Chapter 4

Feeder: Miss You

"What the FUCK were you thinking!" Garrus yells as we crash through the door into the C-Sec lobby, and a sudden quiet descends upon the place as Garrus and I face down Executor Pallin, absolute fury in Garrus's eyes. He doesn't swear at people often, but that means there's all the more weight behind it when he does.

He's angry. Very, very angry. Hell, I'm furious too, but Garrus…I haven't seen him this riled for a long, long time. Last time he got like this was when I told him the truth about me.

The aftermath of the explosion was horrible. I just sat there on the walkway, back against the railing, and stared at the scene for five minutes. I barely moved, barely even breathed, except for a slight sobbing. I mean…twenty people. Dead, when we could have saved them. Should have saved them. Twenty more people on my conscience.

The shop had been totally reduced to rubble, and there was a ton of wounded people in the crowd below. Minor cuts and bruises from glass, mostly, but a C-Sec officer took some rubble to the back of the head, really nasty blow. He was still alive when they got him into the ambulance…but we don't know what the damage is gonna be yet, if he even survives. The guy has a wife and kids, for fuck's sake. For all we know, he might have permanent brain damage. Because of the bureaucratic crap that meant we couldn't 'take a risk'. Fat lot of good that did us.

Eventually the shock wore off, and I managed to stand up again, even though my hands were still trembling slightly from the whole thing. I remember kicking the sniper rifle off the walkway in fury, angry at how useless it had proven, swearing, venting all the frustration out of my system. As much of it as I could, anyway. I know for a fact Garrus wouldn't have missed that shot. I've seen people die before, experienced more than my fair share of loss…but this, this was preventable with one pull of a trigger.

Pallin made the wrong call. It wasn't an easy decision for him to make, sure…but he got it badly wrong. It should have been down to the agents in the field, yet to avoid risk at all costs, he held us back and it ended in tragedy. The risk avoidance 'at all costs' had a price of twenty lives. There's obviously pressure on Pallin on higher up, and God knows he'll feel terrible about this too…the whole thing comes down to Council policy, in a way.

I'm not gonna try telling that to Garrus, though.

The way he sees it, the whole thing was Pallin's decision. Whatever was going on behind the scenes, Pallin should have just ordered us ahead anyway, and I guess he's right. I also don't doubt that Garrus would have eventually just opened fire, but he got delayed too long. He'll blame himself, a little, but the red tape was the thing that tied his trigger finger down.

We got a brief medical check at the scene, but both of us were determined to get to C-Sec and Pallin as soon as possible. We took a C-Sec cruiser, and Garrus didn't talk on the whole drive over, just staring dead ahead, arms trembling behind the wheel. I was expecting an explosion when we got back to C-Sec…and it looks like I'll be getting one.

"Vakarian, we should do this in my offi-" Pallin starts saying, trying to keep his voice calm, but Garrus cuts him off almost straight away.

"I had a shot!" the turian screams, as we finally close the gap between us and Pallin and give him cold, hard glares. Every single person in the room has stopped what they're doing, and are watching intently as the two turians look each other down. Man, this ain't gonna be pretty… "I could have taken him down right there, right then, and you stopped me! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"

"Vakarian, calm down," Pallin hisses, tone changing from calm to agitated. God, that's not the right thing to say…

"Calm down?" Garrus asks incredulously. "Calm down? Twenty people are dead because the command here can't make a damn decision, and you expect me to calm down?"

The Executor shakes his head, sighing. "No, I don't. But can we at least do this in my office? With some privacy?" Garrus looks set to freak again, mandibles widening in fury…but I lightly tap him on the arm, causing the turian to look at me, and give him a small nod. Pallin does have a point. We're freaking people out in the lobby…and this is a discussion for private, not in front of visitors and other officers. The explosion is gonna shake faith in C-Sec enough without two detectives going off it with the Executor in the main lobby.

"Fine," Garrus growls, as Pallin turns and strides off briskly towards his office, and we follow behind. His whole frame is shaking in anger as he walks, eyes wide, mandibles spread and teeth bared slightly. While he can look all cute and handsome when he's calm, he's a pretty scary sight when he's pissed. As most turians are. Razor sharp teeth and height kind of lend themselves to that.

