A call interrupted my plans to head to Chora's Den, where I might have crossed paths with a certain alien who interested me. However, I couldn't not answer this call, as it was a representative of my corporation on the Citadel.
"Listening."
I tried to let my voice convey that if I was being called for some nonsense, being fired would be the least of this specific representative's problems.
"Boss, a young representative of the Migrant Fleet has come to our reception and is asking for a meeting with you. She says she has information important to humans."
"Then buy the information..."
I didn't understand the exact reason for the call; after all, my representative should handle such matters independently. And only after I said that did a bell ring in my head. Quarian... Information...
"Boss, the thing is, she refuses to deal with anyone but you."
Well then... shall we play a little game?
"Is she in front of you right now?"
"No."
"Fine, call her in and put it on speakerphone."
"Will be done."
About twenty seconds later, I heard the sound of a door opening, followed by the loud voice of my representative inviting the girl to enter. Then there was the sound of the door closing.
"Boss, you're on speakerphone."
"Actually, I was counting on a personal meeting."
There was displeasure in the Quarian's voice.
"A personal meeting? And who are you that I should meet with you personally?"
"But the information..."
"Fine, I spoke a bit too soon; perhaps I should introduce myself. My name is John Shepard, I am the owner of the New Life corporation."
"Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, pilgrim of the Migrant Fleet."
"Wonderful. You can call me just John, or if that's uncomfortable, then Mr. Shepard. And how should I address you?"
"Tali will be enough, Mr. Shepard."
Embarrassment could be heard in the Quarian's voice.
"Wonderful, Miss Tali. I understand you are very young, but your naivety... it's striking."
"Naivety?"
The lack of understanding and slight offense in Tali's voice let me know she heard me but didn't want to agree with that statement.
"Exactly. For example, let's take the Migrant Fleet. I am not, of course, familiar with your entire power structure; I know that your highest governing body seems to be the Board of Admiralty, is that right?"
"Yes..."
She was caught off guard by my words.
"Wonderful. Now let's imagine that my corporation is the Fleet in miniature. There's me, the highest authority; there are those who manage divisions—they're a sort of Admirals; there are representatives in various places—they're something like trusted individuals or deputies of the Admirals."
"Are you following my train of thought?"
"Yes."
I heard thoughtfulness in the girl's voice, while Jane, walking beside me, gave a quiet snort. She didn't interfere in the conversation, realizing that for some reason I didn't want to dismiss the overly arrogant—in her opinion—girl.
"Now tell me, if I, a person completely external to the Migrant Fleet, somehow ended up near your Fleet, what would the Quarians think of me if I started demanding a meeting with the Board of Admiralty for some trifle that any trusted individual could resolve?"
"Um... they would laugh at you?"
There was embarrassment and a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
"In the best-case scenario. Do you understand what I wanted to tell you?"
"Y-yes... I am nobody, and you won't meet with me."
"Now, why be so harsh?"
I tried to make my voice as soft as possible.
"You are at least a representative of a force friendly to me in this galaxy. After all, Quarians on Pilgrimage are very happy to go to work in my colonies, at my factories, and on ships belonging to me. Also, you are a girl named Tali, who surely has many virtues. However, all of that is not enough to secure a meeting with me."
"And what would be enough?"
"Well... if you were an official authorized Ambassador of the Migrant Fleet, then a meeting with me would be more than possible. An Admiral or simply a ship captain... though the latter is doubtful; in my view, a captain can't have problems that a branch director they turn to couldn't solve. And off the top of my head..."
I paused as if thinking.
"...if you were the daughter of one of the Admirals, I would meet with you, at least to try and establish closer relations with your father and, consequently, with the Migrant Fleet through you."
"Um... well... sort of..."
There was so much embarrassment in the girl's voice that Chifuyu and Rebecca snorted now. Anderson, who continued to walk beside me, only smirked, and a slight smirk appeared on my lips as well, while Jane only rolled her eyes.
"Yes?"
"I am the daughter of Admiral Rael'Zorah vas Alaray."
"Hm... do you have documents confirming this?"
I even stopped, and the others stopped with me, shock and disbelief on their faces.
"Of course."
"Could you demonstrate them to my representative?"
"Yes."
"Boss, she really is an Admiral's daughter."
Shock and disbelief sounded in my subordinate's voice. He couldn't have expected such a turn of events. However, Anderson, standing next to me, was also blinking, and his whole look suggested he was expecting news that the documents were forged.
"Fine, Miss Tali, would it be convenient for you to wait for me..."
I checked the time on my Omni-tool.
"...about twenty minutes? Unfortunately, I am in another district, so I won't be able to get to the office quickly."
"Of course!"
"Alexey..."
