Chapter 2

A Big Problem

Finn and Kyra guided the asari server through the hallways of the Amonjara, the beauty of Trident's floor lost on the possessed woman. Fortuantely, there were soon met by the Shadow Broker herself, her husband and friend Javik standing protectively close to her side.

"Bringing her here is a risk." Javik insisted.

"And having her give out classified information in the middle of a crowded restaurant is an even greater risk." Liara told him. "The rachni have broken centuries of silence to bring me a message; whatever it is, I don't want Cerberus getting wind of it."

She nodded to Finn, who turned to the asari server and said, "This is Liara."

"We know." The woman said, tones in her voice that could only be described as joyous. "We hear her song, so strong, just like his. It is good to hear you again, Liara T'soni."

"I'm glad to hear your kind has survived." Liara said, though Finn felt it was a touch stiffly. "What news do you bring us?"

"After the Reapers were vanquished, we left in search of a new home, a place where we could once again thrived and grow in peace. We settled in the distant systems you know as Artemis Tau; while our kind grew and thrived with the songs of peace, so too did we hear other songs; songs of darkness, of death ... of the Reapers. It was faint at first, and largely ignored as aftereffects of the war. As years passed, however, the darkness grew stronger, its songs so dischordant that we have decided to leave our homes to prevent its corrupting influence, seeking a home beyond the edges of this universe. I and a few others have remained behind to give you this warning; darkness lies in Artemis Tau. It is of the Reapers ... yet not wholly; it is mostly of Cerberus and their desires for control. Please, silence the song of the Reapers once and for all."

The server's body jerked and went limp. Finn and Kyra caught her before she could collapse completely. Javik pressed a hand to the woman's face, his normal frown deepening.

"She does not know anything of the rachni." He said.

"Probably just used as a long-range transmitter, poor thing." Liara said. "Still, if they're telling the truth ..."

Liara and Javik exchanged worried looks as the server slowly came back to her senses.

"I-I'm sorry." The server said, looking more than a little confused. "Please don't hurt me; I'll make sure to keep your glasses full from now on."

"There is nothing to worry about." Liara said, taking the woman by the hand. "You had a little fit, that's all. Now that you've been properly treated, we will bring you back."

"Oh. Thank you." The asari server said, glancing nervously at Javik. "It's funny; I felt fine this morning. Do you think it's something I ate?"

"Undoubtedly." Javik said, his voice thick with sarcasm Finn usually only heard when the Protheon discussed Finn's ability with a pistol.

Several agents arrived to lead the asari server away; from experience, Finn knew she'd have her memory erased before being brought back to the restaurant. The restaurant would be paid to keep her employed and to remain silent on anything that might have been witnessed. If that failed, a small explosive hidden beneath the restaurant served as a final failsafe.

Once she was gone, Liara said, "I'm sorry to cut your vacation short, Finn, but I want you and your crew on this one."

"I understand." Finn said. "Though it'd be nice to know what we're heading into."

"Trouble." Javik said, his tone dour. "I'm sending Hylia Krios with you as well. She at least can handle a firearm should you run into trouble."

"Fine by me." Finn said, forcing his annoyance at the prothean into the back of his mind. "We'll be on our way to Artemis Tau within the hour."

"Thank you, Finn. Kyra." A pained look fell over her face. "I'm sorry."

"Not your fault." Kyra said consolingly. "I mean, it was just a meal, right, Finn?"

"Er, right." Finn said, even though Liara had been the first whom he'd confided about his proposal plans.

"Oh. Um, well, in that case, I wish you both good luck on your mission. Be careful, find whatever intel you can, and if that Illusive Bastard is up to something, put an end to it."

"Consider it done." Kyra said.

As Liara and Javik walked away, Finn let out a sigh.

"Here we go again." He said.

Kyra kissed him on the cheek. "I'll go get the Ulasomorf ready for launch. You get the others, okay?"

He watched her walk down the corridor for a few moments before stubborn resolution made its way through his mind. "Kyra!"

"Huh?" She said, looking back at him quizzically.

He pulled the ring box out of his pocket and held it up. "This is for you. You know that, right?"