Unfortunately, Pallin's office door is one of the sliding ones, so there's no opportunity to slam it shut behind us, which I strongly feel like doing. "Due respect, sir," I say, struggling to keep my voice calm as the door closes behind us, "but what the hell where you thinking? We had the shot! Garrus has years of experience in the turian military, with Shepard. If he said he could make the shot, he could make it!"

"And Vakarian has a history of irrational decisions and a headstrong attitude!" Pallin replies coldly. "There were no guarantees of hostage safety. I couldn't allow it!"

"A history of irrational decisions?" Garrus yells. "Pallin, every decision I've ever made was to get my job done! My job here is to protect civilians, and I have never, NEVER, faltered in that role! And guaranteeing hostage safety? Any idiot in the field could have seen negotiations were going to fail! They had from the beginning! Trying to take the biotic down was the only way to ensure their safety!"

"It wasn't your decision to make," I add, shaking my head. "You weren't at the scene, Executor! How the hell are you supposed to make a call about a situation you can't even see!"

"I DON'T KNOW, SHAW!" Pallin suddenly screams, raising his voice to the highest volume I think I've ever heard it, eyes burning into mine. "Why don't you tell me? This is the system of command, this is my job! I've been here for thirty years! I have to make these decisions, sometimes it works, sometimes this happens! You don't think I feel guilty here? That I can just write this off and carry on?"

He does actually have a point there…I don't believe Pallin's a bad person, not for a second, and this is gonna be terrible for him too. It doesn't stop Garrus, though. "You didn't make your own decision here, though, did you?" he says, lowering his voice, but the tone carries enough menace and weight for the volume not to matter. "You knew I could make the shot. You've seen my military record, seen my scores at the range, know what I can do. This is political. Someone tied your hands here."

"I don't know what you're talki-"

"Who was it, Pallin?"

"This is ridiculous, Vakarian, I-"

"WHO WAS IT?" Garrus shouts again, walking forward and slamming both talons down on Pallin's desk, hurling datapads off it and sending a resounding crash around the room.

"The Council!" Pallin yells. "Who did you think it would be? Do you know how much faith in Citadel Security has dropped since the Battle of the Citadel? How defenceless people feel? If a C-Sec agent had killed a hostage…I couldn't permit the risk. The Council would never have allowed it."

Are you fucking kidding me? This is the reason behind it all? Oh my God…"That's it?" Garrus gawps. "We just watched twenty people get obliterated in the blink of an eye so C-Sec wasn't accountable for any injuries?"

"Look, Vakarian, I'm as angry as you here…" Pallin begins to say, but he doesn't get very far. At all.

"Don't fucking insult me!" Garrus bellows. "You do not even begin to understand how angry I am! At all this red tape bullshit we've been putting up with for months! At all this bureaucratic crap! It just cost twenty people their lives! Did they deserve this? A force that's supposed to protect them, but can't because it doesn't want to risk getting its hands dirty? And you, Venari, you just go along with it! This is your fault as much as theirs!" I can see Pallin physically recoil slightly at the use of his first name, before he snaps back.

"You are walking a thin line here, Vakarian! No C-Sec agent takes that tone with me! I appreciate your anger, but you have stepped well over the line! Don't think I'm beyond firing you!"

With a sudden heave, Garrus reaches under the desk…and flips it into the air, contents smashing down to the floor a moment before the desk itself hits the ground. The sudden movement makes both Pallin and I jump, as Garrus steps over it and shoves a talon in the Executor's face. "You don't need to," he growls. "I'm leaving. I don't need this crap. Not when I can be helping people for real."

Pallin looks shocked for a few seconds, then regains his composure. "Surely you can't be serious."

"Completely." Garrus pulls his badge out, hurling it down in front of Pallin's feet. Holy shit, this is actually it…he's leaving C-Sec. I mean, it's not exactly a huge surprise given everything that happened, but this is finally it. Damn, now he's going too… "Screw you, screw the Council. I can't take this anymore." With that, he turns on his heel, and begins to stride out of the room, door sliding open as he approaches it. Pallin just stares at his back, seemingly at a loss for words, before finally managing to say something.

"Vakarian!" he shouts, but Garrus completely ignores him, door sliding shut behind the turian's back. Fuck, he's probably waiting out there for me…and I've got nothing to say to Pallin that Garrus hasn't.

