A/N: Apologies for lack of uploads, things are getting in the way of writing and it can't be avoided. I really hope you enjoy this piece though!
Illium
Chapter 1 - Arrival
Sophie Shepard stands in the airlock of the SR2, waiting for the decontamination cycle to finish. She carefully checks over her armour and weaponry. Her usual N7 armour is definitely showing signs of wear and tear. The black colour of the armour has several patches missing due to the amount of fire she's taken when her shields were down. Her weapon of choice, the Kassa Fabrication Locust rests on her right hip while her other weapon; a Carnifex Heavy Pistol rests on her left hip. The human woman runs her hands over the various fittings that keep her armour sealed and attached to her body.
"You alright, Shepard?" asks Garrus as he notices the human check herself over.
"Yeah...fine, never hurts to double check things though." replies Sophie while in the middle of checking her gear for the third time.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say something was bothering you, Shepard." interjects Miranda. The woman's icy personality is still quite apparent despite Sophie agreeing to aid the woman with a personal matter here on Illium.
Sophie finishes a fifth gear check and doesn't even look back as she bites back. "Yeah, you could say that. But like your business it's personal."
"Very well" is the dismissive response. The Cerberus operative rolls her eyes; she knows full well what Shepard is really here for: Liara T'soni.
EDI breaks the growing tension as she speaks over the airlock's comm "Decontamination complete." There's another pause, this one short "I just received a message from your contact here on Illium, Ms Lawson. She says she'll wait at the Eternity bar."
"Thank you, EDI." responds Miranda.
"So, are we gonna get this show on the road?" Garrus asks, obviously getting impatient.
Sophie's focused on her omni-tool; looking over the dossiers of the people they're here to recruit. An Asari Justicar named Samara and a Drell Assassin named Thane Krios. "I just need to familiarise myself with these dossiers. Says here that Thane's proficient with a sniper rifle." She then adds jokingly "Might be competition for you, Garrus."
Garrus' mandibles twitch and he shakes his head "Doubtful."
Sophie opens the airlock's outer door and the trio head down the umbilical tube where a circular, sterile white door awaits them. Illium's port of Nos Astra is certainly on the other side but the only thing on Sophie's mind is Liara and how they'll find her.