Quick Notes: 1) Because I apparently lack the ability to count, the dates have been changed back to 2183 (otherwise, I'd have Shepard waking up in 2186). 2) I realize that someone as important as Admiral Hackett probably wouldn't give two shits in the wind about Ash or Joker (well, maybe Joker); however, I humbly ask that you stretch your disbelief a bit for this chapter.
Need to Know
Boötis Medical Center, Arcturus Station, Arcturus System
November 23, 2183
Ashley had only met Admiral Hackett once and that was when she was ordered to keep quiet about the Normandy going down. Admiral Hackett was a big, solid man-imposing was the only word she could think to use for him. In his youth, he had been a jar head and his salt and pepper hair was cut like any Alliance Marine right out of bootcamp. Ash had once had that style. Hackett had pale blue eyes that cut through her. His uniform wasn't laden with medals, the Brass only wore the brass at formal ceremonies, but those pips on his sleeves and collar made her stand at attention the moment he walked through Joker's hospital room door.
She saluted when she saw him, immediately feeling silly for saluting in civvies. Idiot! You don't salute when you're off duty! Her shoulders felt too exposed in the top she was wearing and her hair! God. How embarrassing. But she saluted anyway—an ingrained acknowledgement to the Uniform.
Then she had to pick her jaw up off the floor.
Operations Chief?
"I, Sir?" She felt her face heat up at Hackett's raised eyebrow. Standing in the same room with the Commandant of Fifth Fleet made her nervous enough already—but, my God! Operations Chief!
"I said, I believe congratulations are in order, Williams," he repeated, then almost as an after thought he added, "once the promotion goes through all the proper channels anyway."
A smile trembled over her lips no matter how hard it was to keep it from forming. "Th-thank you, sir!" She affirmed her gratitude, refraining from reaching out and enveloping the most powerful man—under the Parliament, Minister of Defense, and President Huerta—on the station in a big bear hug.
Dad would be so proud!
Admiral Hackett let her compose herself before stating, "With your new rank comes new responsibility. I'm afraid your leave has been cut short." She blinked, her smile wavering, but he continued on, unperturbed. "Since Lieutenant Moreau is awake, your assignment starts now."
A small frown of confusion formed on Ashley's lips. "Sir?" She looked from the Admiral to Joker, who had passed out again just after the nurse had shot him full of drugs and left, back to the Admiral again. "I don't understand, sir."
With the tip of his head, Hackett motioned Ashley to walk with him. She didn't hesitate and a sentry immediately entered as soon as they cleared the room. They walked past the nurses' station where Adrien was hunched over a terminal, inputting patient information from his last round, the blue light of the aero-gel display reflected in his dark eyes. Several nurses—or nurses' aides—made their rounds, an orderly pushed a gurney into a room, and a doctor reviewed a medical chart at another terminal.
"We have reason to believe that Lieutenant Moreau has knowledge of the Normandy's attackers," Admiral Hackett said when they'd reached the elevator and doors slid closed behind them. "He's the only bridge crew member to make it out alive."
Ashley nodded, a tightness forming in her throat as she thought of the crew. She'd served with the Normandy crew for almost ten months trying to stop Saren, and the losses weighed heavily on her heart just as the loss of her unit did.
The Admiral continued on, "He's the only one who could have gotten a good look at the sensors. He's also the only one who may know the whereabouts of the Normandy wreckage."
Tilting her head, she asked, "But, sir, what does that have to do with me?"
"I'm assigning Lieutenant Moreau's safety to you, Chief," the Admiral told her.
She stared, wordlessly. You have got to be joking. "Why me?" slipped out before she could reign in her tongue. Way to go, Ash. Newly promoted and newly stupid.
His steely eyes, sharp and assessing, bore into her and she felt like clawing her way out of the elevator—even if the music was pleasant and soothing.
"This information is strictly Need to Know, Operations Chief Williams," he said, emphasizing her new rank. He paused, gauging her. She waited, feeling like a damn bug under his scrutiny. "We have reason to believe you've both been selected as possible targets for Cerberus."
"Cerberus?" Ashley asked. "Evil experiments Cerberus? Killers of Rear Admiral Kahoku Cerberus?" He gave an almost unperceivable nod. She mulled it over in her head. "What about the rest of the crew? Are they in danger too?"
"You are currently the highest ranking NCO and Joker is currently the highest ranking officer left of the crew."
Ashley swallowed, ice spreading through her. My God. "What about Chief Adams? I thought—"
Hackett shook his head and waved the datapad he had brought with him. "Need to Know, Williams."
"But—"
The Admiral's gaze became icy, his lips a forming a thin line of barely controlled anger. Ashley nodded and looked away.
"'Need to Know'," she repeated.
Mars Naval Medical Center, Lowell City, Mars, Sol System
November 28, 2183
The pleasant, disembodied voice of Vivienne, Dr. Chakwas VI assistant, pulled Dr. Chakwas from her reverie. "Dr. Chakwas, you have a visitor."
About bloody time, the doctor thought still disgusted by the fact that she was stationed on Mars of all places.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"Dr. Piotr Boaz," Vivienne told her, and Chakwas felt her mouth go dry. What in God's name was the Alliance's most respected surgeon doing away from his post at Arcturus Station?
Composing herself, Chakwas stood from her chair and straightened her uniform and ran a hand nervously through her cropped graying hair.
"Show him in, Vivienne," she ordered once she felt she was presentable enough.
The VI complied and Chakwas office door slid open to reveal Dr. Piotr Boaz, a tall, dark-skinned man. He had an imposing presence, not one she'd expected from the vids she'd studied of his surgeries and lectures. The most striking thing she noticed about him as he made his way to her desk and shook her hand in greeting was his eyes. One was blue and the other one was brown.
"I'm told you're an expert on osteo imperfecta," he said as Chakwas studied his eyes.
She blinked, thoughts racing to Jeff, whom she knew to be in a coma at Boötis Medical Center on Arcturus Station. Her stomach tied itself into knots as she looked at Dr. Boaz.
"This is about Jeff Moreau," she stated. "Isn't it." It wasn't a question.
Boaz nodded, took a seat when she did. What he had to say benumbed her, and she sat in rapt attention.
Commandant's Chambers, Hades Station, [Data Corrupted]
November 29, 2183
"Shepard's body has been recovered," Operative Lawson's VI-generated image announced. A smile of approval spread across the Illusive Man's face and he took a puff of his cigarette.
"Excellent," he said and exhaled the smoke. It ringed his head hauntingly. "Proceed as planned."
Miranda nodded. "Yes sir. I have word that Lieutenant Moreau is awake. Shall I send in—?"
The Illusive Man cut her off. "No. I want you to focus on Lazarus. Shepard is your priority. I'll deal with Joker. I hear he's fond of red heads."
They shared a smile then the Illusive Man cut the feed.