"I might not be leaving C-Sec," I mutter, looking at the shocked Executor, "but you brought this upon yourself, sir. You know he's right." He just stares at me blankly. Guess he's still surprised at Garrus's 'resignation', and to be honest, I am too. I wasn't expecting this to be the way he quite C-Sec, though I'm actually kind of impressed that he's going out like this. I slowly step out of Pallin's office, and glance over to my left…to see Garrus leaning against the wall a few metres away, with his face rested in one talon. Hopefully he's a little calmer now…

"You okay?" I ask gently, touching him lightly on the arm.

He snaps his head around to face me, eyes ablaze…then the anger dies when he sees who it is. "No. I should have just shot the biotic. But I listened to Pallin for too long, got caught up in the bureaucracy around here like everyone else." He chuckles humourlessly. "Shows what I know."

"This wasn't your fault," I say. He can't be blaming himself for this…not when he got held back like that. It wasn't down to him. "We all know who's to blame here, Garrus. Don't come down on yourself here."

The turian stares at the floor for a few seconds, closing his eyes slightly, then glances back up at me. "You're right. I meant every word I said in there, though. I…I've been thinking about leaving for a while now." He frowns slightly. "I'm sorry for not telling you, I just wasn't sure about it and-"

"Don't worry about it," I smile casually. I knew where he was gonna go anyway… "You wanna talk about it?"

"Yeah, but not here," he nods. "I can't stay in this place any longer, it makes me feel sick."

"Fair enough," I nod. He's really had it…can't say I blame him. "The apartment it is, then. Lead the way."

############

"Omega? I didn't realise that was a good holiday destination this time of year."

Garrus sighs, throwing himself down on a chair at the kitchen table and slamming a bottle of Tupari onto the surface. "This isn't a holiday, Ian. We've been over this."

"Just trying to lighten the mood," I smile, making Garrus lean over and punch me on the arm. "You sure it's the place for you?" To be fair, I already know it's the place for him, and I imagine he'll ask me that at some point…but I want to make sure he's still got the right motivations going in there.

"I can really make a difference there," he nods. "It's lawless, it's where most of our black market problems came from, and the people there need someone to protect them. I won't have bureaucracy getting in my way, either, I can get the job done."

"You're just one man," I point out. "Admittedly, I can't think of many forces more powerful than Garrus Vakarian without rules holding him back, but still…"

"Then I can form a squad," he says firmly. He's really committed to going…I can tell in the way he talks, the conviction behind his words. He's got a plan. And I know he can do it. "Shepard taught us all well. I know how to do it, how to command people, and you know I've got a good head for tactics."

I'll give him that. The Illusive Man's dossier wasn't lying there… "Okay," I nod. "Sounds like you've got this all planned out."

"Yeah," Garrus mutters, leaning back and taking a swig of his drink. "I'm not leaving C-Sec because I don't want to help people anymore. But around here…I can't. Omega lets me do my job." He looks up at me, our eyes locking. "I'm doing the right thing here? Was I supposed to do this all along?"

This might be a little awkward, since I didn't tell him… "Yeah," I sigh. "It was only a matter of time before you left, I've known that for months. I didn't tell you because-"

"When you tell someone about their fate, they feel inclined to change it. I know, Ian, you've mentioned it hundreds of times to Tali and I," he chuckles, then the slight laughter and mirthful look completely slides off his face, and he stares back at me again. Huh? Now he's rising to his feet… "If you knew I was going to Omega," he says quietly. "Did you know what was going to send me there?"

It takes me a few seconds to work out what he's talking about, but it hits me like a sack of bricks when he does. He thinks I knew about the biotic all along! Shit! "I swear to you, Garrus, I had no idea. Even if I had known, I would have stopped it." That's the truth, as well…I mean, twenty people, fucking hell. There would have been other opportunities for Garrus to leave, and it wouldn't have been worth them dying for him to take this one. No way.

I see his talons balled up into fists slightly…before he finally loosens off and shakes his head. "Alright. Spirits, I'm sorry, the thought just hit me and I needed to know if-"

"Don't worry about it," I say reassuringly. I'm still pretty torn up about it, and Garrus is probably taking it worse than me, so I don't want to dwell on it. "You know I can't come with you to Omega, right?"

"You sure?"

