[Citadel-LTD]In Asari Republics, Job hunts you!

Arina nodded.
“Good, that’s what I hoped I made clear. We, and especially Miss P… Freh’ya will try and make clear that dedication is an essential factor. We have a bit of a unique situation here with kids that did not go through the usual asari socialization or schooling. A ‘thug-type’ won’t stay in the education system. We would like her not to even enter in the first place, also for her own good, she’ll be better off elsewhere.

A final say on further acceptance after a phase of initial trials at the school is subject to the Head Matriarchs decision anyway. This is no ‘signing up’ military system, it works with the personal commitment of the disciple and acceptance by the Head. But I am ahead of myself… We should tell this to the kids. How far is it now?”

Well, she could have said that he – sorry, she would have no chance without biotics anyway.
“Oh.” She made pause, watching as Arina and Michelle chatted.
“I hope we will be at a place where we can do a few small biotic performances. You can show me your ability there then.” She really hoped they would be there soon and she hoped, no heavy undiagnosed Ardat-Yakshi cases were among them.

"There we are", simply said Michelle. They were in front of a recently restored school.
"It's still not opened for the public so the local authorities let us have it for the day, follow me."
Michelle navigated the small group in the brand new corridors, and opened the door to the gymnasium. Inside were around fifty asari kids going around, eating some snacks, chatting loudly, yelling at each other. A few adults were here, Father Matembo from the catholic shelter, Layakalar and Shaart were trying to control the youth and get them to sit on the chairs laid around a makeshift podium.

"Hope you're comfortable speaking to large group big sister!", chuckled Kakro before joining the other kids with the 6 other asaris they came with in tow, some of them looking at Freh'ya with a mischievous grin.

Michelle turned to Arina and Freh'ya, beaming.

"I think this is quite the turnout, wouldn't you say?"

Laykalar stood in place like a misplaced sentry tower, cheerfully watching over a shifting sea of blue and purple - quite like a observation post poking above the waves on his homeworld's oceans, were an observation post pink and glistening. For their part, the young asari were excitable, and though Laykalar appreciated their enthusiasm he couldn't help but think that a military career required some degree of discipline, which was alarmingly absent. The room at present was rather chaotic, with the young asari mingling and talking and -

- were those two engaging in aggressive confrontation? How displeasing. He should probably intervene.

Although maybe aggressive potential was also important for a huntress? He didn't know much about anything military. Julian Snow did, but it was a subject that the human had strong and often complex feelings on, and probing for insights there would be impolite, possibly hurtful. He must respect his friend's privacy. Besides, these were asari, not humans. It would be different.

"This one most humbly suggests that everyone present select a seat. The honoured guests will be shortly arriving -"

Asari, he knew, were a very communal people, possessing a social instinct that went far beyond anything exclusive to the culture and must be partly innate. In some ways it made them easier to manage than the other races' young, but in other ways their tendency to make group decisions left them a formidable unified front; when they found validation in each others' voices and not in an adult's, they could be stubborn. Not to mention that in chronological terms, if not in relative development, most of those here were older than he was.

He noted Rondor and her "welcoming party" enter, along with a pair of adult asari. He shimmered in anticipation. This presentation would no doubt be fascinating!

If only he had managed to get the youngsters to their seats....

Arina smiles as they entered they school building. A gymnasium was just the right place.
“A podium. We don’t want to lecture here but maybe it’s good to address a large group like this.” She looked at the – well, ‘horde’ was the name that came to her mind. She smiled, it wasn’t all bad. She saw a bunch of kids, undisciplined maybe but eager to look for opportunities, with the drive to achieve something and make something out of themselves.

“Yes, quite the turnout.” She said to Michelle as she and Freh’ya climbed the podium. It wasn’t high but enough so everyone could see them and she had a good view herself.

She checked and activated the present holoprojector and to her right, at a slight angle, a screen was forming. She connected her omnitool and loaded the presentation. The emblem of the embassies and a “welcome” Message was visible.

