.”
“Let Balak go or disarm the bombs he had set and save the hostages.” Garrus declared. “She choice the hostages and let a brutal terrorist go. A terrorist who has since gone on to raid colonies, take slaves, and kill far more people. All those people would still be living now had she just chose to kill him when she had the chance.”
“You can’t guarantee that.” Kaidan responded, “Someone else might very well have raided those colonies.”
“Look…” Garrus argued back, “Jane was a great person. No doubt about that. But she wasn’t perfect.”
“I know.” Alenko conceded with a mournful sigh. “I think her biggest weakness was that she always tried to see the best in people.”
“I agree.” Garrus answered back with a single nod of his head. “That resulted in her getting blindsided on more than one occasion. Like that asteroid and Doctor Saleon not to mention letting the rachni queen go. Letting Balak go was a big mistake and I bet her decision about that queen will come back and bite us in the ass one day.”
“Maybe…maybe not.” Kaidan shook his head, “I told her that she should have punted it to the Council.”
“I’d have just pushed the button and dropped that acid on that thing.” The turian vigilante growled. “Don’t forget she also let that asari on Feros go even though she admitted that she joined Benezia and Saren of her own free will. Not to mention that asari scientist on Virmire.”
“You mean Shiala on Feros and what was that other one’s name…?” Kaidan replied, trying to recall the name of the geneticist he, Liara, and Shepard had run into in Saren’s lab. “I remember now!” The human biotic exclaimed, suddenly recalling, “Dr. Thanoptis.”
“Right.” Garrus declared, “She took a big risk letting both of those go.”
“Not necessarily.” Kaidan disagreed, shaking his head, “Don’t you believe in second chances, Garrus?”
“Not when the stakes were as high as they were at the time.” The turian responded, “And definitely not in their cases. Shiala joined Saren and Benezia of her own free will. And Thanoptis used those salarians as test subjects in studying indoctrination.”
“You’re forgetting…” Kaidan countered, “I was there at the time. The last I heard, Shiala was keeping her promise and helping rebuild Zhu’s Hope.”
“What about the other one?” Garrus argued back.
“There’s been no trace of Dr. Thanoptis since that nuke went off on Virmire.” Kaidan answered back in a hushed tone. “I think it’s safe to say that she was killed in the blast along with Ashley and Kirrahe.”
“Perhaps.” Garrus allowed, concluding his argument as he finished his beer and rose to his feet. “The thing is, Kaidan…Jane’s good nature led her to be taken off guard too easily. She never really learned that the most important aspect of being a SPECTRE is that it’s almost always better to act rather than react. Now…if you’ll excuse me, we’re going to arrive at Omega shortly and I have a few final details I need to take care of.”
“Okay, Garrus.” Kaidan, also rising to his feet, responded as he placed a brotherly hand on the turian’s shoulder, “Take care of yourself and come back soon.”