Her fingers brushed the crushed velvet of the jewelry case. "The garden, the dinner ... I knew you were a romantic, and this still caught me off guard. I love you, Finn, more than anything, but ..." She curled his fingers over the ring box. "... you know I can't take it."

Heart sinking, Finn said, "I ... I see."

She walked back to him and slipped her hands over his. After staring at the ring for a moment, her eyes met his. "After all, you still haven't asked me now, have you?"

His eyes darted to hers. "What?"

"I'll just have to tell you yes after you plan an even more romantic setting.." She kissed him while he was still stunned and strutted away.

"Kyra!" He called out in the same voice he'd use to ask her if she'd eaten lunch yet, "Will you marry me?"

"Can't hear ya, Finn!" She said, pointedly sticking her fingers in her ears.

Unable to keep the smile from his face, he slipped the ring box back in his pocket. Raising his omni-tool to his face, he activated the communications unit and said, "Crew of the Ulasomorf, please report to the Ulasomorf for immediate deployment. Hylia Krios, please report to the Ulasomorf for immediate deployment. Jake, please report-"

"Right here, bro!" Jake said, the cartoon face displayed on his faceplate grinning as he came running around the corner.

Shaking his head, he said, "We'll be departing within the hour, so grab whatever gear you need and get to the Ulasomorf."

As he lowered his hand, Jake asked, "Well? What did she say?"

"We were interrupted by the rachni."

"The rachni? Really? Wow. Didn't see that coming."

"Yeah, me either. C'mon; all my stuff's already on the Ulasomorf already. Unless you needed to grab something ...?"

"Nah, I'm good." Jake said. "I've restocked our ice-cream stores."

Finn, who knew Jake well enough to know better than asking silly questions like 'Why would a robot need ice cream?', simply nodded and headed for his ship, Jake running along ahead of him.

The Ulasomorf sat in the Amonjara's Docking bay. It wasn't the most handsome of vessels, looking in fact like a large winged boot belonging to some ancient space-giant. Still, the mish-mash of styles and design was something Finn learned to appreciate and even admire. It wasn't flashy, it didn't have the best weapons systems, and it flew about as gracefully as an elephant launched from a catapult, but it was his.

There was, however, someone standing on the entrance ramp that brought a big smile to Finn's face. "Krieger! I'll be damned!"

The volus collector turned to greet Finn. It was impossible to see his face, but Finn liked to think the volus smiled as he said, "Ah, Finn! It's been far too long. I see you've taken great care of my ship." He paused and amended, "My old ship, of course."

"She's been great and all, but forget the ship." Finn said, "I thought they said you wouldn't be on your feet for at least another month?"

Krieger let out a chuckle. "Well, I never was one for laying in bed when there was work to be done, especially after I learned what you'd been up to. Running from Cerberus, working with the Shadow Broker, hunting the lost treasure of the League of One, and all the while courting my favorite niece?"

Laughing despite feeling slightly embarressed, Finn said, "Oh. Heard about that, huh?"

"Are you kidding? She's sent me an update every week. I must admit, I had doubts as to whether or not you were serious until I heard you finished your gene therapy. Tell me, how has life as an omni been treating you?"

"I can't complain." Finn said.

"Glad to hear it, my boy, glad to hear it." Coughing, Krieger said, "So Liara tells me you're about to go on another mission. Is it true what I've heard everyone whispering? The Rachni?"

"It's true." Finn said. "Though God only knows that they've found. You're more than welcome to come along."

"Oh, no.' Krieger said, shaking his head. "I'm no adventurer; just a collector come to see an old friend."

"I appreciate it." After a brief pause, Finn said, "I'm sorry about your collection."

Krieger bowed his head in acceptance. "Not your fault. Not all of it was lost, mind you; it's why I'm here, to be honest. I hope you don't mind me reclaiming what was in the Ulasomorf."

"Not at all." Finn said, "Though you might have to track down Jake to get your Blasto Comics back."

They shared a laugh at this. After a few moments of silence, Krieger extended his hand. "Take care of yourself, Finn ... and take care of the Ulasomorf."

"I will." Finn promised.

Finn watched as Krieger made his way down the ramp alongside a hovering crate no doubt carrying some of the collection he'd stored within the Ulasomorf. Smiling and shaking his head, he turned to head for the cockpit and nearly ran into Glen.