She exchanged a glance with Freh’ya, who stood a bit behind her in a relaxed pose.

A hanar – most likely Laykalar and Michelle were raising the attention of the kids and slowly, a bit like an undisciplined class, they moved to their seats.

“All right.” She began, standing at the front of the podium. She gave the crowd a bit to calm down but some just wouldn’t. She started speaking with a clear and loud voice, lowering her tone with the abating noise level.
“My Name is Arina, I am from the Asari Embassies on the Citadel and this” she pointed at the commando “is Freh’ya, she is a huntress from Nevos.

We are here today to talk to you about become a huntress commando in the Republics yourself. I assume, all of you are here because you are interested in the subject or have at least at one point considered this something you wanted to look into. So welcome to you and thank you to Miss Rondor to have this meeting arranged.” She nodded towards Michelle.

Arina made a pause and then clapped her hands, smiling at the kids “Well, I don’t want to make this overly formal. This is a basic information meeting. If you have questions, we will answer them to our best ability. But at first we would like to give you a some information about what this program is all about…”

She presented the basics of the idea. The Monasteries had many open spots and everyone that would fit the criteria and pass the test should have a chance to get in. There was a specific extranet portal on the embassies site with detailed information for all locations. It would also serve as an interface for actual applications later.

“…But I think it’s better to have someone talk who actually knows all that from personal experience than just present a few holos and lots of text. Freh’ya has learned her ropes in such a monastery and can tell you about the details and what it takes to get in and finish this.” She nodded towards Freh’ya.

Freh’ya was looking at the faces while Arina spoke. Some were eagerly watching and listening. The kids were a wild mixture, some had big eyes and were paying attention, some were just lazily lounging in their chairs. Freh’ya thought, this whole thing too formal.
She nodded to Arina and stepped forward but didn’t stay standing. Instead, she sat down on the front end of the small pedestal, scanning the audience. She was tall enough to see the last row, making eye contact just sitting there for a bit. It became a note more silent.

Arina at one point left the stage. Freh’ya just heard it but didn’t turn.

“So, you are considering to become huntresses.” She began in a calm voice. “What we show you today is a program to select the few that have it in them. Don’t be fooled, this is no easy ticket to Thessia or anywhere else on communal expanses.”

She made a pause.
“What we can offer you is a lifelong test of dedication, of constant challenges. It is an offer to put a meaning in your life that goes beyond yourself.

A huntress is given the best in equipment and education all asari republics have to offer and is asked no less than to put her life on the line to keep others safe. Ask yourself, do you have what it takes to become the best?”

She made another pause. She then leaned back, propped on her arms behind her back, smiling openly now.

“So how can you get in? It’s not complicated as a process. There’s the application form Miss Arina has mentioned. The portal has a VI that helps with filling the form. Then there’s a medical test that will be performed on the Citadel. Once you have passed that, your application will be submitted to the monasteries you chose. If they accept you, you will be invited for a further test. There the Head Matriarch will individually judge you. It’s a program of bodily abilities, biotic abilities and most important… mental abilities and your dedication. You have to convince her. I can’t tell you what that test will be like, it’s individual and depends on the Matriarch really. If you manage that, you are in. You will be a disciple and be given one of the best possible all-round educations the asari have to offer….”

The republics had several institutes, called monasteries for the lack of a better term, were in seclusion and as a tightly knit group, young asari learned the way of the huntress.

This was not the only way to become a commando of course, but the most prestigious and the most encompassing one, educating the disciple in every aspect. From science and philosophy to biotic mastery, life in general.

Freh’ya took a little digression, describing her own years and put emphasis on the communal spirit every huntress found in her group. After the monastery years and when accepted as full service commando, a lot of small groups chose to stay together and sign up with other Matriarchs and their operational units as a whole.

“… No I have talked too much.” She smiled and stood, walking slowly up and down the front row. Many eyes followed her. Some others looked a bit surprised.
“Time for questions. What is it you gals are looking for? What do you want to know?”

