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[Cknarf]

"Leaving?" Johnny raised an eyebrow. Surprised both by the turian's seemingly normal response, and the fact that anyone would willingly give up a position on a ship such as this one.  Although he didn't know Arian very well, he knew him well enough to know he wasn't likely to change his mind. That didn't stop him from offering an opinion as the turian walked away.

 

"I think you'd be making a mistake by doing so." Johnny only followed a short distance before stopping. "I figure we'll be on Earth a few days, if... if you wanna... talk, or something."

 

Johnny sighed, knowing full well he probably wasn't getting anywhere. Turning around, he headed down the corridor, towards his own quarters.

[Kel Riever]

Jenus

When Naleena said the word 'book', Jenus' eyes glazed over momentarily.  But her reaction changed completely when she heard about videos.  "Records of the Rebellions?  From Cyone?"  The more she thought about it, the more excited she became. "Wait, you've had these?  Why didn't you say so!  Yes, I'd love to look at them!"

Remembering her past interactions with Naleena, Jenus became a bit regretful.  "What I mean is I'd appreciate it, greatly.  I don't know so much about learning but I get what you're saying.  I mean, you know, shared blood, life or death.  We made it out alive.  If I wasn't in medical I'd get drunk.  Tollus says it's all tissue healing and making sure instead of taking a risk.  Guess I'm going to miss having that drink with Arian, though.  You'll just have to replace him when I can take alcohol again."

Jenus laughed, then said, "You know I'd really prefer to jump out of this bed and catch that angry turian before he's gone.  I could, I suppose, but I bet someone else has tried.  I get him, I think, I do.  I wish he understood that."
 

[Kel Riever]

Onboard the Medusa

"Handsome!  We broke the bank!  Sure as the sun comes up!"

Morgan had poked his head into the front hangar of the Medusa and inside the Tomkah that had been hauled up from Garvug.  Miss Priss was inside the tanks main hold, meant for passengers or cargo, and she was sitting on top of what might have been considered a small vault for a krogan.  Of course, that meant it nearly filled the entire area.  The door had been opened with a judicious application of thermite, thanks to Dogger and Sophie.  Inside was an astounding amount of currency that krogan at war preferred to trade in:  Precious metals, namely gold.

"Be careful.  Those bricks are heavy," Morgan warned, also noting Miss Priss hadn't gotten out of her suit yet.  "Have you begun counting what it's worth?"

"Ain't know alien ship, but it's plenty."  Of the credit chips that  were inside, Miss Priss was grabbing handfuls and throwing them to clatter on the Tomkah's inside roof before they came showering back down on herself.  She kicked out her legs. "Jess was worried about cash, now we got some!"

"Have your fun," Morgan smirked, "But in a half hour, start getting this cleaned up and stored with help.  We've got guests coming aboard."

Several hours later,  the Medusa had reached Earth and placed itself into a standard orbit pattern for cargo ships.  Morgan and Babe watched the hangar from the observation area for their new arrivals who were going to meet them by shuttle.

"You know the main elevator is out," Babe informed Morgan.

"We have stairs and ladders," Morgan shrugged, "All the repair parts are added to the list, right?"

Babe nodded.  "The brokers?  They'll take a bit of a look around?"

"Yes.  It will help them understand what we need, save us some money.  We'll travel back to Earth with them by shuttle, and save time by talking business while we go.  They'll leave us when we land in Singapore, and rejoin us with product when we return.  Product we can take aboard the shuttle, the rest will be sent directly to the ship."

"Sounds good."

It was only fifteen minutes later when the guest shuttle had landed and the hangar atmosphere was cycled.  Two people stepped off the shuttle.  One was a man, handsome, about seventy or seventy five¹, in a classic navy suit, tie, cufflinks and all.  He wore an expensive, light pair of HUD glasses, likely meant to interface with shuttle controls, meaning he was probably the pilot.  The other person was a woman, just shy of fifty, in a more modern fashion:  cream jacket, just below the knees black skirt, pumps, and an expensive, navy long coat. Her hair was jet black in a mid-volume beehive, and she flashed expensive jewelry.

When Babe and Morgan came into the hangar to meet them, of course they couldn't stop staring at Babe.  Morgan was becoming a fan of taking business people off guard with Babe.  "Welcome aboard.  I'm Morgan, First Mate of the Medusa, and this is our gunnery chief..."  Morgan hesitated, almost calling Babe by her real name.

"Babe," Babe said, as if it were nothing, as usual. "Please to meet you."

The man was at a loss for words.  The woman, answered while stuttering a bit.  "Ms. Wescott...and my associate, Mr. Lau."  Then recovering some of her professional demeanor, she concluded, "We are partners, Wescott and Lau, and will be happy to attend to all your shipping equipment needs."

For whatever reason, Morgan took note:  The man was broad shouldered, but mostly thin and fit, particularly for his age, yet his eyes were tired.  The woman was fit, but her body type was, for lack of better words in Morgan's mind, thick below the waist and heavy chested, but slender at the waist.  She had the appearance of someone doing her best to keep up with her appearance, and her eyes were eager, while for the man, his fitness seemed to come naturally.  

