18 Chapter 18

Tanya had her omnitool interface open in front of her as she was adjusting the blueprints.

"Hmm, how much time do we have left?" Tanya turned towards Alex and asked him.

"About one month" Alex answered her. He was hanging upside down from the ceiling, two ropes anchoring him. "Come on Tanya. We have been practicing to an insane level. I think that I can handle some prissy Asaris."

Tanya rolled her eyes. "Your reaction time is still too slow." Her glare returned in full force. "I refuse to take any chances. Now, go through the obstacle course again."

Both of them had put most of their other projects on hold, as they had worked to finish the relevant training and blueprints for the equipment that Alex would use. It would also serve as their foray into the more exotic weapon markets. The omnidirectional mobility device was an extremely effective tool especially within the urban environment, extending the range of movement of any user. Allow them to easily get to a new vantage point or conversely close the distance rapidly.

The previous iterations were limited in being able to only use swords or pistols but Tanya was confident that she could remove both of those limitations. Besides, this was the first step in the construction of her own modern flight assistance device. One that had become a core staple of her time.

For now, they would need to rapidly modernize the omnidirectional movement device bring it out of the steampunk era, and make a modern counterpart. She would need to look for a few new power cells to replace the gas canisters. But Tanya was nothing if not adaptable. For now, she was working on a few minor tweaks to increase the operation time per gas canister for use in the tournament.

"Besides, you can rest when you can change the direction while you are being reeled in. We will talk after you can do that."

Alex pouted as he began to go through the obstacle course again. So many projects were delayed just because of that stupid tournament. Alex just wanted to give up on the tournament as they had made enough money. There was no need for him to continue fighting, the problem was the fact that he still had a low chance of winning.

He could in hindsight understand the reason for his low chance of winning. He was going to fight against the Asari on their home ground. A place that they were intimately aware of and understood. Of course, people would think that he had a low chance of winning. He was fine with that. It would give him enough justification to withdraw or lose on purpose as well.

The problem was that Tanya had bet all of their remaining credits on him winning the tournament. In other words, if he loses they go broke and would be unable to find their various projects. It would exponentially slow down their timeline, something that he found unacceptable.

"Good, now we will talk about jungle warfare," Tanya said. "Don't worry, I will drill everything in your thick skull, just like my cute soldiers. Cover yourself with mud and leaves, you will need to come one with nature." Tanya had a sadistic expression on her face as she had picked up a clump of dirt. "Don't be shy." She began to rub that clump of dirt on his face. "By the time I am done with you. The Asari will not even be able to see you, much less hit you. You will be the hunter lying in wait."

Anyone who would have been near the chamber would have heard crazed laughing. Fortunately, they were miles away from any other sentient beings. The labs that they had rented on Noveria were more than making up for their high price. They did not have to subject anyone to Tanya's craziness. Well, except for Alex himself.

"Tanya, we talked about this. You need to tone it down a little bit."

"But my soldiers preferred me like this."

(The Council)

It was fortunate that nothing major had happened and so the Council was discussing mundane issues that could easily be resolved. Most of them on taking place on the citadel. The changes in the zoning laws as well as the latest entertainment zone. Creativity was blooming like never before, and the introduction of mangas had been a resounding success within the market. With a lot of other imitations coming into being.

Spartacus had a report in his hand. "There is a proposal to turn the warehouse district into a new centre of arts." He cleared his throat. "After the disastrous action of the Hegemony, the district has been reclaimed. One petition gained popularity to change it into an art district where people can showcase their creativity. This would be done in honor of Alex and Tanya and their brave rescue of the children."

Tevos nodded as she went through her own list of correspondences. "The Matriarchs want this done as quickly as possible. They want the matter with the Bartarians buried with all haste."

"Sometimes, I still don't get why they did not expect the Bartarian Hegemony to do this. They are literal slavers." Spartacus brought his fist down on the table in the middle of them.

