Chapter 3: Knowledge is Power
Serpent Nebula, Widow System, Citadel, Presidium, Barla Von's Office.
January 1st, 2183. 7:05 pm. EST. (Earth Standard Time)
Barla Von sat at his desk on the Presidium, going over reports that he'd be sending to the Shadow Broker here shortly.
The volus banker and Shadow Broker Agent had been having a fairly uneventful 'New Years' as the humans would call it. The only events of interest included the arrival of the hired mercenary, Urdnot Wrex, and the arrival of a Broker-known Cerberus vessel. Continuing to piece the reports together, the information broker was caught off-guard by the ringing of his omni-tool.
Looking down at his omni-tool with curiosity, he quickly noticed that the number seemed to originate from a C-Sec outpost here on the Citadel. Why would C-Sec be calling him? A warrant? No, the Broker would have tipped him off or bought off the investigators. Maybe a request for information? That seemed plausible and intriguing.
He tapped his omni-tool, answering the call.
"Barla Von *Tssh* financial offices. *Tshh* How may I help you?" He asked, breathing in deeply using his respirator suit.
"Barla Von. I'd like to negotiate some aid." An unfamiliar voice requested. Looking at the display, Barla looked over the caller closely. He was a human, with dark hair and light skin, with a combination of odd, multi-colored facial hair on his face. He appeared young and was calling from within a C-Sec station. Perhaps he doesn't actually know about his association and he called the wrong person?
"I'm sorry sir, *Tssh* but I doubt I can be of financial assistance, *tssh* especially to someone in C-sec custody." He responded, noticing his lack of armor, uniform, and current location.
The man on screen nodded, "Yes, well, umm… I'm not calling for your normal services, Mr. Von. My name is Jordan Sower, and I'd like to offer a trade of information for your employer." He elaborated vaguely, grabbing Barla Von's attention.
He carefully considered his response, "What do you *tssh* have to offer? And what do you *tssh* require?" He asked, not making any promises.
"Barla Von, we both know a man of your status is aware that this line is not secure. I'd like to be bailed out over here, for starters. In exchange, I have intel on a third party that may be of interest to your boss. A three-headed third party."
Barla Von nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. "I will *tssh* consult my superior before making any *tssh* decisions. I will contact you when a decision has been made. *tssh* Good day Mister Sower."
He clicked his omni-tool, disconnecting the call from this person of interest. He took in a few deep, heavy breaths as he set up the necessary measures to contact his boss. All listening devices within a 10-meter radius were temporarily disconnected from their owners, and all entrances to his office were sealed with soundproof materials.
He activated a biometric scanner within his suit and typed in the password on his console, opening up a secret compartment in his desk. What raised was a holographic QEC projector. Shortly thereafter, a black and blank projection of a vaguely humanoid figure appeared, speaking in a distorted, male voice.
"Barla Von. What have you got for me?"
Serpent Nebula, Widow System, Citadel, Presidium, C-Sec Headquarters
January 1st, 2183. 11:17 pm. EST. (Earth Standard Time)
Jordan stood between two, armed C-Sec officers, each of them watching Jordan carefully for any funny business.
He certainly didn't blame them. After all, he'd assaulted one of their own. One of them, to his right, was an unidentified turian, while the one on his left, with his finger closer to the trigger, was a human. Jordan didn't quite care much for them, to be honest.
After some quick paperwork was filed, and his omni-tool was reactivated, he followed the turian officer with the other following closely behind. Jordan peered to the side and noticed a seemingly fuming Detective Vakerian, probably wondering how some criminal like him was getting out of here, even with an escort.
Following the turian, they quickly exited the building and made their way to a C-Sec shuttle, where he was promptly taken aboard and whisked away to wherever they were taking him. Jordan assumed this was the Shadow Broker's doing, but he wasn't completely sure.
He'd taken a huge risk reaching out to the shadow broker, but he was running out of options. He needed to get off of the Citadel and to the geth as soon as possible, that way he could begin moving things along and changing the galaxy's fate. Who knows, maybe he'll even save Shepard's life along the way as a consequence of interfering.
After a few minutes of silence, they quickly arrived at their destination, forcing Jordan back out of the vehicle with his arms still cuffed behind him.
