Book 3, Chapter 5 - Academy Blues
*****
Walking into the war room, I came to attention and saluted. "Primarch Victus."
He looked my way and waved me away. "Please, Commander. I'm a guest on your vessel. Fine vessel that it is."
"Merely respect, sir. Already received information..."
"You mean my file?"
I grinned, earning a turian grin from him in return. "Yeah. I was expecting Fedorian, and I've already read his file back to front more than once, so figured I should get to know who you are, at least the dry facts on a piece of paper. Figuring we'll be working together so I'll get to know the man over the coming weeks."
He leaned back against the circular console in the middle of the room as I leaned against a railing nearby. "Anything specific you want to know?"
"No. Was just thinking a conversation, primarily about what we're facing."
He nodded, then gestured for me to step towards the console. He'd already figured out how everything worked. Keying a few commands, what must have been the situation in Palaven space appeared as holograms. "We've barely been fighting them a week, and already we've suffered catastrophic losses. Not even our wars against the krogan were conducted with such..." He paused a moment. "The strategist in me admires their brutality. The turian in me knows I'm watching the destruction of fifteen thousand years of civilisation." That's when he turned to meet my eyes. "My civilisation."
"I understand, sir."
"I know you do, Comm..."
"Shepard. We're going to be working closely throughout this, sir."
He offered his hand. "Most people call me Victus. I prefer Adrien but... well, guess we're both known by our surnames."
"Okay, Victus. Here's the question. What's the one thing on your mind that might immediately change the direction of this war?"
"We need boots on the ground. We need warriors." He paused a moment, probably wondering how I'd react to whatever he had to say. "We need the krogan, Shepard." I released a breath at that. "I'm aware of your relationship with Urdnot Wrex, Shepard. Some of us do have long memories, and history is rather bitter about our dealings with the krogan, but in a war of annihilation, I can't think of a better species as an ally."
"Salarians will freak at such a suggestion."
"That's why the summit is important. The four Council species must come together and figure this out."
"Heard about the asari?"
He nodded. "I'm hoping it's not true but, knowing what the asari are like, they'll hope to take a long term view. I don't think we have that long to deal with this. If we don't come together, the Reapers will tear us to pieces."
"Like I'm hearing myself," I admitted.
"I won't say I was entirely convinced, Shepard, but Vakarian argued a good game. That's how he managed to get the support he did. His father totally believed him and basically moved mountains to get his son the support he needed."
"Always thought he had a poor relationship with his father."
"Vakar... Garrus has always been his own man. His father has always known that. But when he returned to Palaven, both father and son had changed. Few years old. Few years wiser. Most importantly, both were willing to listen to each other for once. And the thing is, Fedorian was convinced. Helps that he and your Admiral Hackett managed to establish a quick rapport. We've been building ships like crazy the past six months."
"So were we, but that got us nowhere. Two fleets completely decimated. I'm aware Hackett has kept another couple in the field, but Earth and our home system is basically just cut-off now. Far as we know, everyone on Earth is fighting but there's not a lot of information coming out right now."
"We'll get there in the end, Shepard. It's just going to be ugly between now and then."
We discussed fleet movements and the latest situation across the galaxy, but we knew it was still early days yet, and for the moment, all we could do was fight where we could but preserve for the future. Losses were going to be catastrophic to start, but both we and the Reaper would adapt tactics with every battle. It was a battle of annihilation and attrition. Already Victus was planning to remove and preserve fleets. No point flinging everything at the Reapers now with nothing to fight them with later.
My office was now ready for use so I walked by the galaxy map, Kelly turning and smiling at me, Traynor somewhat surprisingly doing the same, though I think she was just a very friendly woman, but I think she was still a little nervous in my presence. It didn't surprise me. Seasoned veterans could be nervous in my presence. Was told I had this 'aura' more than once.
Taking a seat at my desk, I glanced left to look out the window. We'd departed Palaven space and were now, to be honest, flying aimlessly. I figured returning the Citadel would be best until the summit was convened, but I didn't particularly want to go there unless necessary. So I'd ordered Joker to basically take his time getting us there while negotiations with the salarians and asari continued. Glad I wasn't involved in that, otherwise there wouldn't be a summit at all.
"Nice office, Shepard," Liara said from the doorway, leaning against the side. I looked up and grinned. "No bed down here? Thought you'd want one so you could fuck Kelly whenever you wanted." I laughed as Liara rarely cursed. Or, at least, she had rarely. She walked forward and sat in one of the two chairs opposite me. "Have you read what I sent you?"
I couldn't help sigh as everything she'd sent me had been bad news. "Talked to Tevos?"
"I have. It's not only her decision, and the Matriarch's are not budging. As far as they're concerned, the humans and turians are on their own while they do their usual thing." She sighed herself. "Fucking idiots."
"Not used to you cursing, Liara."
"I'm angry, Shepard. This summit should have all the species of the galaxy involved. The way it's already looking, humans and turians will be there. Salarians might begrudgingly put in an appearance. But my people are being... foolish."
"Need to take the edge off?" I wondered. That made her grin, and my own broadened when she nodded. Standing up and rounding the table, I called Kelly into my office, locking the door when she was inside. Turning to face me, I said, "Liara needs a little something."