"Gah!" Sighing, Finn said, "Hi, Glen. Still with us, I see."

"Hey, I've got nowhere else to be at the moment." The muscular Builder said with a shrug. "Besides, I'm kinda curious about the rachni thing. Can't say I ever expected to hear the name again."

"You and the rest of the galaxy." Finn said, motioning for Glen to follow.

The Gradisian was already loaded, the ancient Quarian starfighter now outfitted with the cutting edge shielding and weaponry in case of trouble. Billy was onboard as well, much to Finn's surprise.

"Guess Liara's expecting trouble." Glen said, as if guessing Finn's thoughts.

"Better safe than sorry, I suppose." Finn said. He was never one to turn down a chance to fly.

The Gradisian was his ship as well, from his days as the repairman on Station J-27. He knew its systems better than any other. Billy, on the otherhand was bleeding edge-technology, incorporating many systems that even Liara's resources had yet to reverse engineer. It also contained the last remaining geth consciousness, who Jake named 'Billy'. Both were excellent ships, but the thought of actually needing both didn't sit well with Finn.

Glen let out a sharp laugh and slapped Finn on the shoulder. "Hey, don't look so worried! You know what they say; better to have them and not need 'em-"

"-than need 'em and not have 'em, I know.' Finn sighed. "I just hope we can resolve this quickly so I can start planning another proposal for Kyra."

"Heard it kinda got interrupted." Glen said. "Well, don't you worry about that. You want a romantic setting, I can totally hook you up. I've got a whole list of fantastic places she'll never forget, all across the universe, if you don't mind not asking a lot of questions. Anything from Shineside-seats at the next Glyche Circuit in Rimstak to Sunset and Spaghetti at Mount Ebott. Give me a few days and I'll have a whole list of places that would be perfect."

"Thanks." Finn said. "I would really like something extra special this time, something really phenomenal. Something we'll both remember."

"You got it." Glen said, snapping her fingers and pointing at him before slipping into the elevator just as it opened.

Jake was in the middle of activating the navigational subsystems as Finn stepped onto the bridge.

"Heya, bro." Jake said. "Just gettin' her warmed up."

"Thanks, Jake." Finn said, rubbing the top of Jake's faceplate. "Say, did you talk to Billy yet?"

"Not yet; he's been a bit preoccupied lately."

"Yeah." Finn said, "He's been working with the quarian government on a way to restore the geth. I hear they haven't had much luck, though."

"They'll figure it out." Jake said. "Just gotta have a little faith, that's all."

"Damn straight." Finn held out his fist, which Jake bumped with his metal paw.

Sherle and Eri arrived, though Finn could've sworn he felt some tension there. Fortunately, they operated controls on opposite sides of the bridge. As Eri settled into the weapon and defense systems and Sherle sat at communications, Finn asked, "We all settled in? Hey, where's Xyn?"

There was a definite flinch from Sherle at the mention of their neukaran shipmate. After glancing at Sherle for a moment, Eri said, "She's onboard. Probably settling in."

"Yeah, probably. Say, Jake, could you take over for sensors while she's out?"

"You got it, bro!"

As Jake hurried over to the sensor station, Finn said, "Officer Mannon, shipwide intercom if you please."

"Shipwide intercom open." She said with a nod.

Nodding back, Finn coughed and said, "All right, everyone, we're headed for the Artemis Tau sector. The rachni found something there important enough to break four centuries of silence to warn us about, so we're going to go take a look at it and hope that whatever it is doesn't bite back. They suspect Cerberus, and after the message the Illusive Man gave me, I would not be surprised. We're going to find out if it's them, and if it is, just what it is they're doing."

Smirking, he added, "Chaplain Darsan will now lead us in a short prayer before takeoff."

Aftera moment, "Darsan's monotone voice came over the intercom. "Mock outrage; the hell I will."

"Words that inspire." Finn said as Eri and Jake chuckled; even Mannon grinned a little. "Okay then; everyone strap in, hold on, sit down and ..."

"Just launch the ship already, sweetie." Kyra's voice interrupted, prompting more laughter from the bridge crew, Sherle included this time.

Sighing, Finn said, "Yes, milady."