They were now somewhere on the Presidium, far away from the C-Sec HQ. The three of them exited the vehicle, walking down the mostly deserted street as they made their way to the financial district. After entering the district a ways, they entered a small bank.
Waiting there, behind a desk inside the front lobby, was an older woman. Her hair was gray, and she wore a dark green dress, seeing as she was one of the accountants here, seemingly. She smiled at them for a moment, before making eye contact with Jordan for a moment, which caused her to frown. She rose from the desk and quickly made her way to the three of them.
"Jordan Amadeus Sower, what on earth were you thinking?" She yelled at him, giving him a stern, motherly look. "You had me worried sick! And what's this I hear? You broke into C-Sec, tried to steal something, and called my boss to bail you out?!" She continued lecturing, her voice raising as she finished.
Jordan looked down in shame, "S-sorry?" He offered, kind of confused for a moment, before he caught on to what was really going on. He looked up and frown, trying to make his shame appear even greater, "I'm sorry mom."
She scowled and him and shook her head, before turning to the turian officer, "Don't worry officer, I'll make sure he's properly punished for what he's done."
The human officer nodded, "Of course ma'am, just be thankful that we're willing to let this minor delinquent's crimes go this time. However, we have his DNA on record now. If he so much as bumps another officer, there won't be another release."
"Of course, officer. I apologize for my son's misbehavior. He should know better than that!"
Jordan nodded, "Sorry officers, it won't happen again." He responded, looking at both of them as he apologized. The turian had some sort of humor dancing in his eyes, while the human still seemed bewildered by the fact that Jordan was getting out scot-free after assaulting an officer and trying to steal a ship. However, the human didn't question it and nodded regardless.
"If there's nothing else needed, officers, I'd like to continue scolding my son… in private." She said, slipping a hand up and onto Jordan's shoulder, squeezing it lightly.
The turian nodded and then proceeded to unlock Jordan's cuffs, taking them with him as he went. "That'll be all, ma'am." The officer said, before turning around and leaving with his partner.
As soon as they were gone from sight, her arm dropped back off of his shoulder, both arms locking behind her back as her expression hardened. Her eyes became less harsh but more resolute and neutral, "You're lucky. The Broker doesn't often deal with things in this manner."
Jordan turned around for a moment, before turning back to her, "Wait. So was that… I mean, was the officer… Was that turian… you know?"
She nodded, "Of course, and so were a few others in C-sec, but you already know this. How else would you have gotten out without spending at least a few months in there, waiting to go to court?"
"I… I see…"
"What you did, regardless of your reasons, was foolish and idiotic. Your intel better be good…"
Jordan straightened his posture, "It is." He tried to assure both her and himself. Hopefully, he could make this work...
"Good. Now, if you'll follow me…" She said, turning around and heading towards the back of the bank, towards a large office. Jordan followed closely like she asked, quickly arriving in a large, well-decorated office.
"Jordan Sower is here, sir." She announced to the empty room, before turning around and leaving. As soon as she left, the doors shut and locked behind her. The lights dimmed slightly as a holographic projector came to life on the desk. He could make out a vague, dark humanoid figure, but knew full well that he wasn't speaking to a human. It was a Yahg. The yahg.
The Shadow Broker.
"Jordan Sower. At last, we meet."
Jordan nodded, but then remembered that he might not be able to see him. Maybe he could, or maybe he couldn't. Regardless, he should probably show respect and respond verbally before he grows impatient.
"Yes, sir." He said.
"Your records are… inconclusive. Very few can keep information from me, Mister Sower. This is one of the reasons I was willing to hear you out. Be warned. You know who you are dealing with. If anything you say is either a waste of time or a lie, my agents will return you to C-Sec immediately… in a body bag." Jordan gulped in fear, the implications of his actions finally coming back to him. "Understood?" Jordan nodded, not trusting his voice for the moment. "Good. Let's begin with payment for your release. Release from C-Sec is not very expensive in most cases. However, you managed to piss off every officer on the station with your actions. I don't need them explained to me, but you should know that it costs a great deal of credits to move those mountains."
"I… I understand. I have some important information on Cerberus. I know you and the organization have been known to butt heads, so I figured you'd be interested."
