Operation Atlantis
Chapter II : Ares
Garrus ran up to Kaidan as the crew were leaving the Normandy.
''Shore leave? Already?'' Garrus asked, catching his breath. Kaidan nodded. ''Shouldn't we be heading after Kai Leng?''
''I know.'' Kaidan agreed, he wasn't in the best of moods. ''Seems as we have shore leave, we might as well enjoy it.''
''Purgatory?'' Garrus asked, almost as if reading Kaidan's mind.
''Took the words right out of my mouth.'' He replied.
...
''Shepard, over here!'' Miranda called as she saw the Commander arrive at the bank on the presidium. She waved him to come over. She was leaning on a rail looking out over the presidium.
''Miranda,'' Shepard spoke as he finished jogging over to her, ''Where's Jack?''
''Late, obviously, remind me why you called her?'' Miranda asked sarcastically. Shepard ignored her question and presented the bug to Miranda.
''This better be important… you should be chasing Kai Leng right to the Illusive man…'' She sighed. ''So a bug? Hmm… it's pretty high tech, it is able to connect to comm buoys and send recordings across the galaxy, stolen no doubt. I remember ordering some like these during the Lazarus Project; I had some doubts about my cell.'' Miranda spoke as she analysed the device. ''The manufacturer, a Volus company called Elasrik Securities; they were bought out about a year ago, just after I placed my order. They never resurfaced; I assumed they were broken down into smaller companies to be sold off.''
''No chance of tracking a stolen shipment then?'' Shepard asked hopefully.
''I can answer that.'' Jack interrupted.
''Jack?'' Shepard replied.
''Hello Shepard… Miranda.'' Jack spoke as she snatched the device from Miranda's hand.
''A device this high tech, the thief would never allow themselves to be tracked they'd probably use various software to cover their tracks.'' Jack spoke, looking at the device. Miranda and Shepard looked at her oddly; she looked at them confused. ''What? I was a pirate once.''
''Well judging by your face, I can see you're accustomed to small things. But I only had to look at your chest to confirm that.'' Miranda mocked, not to be out done by the former criminal.
''Your ego, ass and tit's may be bigger than mine, but your tiny shrivelled ovaries show who's more of a woman, bitch.'' Jack responded just as fast.
''How…?'' Miranda was lost for words, unsure how this personal information got to Jack.
''You, me and every embarrassing little secret.'' Jack mocked, she winked at Miranda. Miranda rolled her eyes in response.
''Guys!'' Shepard grew impatient. ''This is important.''
''It's okay Shepard… it's just harmless fun.'' Jack smirked.
''Yes… harmless…'' Miranda replied, glaring down the tattooed woman.
''Look the Normandy has eyes and ears aboard, but the Citadel has more. Report to the Normandy, we can continue there.''
''Great, I'm joining back up with the girl scouts. See you later.'' Jack wandered off after tossing the device to Shepard.
''I just have to take care of Oriana, I'll be at the Normandy shortly.'' Miranda replied walking off.
...
''Shepard is on to you,'' A deep metallic voice bellowed, ''He has somehow intercepted and decrypted the message we sent.''
A hooded figure stood in one of the dark passages that dotted the Citadel, their omni-tool projected the hologram of a Reaper.
''How…? Shepard doesn't even…'' The figure cut off as a wave of realisation washed over them, ''of course… his AI, EDI, it must have utilised the Reaper code.''
''Yet again, organics prove what we already know. They are inferior.''
''Before you blame this on me, I was kept away from Shepard during the Collector abductions, in which you were bested by organics, so I had no intelligence on the AI!'' The figure argued.
''Enough!'' The Reaper bellowed, ''in time you will understand that your destruction is inevitable, your only salvation is found with us.''
...
''Commander, Jack and Miranda are here, should I put away anything breakable?'' Joker buzzed over the comms.
''It's okay Joker, send them up.'' Shepard replied.
''Aye aye.''
A few minutes later the door to Shepard's cabin slid open. Miranda stepped through, followed by Jack.
''Hello Shepard.'' Miranda smiled, walking passed him and sitting down at his desk.
''Hey.'' Jack uttered as she wandered passed Shepard and dove onto his bed. ''Wow! This bed is great!''
''Uh… Hi you two.'' Shepard was mildly surprised by the fact that time hadn't changed how comfortable his former crew mates were with him.
''So what's the plan?'' Miranda said, spinning the chair around to look at Shepard.
''As the security company is our only lead at this time, we may as well look them up and see what we can dig up.'' Shepard rubbed the back of his neck as he headed to the sofa. Miranda stood up and followed. She walked down the steps, heading for the sofa.
''I'll handle that.'' Miranda volunteered.
''Hey Cerberus Cheerleader, the last time you said you could handle something, you got Jacob carried off by a seeker swarm.''