Cadmus trudged into the precinct. He was tired this morning. In the past couple months, several cases had kept the team at work late into the night. Most days when he arrived home, all he cared to do was crawl into bed for a long sleep. This, however, was often interrupted by Laelia's fertility cycles. It wasn't that he didn't like trying for a baby with her, but baby sex included an intense pressure that romantic sex lacked. When trying for a baby, there was always that niggling worry in the back of his mind questioning if they would be able to make a baby come to fruition this time.

Six months ago he and Laelia had kept their appointment with Dr. Lisan, hopeful that he could discover why they had been unable to conceive. After a battery of tests, the salarian doctor had informed them that nothing in particular was wrong. They were simply one of those couples that had a difficult time. Dr. Lisan had then suggested a procedure that could provide an immediate pregnancy—an egg taken from Laelia could be fertilized with Cadmus' sperm and then through an operation, placed in her womb. Cadmus and Laelia both knew some turians desperate for a child had chosen this option. However, in their society, children produced in such a way suffered from their method of conception. Technology had provided untold advantages, but conception was one area where turians had remained mired in tradition. Turian couples and their artificially inseminated children faced shameful stigmas in whispered gossip. For this reason, Cadmus and Laelia had explored other options, inquiring what else could be done. Dr. Lisan detailed medications they could use to enhance their possibilities of pregnancy, though none were 100% successful. By mutual agreement, Cadmus and Laelia had decided they would try the medication for six months and if nothing came of it, they'd consider the operation.

Cadmus contemplated as he walked down the hall to his office. In a week, their six months would be up. He knew the idea of artificial reproduction had Laelia worried. She'd been so hopeful when they'd left Dr. Lisan's, sure that the medication would ensure her pregnancy within a month. She was disappointed when it hadn't happened, but not despondent. As the months went by, she grew increasingly sad. Cadmus hated to see her so depressed. His primary goal in life at the moment was to provide her with the one thing she wanted most and he hadn't been able to do it yet. This knowledge gnawed at him daily, causing him to feel all the more weary.

Cadmus entered his office, dragged himself to his chair and collapsed into it with his hands on his head, his elbows on his desk. Maybe he could sneak in a nap before Decimus noticed. His chief had mellowed towards him somewhat. He continued to call Cadmus into his office for regular quizzes over the rule book, but Cadmus' instrumental role in bringing a successful conclusion to various tough cases had pulled Decimus off his back. His chief had begun to give him credit, even if it was just a gruff, "Good work, Vakarian" after an arrest. Cadmus still wondered how much he'd be required to succeed for "Vakarian" to become "Cadmus."

Cadmus reached out one hand to flip on his work data pad lying on his desk. His omni-tool had beeped incessantly this morning indicating several files and e-mails that had come in over night. Cadmus perused his in-box first, scanning for anything important. One of the messages was a security summary. He received these every two weeks. They detailed information on various suspects recently arrested from across the galaxy, a comprehensive way for detectives to keep track of criminals' locations and activities from one planet or station to another. Kepel was the team member assigned to scour these reports, but they all received them. Cadmus, too tried to focus on a heavy case, opted to skim the bland report. He noted a few familiar names, criminals that had been on the Citadel at one time or another but had moved on. He was about to close the report when a jarring name caught his eye: Furin Par.

Cadmus sat up straight in his chair. He'd continued to investigate Furin Par's link to the Pavo Foundation on Palaven, but his time had been limited of late. He'd concentrated less and less on the volus' case, gradually convincing himself that there was nothing sinister in the case after all. As he stared at the report, his suspicions came back to him in full force. Cadmus' blood raced as he read the report for a second time, hardly believing what his eyes were seeing.

Furin Par: Deceased. Furin Par died in Fatum as a result of approximately 43 stab wounds. Death is under investigation. Foul play is suspected.