Tevos sighed. "Because we do not have the strength to counter them without leaving ourselves open to retaliation from other rogue elements. The fleets that can be spared are still patrolling near the human border."

Spartacus did the turian equivalent of raising an eyebrow.

"We could have moved to better deal with the Bartarian Hegemony before the humans came into the scene."

"We could not have afforded a full-blown war. We both know that. My hope is the that the humans will be able to keep the bartarians occupied while we rebuild our strength. "

Spartacus paused. "So the rumors are true. The asari are planning to rebuild their military."

Tevos nodded at him. "Humanities introduction changes things for everyone. There are plans down the line to make them a fourth council race along with the volus. But they would need to increase their military strength. They need to double the amount of ships that they have."

"I can blame my own predecessor for that." Spartacus sighed as he settled down. One of the previous turian councillors got in his head that if there were an even number of council races, nothing would ever get done if they were deadlocked. The worst thing would be that favors would be traded and votes used to settle internal disputes. This trading of favors would than cause corruption in their ranks. The man did not realize the same could be done with only three councilors.

"So, I heard that Vartok left a surprise for our esteemed mistress of blades." There was a hint of a smile on Spartacus face.

Tevos sighed. "Yes, she called my office. Tried to use the Matriarch Council to get their location. Vartock was on his planet by that time, fortunately. Their location was revealed when they released new chapters." Tevos shrugged at that. "And you know how things get stuck within the bureaucracy of that damned planet.." Their specters tended to either shoot first and ask questions later or infiltrate that place, especially when they were handling that planet. She honestly could not even blame them. Even Asaris have limits to their patience.

The only reason Noveria had not been burned to the ground was that Tanya had declared that they were going on a hiatsu to prepare for the tournament.

Sulakio hearing that had taken personal control of the tournament. Trillions of credits were poured in, and she heard the rumors that it was going to be the most difficult one till this time. As a consequence, she had lost all information regarding the tournament.

A part of Tevos agreed with Matriarch Sulakio. She imagined Assari commandos deflecting bullets as they advanced to their enemies. This sent chills down her spine. The Asari as a whole invest far more in special units compared to other nations compared to the other species. An Asari spends literally centuries in the military, plenty of time to hone their skills.

The other rumor did cool her off. The act that she was looking for Alex to replace her position eventually. The debate that would start will rage on for centuries, something that she had no intention of seeing. Asari politics can be cutthroat, there would be assassinations followed by condolences, and attempts to manipulate. It would be a new addition to the game.

(Vartock Pov)

Vartok Sazz was lying down in the sand. His eyes were on the horizon as he looked at the beach. He was on a resort planet, some juice in his hand. There were no conspiracies to contend with, no major decisions to make. He could just enjoy himself, and relax.

Vartock took another sip of his drink.

These were his golden years. A concept that he had copied from the humans. A pity that he will not be able to see how it all ends. Salarian do not live for long, out of all the sentient species, they have the shortest lifespan.

Mayhap, I can bribe Tanya and Alex with something to know the end. The Salarian thought to himself.. The question was what could he give them. Something to consider as he took another sip.

His visitor should be here just about now. It paid to have his students in STG after all.

"So, it has arrived,". Vartock could hear a landing craft coming.

There was a smile on his face as it landed near him. Causing sand to fly everywhere. A pity, Vartock looked down on his body now covered by sand. The asaris were still playing their power game. This was going to be so much fun. It seems, that in his old age. He had become a little bit of a troll.

The craft opened and an asari approached him.

Vartock raised his now covered in sand drink. "You must be little Sulakio. Can you be a dear and get me another? Seeing as you were the one who ruined mine in the first place."

Sulakio sighed. This was going to be a long day.

Vartock shook his glass a few more times while he coughed. Yep, this was going to be a really really long day. But her mother needed Vartock's help to set up the tournament. To make the tournament a resounding success. Something that will be remembered for a very log time to come. She only had a three months period to make it happen.

"Mr Vartock ......."

"I already know what you are here for. Now get me a drink, and then we may talk." Vartock replied.