Episode 1

Garrus Vakarian

The C-Sec Academy Years


Episode 1:
School and Tupari


By Peter Mavaras


The room is clean. Probably the cleanest on the wards, a trait most odd of a turian youth. A terminal screen in the corner flickers momentarily as the bedroom door pin wheels open. An adult turian enters the room and makes his way to the bed.

Officer Vakarian: Garrus, wake up.

Garrus: (mumbles) Mmmm, can it wait… I’m in the middle of some calib…

Officer Vakarian kicks the bed.

Officer Vakarian: Damn it Garrus, wake up! The power in the wards is cycling again and your alarm is off.

Garrus rolls over brushing his omni-tool off the side of the bed. He sits up and rubs his eyes. His father kneels down to pick it up.

Garrus: Is it time to get up already?

Officer Vakarian: What did I tell you about watching these vids? Your going to be working for C-Sec Garrus. The quicker you figure this out the easier it's going to be.

Officer Vakarian gets up and starts walking to the door.

Officer Vakarian: It’s for the best.

Garrus: Yeah dad.

Officer Vakarian: Oh, and Garrus…

Garrus quickly riffles through his closet.

Officer Vakarian: Try to make a good impression today at the academy. Us Vakarians have a reputation to uphold.

Garrus finishes dressing and leaves for the transport. The walk ways of the wards were filthy. A stench permeated through the area that was strong enough to break the barrier of an asari commando, a stench that Garrus had become accustomed to. Shady figures adorned the street sides; mostly locals trudging home belligerently after a long stint at Chora’s den. Entertainment in the neighborhood was sparse and anybody with credits to spare knew the pleasures of the den. As Garrus approached the academy entrance, he spotted a refreshment hub across the way; an inviting sight for any thirsty spacer.

Garrus walks up to the vending machine and gives it a thorough look over. After making his decision, he presses the button. Nothing happens.

Garrus: Blasted Tupari crap! If they spent half as much time on maintenance as they did on advertising….

Tupari Vending Machine: 12 billion bottles of Tupari are sold in a day! Where’s yours? Oh, that’s right! It’s inside me!

Garrus: Son of a krogan!

Garrus pulls out his blaster and unleashes several rounds into the machine. The pistol overheats and he throws it to the ground in disgust.

Garrus: That’s what I get for trying to get a drink in the wards. I should have just went to the markets and got a Paragade.

Tupari Vending Machine: Only losers drink Paragade!

Garrus: It can’t dispense a bottle but it can survive a barrage of pistol shots? Looks like I’ll need something bigger…. A lot bigger..

As Garrus pulls out his shotgun, a strangely dressed turian runs up from his flank.

Executor Palin: What the hell are you doing to that machine!

Garrus: Uh…. Me?

Garrus lowers his weapon.

Executor Palin: I can see from your clothing that you’re one of the new recruits. If you want to make it in C-Sec your going to have to learn to show a little bit of restraint. The citadel is counting on us to bring order to the station. We can’t just go around blowing everything up.

Garrus: Yes sir, it’s just that…

Executor Palin: Just nothing. Grab your things and follow me.

Palin eyes Garrus up and down.

Executor Palin: This might sound strange but…. No… It can’t be. You’re not Vakarian’s son are you?

Garrus simply nods in defeat.

Executor Palin: You look like that ugly son of a bitch you know? Anyway, out of respect for your father I’m going to turn my shoulder on this awkward incident. I have great confidence that you won’t squander this opportunity at the academy.

Garrus: No sir.

Executor Palin: Well you have hefty shoes to fill. Your father is one of the best.

Garrus: Like father like son.

Executor Palin laughs.

Executor Palin: I like the confidence boy, just make sure it's not unfounded!

Garrus: Any other advice sir?

Executor Palin: Yeah kid. Stop drinking that Tupari shit, it’s bad for your health.

To be continued…

Introduction

Garrus Vakarian gets the job done at any cost. As hard to believe as it may be, our battle hardened bad-ass wasn't always a killing machine. Yes, he too underwent an akward period much like that of our human adolescence. In a jungle of red tape, one young turian struggles in his coming of age tale against impossible odds. How did the legend fair as a cadet?

Before The Reapers....

Before Dr. Saleon.....

During Turian Virginity?

THERE WAS C-SEC ACADEMY