CHAPTER 4: SHAKE DOWN

INT. NORMANDY – MIRANDA'S OFFICE – MORNING

Miranda walks into her office and over towards her desk with her cup of synthetic coffee, smiling. Taking another long sip before placing down on the desk, she leans down and opens the top drawer removing an individually wrapped energy bar full of eezo nutrients. She opens it and breaks off a piece tossing it into her mouth as she sits down at her desk. Miranda places the half eaten package down to the right of her near her cup of coffee.

She received a surprised visit that morning.

"Mr. Vakarian." Miranda stopped working at her terminal to give him her full attention.

"I have the report you wanted." He hands her the data pad.

"Thank you." Miranda seemed impressed with his work, skimming over the data pad.

"I wanted to thank you for the promotion. Commander Shepard told me it was your idea." Garrus says watching Miranda smile slightly.

"I'm impressed with what you've accomplished during our missions and leading the fire team."

"Well, thank you. You didn't do so bad yourself." Garrus says feeling a little bit uneasy. He then notes the bed in the back. He then starts to smile.

Miranda smiles at the compliment.

"I should be going." Mr. Vakarian turns around and departs.

Miranda finds herself day dreaming about Shepard smiling feeling relaxed and comfortable within her office. Miranda sees a new message from an unfamiliar sender. It was an urgent and encrypted message using Cerberus protocols.

From: AlexBRT2

To: MLawsonSR2

I've noticed an increase of possible Cerberus agents dressed in black scoping out your sister's school and current residence. I don't recognize them as being your father's agents but it seems rather suspicious, like they are waiting for the signal. It could be the Illusive man's way of dealing with your resignation. I'll continue to watch over her. I'll do what I can to protect her if the time comes to act. How do you wish to proceed?"

"I should have known you'd try to do this." Miranda sighs. Miranda had to think about this. This was obviously a trap. She didn't know this username. She had someone else watching over Orianna. The wording was familiar. Miranda sent off a short querry, wondering if her contact's account had been compromised, thus the need for a new contact name. She waited for a reply. Miranda was surprised when it was returned so quickly.

From: UnknownSender

To: MLawsonSR2

Your loyal contact has been terminated. Please contact a Cerberus agent for pick up. Your subsequent punishment or termination per the Illusive man's request. Failure to do so will result in the death of your sister.

"Damn it!" Miranda stands up and paces back and forth figuring out what to do next. She needed to make a quick decision in regards to the Illusive man's messages and her resignation.

Miranda knew for a fact that she wanted to follow Shepard and help him defeat the Reapers. To save humanity and to have a somewhat normal life just like everyone else but who was she fooling… it wasn't even possible. But even if she could, she would always be on the run, never safe, always moving to keep one step of the Illusive man and his assassins. And what about her sister, she couldn't endanger her life. To have that normal life she wanted Orianna to have. "Damn it!" Miranda cursed as she leaves her quarters.

EXT. ILLIUM – NOS ASTRA'S EXCHANGE – LATE MORNING

Shepard, Garrus and Thane look over several Kiosks in the Illium Market District for any upgrades to weapons and armor. Shepard doesn't find anything new but Garrus spends some credits on various upgrades to his sniper. Thane stands around looking bored.

"Time to treat ourselves to some liquid refreshments, we earned it." Garrus comments too both of them. "Seeing how we kicked the Collectors asses and all. I think it's only fitting to celebrate."

Shepard nods. "Eternity Bar is just up head."

"Great. Shepard's buying of course." Garrus smiles at Shepard.

Shepard shrugs. "Least I could do for you Garrus."

"Fine. Let's go." Thane says as he tags along.

"Maybe we'll get lucky with some Asari women… Just don't be too shocked Shepard, if I steal them all away from you."

Shepard laughs. "We'll see… Garrus."

"I'll take that as a challenge." Garrus replies back with humor.

INT. NORMANDY – DEBRIEFING ROOM – NOON

Miranda steps into the holographic projection within the debriefing room on board the Normandy. Her image shimmers within the holographic projection. The Illusive man accepts the incoming transmission. He sits up straight in his chair facing towards her taking a puff from his cigarette. "Miranda, perfect timing as usual... I had hoped you come to see it my way."

Miranda's eyes cold as ever, she thinks carefully what she will say to him. "I received your messages."

"I had no doubt." He takes a drag from his cigarette.

"You betrayed everything that I believed in. I trusted you." She says finally with some anger.

"My trust in you has not wavered. You are here now, speaking to me." He replies calmly.

"Only because you've threatened all that I had while working for you." She replies standing with her hand on her hip.

"Your sister is safe for now."

"For now? What does that mean? I won't let you harm her!" Miranda raises her voice.

"Calm down, Miranda. You are letting your emotions get the better of you. It will be your downfall." He says then takes another drag of his cigarette.

"How could you use me and discard me like some tool. You are no better than my father!"