"I see. You know much more than most would assume. It is true, Cerberus has been hard to infiltrate, but not impossible." The Broker paused for a moment, "If you are here to tell me information about the organization, save your breath. I'm only interested in projects, cells, and anything on the Illusive Man."
"I know of a few projects and cells."
"Elaborate." He replied simply.
Jordan paused as he began to recall any of the minor cells and projects that he could. Something that the Broker might not know, but something that wouldn't change things too much if it were stopped or messed with in any sort of way.
He thought for a moment until he remembered something. "In the Minos Wasteland, within the Arrae system is a planet of interest: Gellix. There, a Cerberus project is underway. I am unsure of the specifics, but I know that it's there."
"Interesting. I have agents in that nebula. I will send them by for reconnaissance. If this proves factual, I will consider half of your debt paid. I need more. Give me another location or project."
"Firewalker."
The Broker didn't respond, waiting for him to elaborate.
"Project Firewalker, if it hasn't begun yet it will begin soon. They will be testing and developing a prototype ground transport vehicle that will succeed the M35 Mako, called the M-44 Hammerhead. It contains an onboard VI system and is built with jets to allow it to hover easily over obstacles and debris. The project will utilize it in the recovery of Prothean artifacts."
"Firewalker. I have heard murmurs of the name. We will investigate further. Perhaps this wasn't a waste of time…" The Broker said, pausing for a moment, "My agents in the building will set up a... 'room' for the night for you. By morning, I'll have confirmation from my agents and we will deal with you. I'm very interested in how you got this, however, Mister Sower, but I'm sure you'd be more than willing to elaborate... Good night, Mister Sower. Broker out."
Jordan exhaled in relief after the display turned back off.
"That wasn't so bad…" He whispered to himself.
Serpent Nebula, Widow System, Citadel, Presidium, Barla Von's Office.
January 2nd, 2183. 11:30 am. EST. (Earth Standard Time)
Jordan stood once more in Barla Von's office, the familiar volus outside of the room as per the request of the Shadow Broker.
Following the conversation of the previous evening, Jordan retired to a room upstairs, under constant guard in case he was to attempt to double-cross the broker.
This morning, after waking and being kept within that specific room for several hours, he'd been requested back in Barla Von's office to speak with the Broker once more.
Standing there as the lights dimmed and the doors sealed, Jordan patiently awaited the Shadow Broker's false hologram. Soon enough, it appeared in the exact same fashion as the day before.
"Ahh, Mister Sower. I assume you wish to know how your intel turned out?" He asked rhetorically.
Jordan nodded, "Y-yes sir."
"You've never done this before, have you? Intriguing. Now, however you got your information, it's solid. Agents have detected low-frequency comm chatter with Cerberus encryptions coming from Gellix. As for the other project, we have confirmed its existence as well, though this was much easier to come across."
"So, my debt is paid?" Jordan asked, hoping he'd be done now.
"I suppose it is... However, there's something that doesn't make much sense to me. You understood who I was and what I do, yet you reached out to me, rather than a bail service. Sure, your accounts lack the current funds to do so, but that opportunity was still possible. So, the question remains. Why exactly did you seek me out? You certainly have valuable knowledge, Mr. Sower. And knowledge is power."
Jordan swallowed and hesitated.
"I am a great many things, Mister Sower, but eternally patient is not one of them. What do you want? Everyone wants something."
"I need transport." Jordan blurted out.
"I see… and where do you need transport to? Earth? Terra Nova? Omega, even?"
"I… I'd rather not…"
"Someplace you shouldn't go, then? Very intriguing. I assume that means you require a spaceworthy, Relay-able shuttle with an auto-piloting VI?"
Jordan felt the blood drain from his face and his eyes widen involuntarily. "H-how did you…?"
"Information is my business, Jordan. It wasn't difficult, putting the details of your arrest together was quite simple, really. Now, with that out of the way, let's talk payment…"
"Payment?"
"Of course. Now, considering what you need, and the fact that you're desperate to have it, I will require something worth my time. Both pieces of intel you gave me, while worth quite a bit, was not that hard to come by. I could have easily sent agents around to find this out without your information. So… do you have anything worth my time?"