I look at the turian, then laugh humourlessly. "No. But you're a big character in this place, Garrus. It's a big personal journey for you, and…well, I dunno if it's a good idea for me to interfere with that. I tried with Tali, and she shot that down."

"I'm not Tali," he points out. "Can you being there really change that much?"

"I have no idea," I shrug. "There's too many variables." With Sidonis, his squad, everything like that…I should warn him about the betrayal near the time, but if I went with him, maybe I wouldn't be able to hold it back. Or I'd cock things up some other way. I know absolutely nothing about his time on Omega…so I could end up changing everything and not even noticing. Or I could have no impact whatsoever. Not being able to calculate this kind of thing pisses me off. "Besides, the Citadel needs at least one person to look after it, right?"

"I guess," Garrus chuckles. We sit there in silence for a few seconds, him sipping his drink while I stare out the window at the Citadel in the night. The view really has changed drastically…little dark spots where building got destroyed and haven't been replaced yet, then patches like beacons where repairs are underway. Looks kinda cool…

"So, when are you leaving?" I ask, breaking the silence again. I think I can guess, though…

The turian sighs, finishing his drink and hurling it in the rubbish compactor. "Tonight." Shit, I thought so. "Everything I need to take I've already got packed." He points to the bag by the door. "Besides, the sooner I get started, the more good I can do. There's nothing good for me on this station, anyway. Just bad memories now."

Fucking hell, that's kinda downbeat. "It wasn't all bad. We did some good work here, you and I," I say. "Stopping that elcor, stemming the red sand tide. We've made quite the mess of the black market around here."

"I suppose that's true," Garrus nods, smiling a little bit. "I'm surprised you've got fond memories of the red sand case, though. You died."

"Ah, semantics," I shrug. "It's not like I really felt it. It wasn't just work, either. I mean, the apartment, going to Flux-"

"And the bartender in Flux," Garrus grins. "Still trying to get you drunk."

I laugh properly at that. So damn true. "I swear I saw him trying to spike my drink at one point."

"I think I told him to," the turian says, and we both start laughing for about half a minute, before we finally calm down.

I sigh slightly. "What happened to those times, eh?"

"The geth attacked," Garrus mutters. "Today happened. Face it, Ian, this place isn't the same it was two years ago."

"I guess we aren't the same people either." Garrus nods at that, a little solemnly. It's true, though. I was only young back then…I mean, I'm hardly old at 20 years old, but the past two years have matured me incredibly. Even Garrus has changed. "I guess you know your shuttle time, then?"

"Leaves in half an hour," he nods. "I should probably get going, actually."

After two and half years, almost three, he's actually going to Omega. We've been totally inseparable the whole time, and now… "I never expected it to be like this when you left," I say. "The dramatic part of me was expecting epic music, some kind of sunset in the background, wind blowing through my hair, shit like that."

"If only life was like the vids," Garrus chuckles. "This is it, then. For a year and a bit."

"Yeah," I nod, rising to my feet and looking at him. "I guess it is. I'm sorry I can't come with you, man. Seriously."

"So am I," he sighs. "But you're right. This might have to be something I have to do myself. Besides, if you ever change your mind, you'll know where to find me."

I smile a little bit, but it's a sad one. "I'll bear that in mind." We stand there for what feels like an hour, just staring at each other, then the turian lifts up his talon and holds it out for me. I grab it, and shake his hand, but it feels kind of empty. After all this time, everything we've been through…can't just leave on a handshake.

I pull him in and put an arm around his back, to a surprised noise from Garrus, then he returns the gesture. "Watch yourself out there, okay?" I say, feeling like I'm choking up slightly. "I swear to God, if I find out you've gone out there and wound up dead, I am gonna fucking kill you."

"Whatever you say," he chuckles. We hold the hug for a few more seconds, then it finally breaks apart. That was manly, right? I still feel like crying…but I'm not going to burst into tears when he's just standing right there. That definitely isn't manly. "I've got a shuttle to catch," Garrus finally mutters, and starts slowly walking over to the door, picking up his bag on the way there. I just watch him head over, half of me wanting to just take off with him, but I hold myself back. I can't.

"Stay safe, Garrus," I say, as the door slides open and he steps over the threshold. The turian stops, turns around…then gives me a simple nod.

"You too."

Then the door slides shut…and he's gone. My partner, best mate, gone for a year and a half. To possibly the most dangerous place in the galaxy. And now, for the first time ever in this universe, I've got to strike it out alone.

