When Alec arrived at the entrance lobby, the homey corporate entrance to joyless, industrial mines, he halted in shock. A face he had seen so many times on television was in the flesh.

"The man himself, splendid," Councilor Udina said. Just like on TV, he betrayed little emotion, to a point where he could have been sarcastic for all Ryder knew. "You're a...very lucky man, Colonel Ryder. Only a hand full of people in our galaxy know the secrets you're about to be let in on."

Two heavily armored guards flanked the Councilor, faces hidden behind tactical masks.

General Hemlock spoke. "I lament the fact Udina is going to take you off my hands. You've been a great asset here on Tyr, but apparently the Council has grander plans for you. Voutsis will be taking over your post."

Alec was baffled by all this.

"How long am I going to be absent, sir?"

"Udina here says indefinitely. But they didn't tell me anything else. The details of the operation are highly classified, even beyond my reach."

Yet a Colonel like himself was privy.

The Councilor spoke again. "We're not going to talk about it here, Ryder. Let's just say: pack your bags, say your goodbyes. Our shuttle departs in two hours."

Alec was at a loss for words.

"I know it's a lot to take in, Mr Ryder," the General said. "But honestly, I envy, you this must be something important."

"You'll...explain on the way?"

"Honestly, Colonel, the secrets you are about to hear are so closely guarded, I can't even speak of them among my personal guard. But when we get to our destination, then you'll understand."

Again, Alec was at a loss for words. He had been on classified assignments before, but never at direct orders from a politician, never something so secret it had to be hidden from his superiors. Had he really performed that well on his previous escapades? As far as N7s went, Alec had always thought himself an average officer.