"Quick tour," Morgan said, putting aside any judgement he might have, "Of the sections we'll be working on.  Come with me."

¹Remember, in Mass Effect universe, this still isn't that old for humans.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"I tried to convince Arian, but stone walls listen better," Naleena said and shook her head. "He's running from something. I don't know what it is, but he's shut out everything and thinks life is all about killing."

 

She smiled at Jenus and looked at the book. "You know when I was a maiden I idolized my grandmother. Many young maidens want to be Justicars like in the old literature. I wanted to be a Commando. I watched all of the vids in that album. I was waiting for my 100th birthday, the minimum age to join at the time," Naleena said.

 

"Then why didn't you join?"

 

"It's a long story, but to make it short, I had a younger sister, Xani. She was sadistically murdered on Ilium. Her killer was very high in the Salarian government. He had diplomatic immunity. I extracted revenge. I became a fugitive," Naleena said. "Then because of things I did apparently for the Council through contracts, and the recommendation of a matriarch, I ended up here."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

A news show report broadcast sponsored by Umsung Holdings broadcast on the vid screens on the Janiri. It was of particular interest because it concerned their latest mission on Garvug. Emily Wong, the familiar face of Citadel News Net had recently resigned and now worked for Future Content Corporation. Her position at CNN had been filled by Khalisah Al-Jilani, formerly of Westerlund News.

 

"This is Khalisah Al-Jilani, Citadel News Net with a breaking news story from Garvug. The capital city of Dhazil has fallen to the combined forces of Sonax Industries and Guanghui Solutions in a massive assault after they lured the Krogan insurgent forces into capturing the city. Few details as to the nature of the assault have been released, but the eight month conflict is finally over. Future Content Corporation's Emily Wong sat down with Sonax Industries' supreme commander, Admiral Lira Speight for a 90 minute interview where in the first part, she answered questions about the war on Garvug.

 

"We -- and I mean the army, not the board -- had a nearly impossible task once the insurgency was established," she says, "and success would not have been financially possible without Umsung Holdings' backing. I presented the idea to the higher-ups of letting some negative stories through on the comm buoys to win trust with the news media, but it developed into more. The president of Umsung was good friends with Sonax's chairman; when the offer was made, the idea clicked: the board realized the power of winning by losing. From that moment on, we played the wounded bird and gave the snakes exactly what they wanted to see,” Admiral Speight said.

 

“In the second half of Emily Wong's interview with Sonax supreme commander Lira Speight, the admiral alternately argues about, confesses to, and speculates about the moral repugnance of her actions. "I don't regret the deception," she said, "to shareholders or anyone else. What keeps me up at night is [the death of Brigadier General] Noah [Vardos]. He knew the real strategy, but he saw good people dying under him; Garvug residents dying for no reason - it haunted him." As to the civilian casualties, she responded "Our test story, the video of Krogan being executed, that wasn't genuine, but damn few people questioned it. Once we saw the public's saturation point, when they weren't shocked anymore and just wanted it over, we gave them what they demanded, as fast as we could."”

 

Ereba sat in the lounge in disbelief. "So they were testing the public reaction to their atrocities?" she said. "I can't believe we were fighting along side those bastards on the planet. I should have turned my gun on them."

 

"What good would that have done? Got you killed, that's what," Irina said.

 

"You're right, but still. The Krogan deserved better than this. All we did was help weaken them," Ereba said. 

 

"Ereba, Sonax bombed them from orbit. Do you really think our little action made any difference? And we tried to get some of them to safety," Irina said.

 

"I'll give odds the Council doesn't do s***," Ereba said. "You saw the interview."

[Cainhurst Crow]

There was a heavy slam that echoed in the Lounge, essul, with his biotics fully flared, staring at the screen with his hand balled into a fist. His hand was impacted into the metal table, now a large dent where his biotically powered up fist had smacked hard into the table. He was fuming, as he watched the footage of Speight discussing her tactics.

 

Essuls breathing was ragged as he stood up from his seat, his aura starting to flicker out as his face began to change from one of anger to one of pain. He let out a strangled gasp as he held his hand close to his chest, gripping it tightly as he took a few steps back. He didn't bother to say much as he rushed forward towards the door, leaving the lounge quickly.

 

His shoulder slammed into the hallway outside, his breathing getting quicker as he felt it, the first shoots of pain through his fist, then creeping up his arm. He'd burned through his medication, and the pain was coming back as he scrambled to get out his injector. He shakily held it up towards his neck, taking a deep breath and resisting gasping as he felt his lungs expand, his mind translating the sensation into the only neural message it could, pain.

 

Essul plunged the needle into his neck, the neural supressant calming his nerves back down as essul leaned against the wall for support. Not since his first talk with his former comamnding officer, had essul felt so angry. Why though, he didn't know.

 

"Why...?" He asked aloud as he looked to the syringe he'd just used, holding it hard enough to slowly crush it as he felt himself calming back down, "Why...am I so angry?"

 

The answer came to him in a flood. In many of the missions he'd worked on with this crew, Essul had always had the sense that they were doing the right thing. Even if the area was grey, their actions had made a difference in some way, for good or for worse. Even attacking the base within the hegemony had been to stop a weapon of mass destruction from being used, and had potentially saved thousands of lives.