I slowly sit back down at the table, rest my head on the surface, just shutting my eyes and trying to ignore the horrible mess I've gotten myself into.

##############

September 22nd, 2183
7:34am, Citadel time
Ian Shaw's apartment

Beep beep. Beep beep.

I blearily open one eye, groggily swinging my right arm around to try and deactivate the alarm on my omni-tool. What the fuck…why would I set it this early? My vision's kinda hazy on waking up, but the display shows what looks like an envelope, and Pallin's face in a small box off to the left of it. I knew I hadn't set an alarm…

"Garrus!" I yell. "Pallin wants us at C-Se…" I finally reach full consciousness, and realise what I'm doing. "Fuck."

It's been just over a month since he left. Looks like I'm still not over it.

I've had an instinct to shout him awake for years now, though, so I guess that was going to take a little while to undo straight away. Maybe by the time Mass Effect 2 rolls around I'll have sorted it, but somehow I doubt that. I roll out of bed, activating the lights and reaching over for my work uniform.

Just in case C-Sec wasn't bad enough, they've actually brought in a dress code now. Jeans and t-shirts are out, replaced by more formal wear for detectives. I'm able to get away with a suit, which doesn't make it quite so bad (and means I don't have to dress like Udina or something), but they really know how to get to me…

It's not been a fabulous month, I'll be honest. Crime has been low, which I guess is a plus…but it also means I've had very little to do, except filling in paperwork and pursuing small time stuff. I'm still on the Contraband desk, which is a small consolation because I'm still in my area of expertise, but I've got this new partner…I don't think he's a bad guy, but he absolutely has to do everything by the book.

He's a human, called Junpei Iori. Quite young, I think he's about 24, and his heart's definitely in the right place. Wants to help people on the Citadel, stop crime, all that stuff. Unfortunately, he seems to think the best way of doing that is ensuring we fill out all the paperwork to the letter. Garrus and I had found ways of cutting corners in the few months he was around…Junpei was having absolutely none of it. Which kinda pissed me off.

He's ambitious, too. Ordinarily, that'd be fine…but it's to the point where I think he's trying to make himself out to be better than me. I'm not saying I am, since we're partners, and the whole point is we're equal…but there's this whole side to his personality based on trying to be the best that's incredibly frustrating as part of a team. He obviously wants to get as far up the ranks as possible…and he can have fun with that, I'd just rather he wasn't doing it off my back.

He is new to the desk, though, no experience as a detective before. And it's only been a month, so obviously he's still got stuff to learn…but after all the time with Garrus, I really don't have the patience.

At least money woes haven't been an issue. Garrus left behind enough credits to pay his half of the rent for a year and half, which was good of him, along with a little bit extra. I don't plan on spending it, though, since I've got enough cash by myself, especially since it was my birthday last week and there was a whip round the office for a present of credits for me, which was surprisingly nice for turning 21. Even if Garrus not being there was kind of a blow, since he was around for the last two.

I take another quick glance at the message Pallin sent as I walk through into the kitchen, and it's a bit of a surprise to see it's only addressed to me. Guess Junpei isn't coming along for this one. That's a bit odd…I grab some cereal from the cupboard, glancing over at the one previously set aside for dextro-food, now conspicuously empty.

As I grab a spoon and carton of milk, it makes me start thinking about him again. All the little things I took for granted…the banter we had in the mornings, fuss of making sure we didn't accidentally poison ourselves by eating the other's food, that sort of thing. I'm mostly over it…but it still does really suck.

I skim the message content as I shovel the cereal quickly into my mouth. There's no time stated for when I should get into the office, a simple ASAP doing the trick there at the bottom of the text. He's not being very specific…just says it's urgent and requires my immediate attention. Though to get me up about an hour early, I hope it's good.

I finish up my quick breakfast, sliding the bowl across the counter towards the sink, and wincing slightly when it crashes down into it. One of these days I'm gonna run out of crockery…but that doesn't matter. Time to go see what's got Pallin so worked up today.

I grab my jacket off its peg, throwing it on as the door slides open, and set off at a light jog towards C-Sec headquarters.

#############

"Executor," I say, unable to help a sardonic tone slipping into my voice I step into his office. "To what do I owe the pleasure of being woken up this early?"

