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

Taking advantage of a small period of calm in the LTD headquarter, Michelle Rondor, Julian Snow and Laykalar were debating current matters.

"...Now don't take it the wrong way, Laykalar", continued Michelle", the kids LOVE your teaching, as proven by your excellent presence rate. But they would really appreciate it if you made an effort to make shorter sentences, go more to your point. I know it's counter-intuitive for you, but remember that those kids are used to make simple sentences, because their existence is harsh and time for them is short. Now I have one more subject for us to discuss..."

Michelle displayed on holoscreen the private messages she had been exchanging with Arina about the huntress recruiter.

"As you can see I've been contacted by Arina Caenis -Stardust on the boards- about a proposal for our asari kids for possible huntress training. Now of course our policy isn't to just chuck as many kids as we can into the army, as I told her, but as you can see the huntress program is, at least according to Arina and my own research, more than just grunt work. I think it could be an opportunity for some of our kids, and that we should at least let them consider it.
The recruiter will come to speak to them in a week.
Now Mr Snow if you're not comfortable meeting representative of the asari military, we can manage with Laykalar."

How intriguing! Cerberus Daily News was so often a source of opportunities. He was gratified to see that some of the individuals using it had contacts in their native governments, and that Ms. Rondor's advertising through the forum had once again been justified. He would be sure to raise both of these points the next time one of his elders opined that he was demeaning himself through interaction with CDN. The charity's work was attracting attention, and Laykalar felt proud to be a part of it.

It would be a challenge to use shorter, less wordy sentences, though. It did indeed feel counter-intuitive, even slightly blasphemous. But he couldn't deny the learned Rondor's wisdom. He would aim to be less verbose. Making a note to practice short and concise sentences, he wondered if this was the key to successful integration. Hanar held language and its expression to be the richest demonstration of religion, but they found themselves at odds with the other races due to the crudity of others' speech. He would need to risk being less polite, at least around non-hanar, were he to fully succeed in understanding them. He thought of "Justicar", the zealot he had met at the restaurant, and felt something very much like a blend of horror and thrill. Not that rude, of course! But still...

He shook off the alarming thought.

"Given the unfortunate struggles that many of our youngsters have faced with the local criminal sub-culture" he said, "it believes many of them will feel more secure in learning skills that will hone their martial capabilities. It believes their self-respect would be greatly improved!"

Trying out a human-style concise sentence, one borrowed from a young human they had aided, he concluded:

"Yeah".

An outsider might have noticed that he carried a biscuit in one tentacle, which he dipped now in a cup of warm tea sitting on the table. The ritual of tea was a fascinating one; he had uncovered Earth literature in which the immersing of baked confections within the medium of tea was used extremely effectively as a vehicle to philosophical inquiry. Specifically, contemplation regarding the revelation of memory and attempts to capture the philosophical essence of self-reflection in prose. Involuntary memory; but conscious attempts to describe it in a literary fashion. That had led him to ponder the drell literature he'd encountered. His fascination with the piece in question had led him to continue accepting tea even though he didn't drink it. Eventually, Rondor had asked what he was doing. He had happily informed her of the philosophical significance, and she had shrugged and continued making it.

He cheerfully dunked the biscuit, pondering the mysteries of the mind.

Now they would be hosting asari.

Of course, the idiomatic phrase "time is short", which the learned Rondor had used, didn't really apply with youngsters of that species. For asari, time was something they often had in excess. He had read some of the approved texts transcribing key debates from the time of First TransKahjean Contact; one of the most controversial topics under discussion had been the reported length of the natural asari lifespan. How many memories did they acquire, he wondered? A thousand years from now, would one of these young asari dip something edible in her warm beverage and have involuntary memories of him?

He shivered in wonder.

"Yeah, quiet", the ex-salvager snorting under his breath as he listened to Miss Whiskers do her weekly status report, chuckling at Laykalar's one word response, Snow piped in. "Why in the hell are you talkin' like me Laykalar?" Giving the hanar a good natured grin, Snow remained seated in one of the chairs with detatched interest. He only perked up at the mention of blueback smiler recruiters and the name Arina. "Great, another asari who mistook polite small talk for genuine interest", thinking as the time of the meeting for the week was announced.

"Just one question boss, are the blueback smilers...sorry, asari that hard up for recruits that they're looking for duct rats for their little commando camps?" The ex-salvager keeping his tone level, but his eyes hardened at the mention of military recruiters, asari ones at that too.