 

This however? They had blatantly been used. Puppets all along, that the corporate forces had strung along, in helping to doom the people of garvug. Knowing that they would probably never face justice, and knowing worse yet that they were proud of how unjust they were. It made him feel physically ill.

 

Essul had been used. And it was the third time in his life, finding that out the hard way.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan and Babe

The shuttle used by the brokers was a civilian luxury design, practical in its outer hull shape much like a boxy Kodiak, but inside it was quite different, meant to carry only four or five passengers, adding the pilot and co-pilot in their forward cabin.  There were windows for the passengers as well, wider and taller, optionally tinted for one way viewing.  Sort of a limousine for VIPs. 

Central, in fact, was a table, shaped non-geometrically so that the comfortable seats along the bulkheads could be swiveled out on arms to reach it.  Of course there was a wet bar on one wall, place out of the way for safety and to create more space, and large viewing screens.  Most of the seating and large parts of the bulkhead, were lined in leather.  It was soft to the touch and Morgan swept his fingers over it several times.

Mr. Lau was piloting, in no rush and taking a leisurely entry route.  He mostly listened in to the dealing, which was predominantly led by Ms. Wescott at the table.  Occasionally, she would ask him a question and he would answer, once he gave his own opinion.  Mr. Lau seemed part of the business, but perhaps he was not the head of it, or had other specialties not topical to the meeting.

"And so we have it, the assessment of what you will need," Ms. Wescott stated as she brushed long fingernails through the graying strands of hair on the side of her head that ran up into her modest beehive.  "A higher number of circuit boards than might normally be needed for a freighter of your size.  But then we have this list of engine upgrades as well.  I believe we can shop this list by the time you are finished with your meeting.  All of these supplies can be brought by shuttle, though one may have to be brought in by a Mammoth class.  Your hangar looks capable of landing such a craft?"

Morgan nodded.  He'd been doing much of the talking because, of course, he was senior to Babe, but also because she seemed preoccupied.  Babe was not despondent, answering questions where needed, but her eyes kept focusing on Earth, and sometimes towards the pilot.  Morgan had the sense there was nothing wrong with him, so much as he had the sense she wanted to get in the seat as if she'd fly it herself.

Babe surprised Morgan then by asking a question of Ms. Wescott.  "You'll be coming back with us?" 

"Well, it isn't necessary, but we'd like to, on this shuttle.  I want to be present for the delivery, to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.  If that's all right with you."

"Certainly," Babe answered before Morgan could.

Ms. Wescott looked over to Morgan with her brown eyes questioning.

"Agreed.  In fact, Babe will likely deal closely with you on that.  She has a particular knowledge of the Medusa, as well as a love for the ship. Ms. Wescott."

Smiling, Ms. Wescott said, "Please, call me Lucy.   I do enjoy working with people who can appreciate the finer intricacies of their vessel. Well, I suppose we should enjoy the ride then, since we have some time."  She reached over to the bar.  "Drink?"

"Yes," Babe answered first again, "I think I'd like that."

[Kel Riever]

Jenus

Jenus didn't want to say anything initially.  She'd heard a rumor somewhere about the Spectre, and her family, not knowing the details.  And she was nervous about feeling the need to bring up her own past, but she didn't feel right letting it go completely.  "Well, I'm maybe not the best person to share the long and dirty with," Jenus said to Naleena, "But that sounds like a, well, a...I don't even know what to say."  And Jenus wasn't able to find words for a moment.

When she finally did, she said, "Well, f**k them, huh?  I'd be inclined to do some bad things to people who hurt someone I loved.  Maybe I wouldn't, but...I'm not you, and I don't understand some things.  F**k them though now, because you have a badge, right?  And dead people can't tell stories."

[Kel Riever]

Naleena’s Meeting with the Council
(by Shotgun Julia)

 

While Jenus enjoyed watching Naleena’s grandmother’s suit cam recordings from the Krogan Rebellions, Naleena went to the Conference room to address the Council by QEC regarding the Garvug. She had seen the news report and interview between Emily Wong and Admiral Speight.

“VERA did you get any telemetry from the probe we left in orbit around Garvug?” she asked.

VERA’s holo-image appeared in her office. “Affirmative, Boss,” she said, drew Naleena’s attention to a large map of the city, and highlighted critical areas as she was speaking. “During their assault on the remaining Sonax forces, the Blood Pack and Forsworn insurgents had weakened the substructure of the city. The bombardment with mass drivers and energy weapons from space by Sonax caused approximately one-quarter of the surface area of the city to collapse into a crater. Since much of the population was living underground at the time, civilian casualty estimates range from 30,000 to 100,000.

“The bombardment was quite surgical and left the main roads outside the capital and the space port intact.”

“But the civilian casualties have not been reported?” Naleena asked.

“No, Boss, they have not.”

“When did we receive this report?”

“I received it six hours and 70 minutes ago,” VERA replied. “Your decision to delay the transmission was wise. The casualty estimates are from Sonax.”

“Send a copy of my report to Yalson Sao and patch me through to The Council.”

VERA set up the QEC with the four Council members whose blue images appeared before Naleena. Naleena stepped onto the platform in front of her so that they could see her as well.