"How many people did you kill", shouted a kid.
"Oi", said another, "you can't ask that to a soldier now!"
"Why the fuck not? When I was selling those buns for that bakery people asked me how much I did per day, cuz it was my job now, wasn't it? And it's her job to kill bad guys now, ain't it? So get of my case bitch!"

The tone started to get heavy between the two asaris, with other around cheering for a confrontation.

"Stop wasting the recruiter's time, you didn't crawl out of the ducts only to piss your chances to stay out of there!" suddenly the distinctly avian spectator thundered from the sidelines and walked to the two troublemakers.

"I'll toss the both of you out if that does not stop now, do you comprehend? The recruiter here is looking for discipline and not bitchfighting, so you better stand down and sit your asses down if you want to get killing people instead of baking buns."

~~~
"How many people did you kill"
Hm, I have no idea, I do not keep track.

“And it's her job to kill bad guys now, ain't it?”
No, it is not, young one. It can be a means to accomplish the task. I am not an executioner.

Am I not?
There were asari kids, only little younger than you, hole in their head. Still clinging to a teacher. Also a hole in her head. I don’t just kill the bad guys. I also killed the good guys.

~~~

Freh’ya just stood there, arms crossed and watched the scene unfold, when suddenly a raloi – of all species a raloi! Freh’ya dropped her arms and raised an eyebrow. She had no idea there were still examples of that species around somewhere. At least it catapulted her out of her gloomy memories. There was something she had never encountered before in the galaxy, it was a little bit exciting.

She smiled weakly at the teacher’s argument about the buns. Well said actually.

“I’ll try answer that question for you nonetheless. I simply do not know. The number is unimportant. How many mosquitoes did you kill until now? The target is important, completing the mission. I’ll give you an example. When sent out against a pirate stronghold, the target is to bring it down. It doesn’t matter if the pirates end up all dead or in custody. Often enough not killing people but taking them in for investigation is even the better option.”
She made a small pause.

“Learn how to use lethal force is a miniscule thing of what we talk here. Most of you probably grew up on the Citadel… how many were born here?” quite a lot of hands went up.

“We are talking about a form of an educational system that is most likely unknown to you. It encompasses much much more than just military subjects. A commando can serve many functions. You can chose to be a part of a fire team, you can serve a weapons officer on a ship, a shuttle or gunship pilot or become an engineer.”

She made a longer pause and finished in a slightly lower voice. “The number you do keep track of is the number of the good guys that died because you were not perfect. You always wish it would be lower.”

Freh’ya imagined the aghast face of Arina somewhere behind her.

“What else?”

Shaart's outbrust did the trick, the two kids sat down mumbling about how Miss Whiskers would never yell at them like that.

Freh'ya's answer seemed to interest the kids, until one of them just asked :

"Alright then, how good guys died because you were not perfect?"

The other kids looked at her disapprovingly, but then looked back at Freh'ya with curiosity.

“Too many. That’s the best answer you will get, young lady.” Freh’ya said cold, focusing the kid with her stare.
The kids just didn’t understand what it meant to be responsible for the death of those you should protect. How could they? Nobody who never came into the situation could. She didn’t want to have such a conversation with them. That was way too early for any of them to even try and comprehend.

“It’s a constant reminder that as a commando you are part of a few that have to keep watch over a great many and each of them counts. It’s an order to improve, all the time, all your life. It is a reminder of what you stand for and why people look up to you."
You'll never forget teh faces of those you helped out of tough situations and never those where you couldn't. Freh'ya had to clench her teeth to not travel back to Thessia, to that school... had it been a gymnasium as well?

“We don’t have large numbers. It’s a great responsibility and a great difference to other militaries. A commando must always be better than many of her adversaries combined. But we also have abilities others do not have.” A faint blue glow engulfed her hand.