Michelle smiled as well at Laykalar's surprising lingo.

"That's excellent Laykalar, but don't worry you don't need to go all street on us! And that's just for when you interact when the kids of course."
After all, she thought, one of the reason Laykalar has such an excellent presence rate despite his obscure diction was that a lot of the rats, especially girls, found him absolutely adorable. It was important to preserve that.

She chuckled at Snow's "slip".

"Well try not to call them that to their face. The reason they're interested into our kids is the same reason our average placement rate for work off planet for our charges is under two weeks : This is a post war, post apocalypse even, economy. The galaxy is broken and needs rebuilding. In the areas touched by the reapers there is work everywhere.
This is even more true for the asari huntress, which got decimated like most military outfits. Right now they don't even have enough hands to entirely secure Thessia yet, and that's their homeworld! Well you know that of course...
The true question would be why, like other people in such dire need of workforce, they didn't think of the duct rats first. The answer would be that most people's perception of them have not changed since before the war. They still see them as an unfortunate underclass, and don't even think about giving them a chance before people like us tell us that's an option.
So this is proof that we're doing good work in raising awareness. Somewhat ironically the credit on this win goes to you Mr Snow. Again, I know you don't see asari military as the best path for the kids, but you managed to have someone useful see that the duct rats are not some waste of space, that they're people who just need a chance to become productive citizens."

"Productive citizens is one thing boss, but what the damn asari are asking for is beyond the beyonds. They've seen enough war to last a while, and we're going to let some shit-eating commandoes ask them for more of the same?" The red hood looking away from his employer, so she wouldn't see his thousand yard stare returning. Snow didn't care much for asari, but what was at stake in his mind was something else, keeping LTD as a civilian oriented enterprise.


"The fact that this Ms. Caneis is sending her recruiter here because of me supposedly, is not something I'd like to take credit for," Snow letting a trace amount of disgust creep into his voice as he finished.

Sensing Snow's discomfort, Laykalar tried to be reassuring.

"The asari have a popular proverbial expression: "Tides Are". That expression is not dissimilar to this one's name on CDN in terms of the philosophical argument it attempts to communicate. This one proposes that you should accept that which cannot be avoided - namely, your having influence on the habits and choices of others - and console yourself by focusing on potential positives! Perhaps you can aid any of our girls who choose to join the huntresses in being better and more reflective warriors than they might have been otherwise?"

Michelle nodded at Laykalar's remark.

"There are other things to consider Mr Snow. First of all we're here to bring options to the kids, not choose them for them. That also means letting military recruiters talk to them. BUT it's also our responsibility to debrief them after the fact to make sure they got all the pros and cons. I want to give them the option, NOT push them into it. We're still not a military recruitment center, and we never will be.

Another thing is that during peace time, being in the asari military is actually a pretty safe bet, we're not throwing the kids in a meat grinder. The casualty rate of commandos on the field is lower than for people doing construction for instance, and we're letting a lot of kids do that.
Also not all asari military actually engage, there are a lot of jobs in support. Safe jobs."

Michelle sighted.

"I understand how that might be a gray area, but it might be good for the kids, and that's what matters. The asari are still our N°1 demographics, if this pans out maybe hundred of them will decide to get those jobs in the coming years. That will be a lot of kids off the street, perhaps our biggest win yet. Our job is to offer them the option, and make sure it's what they really want if they decide to take it."

"I get it, what's done is done." Replying to Laykalar and Miss Whiskers with a hint of irritation, yet Snow was impressed with Laykalar telling him the same sentiment that the red hood shared the other day at the restaurant. "It is what it is", taking a swallow of the tea, Snow knew that the recruiter was coming, but he'd be damned if he had to bow and scrape for that blueback smiler.

"So I assume you're handling the handshaking and all that BS boss?" The ex-salvager's tone returning to normal but the hard, suspicious look in his eyes remained as he looked up at Miss Rondor, Snow hoping he'd be elsewhere when the asari came.

Michelle was VERY relieved. She really thought Snow would have a much poorer reaction than that.

"Actually I was hoping Laykalar would accompany me and help spread the word and prepare as many asari kids as we can before the meeting. While we're working on that you may have to shoulder some more responsibilities, is that agreeable?"

Both Snow and Laykalar agreed, and Michelle was relieved.
The following week they passed on the word around. Shaart, the new raloi self defense consulting teacher, helped gathering interest from the asari duct rats.