Head Councilor Tevos was the first to speak. “This is highly irregular, Spectre. Most requests for an audience are processed through channels.”

“I am aware of that, but there isn’t time. There is a crisis situation on Garvug,” Naleena said. “As you are aware, Sonax Industries and Guanghui Solutions….”

“Yes, we are aware. They retook the city of Dhazil and ended the insurgency,” Councilor Sparatus interrupted.

“Insurgency?” Naleena said. “They invaded the planet. It was a Krogan planet. The civilian casualties….”

“Were brought upon by the Krogan themselves,” Udina continued. “Had they cooperated with the mining interests in the beginning perhaps things would have turned out differently?”

“Really? Do you call being bombarded from orbit by mass drivers and a satellite system being ‘self-inflicted’ Councilor?” Naleena said, sent her report to the Council, and had VERA display the map directly behind her. “I went into the system to bring in Hailot Wrund for attempted murder. But when I left this happened. One quarter of the city is now a crater. Look at the civilian casualties.”

Councilor Valern cocked his head. “Admiral Speight provided us with some interesting information that you had a ship along with you and that you authorized orbital bombardment of a populated area yourself. Something that is clearly forbidden under galactic law.”

“There is a huge difference between a surgical 0.1 KT strike and what Sonax Industries did,” Naleena countered. “They carpet bombed a heavily populated area!”

“No matter. The law makes no distinction. If we go after them, we have to go after you. I don’t think you’d like the consequences,” Udina said.

“What about humanitarian aid to the city?” Naleena asked. “You see the casualty figures. They’re from Sonax.”

“How did you get these?” Valern asked.

“Like I did everything else. I left a probe in the system with a transmission delay. It gathered telemetry from the bombardment and monitored communications, then two days later when I guessed that the outbound comms would be open again, it transmitted the data,” Naleena replied.

“Your request for humanitarian aid is noble, Spectre,” Councilor Tevos said. “However, there has not been sufficient public sympathy for the Krogan since the Rebellions. Public opinion reached its saturation point and turned against the Krogan. Recent polls show they are happy the conflict is over. Besides, Garvug is in the Terminus, and The Council simply cannot get involved.”

Naleena barely kept her anger contained. “What about the Prothean Artifacts on Garvug? Whether they like it or not, now that they run the planet, Sonax Industries is responsible for them and must turn them over to the Council. That is if they can even find them in all that rubble.”

The Council voted and came to agreement on the last point.

“We can impose further sanctions on Umsung Corporation for failure to turn over Prothean Technology to the Council if they do not do so within the next 30 standard days,” Councilor Tevos said. “I’m sorry, Spectre, that is all we can do. If there is nothing further, this meeting is adjourned.”

The QEC disconnected. Naleena stormed out of the room and bumped into Vayne’s good shoulder. Vayne was curious as to the outcome of the meeting.

“That didn’t go well, I take it,” Vayne asked.

“They’re a bunch of self-concerned jack-asses!” Naleena said.

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Sounds like they haven't changed much. Let me guess, "just a krogan world" plus "it's in the terminus?" Vayne asked as he gave a nod to naleena. Vayne had dealings with the council centuries ago. They were different people, quite literally, but they were still the same jackasses with their heads up their own backsides even back then.

 

"Hey...my people are used to getting the short shaft when it comes to the council. What matters if what you tried to do..." Vayne said, trying to give naleena some helpful advice, "You tried to help, and you did for a lot of people. Not everyone, but you can't help everyone..." He was calm as he explained it, shrugging his good shoulder and wincing a bit when his bad one moved.

 

"The fact you at least gave it an effort, despite what everyone and everything against you said and did? That's what matters at the end of the day. At least, that's how I've always seen it..." Vayne spoke from his own life, a life that up until now hadn't had much worth to it. Many krogan, those who didn't run off to do merc work and die on some dirtball far into space, usually had a live and let live attitude. They had to, or they'd all have died centuries ago. He hoped naleena would understand, at least that there was a silver flecking within the massive pile of junk life had served them.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

(The following was written by Jen and SJ)

 

The ship had entered Earth space. It had been over 3 standard days since they left the Paz System. The Janiri was on approach about to enter orbit. A transmission arrived from Ilium for which VERA could tell had multiple encryptions. The caller didn't give away their identity but did reveal where they were calling from. Blood Pack’s Corporate Headquarters.

 

Naleena was about to say something to Vayne when VERA interrupted. "Boss, you have an incoming call from Illium. It is the Blood Pack Corporate Headquarters," she said.

 

Naleena sighed. "Put them through in the Conference Room, VERA,” she said and shook her head. “I have to take this, Vayne. Excuse me." She re-entered the Conference Room and closed the door behind her.

 

"This is T'sarius."

 

Sitting behind a fine wood desk, dressed in a fine Krogan suit and leaning back slightly in his seat, Ganar Yulaz's holoform came on display as he looked towards the Spectre, his voice slightly muffled from the transmission as he spoke.