“A commando must be able to use what she has in the most effective way and in conjunction with her teammates. Biotics is an interesting subject. How many of you ever got a real biotic schooling? And how many of you are self educated?”

It would be part of any regular asari upbringing and schooling but here?

"Most of us went to the prestigious biotic university of "You're on your fucking own" purple giant lady, ever heard of it?" replied one of the kids, which prompted a few snickers.

"Do you regret becoming a commando? You sure seem grim about it", asked another kid.

Of course the youngsters tried to be provocative.
Freh’ya sat down on the edge of the podium.

“Yes I know that school. But some of you in here – not all of you, but some – have it in you to be exceptional, you just don’t know it yet. A huntress monastery school is probably the best place to hone your biotics.”

It makes your body a weapon in it’s own right.
“It teaches you the responsibility that comes with it. This is no childsplay or biotic ball. Well..” she smiled, finally. “Sports will be a great part of the schooling. All kinds of sports and biotic games. There are so many that there will be one for any of you.”

She got more earnest again.
“And no, I don’t regret it.” It was getting to a difficult point now. “You’ll get to points in your education where you ask yourself if that’s what you wanted, if it’s worth it. You’ll not be alone with these questions and when you work past them, each time your resolve gets stronger. The business has been grim lately, yes.” What a massive understatement. “There was a Reaper Invasion we had to deal with. What I said earlier, about the necessity to improve - That there are moments where I can make a difference. I don’t want to miss them. “

That and I have to atone for dead asari that I had kill so they wouldn’t get processed by the Reapers or turned into Banshees. That’s worth a couple of centuries of service.

She showed a poker face but she wanted to vomit.

"Who of you wants to become a commando and why?"

He wished the youngsters would be more polite; their aggressive speech belied their interest, but it was difficult to hear their rude comments and not react. He shifted uncomfortably. He had shared his concerns with many of the children in the past; to his delight, most of them responded and altered the tone and structure of their speech, but he'd later discovered that they limited their more decorous communications to interaction with him, finding it part of the overall experience of studying with the hanar. They either simply liked him and were willing to make the effort - which was pleasing, of course - or they treated it as one of the "rules" of this particular game, and forgot about it in other situations. He had been pleased to discover he was popular with them, but he always hoped the youngsters would apply his teachings elsewhere. It seemed that today they had little interest in doing so. He reflected that for these abandoned youngsters, resentment towards any sort of authority figure was often strong.

As the guest speaker asked who among them was considering the career option she was discussing, quite a few hands went up. As ever, the speed with which the limbs were raised put him in mind of tall-finned predators from the Kahjean oceans.

Arina was keeping in the background. She had to let out deep sigh though and calming herself. What the Goddess was Freh’ya doing there? What kind of commando did the Matriarchs send her here? This was not what se had expected… It wasn’t exactly advertising until this point.

She didn’t want to interrupt and make things worse though, not yet at least.

A few hesitant hands were raised. Others were seemingly shy. Kids who were flaming the big purple soldier a minute ago were hesitant to admit they had projects.
"Well," said one of those whose hand was raised, "if it can take me off that shithole I'd like that."

"I want to send some money to my pack", said another, "and maybe come back someday and wipe the gangers that have been shitting on us."

"I want to learn to kick ass! I'm fucking sick of hiding. I barely fit in the damn ducts anymore!"

"I... I just would like to do some good", said another one with a sheepish voice. She was quickly booed by a few others who called her brown noser.

"May this one offer its support for the other" said Laykalar, feeling he should encourage the youngster. "It proposes that the assembled others should do likewise, lest they appear hypocritical". His tone, such as was translated into something comprehensible to aliens, was gentle but chiding. "It is the desire to do good that established this charity, as well as the very tradition of Huntresses that the others express such interest in learning more of. Those like Ms. Rondor and these one's honoured guest have aided the others and offered opportunities to them, precisely because they believe in the capacity and necessity of striving to do good. It thinks the reason offered is a most correct and wise one!"