A few weeks later Michelle and Laykalar, flanked with a few asari students and strangely enough a salarian were ready to greet their asari visitors...

It had been a short walk from the aircab terminal to the building that held the office of Leaving The Ducts.

Arian Caenis straightened her dress. She looked around and her eyes found a sign, indicating the charity’s entrance. In her company was an asari commando. Arina had found her attire a bit casual for the occasion but she got explained that for meeting kids a sporty outfit with a simple shirt and cargo pants was probably better than full body commando gear.

Nonetheless Arina had opted for a classic thessian long dress as this was a formal meeting with Michelle and whoever would be on site. Maybe there were kids around but this was just supposed to be a first meeting to discuss how the recruiter could work actually.

Arina had been surprised when she had met the commando for the first time. She had expected a professional recruiter with some special education, instead the Matriarchs had opted for a more direct approach. The commando they sent was a training officer and a sophomore of one of the most respected monasteries of her republic. As an advertisement for commandos, Arina had to admit, the asari was quiet impressive and she seemed reasonable overall and very nice. So by all means, whatever helps. She sure could transport a real inside image, maybe better than some bureaucrat just dressed as a commando.

They had reached the entrance and Arina indicated their presence at the translucent hologram on the door.

Now this was the time. There would be asari kids. Kids looking at her. For advise, maybe for help even, help out of a tough situation as a homeless orphan on the Citadel.

There had been kids on Thessia. Kids with dead classmates around them, a hurt teacher to cuddle up to under debris. There had been the Reapers all around and there had been her team, Freh’ya’s rescue team. They had looked at her for help. And that look has haunted her ever since, because she hadn’t been able to help. There had been no way.

Thanks to many sessions, her conscious mind was beyond the ‘I don’t deserve to live’ routine. Or was it due to Taleeze and the power she gave her with that love that asks no question? Or was it because of Skylar, the ‘sleeping beauty’, pure and mentally untouched by the horrors of the war? It was all of it together, Freh’ya guessed.

It still had been a bit of a shock when she was asked by her Matriarch to do this.
You will make a difference for some of those kids. You can offer them something they can’t reach on their own means that will enable them to build a good and bright future, help others in return. You are well enough to face it, Freh’ya. You can look at your neighbor’s kids as well, can you? They are not the same kids. They are kids you actually can help. This will help you as well. Realize that they are not the same kids.

After a few days in mental turmoil about it, she had seen the reason. If she could help others not falling as low as she had, if she could make a difference for at least some of the kids to have a better life, it was worth it. If she was supposed to be the tool to achieve that, so be it. She had a lot to make up for to asari society, she would take on whatever her Matriarch would deem an appropriate task.

Taleeze had been excited about the project and had called her a perfect example. Well, she didn’t know [i]everything/i] that had happened on Thessia.

Freh’ya was completely calm on the outside but her pulse picked up a bit as Arina contacted the door lock.

Michelle displayed the camera view on her terminal before opening the door. Both asari were visible, and Freh'ya's frame shocked the kids.
"Shit", said Krako, the salarian jokester, "I think we have the wrong day guys, today's the krogan tryout!"

"What are you doing here you prick?", asked one of the girls.
"Dadra, watch the insults. Let's go meet them outside, come on."

"I'll have you know I think this will be a formative experience for me, opened to other culture as I am", said Kakro.
"Dude, even with that much asari in one room you won't get more tail than usual", replied another kid.
Kakro made a clacking mouth with his mouth.
"Not the point. The esteemed Snow has planned a day of physical activities for those who are not going today. And he's not appreciative of my comedy talents, or my creative reinterpretation of his instructions."
"Just fuck off. Miss Whiskers, why do you allow him to join up?"
Michelle rolled her eyes at the nickname Snow coined.
"Hey guys, we said not the nickname today, I'm supposed to look professional today remember?"
This time all the kids snorted.
"Yeah, that's gonna happen anytime soon", said Dadra.
Michelle decided to ignore that.
"Anyway, I actually thought it would be an interesting experience for Kakro."

She opened the door and smiled at the asari.

"Hello, and welcome to Leaving the Ducts! I'm Michelle, thank you so much for coming here! We won't have the meeting here actually, we have a better suited location ready, it's like five minutes on foot, is that ok?"

“Hello Michelle!” Arina extended a hand for the human-style greeting.
“May I introduce Miss Paruun. She’s a huntress and commando from Nevos and an absolvee of Yaneene Monastry. She is here to talk to the interested kids.”