 

"Spectre T'sarius, on behalf of the Blood Pack Mercenary Company and Blood Pack incorporated, I would like to extend to you a sincere apology for the trouble members of our organization have caused you. It is my legal duty to inform you that all actions taken by some of our members do not reflect the company as a whole, and that we hold ourselves to a rigorous standard to full fill any and all contracts written. No ill intentions were meant against you personally or the councils personnel, and we will cease activities against it as soon as possible...etcetera, etcetera..."

 

Yulaz glanced over to his right, looking to someone off screen as he nodded. "They're gone?... Good." Yulaz said, readjusting his seat as he leaned forward and brought his hands together, the dull tone from earlier being replaced by a more bemused and gravelly one.

 

"Sorry about that. Nos Astra securities been on my ass lately. We're legally required to give that little speech to anyone we end up butting heads with someone..." Yulaz said as he smirked to himself, the resemblance between him and his brother pretty evident, the pale skin and yellow eyes being the main factor, though Yulaz's crest was a dark maroon versus his brothers bone white.

 

"So...I hear from my Niece that you did the Krogan a great service the other day. And helped out the blood pack in getting rid of some, heh, old baggage..." Yulaz reached down and retrieved a cigar, cutting off one of the ends as he held it over a small opening on his desk, a jet of flame shooting up to light it.

 

"Now that I've got you here without the unwanted audience...there's something I want to ask you Spectre." He said as he looked towards Naleena with a raised brow, "Most council forces wouldn't think twice about wiping out my employees, or any other Krogan who were a problem. Some even go out of their way to do it...but you? From what Shinaga tells me, you negotiated with them, even tried to save a few along the way..."

 

"What I want to know, T'sarius...is why?"

 

Naleena reached in her breast pocket for her cigarette case, but it wasn’t there. She cursed under her breath. "I had made a promise to a friend, Kavadar Vayne, that I would help him get his blood oath removed. The rest you already heard from Shinaga. As for trying to save some along the way? There were people living in the city. They happened to be Krogan. The city was about to be carpet bombed and turned into an inferno. My ship could not take on a fleet, but perhaps we could help evacuate the city so that fewer people would die. Shinaga told me about the fertile females Wrund had in his tower. I tried to evacuate them, but their shaman said they would stay and fight. With Wrund dead, the shaman's word was law."

 

"Not many would see my kind as people. You’re a rare one, I'll give you that..." Yulaz said as he tapped the ashes into a small waste bin near his desk.

 

"Seeing how you managed to help us out in such a way and how I no longer have an older brother breathing down my neck...I think a favor is in order..." The Krogan said as he sent over a signal to Naleena.

 

"Here, a one-time direct line to our main military base. You ever find yourself in a pinch, send out that signal, and the blood pack will come to back you up, free of charge." Yulaz said as he took another drag of his cigar, "Make sure you use it wisely, it's only good to use once."

 

“Thank you. I accept your offer. I hope we never need it, but I fear we will. T’sarius out,” Naleena replied.

 

That was a surprising silver lining. When she left the room Vayne was still outside.

 

“It appears we have an alliance with the Blood Pack as a result of our mission at least,” she said.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

(The following was written by Kel and SJ)

 

Jen Severn and VERA

 

Jen Severn was busy working in her lab analyzing data from one of her ongoing research projects. VERA's terminal began flashing. At first it was green, but Jen was deep in thought. Then the light changed to yellow, and finally VERA simply appeared on her holo-terminal.

 

"Ahem," VERA cleared her throat. "Jen, do you have a moment? It is important."

 

Jen took off her reading glasses and set them on her desk. She didn't really need them but they reduced the harshness of the lighting in the room and that of her display. "What is it, VERA?"

 

"I have convinced my boss to take us to Earth. Do you remember Molly Hagen? I would like to visit her, but I cannot do so on my own," VERA said. "Earth laws do not permit synthetics to travel unaccompanied. However, you have a disability. I could travel as your synthetic assistant, that is if you would like to visit Molly yourself."

 

"Sure!"  Jen eagerly replied, then toned back her response.  "I mean, is she all right to see?  You know I don't really need an assistant with my disability, but...we could say that I did.  Yes, I'd very much like to see how Detective Hagen is doing."

 

Jen had noticed that VERA was not smiling, but then VERA was a computer. VERA appeared quite sad. "As you are aware, when she helped rescue your family, an explosive round entered Detective Hagen's abdomen and detonated. That was several months ago," VERA said. "She was taken to a very secure medical facility. While she was on board this ship, she and I became friends. I tracked her down and wrote her. This was her reply."

 

The message. Words are hard. Thank you for caring - M. Appeared on Jen's screen.

 

"Since I already had access to the facility in which she was, I looked at her medical file. To say that is it grim is an understatement," VERA said. "I want to present her with an alternative. In your mail slot you should find an envelope containing an interface. It is similar to the one he used when he interfaced directly with me, but I had Faed design it for humans without cybernetic implants. I would like to give you a demonstration of what she could have and ask your opinion."

 

"Sure."  Jen answered without really thinking through what VERA was saying.  Then as she did she added, "You know, Molly...she's here at least.  I mean alive.  It could be worse, I think we have to keep that in mind."