"It's eight in the morning, Shaw, this isn't really that early," he sighs, gesturing to one of the seats in front of his desk. New desk. His old one broke when Garrus flipped it. "Take a seat. We have an important matter to discuss."

"Well, now I'm really intrigued," I grin, sliding the seat back and settling into it. "Because there's been fuck-all to do around here recently…" Pallin shoots me a glare. Crap, probably shouldn't be swearing. "Sorry."

The Executor just shakes his head. "I've been used to it for years, I probably shouldn't change that mindset now. This isn't about C-Sec, though." It's not? "It's about Vakarian." He looks up at me, looking slightly smug at my gobsmacked expression. "Was that worth being woken up early before?"

"Depends what it is," I finally say, regaining my composure. No-one actually knows where Garrus has gone except me, since his identity on Omega needs to remain secret. When Pallin asked, I just said he disappeared before I could ask. He didn't believe me, that much was obvious, but he didn't pursue it any further. "But yes, now I'm definitely interested."

"I'll cut to the chase," he nods. "I've been in contact with his father recently, Cereus."

Garrus's dad? This already sounds like it can't be good…the two don't exactly have the best past. "He keeps in contact with you?"

"I knew him quite well when he was in C-Sec," Pallin shrugs. "We talk from time to time. This wasn't just an idle chat, though. He wants to know where his son's gone."

"So does half the office," I shrug, immediately getting defensive. Like hell am I telling Garrus's father anything. "I already told you, I don't know where he went."

"We both know that's a lie," Pallin mutters, then holds up a talon as I get ready to snap something back. "It's nothing to concern yourself with. Cereus would like to see his son return to the Citadel."

I shake my head furiously. "He wants him back because having his son quite C-Sec makes him look bad. A runaway son is bad for his public face, that's his concern."

"I know that too," the Executor sighs. "For once in your life, Shaw, let me finish. Cereus has…leaned on some diplomatic channels. He stills holds a lot of influence at C-Sec and politically, and he wants his son to be searched for and brought back. I know you're aware of his location, which is why you're here."

"I just told you, I don't want to help his father with anything," I say.

"In this case, neither do I," Pallin nods. Huh? "That's not what I'm offering you here. I've been keeping an eye on you since Vakarian left, Ian. You're less motivated, less committed, and your relationship with Iori is strained at best. Am I right, or seeing things that aren't there?"

Guess that's not really any point lying to him…he knows the truth, anyway, so I'd just be delaying the inevitable. And Pallin deserves more than that from me. "Yeah, you're right." I nod.

"Good," he replies. "C-Sec isn't the right place for you anymore, Ian. After everything I heard you did with Commander Shepard, everything you went through with Vakarian by your side…we both know you're better suited elsewhere. Which is what I'm offering you here."

Wait a minute…is Pallin helping me? Is he suggesting I take off after Garrus…then don't come back? I've always been unsure about not going to Omega with him, and this might just confirm those doubts. Pallin just said I'm not suited to C-Sec anyway, so one way or another, I think I'll be leaving my detective position. And as long as Garrus survives Omega, how much change can I really cause? I'm not a superstitious man…but if this isn't a blatant sign to go after him, then I don't know what is.

"Are you saying I should go hunt Garrus down, and-"

"Not return," Pallin says, smiling slightly now that I've got the bigger picture. "Precisely. This solves a mutual problem for us both. I can put someone else on Contraband, and you can do what you were supposed to do with Vakarian."

I raise an eyebrow. "What about his father?"

"He'll have to put up with the mission being a failure," Pallin shrugs. "It doesn't concern me. I'm offering you a chance here, Ian. Are you going to take it?" I can barely believe it…after all this time, Pallin's actually come through for me. Made me realise what I'm supposed to do. Garrus was right. Screw C-Sec, I've found my calling.

"Yes, sir, I think I am," I grin. "Do you need my badge?"

The Executor shakes his head. "No. Officially, you're on a mission to find Vakarian, so you'll still leave this office as a C-Sec agent. However, if you were to hurl your badge out of an airlock, it would be no concern of mine."

"Thank you, Pallin," I say, rising to my feet. "Seriously. I know we've had some bad times and all…but you're good at your job here. You've looked out for me while I've been here, in your own slightly cold-hearted way." Pallin glares at me again. "That was a joke."