Behind the small human, some young asari and a slarian were visible, Arina waved them a greeting as well “Hi, everyone.”

Towards Michelle she added: “Of course it’s no problem, please lead the way.”

Goddess, that human was tiny. Well, not exactly tiny but small. Freh’ya thought, the rotund figure was kind of fitting for her Matron role in this institution, she seemed nice and open on first glance.

“Nice to meet you, Michelle. And please just call me Freh’ya,” she replied with her slightly raspy but very female voice, also offering her hand.

There were already more kids visible than she had anticipated. But maybe a lot of them were just there out of curiosity and weren’t considering the program for real. Well, nothing wrong with it since most if not all of them had no idea what happened in the Republics, being born and growing up on the Citadel under less than fortunate circumstances. Her experienced eye scanned the group and identified a handful of already older asari. Usually the best age to start was below forty, after initial schooling but here new measures must be found. She noticed that many just stared at her. She was used a bit of staring so she didn’t care.

“Hello everyone!” she also greeted the kids with a raised arm and a smile. Freh’ya had no trouble looking over Michelle’s head.

So far so good. Her pulse calmed down. The setting was different, everything was different…. It was as if these kids didn’t ‘taste’ like Thessia, for the lack of a better term. She could do this…

Freh'ya, did I hear that somewhere? Ho well, it's not like she's the only one with that name.
"Please follow me", she simply said.

While Michelle was leading the small group, chatting idly with Arina, Kakro slipped near Freh'ya.

"Hi", he said, "my name's Mak'lia, and I'm very honored to meet you ma'am, you make our species proud! I hope when I grow up from maiden to matron I'll become like you! Thank you so much for coming!", he said with a slightly deranged voice.
Before Freh'ya could answer another asari caught her attention and whispered to her.
"Yeah, sorry about that, he really think he's an asari... We never had the heart, to... You know... Please play along?"

What was that salarian even doing here… not that she minded it when others listened but it would depend on the setting that would present itself. You could never knew with youngsters anyway.

Oh, what did he just say?
Freh’ya looked down at the salarian and then to the asari on her other side. Play along… ugh. As if this wasn’t hard enough. Who knew what troubles that guy was going through, but this story seemed a bit far fetched. Arina had not mentioned any mentally ill kids – well, not more ill than an average duct rat. Freh’ya squinted at the young asari and then turned to Mak’lia.

“Thank you, but you know, I am no Matron yet.” Sometimes she just wished though. “So, how old are you, have you always lived on the Citadel?” Let’s see how far he was pushing it.

"Mak’lia" adopted a sorrowful look.

"I was brought here at the beginning of the reaper war... Can't remember much from before that honestly, it was terrible... I just remember bad guys everywhere, and this asari commando saving me from the monsters..."
The apparently delusional salarian made a very convincing asari gesture of caressing his imaginary lekkus.

"She was awesome, like you. That's when I knew I wanted to become one, one day! Save people too, make our people safer and proud!"

If he had been an asari, Freh’ya would have experienced a flashback probably. Since he wasn’t, it was just a quick flicker of images running through her mind. Nothing out of the ordinary, Husks, Cannibals, asari kids with missing heads in purple blood. The Disciple didn’t appear this time so all was good. She blinked and the images were gone.

Well, he was funny so she managed what was considered a laugh. Her eyes were without emotion though.

“Alright then. But you need good biotic control. What abilities do you have?” Her voice was in a playful tone.
She wondered if they would have reached their destination anytime soon.

They walked a bit ahead, so Arina didn't exactly overhear the conversation Freh'ya was having. Walking alongside Michelle, she had no idea, where to.

"So, Michelle, how many kids could you interest in listening to us? I hope you didn't sell anything we can't hold!" she chuckled.
"After all it's not for everyone - I mean, taking on this task will be demanding. The last thing I want to do is raise false expectation. Nobody will have benefits from that."

Kakro shrugged.
"I used to be able to do stuff, but it's not like I ever could get an implant. And when you're out on the streets you learn to keep your biotics in a teeny tiny corner of your mind, so you won't starve. Well, starve more."


"No don't worry", answered Michelle to Arina, "as I said our politic is not to chug every kid we can in the military and call it a day. We only told them that today could be another opportunity for some of them. To be honest after that we're planning on debriefing those who think of signing to be absolutely sure that's what they want, and that they get everything military life implies. Ho, we're almost there!"