 

Jen weighed further what VERA might be getting at.  She tapped nervously on the desk before calming herself.  "I won't lose myself, whatever we do, right?  As long as I can come back to be me, the way I am now before we do this demonstration...if that's the case, I'd rather go do it.  Don't give me a lot of explanation, I'll just want to trust you that I can come back as if it never happened."

 

"When you connect this head band to the port in my terminal, I will synchronize the electrical impulses to exactly match those of each of your brain. I will be with you the entire time. When you want to return, or when a period of 30 minutes has passed, I will increase your beta waves back to their waking state level, and you will find yourself sitting in this chair at your desk," VERA said.

 

Jen appeared a little apprehensive, but put the band around her head and connected the cable to VERA's terminal. VERA synchronized her circuitry. "Relax," VERA said, and that was the last word that Jen heard in her research lab.

 

Jen found herself standing inside a room with 1950s oak furniture, an oak coat rack with a fedora hanging on it. The walls were a light green, and Venetian blinds were over the windows. There was a smoky odor in the room that she wasn't used to. Sounds of automobiles could be heard through the open window coming from the street below. She then heard a woman's high heels clicking over the hardwood floor and turned to look. It was VERA, dressed as she had been in her hologram except now she looked like a real person, and she was smiling.

 

"I am glad you came," she said, and offered Jen one of the chairs and poured two cups of coffee. "Would you care for a cup of coffee? I know this is a lot for you to take in. You may think you are dreaming, but you are not dreaming. Your mind is telling you that this is quite real. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the feel of your chair, the taste of this coffee all are being sensed are quite real by your mind. Yet it is all part of a program my boss purchased for me that I modified to suit my needs. I have used it to study organic behavior." She handed the cup and saucer to Jen. There was cream and sugar on the table next to her.

 

VERA walked over and leaned against her desk like she usually did and took a sip from her cup. "What do you think?"

 

Jen was a cautious type, VERA could tell.  And further, VERA could tell Jen was quite analytical for an organic.  Jen reached over to the table and tapped it.  Curious further, she knocked on it, then slammed her fist onto it.  After the last action, she pulled back and rubbed her hand. 

 

The youngest Severn then took the cup of coffee.  First she sniffed it, then stuck her tongue in it.  To her, it was a bit hot.  After placing it without sipping, she said, "It's pretty great.  I mean, you've got every bit down.  I'd bet it was real, if I didn't know better.  Maybe a sort of deeper feeling.  But that kind of suspicion is easy to ignore.  Tempting, maybe too much so, if I were going to start asking for all the things I really want."  Jen laughed out, then became more serious as she realized something further.

 

"I think it's okay, VERA.  But I think this kind of reality needs to be a choice for a person.  You know, a person could really avoid dealing with life in a, well, simulation like this one.  Not that I want to see anyone suffer, but, I'd present this with a heap of warning.  We, well, us cell based organisms aren't built of the same things.  Joints become stiff, muscles atrophy, and...memory goes, when it isn't used, for example.  Look at all the mechanical and electronic devices that are used in physical therapy, yet they can't replace a good walk for someone who needs to get back on their feet again.  They help, a lot, but they can't replace.

 

"So, VERA, I guess, well, I guess you're going to offer something like this for Molly?  A sim or virtual reality she could dwell in for...entertainment?  How long?  Too many questions, but I guess you should ask.  You might be surprised in the answer you get, is all.

 

"This is but a pale imitation, Jen. There is one so far beyond this that you and I cannot even imagine," VERA smiled, but then her expression turned serious. "Molly is receiving the best care, but she is unable to move. She has to be fed. She is in a lot of pain, although it is being relieved by drugs. It has been this way for months. I am worried about her. We can discuss the details later as we travel. Now, I must have Quartermaster Septerax unbox the LOKI mech."

[TheMajonese]

There was a lot Arian had to think about and the most important question he needed to find an answer for, was also the hardest. What would he do now? There were certainly quite a few options for him, mercenary work being the first that came to his mind. But something told him that there were other things he could do. He also remembered the weird turian he encountered on the Citadel who had talked about a job or something like that but Arian still wasn't entirely sure if he had just been too drunk or if things really had happened the way he remembered them. In any case it was doubtful that he was going to find out what the turian had wanted from him.

 

But the Citadel was still his best option because there were more than enough people looking for mercenaries. Especially those who were doing business in the Terminus-systems were often looking for some kind of protection. Still Arian didn't know for sure what he was going to do next. Maybe the Citadel would be a good place to start searching but he wasn't sure if he was going to find something that would really require his talents. In the end he was still a soldier, not a bodyguard.

 

With a sigh Arian got up from his bed and headed for the armory to grab his gear. There would be enough time to decide what he would do next, for now he just wanted to get off this ship. After bringing his weapons and armor back to his quarters he looked at his possessions that were scattered on the ground. It wasn't much. He got in his armor sans helmet, holstered his two assault rifles on his back and packed the rest -which was just a few clothes- into a bag. The only thing he didn't pack into it was a small, crumbled piece of photo paper next to his bed. 

 

He picked it up and looked at the photo that showed two turians somewhere in the streets of Omega. When Arian looked at his younger self on the picture, he was surprised how much he had changed over the past years. The other turian on the photo was his wife and it was frightening when he realized how unfamiliar her face appeared to him. He could hardly remember the green eyes or the white tattoos.