I addressed the representative by name.
"...show the girl to the Quarian lounge and have a full meal delivered there."
"That's not necessary!"
Tali tried to cut into the conversation.
"Miss Tali, don't refuse. That room was specially made for particularly valuable specialists or guests like yourself. There's a full air sterilization system there, so you can take off your environment suit's helmet and enjoy perfectly ordinary food, rather than the concentrate you usually eat. After all, when else will you have such an opportunity outside the Fleet?"
"I... thank you..."
Bewilderment and a certain helplessness could be heard in Tali's voice, along with anticipation for the upcoming meal.
"I'll get everything done."
"Good... on that note, I'm cutting the connection. I think in about twenty minutes we'll be able to meet and talk. And yes, don't rush with the food; if you haven't finished by the time I arrive, I can wait, or we can do it after the talk."
"Thank you."
That was the last thing I heard over the link.
"Is that even normal?"
Chifuyu addressed me with slight doubt.
"M?"
"Captain, you were talking over an open channel, without a headset, in the middle of the Citadel."
"We weren't discussing anything important..."
I shrugged carelessly. Besides, if you want to hide something, hide it in the most obvious place. Of course, I don't rule out the possibility that someone might overhear our conversation, but... let's be honest, if someone needs to listen to a conversation over a secure line, doing so would be harder... but still possible.
"I... perhaps you're right, Captain."
"Chief, you can just use my name for now. Didn't I tell you that outside of official events, you can call me just by my name?"
"Well... I just got a bit flustered."
"Oh, just say it in your own words. It finally sank in that John is a big shot, only you've suddenly become an ostrich, since that was obvious back when we heard from Jane how things were on Elysium, and also when we saw the container of gear in the hold that even elite army units haven't been supplied with yet."
"Alright, I suggest we drive to my office. Perhaps the information the girl wanted to sell really will be important for all of humanity."
"John, you're a big boy, and you believe in such nonsense..."
Rebecca curved her lips mockingly.
"Well, what can I do? I love fairy tales. Besides, at the Office, I can organize a more than magnificent lunch for us—well, after the negotiations with the Quarian are over."
"I think I'll head back to the SSV Normandy."
Weariness sounded in Anderson's voice.
"I think I need to have time to pack my things before this ship is handed over to you."
"Anderson..."
I looked at the man with a hint of reproach.
"We have plenty of time, but if you don't want to, I won't force you."
"Thank you."
He nodded to me, then left us, and we headed to the nearest taxi station, where we got into an aircar and headed to my Office.
"So, how often do you get bothered like this?"
Jane looked at me with interest.
"Actually, not very often. As a rule, my representatives have enough strength and patience to convince those who come that their competence is sufficient to resolve the issue. However, Tali proved persistent enough to get Alexey to call me."
"I see..."
A note of doubt sounded in Jane's voice. However, she didn't argue that Tali had shown enough persistence.
"Listen, can we order weapons from your firm?"
Rebecca asked me the question and stared expectantly, and in her gaze, I read a drop of greed and anticipation.
"You can... we'll deal with the business on the Citadel and then get to equipping the landing party. Something tells me we need to bring it up to at least ten sentients, then equip them with the latest technology."
"Oh? And will we get to choose, or will the commander be a satrap and a despot and order us armored bras and armored thongs?"
"Specially for you, I'll order armored shorts beyond the pale that look like denim. And for your chest, I'll order armored patches."
I said it with such a serious voice that Rebecca turned pale, and if we hadn't been in a taxi, she definitely would have tried to get as far away from me as possible.
"I... was joking..."
Silence fell in the taxi for a while.
"John, I ask you not to pick such an outfit for Revy after all. Because it will be extremely non-functional in a combat situation."
Jane tried to keep a serious face, but a smile was appearing on it anyway.
"Fine, but if she shows off too much..."
"Yes, I'll tell you, and then we'll order the outfit you described, and we'll even order her a pistol in the shape of a dildo."
"No, Jane, please, you wouldn't do that! We're... I'm..."
Panic could be heard in Rebecca's voice.
"Well then, behave yourself so Jane has no reason to do that."
Chifuyu shrugged with a slight smirk.
"Hey, Captain..."
Rebecca addressed me.
"...I'll be a good girl, just none of that. No, don't think I'm a fool; I realize you were probably joking just now, but... there's a grain of truth in every joke. So if I screw up somewhere, better send me to clean the head with a toothbrush than that kind of thing."
"Fine."
I waved a hand carelessly.
"So be it, I won't make you wear anything like that. You can relax."
"Phew..."
Rebecca exhaled with obvious relief. Meanwhile, the taxi reached its destination and landed softly in front of the office, opening the doors for us to step out.
***
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