"I… I don't…"
"Now, now. Think very carefully before you answer. You see, we might not have much on you, but what we do paints a very interesting tale. Appearing out of thin air from the Keeper tunnels? No ID? And with a dead man's omni-tool, no less… Perhaps a Narvhalnic would calm your nerves. I hear you're quite partial to those."
"E-enough!" Jordan interrupted, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself. He hadn't been here for even a week and the Broker already had all of that. This was a mistake. He should never have contacted Barla Von… Should have never tried to get help from the Shadow Broker. Jordan needed that ride, but even if he didn't, he couldn't just refuse the Broker. People who did that tended to have a much shorter lifespan.
"I… I might have something… I need current intel on Eden Prime first, though. Just to be sure…" Jordan finally said. 'Fuck, please forgive me, Shepard.' Jordan begged internally.
"Alright. I'll play your game. Eden Prime is a human colony, something of a symbol for humanity. Many consider it a paradise. Pristine and beautiful. The population of this garden world is approaching the 4th million, and the vast majority of its inhabitants, to no one's surprise, are human. However… there have been many reports of Prothean ruins on Eden Prime, and increases in archeological activity have hinted at new discoveries. Or, at least, that's what the officials claim. Otherwise, Alliance presence on the colony has increased by nearly 50% over the past few days and scientists at the dig sites have encountered censorship from officials. Is that enough?" The Broker asked, clearly beginning to lose patience.
Jordan nodded but internally frowned. If the information about the protheans is recent, that means that Mass Effect would be beginning any day now. Should he really be doing this? Probably not... but it's too late to turn back now. He cursed himself internally once more before he finally exhaled, ready to say the words he'd surely regret.
"There's going to be an attack."
"What gave it away? The increase in Alliance presence? The increase in the size of the 212th on Eden Prime? Or perhaps it was the all-important prothean research going on, that would make anyone a major target if found with those priceless artifacts?"
Jordan swallowed. Moment of truth. "It's the geth."
At that, the Broker went silent. Silence rained in the room for several moments, before Jordan repeated himself, "It's the geth."
"I heard you… the geth? You're telling me that the geth are targeting Eden Prime and their prothean dig sites? That the geth are soon going to be attacking a human colony? The same geth that haven't been seen beyond the Perseus Veil in several centuries?"
"And Saren Arterius is leading them."
"Saren Arterius? The Council Spectre?" The Broker continued asking questions, sounding more and more doubtful with each one asked. "I have seen no signs of this. Nothing to even suggest that what you're saying is within the realm of possibility, other than the fact that my agents had lost track of Saren about a week ago."
Jordan became bolder. Time to make a move, "How about a wager, then?"
"...Go on..."
"I'll be staying on the Citadel, making no attempt to leave. Within one week, I predict that what I claimed will come to pass and that my intel is flawless. If I'm right, you get me the shuttle that I need."
"And if you're wrong?"
"My life. If I'm wrong, you can do what you want with me. Interrogate me, torture me, even kill me. You know I have more information. My life is in your hands." This could go south so quickly...
"I see. And what is stopping me from simply taking you here and now to torture the rest of the information out of you?"
"Nothing. But information gathered through force can take more time than if given willingly." Jordan swallowed, before taking another breath and continuing, "And... I know you're a man of business. I can be..." He frowned as he forced himself to finished, "... I can be a valuable asset..."
"That may be... occasionally true… Alright, Mr. Sower, I'll take that wager, but I'm adjusting it. If you are correct, you will work for me. Gathering more intelligence and sharing what you know or find. It shouldn't be too hard for you. After all, I'm sure you weren't planning on disappearing once you got a shuttle, otherwise, you would have never gotten yourself into this position." He paused for a moment.
"One week, Mr. Sower. My agents will be in contact."
And with that, the connection was cut.
Jordan was risking a lot with this, but he knew he was right. And, if worst comes to worst and the attack on Eden Prime never happens, then perhaps spilling secrets to the Shadow Broker in an attempt to change things even further couldn't hurt. Hopefully, everything would work out and he'd get the shuttle he needed.
Jordan crossed his fingers and stepped outside, nodding to Barla Von as he passed him by in the hallway. Jordan took a few more deep breaths before exiting the building.
Maybe the Broker was right... Maybe a cup of Narvhalnic would calm his nerves a bit...
A/N: Writing the Shadow Broker is kinda hard...