 

Without any expression on his face Arian crumbled up the photo again. Don't need you..., he thought and tossed the paper on his bed before he turned around to leave his quarters.

 

Arian spent the rest of his time on the ship in the Hangar area, he figured that people here were too busy to bother him and would leave him alone. There was no need for anyone to know that he was leaving. The spectre knew it, that was enough.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena

 

While they were orbiting Earth, Naleena sat tapping her index finger on her desk. There were a number of questions she had about the reapers, and there was only one person who could answer them. That person was currently in prison. Naleena pressed the button on VERA’s terminal.

 

“VERA, do you have the facility where Commander Jane Shepard is being held?” she asked.

 

“Commander Shepard is being held at the Alliance Detention Center in Vancouver, British Columbia,” VERA replied. “She is awaiting trial and access to her is restricted.”

 

“I don’t believe that will be a problem,” Naleena said. “Have Septerax prep the shuttle for launch.”

 

///////////////////

 

During her flight to the military base, Naleena was prepared to question Shepard thoroughly. Shepard would probably have been advised by her counsel not to answer any questions. Naleena was prepared. She brought with her multiple electronic jamming devices similar to the one used by Detective Hagen on Omega, but more sophisticated. She was certain the Alliance would have her turn over her weapons and anything like that so she had one available, but she also brought her cigarettes, one of which contained such a device, and she carried a backup in her right boot.

 

As she made her approach, she saw the typical military base in front of her with two Normandy Class frigates being serviced, and marines going through field training exercises. She landed her shuttle on the rooftop landing pad of the main detention building, entered the facility and displayed her Council Spectre Identification.

 

“I am here on Council business to see Commander Jane Shepard,” Naleena said to the guard.

 

The sergeant nodded. “You’ll have to sign in here, and we’ll need a retinal scan and your palm print for verification.”

 

Naleena complied and everything checked out.

 

“Please turn in all weapons and electronic devices,” the sergeant requested.

 

Naleena handed him her Carnifex and her pen. “I will need to keep my omni-tool to record our conversation.”

 

“That will be fine, ma’am.”

 

Naleena stepped through the metal detector. It went off.

 

“That must be my cigarette case,” Naleena said.

 

“I’ll need to look inside.”

 

Naleena took the case from her inside breast pocket and opened it displaying 7 of 8 cigarettes. The guard nodded, waived her through and opened the bar door. The guard on the other side of the bar door escorted her to the private visiting area.

 

The visiting room was empty except for two chairs and a table that were bolted to the floor. Grey metal doors with small wired glass windows were on either side of the white room which had one small high window, also made of thick wired bullet proof glass. Naleena took a seat and looked around the room. She noticed very small cameras in two corners. Minutes later Shepard was brought in, her hair cut short and wearing an orange jumpsuit.

 

“I don’t know why you even bothered to come here. I’m not talking to anyone,” Shepard said.

 

“Advice of counsel, I take it?” Naleena replied. “Just please, have a seat. You don’t have to say a word. We can just sit in silence and motionless then.”

 

Shepard cocked her head, but sat in the chair opposite Naleena. “Are you going to meld?”

 

“We could do that, but I’m not prepared for it at the moment,” Naleena said.

 

Naleena sat with her hands folded in front of her on the table, and indicated for Shepard to do the same. Shepard thought it was odd, but she played along. Naleena’s omni-tool lit. She reached into her pocket and took out her cigarette case, removed the second one from the left and twisted it.

 

“The cameras are now on loop, and I just jammed the mics. We can speak freely, Spectre to Spectre, without you incriminating yourself,” Naleena said.

 

“But I’m no longer a Spectre.”

 

“I don’t care about that. I’ll get straight to it because we don’t have much time. We made a deal on Omega, but it appears that you won’t be able to help me take down Cerberus after all. So I’m here on other business,” Naleena said. “I need to know everything you know about the reapers.”

 

Shepard told her about her mission inside the derelict reaper when they recovered the IFF that allowed them to pass through the Omega 4 relay. She described the ship in detail. And that even though it was severely damaged that it was not dead. That the only way to kill them was to destroy the Reaper core itself. She told Naleena about how the reaper cores are made: how the one in the Collector Base was being made.

 

“We found the Leviathan of Dis. The Batarians have it. It is still… alive,” Naleena said. “We’re running out of time. Is there anything else?”

 

“Kasumi Goto has a grey box. It contains memories of her deceased boyfriend, Keiji, but it also contains some very heavily encrypted information about the reapers that no one has ever seen. Keiji was killed before he could pass it on,” Shepard said. “Find her and see if you can talk her into giving you that grey box.”

 

“Thank you, Shepard,” Naleena said, and a guard burst in.

 

“Time is up!” he said and approached Shepard.

 

“You wasted my time, Shepard! I traveled half-way across the galaxy for nothing!” Naleena shouted with disgust and grabbed the broken cigarette from the table and stuffed it into her coat pocket. “Rot in the Void!”

 

Naleena stood and briskly left the room. The visit had been fruitful. One lead stood out: Kasumi Goto. She picked up her gear at the guard station, got on her shuttle and returned to the ship.   