Freh’ya remained seated as she listened to the kids reasoning and the reaction the last one drew.

“There is nothing wrong with any of these reasons. The most important thing is, you need to figure out what drives you if you chose to apply. You need a reason and it has to be good to hold up against yourself. It is going to be the first thing you will have to cling to when the way gets rough and it will get rough pretty soon. Your dedication will be tested, your… discipline.” She emphasized that word with a pause, scanning all those who had spoken up and some of the ones who had laughed.

They looked innocent although most were not, she was sure. Some of them probably had already committed an enormous list of crimes.

“I don’t talk about discipline in military terms. That comes much later, I talk about the discipline to follow your dream to the end, to pass the school. I’m telling you this so you don’t get a false impression. This isn’t about taking up a gun, exercise a few throws and then have adventures. You can as well join a random gang for that or stay in the ducts, anyone can do that.

It is about becoming someone that matters and getting all the education that you missed until now. You will experience being part of a special family in return.”

Well, if there wasn’t a second Reaper Invasion anyway, but that was unlikely. Freh’ya began to understand why she had been sent here. It was not only about the kids but to the same degree about her own reasons to be what she still was and why she still wanted to be that. She had to smile but is was bitter. It wasn’t that much about the kids on Thessia, it was about her own future.

She remembered the days and night where they had sat in circles, discussing and arguing about Goddess and Universe, young asari, eager to shape the galaxy some day.

“Is there anything else you want to know?”

"Yes. I have one."
A quiet voice was heard, a young asari that hadn't said a word during the entire encounter, had just fixated intently the guest speaker.
Michelle, who had just been uncomfortable like every time Laykalar pointed out how she had supposedly started LTD out of the goodness of her heart, narrowed her eyes and listened to what the kid had to say, for she very rarely spoke.
The young, teal asari continued with a low, almost monotone voice.

"The asari empire is the biggest empire of the galaxy. Its fleet were among the mightiest, its army elite.
When the reapers attacked my colony however it was turians that evacuated me. The republics were still "gathering themselves".
Until the world from which we both come was burning, our mighty fleet and elite army was nowhere to be seen.
My parents never made it to the Citadel obviously.
My question should be obvious enough.
Where. The. Fuck. Were. You?"

Yay, she was a bit tiny, but that didn’t say much about, say, biotic abilities. But that was annoying, really.

Or was it? Maybe it was the best question asked until now, kid of related to the questions Freh’ya had asked herself over and over. Why had they been not able to do more, to do better during the war. There were answers to these question, kid, they are not pretty but they are the truth.

She stood, thinking this should be answered upright. She patrolled the front row.

“Okay, that’s fair. But I think, you took a wrong turn somewhere. The asari Republics are no ‘empire’ and do not want to be. In fact the Republics are anything but an empire. Military and oppressive power are not the glue that holds asari together.” She focused her for a reaction.

“But that is no history lesson and you want your question answered. Where was I… Thessia.” A series of pictures flickered through her mind, it was fire, screaming, shooting, hectic… the arrival in a death zone. Dropping from a shuttle altitude because the landing zone was no-go. Dozens of biotic bubbles descending at once, a magnificent sight in itself. And an incredible mighty force. Then that read beam, a shuttle gone, bubbles bursting, asari body parts dropping with increasing speed… Only half of them had made land, already in a sea of purple blood.

“Thessia, most likely. My regiment was among the first colonial ones to be shipped for the motherworld. There already was utter chaos and destruction when we arrived. The Reapers had landed two days before us and it was merely a fight to delay them to get as many civilians moved to safer zones as possible. But soon there was no safe zones anymore, only caves, deep sea cities, the polar regions. It took about a week and I was the only survivor of my original unit. Their blood bought others some time.” And then the horrors of the special response teams had begun, shadowing everything that had happened before. She would under no circumstances talk about that.

She stopped her pacing.
“Where are you from, girl?”