The Illusive Man stands up and says with a forceful stance. "I am not your father! I SAVED you from that man as I recall. You begged me for protection, if I am not mistaken. So don't you dare compare him to me! I am doing what is best for humanity. If we have to sacrifice lives to do it, then we must. I will not stand by while the Reapers destroy humanity."

"And what, I'm supposed to follow every order given, without question, even if it means our deaths, the deaths of millions? You wanted me to stop the very man you told me to protect and not fail in our mission!"

He sits back down and takes a puff from his cigarette. "It was a bluff…"

Miranda laughs disgustingly. "No, it wasn't! You're a greedy son-of-a-bitch who will sacrifice every human on Earth just to win. I can't trust your 'good intentions' with the horrors I've seen with my own eyes, far too many projects failed… for humanities sake… using children to develop biotic abilities, torturing them and other humans for the betterment of man-kind. A man you put in charge, who subjects his own brother to such horrors in order to control the Geth!" She stays still angry.

"If that is what it takes, so be it. You've never had a problem with what we've done before." The Illusive man says calmly. "What will it be Miranda? Do I have to inform my assassins that the Lazarus Project and its leader has gone rogue? Or can I count on your support and finish what we started?" He puffs his cigarette. "And save humanity."

Miranda wrestles within her soul very pissed off. "Don't think I have forgotten any of this. I'll not be a part of sacrificing any human lives while I'm running any of my projects."

"I'll agree to that. But I want to be clear. Shepard is not to interfere with any, I'm emphasizing any, Cerberus cell operations I have currently put into place or in the near future or our deal is over. You, your sister will no longer exist. Do we understand each other?"

Miranda stares at the Illusive man with cold eyes. She was having a hard time accepting any of this. This was not what she truly wanted. I have to protect Orianna, Shepard will have to understand!

"I'll make him aware of it. As long as you honor my agreement that no one, not any of your special "operatives" comes near my sister, her family or the Normandy. My father is to never know where she is living…"

"Already done…"

Miranda stands there with her hand on her hip, really hating him for this.

"By the way, I congratulate you on your performance that night, after the Omega 4 relay, to win Shepard's heart. Good work. I almost believed you were sincere in your feelings. He'll prove useful when the Reapers finally arrive. Make sure that he's kept well nourished by any means necessary."

Before Miranda could say anything the connection terminates. She clenches her fists tightly as the blue mist starts to form all throughout her body. He got to her even more so than she ever thought possible. The manipulation and abuse of power was all too familiar. She didn't do it for him, nor manipulate Shepard, nor plans to, she did it because she was falling in love with Shepard and to think the Illusive man watched the entire sexual act made her feel even more violated.

A moment later… the door opens. "Damn Miranda. What the hell?" Jacob says.

Miranda collapses to her knees, the blue mists surrounding her body dissipate.

The room looked trashed.

He walks up towards her.

"Don't!" She yells out loud.

He stops. "What did he do, this time?"

Miranda breaths in deeply and stands up… walks towards the exit. "Not here."

Jacob follows Miranda to the elevator and gets inside.

INT. NORMANDY – ELEVATOR – NOON

Miranda says nothing on the way down to the engineering deck. He never saw Miranda this pissed before. He thought the look she gave Wilson, when she shot him was bad, but this was well, if looks could kill, you'd be dead before you knew what hit you. He also saw a deep pain within those blue eyes of hers. He knew she'd been crying at least she tried to hide it.

They exit and head straight for the engine core. The only place she knows that isn't bugged.

INT. NORMANDY – ENGINEERING – NOON

Miranda and Jacob walk around Tali without saying a word. Tali watches for a brief moment before the door locks shut from the other side.

"Bosh'het!" She exclaims not believing her eyes.

"You hear that…" Gabby replies.

"Hear what Gabby? The sound of the engine… It purrs like a beautiful well tune pussy cat."

"Pig..." She says going back to work.

"We are having pig tonight, in the Mess Hall? Mmm… my favorite."

"No Kenneth, you are a pig."

"Hardly unlikely, the last time you checked." Ken says to Gabby.

Gabby shakes her head in disgust.

"Oh Gabby… You know you want some of my fine pig."

INT. ILLIUM – NOS ASTRA – ETERNITY BAR – AFTERNOON

Shepard, Garrus and Thane are sitting at one of the tables watching one of the Asari's sit and move for them on the table. She was a deep shade of blue with a very thin outfit showing off every curve of her body.

Garrus watches with enthusiasm as he drinks his Turian alcoholic beverage. "Beautiful isn't she?"

Shepard shrugs gulping down a potent alcoholic beverage.

"Don't tell me she has you kitty whipped already? Isn't that what the humans call it?" Garrus says jokingly.

Shepard laughs at the poor expression. "Hardly, Garrus… "

"Soon you'll be the old ball and chain, I think I heard once." Garrus says doubtful.

Shepard shakes his head in disagreement. "I care about her."

"Caring is one thing but having her seducing you… is pure heaven. Just look at her move." Garrus and Shepard watch how the Asari twirls her head around moving her hips up and down, with her arms moving seductively around.