"You never were very funny," he mutters. "Go on. Get going. I've never cared for these long-winded goodbyes." Oh. Right you are, then. I start to turn on my heel and head for the door, when a sudden thought hits me.

Mass Effect Inquisition. The little comic they released where Pallin winds up getting killed by Bailey because of alleged evidence linking him to the Council's enemies. Pallin's supposed to die and be replaced, but the Executor of C-Sec isn't going to make a massive impact on the timeline with Shepard and the Reapers…in fact, having an ally in that position could be rather useful.

All one would have do is make sure Pallin was forewarned of this evidence so he could disprove it…I mean, there is a risk he is actually aiding Council enemies, but the comic and my own personal experience of the man suggest that's extremely unlikely to be the case. Pallin's worked here for thirty years, and been a diligent public servant. Why would that change?

"There's something I should probably tell you, sir," I say, slowly turning back around. Pallin looks up at me expectantly. Here goes nothing… "Something I need to warn you about, even though I probably shouldn't."

His eyes widen slightly. "What?"

"I was in the Council offices the other day," I say, thinking up a vague excuse of how I could gain this knowledge, "and I overheard a conversation. Not going to say who it was in-between…but from what I heard, it involved evidence linking the Executor of C-Sec to aiding the Council's enemies."

The Executor in question stares at me for a few seconds, before chuckling slightly. "If this is a joke, Shaw, it's not funny." I give him a serious look back. "Spirits, you're not joking."

"Nope."

"This is ridiculous!" Pallin says, raising his voice in anger. "Fabrications and lies, all of it! I would never-"

"I know," I say reassuringly. "That's why I'm telling you about this. There might be a conspiracy against you, so…keep your eyes peeled. If that evidence exists, you might want to set about disproving it. That's all I'm saying."

The Executor looks at me for a few seconds...then bows his head slightly. "Thank you for the warning. I'll look into it."

"No problem," I say, returning the gesture. Hopefully that'll be enough to save him. I can't do much more, anyway. "Goodbye, Pallin."

"Goodbye, Ian," he says, waving me away with a talon as I walk out of his door and it slides shut behind me.

Well then. That was quite the twist of fate.

I hope my armour still fits.

##############

Yep, it does. It feels really weird to be all suited up again, skin-tight weave under the bulkier outside plates, a weight that I haven't been used to for months, yet still somehow manages to feel familiar. Still got the helmet in the collar, blood dragon styling, complete with chips and scratches from battle and finished off with the huge gouge I got courtesy of the alpha varren.

I've got my own handgun and sniper rifle, too, which are on their magnetic strips, all folded up and ready to go. I can scarcely believe Pallin managed to change my mind like this, that I'm actually going to Omega…but he's right. C-Sec isn't my place anymore.

It really is a shit-hole on Omega, but Garrus is there. I've got nowhere else to go, and he's my best friend. Someone ought to watch his back, make sure he comes out of there in one piece…and this way makes sure I can help out him and his squad. Besides, I always was interested to see what he got up to on that asteroid. Experiencing it first-hand is the best way of finding that out.

I don't think it's gonna be so easy finding him. He'll have adopted the Archangel persona by now, got his squad together, gone into hiding. If he's hidden, I'll probably have to talk to Aria T'Loak to see where he's at, or at least get close enough for him to do the rest…boy, this really ought to be fun.

It's the right thing to do, though. Make myself useful, see Garrus again, maybe even grab Cerberus's attention. I've survived Noveria, Feros, Therum, Virmire, Ilos, Saren, Sovereign, even death itself. Time to go add one more thing to the list.

I walk through the apartment door, taking one last look at the contents inside, then the door slides shut behind me. As I press down on the button concealed in the wrist of my armour, I can't help but grin slightly as the helmet folds out up and over my face, familiar hum as the electronics activate. Just like old times.

Let's do this shit.

A/N: Finally, we're heading to Omega! From here on in, that will be the new setting. Is the story taking a slightly darker tone because of the darker location? Perhaps...

Yet again, blown away by feedback. I thought 100 reviews would be cool by now, but apparently that wasn't good enough for you all, hahaha. I say it every chapter, but only because it's so true, thank you so much.

Well, next time around, Ian'll head to Omega...and the hunt for Archangel will begin. See you then!