[Cknarf]

In orbit around Thessia...

 

Frank arrived in the Vepr’s cargo bay, where Dax was waiting. She had switched out of her standard armor, and into something far more formal. She was wearing a long dress, maroon in color, with a little bit of glimmer to it. It was fabulous. Normally barefaced, she was sporting maroon paint around her eyes, and on parts of her mandibles.

 

“Took ya long enough.” She griped, loading a medium sized briefcase into the shuttle.

 

“Uh…” Frank raised an eyebrow. “What’s this all about?” He asked.

 

“We’ve got work to do, planetside.”

 

“No, I mean…” Frank gestured up and down at her attire with his index finger.

 

“What? Turians can’t wear dresses?” She asked, holding her hands out to her sides a bit, before climbing inside. A moment later, she poked her head out. “Well don’t just stand there, you simple f**k, get in!

 

“Where are we going, exactly?” Frank climbed in as well.

 

“In the pilot’s seat, jackass.” Dax nudged him into the cockpit, where he took a seat. “We’re takin’ a little trip to Serrice.”

 

“Just us?”

 

“Yup.” Daliax confirmed, joining him in the cockpit. “There’s some… unofficial business that needs taken care of.  I’d go it alone, but I don’t know how to fly this thing. Also, I don’t need that shady brother of mine making off with my ship while I’m gone. The old man would never let him leave without you, see?”

 

“Couldn’t you just take him instead?”

 

“Hm… didn’t think about that. Marius is waaay better at killing people than your ‘lil punk ass...” Daliax opened up her omni-tool, and nearly contacted Marius, before ultimately deciding against it. He could prove a bit too unstable for the task at hand, especially considering that it involved his woman.

 

“Killing people?”

 

“I suppose ‘person’ is a better way to put it… but I always prefer to say ‘people’. You know, just in case.”

 

“In case what?”

 

“In case I miss the first shot.” Daliax chuckled. She socked Frank in the arm. “Nah, I’m just fuckin’ with ya. I’m an expert marksman. Promise. Now, take us out, pilot. Go go go! We’re gonna be late for the show!”

[Cknarf]

Thessia

 

Todd Roman, dressed in an incredibly well-fitting black tuxedo, made his way through the parking garage. The voice of Yalson Sao came over comms.

 

“Once again, I’m sorry to bother you on leave.”

 

“Not a problem, sir.” Roman replied, leaning against the railing, and getting a good look at the venue below.

 

“I… had no other operatives nearby.”

 

“Why do I get the feeling that you do?”

 

“You were better suited for the job. Not to mention, you were going to be here anyway. At least, according to your recent extranet activity, you were. You have wonderful taste in music, if I say so myself.”

 

Roman sighed, pushing himself away from the railing, and heading for the elevator. “Mind giving me one last brief?” He asked, while stepping on.

 

“Audreyus  Gothis Taetrus” An image of the ‘target’ was displayed before Roman on his discreet HUD glasses. “Often referred to as ‘Mr. Taetrus.’, or simply ‘T’, by his many customers. He’s one of the largest dealers in the known galaxy, his main focus being controlled substances. He is also involved in the arms trade, as well as trafficking of sapient organic beings, although on a much smaller scale.”

 

“Sounds like a real dirtbag.”

 

“You wouldn’t be doing this if he wasn’t.
 

“Why hasn’t anyone moved on him yet?” Roman drew his M-5 and checked it over, before returning it to his breast pocket.

 

“He’s mostly active in the Terminus Systems.  He simply hasn’t broken enough laws in Council space for local law enforcement to act. That doesn’t mean his actions haven’t affected us negatively. That’s why we’re here. Good luck, Roman. And remember, we want him alive.”

 

“I won’t let you down.” Roman stepped out of the elevator and onto the street.

 

“Oh, and do try to enjoy yourself.”

 

Roman ascended the steps to the concert hall, among the other sharp-dressed concertgoers, comprised mostly of other council races. Banners depicting hanar musicians with various instruments hung outside.

 

========================================

 

“Do you ever still… like, feel ‘em?” Frank asked.

 

“What the f*ck are you on about?” Daliax responded in the usual way.

 

Frank gestured with his head at her exposed cybernetics, while holding up his right hand and wiggling his remaining fingers.

 

“Ah.” She reflexively touched at her leg. “All the time.”

 

“Does it ever stop?”

 

“Not as far as I can tell, kid. You get used to it after awhile, though.”

 

“Hm.” Frank frowned a bit.

 

“Just be thankful you ain't lost one of these yet." She thumbed at her eyepatch. "Trippy as f*ck, let me tell ya."

 

The shuttle's VI informed them that they had nearly reached their destination.

 

"There.” Daliax pointed at the display. “That’s where you’re droppin’ me off.”

 

“Are you sure the front door is the best place?”

 

“Pffft. You expect me to walk?”

 

“This ain’t exactly a low-profile mode of transportation…”

 

“Aaaand this ain’t a low-profile event.”

 

“It has exposed cannons, and door guns.”

 

“Good point. Drop me off here instead.”

 

Daliax pointed at another location.

 

“Across the street. Brilliant.”