"Are we going to stay here all afternoon? I would rather be mediating on board the ship away from the noise and smell." Thane speaks up finding it rather dull.

"Are you saying she's noisy and she smells? That's rude." Garrus says then takes another sip of his drink, feeling intoxicated.

"I said nothing of the kind. The air is not right." Thane says getting up. "I'm returning to the ship. This was, not enlightening."

"Go, get out of here." Garrus says watching Thane leave the Eternity Bar.

Shepard holds up another glass of the potent alcoholic beverage. "To the most beautiful woman on Illium…"

"Now, now, Shep, thank you for the compliment but I'm not interested." Kasumi sits down next to Shepard with an Asari martini, she bought from the bar.

"Can't win them all, Shepard…" Garrus says with a witty tone.

Shepard watches the Asari dancer for a moment when he notes another member of his crew joining them. "Is that Zaeed?" Shepard asks.

"Where?" Garrus asks.

"Over there… near the door." He waves him over.

"Drinking without me Shepard, God damn…" He shakes his head in disapproval.

"Take a seat, the party just getting started." Kasumi replies.

"What are we celebrating?" He asks sitting down across from them, looking at the Asari dancer on the table.

"Defeating those Collector bitches and telling the Illusive man to kiss my ass." Shepard starts to laugh… as he was clearly drunk off his ass.

"He paid well… So, where's the old ball and chain at? I can't be the only god damn person to show up to this awful place." Zaeed says looking around for Ms. Lawson.

Garrus slaps Shepard on the shoulder. "See, I'm not the only one that thinks she orders you around by the balls."

"Nah, she just really good at…" Shepard blurts out. "Scratch that… She's a damn good…"

"She get's the job done." Zaeed replies.

"She does… in more ways than I can tell you guys." Totally wasted, he plants his head down the the table for a moment.

"Great…" Kasumi sighs. "Would have thought you were alcohol tolerant, Shepard… with all the drinks you consumed on the Normandy during downtime."

"I told him not to drink that stuff. He'll be out for a few hours." Garrus pats Shepard on the back.

"Give me a shot of what he's having." Zaeed leaves the shot glass Garrus just poured and takes the bottle, taking a long sip. "Damn, it burns on the way down. I like it. Now, that's what I call a man's drink, Garrus."

"It's your funeral." Garrus replies.

INT. NORMANDY – MIRANDA'S OFFICE – LATE AFTERNOON

Miranda is at her terminal talking with her younger sister, Orianna via an encrypted and secure connection.

"The tutor I hired seems to be working. You can do a lot better, however." Miranda says with some encouragement.

"I know… Randa."

"Commander Shepard has returned to the Normandy, Ms. Lawson. Incapacitated. " EDI says through her communication ear piece.

"Thank you EDI." Miranda taps on her earpiece. "Sorry about that."

"You're on a ship?" Orianna asks trying not to yawn too much.

"Yes but nothing to worry about." Miranda replies trying to keep a low profile. "I should let you get some rest. I'm boring you…"

"Randa! It's late but I missed talking to you."

"Me too. Sleep well." Miranda replies with heartfelt emotion.

"Stay safe. 'kay?" Orianna replies.

"I will. Talk to you tomorrow?" Miranda asks.

Orianna nods.

CONNECTION TERMINATED.

Miranda closes her eyes leaning back in her chair, comforted by the thought of Orianna safe. Then she remembers what EDI said. "Incapacitated? What the hell?" Miranda gets up and leaves her quarters without another word.

INT. NORMANDY – COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER – LATE AFTERNOON

Miranda steps out of the elevator just and Garrus and Zaeed are helping Shepard walk towards her.

"What the hell happened?" Miranda yells at them.

Both Garrus and Zaeed look at Miranda dumbfounded.

"He had a little too much to drink." Kasumi says coming up from behind the two men.

Miranda was somewhat relieved but it didn't surprise her. It wasn't the first time she saw him get drunk off his ass and on a mission no less. They could tell she was clearly agitated by this.

"And you just happened to let him get drunk. Careless and stupid, all of you… People are after him, he can't become an easy target." Miranda scowls.

"It was my idea. We went to celebrate defeating the Collectors."

Miranda looks at Garrus with cold eyes.

"I'll take him up to his quarters." Garrus admits.

She steps away from the elevator so they could pass.

Garrus and Zaeed walk Shepard into the elevator.

"Not you, Kasumi." Miranda holds out her arm to prevent her.

"Miranda, have a problem with me?" Kasumi asks miffed.

"Yes. The lack of safety, none of you take into account when off the ship."

"I was the one who suggested we leave the Eternity Bar. Funny you mention safety… You suggested leaving the crew members to die on the Collector Base without a second thought. Here I am bringing him back so he would be safe. He risks everything for others; I don't see you doing the same." Kasumi replies getting into the elevator.

Miranda stares coldly at Kasumi as the last line, hits her hard. Kelly turns her focus back to her terminal.