If he hadn't been so shocked, Cadmus would have laughed. Foul play was suspected? With 43 stab wounds? Of course it was foul play. Cadmus set his data pad on the table and interlocked his fingers. His fatigue had vanished. Furin Par had been viciously murdered in a prison on Palaven. The number of wounds indicated more than a simple disagreement between inmates. This death was meant to shout something to those who understood its meaning.

Cadmus turned to his computer, his talons flying over the keys. In seconds he'd found the connection he wanted—the warden of Fatum. He waited anxiously for the few seconds it took for his call to be answered. When it was, a gray-faced turian with white tattoos appeared on the screen.

"Detective…Vakarian, how may I be of service?"

"Warden Castor, I just received a report on the death of one of your inmates, Furin Par."

The warden stiffened at the volus' name. "Yes," he answered slowly. "Blemish on my record. What do you want to know?"

"Do you have any leads on the perpetrator?"

"None yet. The cameras in that section of the prison had been disabled."

"Purposefully."

The warden's mandibles flexed. "Detective, we haven't spoken widely about this. Do I have your word of honor what I say on this call is confidential?"

"You do."

"Well, then," the warden said, taking a deep breath, "We suspect an inside job. Not an inmate, a guard."

Cadmus held his breath for a few seconds, his heart racing. "Have you any suspicions as to the identity of this guard?"

"No," the warden answered, distress evident in his voice. "No evidence has come to light that points us in any direction. The murder weapon has been identified only by the wounds. We haven't recovered it. All logs for the night were erased, our systems hacked. We know who was on duty, but all have been cleared. This has put me in a very uncomfortable position."

"I understand," Cadmus agreed, able to commiserate with Warden Castor's misgivings.

"As for the volus, he was horribly mutilated. The manner of his death, even the very happening of it, surprised us all. He was a model prisoner, meek and kept to himself, the least likely to have been killed in such a way."

Cadmus sucked in a slow breath. "Have you formed any opinions as to the reason for his death?"

The warden's mandibles moved in and out rhythmically. "If you ask me to speculate, I would say this death was meant to send a warning, a message saying in effect, 'Stay in line or this will be your own fate.'"

Cadmus nodded in agreement. That's exactly what it meant.

"Now that I've answered your questions, detective, mind letting me in on why you're so interested in our volus' death?"

Cadmus swallowed, thinking. He'd made the call to the warden impulsively. He wasn't even supposed to be investigating Furin Par as Decimus had in no uncertain terms ordered him to drop it. Calling the warden might have been a mistake. "Furin Par was arrested here on the Citadel several months ago. The security summary surprised me. It seemed a strange death for a petty thief."

"Well, if you come upon anything there that will help in our investigation, send it our way."

"I will." The screen went blank as the connection was cut. Cadmus leaned back in his chair, putting order to the whirlwind of thought in his mind. Furin Par had been arrested on the Citadel for apparent "merchandise theft with the intent to regain profit." Furin Par had been seen entering and leaving the main building of the Pavo Foundation on Palaven several times. Furin Par had been transferred to a prison on Palaven. Within six months of the transfer, Furin Par had been viciously murdered.

Cadmus bolted upright in his chair, tapping on his computer and bringing up the Pavo Foundation's financial files. He'd never been able to make a connection. But maybe he was looking in the wrong place. What if Furin Par hadn't been on the foundation's payroll, but someone else had. Someone who was higher up than Furin Par. Cadmus slapped his hand on the desk in frustration. Although he had a good eye for evidence of all kinds, he wasn't an expert on finances; that was Kepel.

Cadmus sat back again, a hand to his chin as he considered. He wanted to ask Kepel to look at the files, but he knew the salarian least of all his teammates. Kepel usually kept to business, his observations always stated in his brief, staccato way of speaking. Cadmus didn't know his opinion of Decimus. Would it offend Kepel's sensibilities to work on something the chief had forbidden? Cadmus drummed the three fingers of his other hand on the desk. How could he ask Kepel to investigate without giving away he was working against orders?

Cadmus put his hand to his ear. "Kepel."

"Cadmus?" came the salarian's quick, choppy voice.

"I'm sending you a file."

"Which case?"

Cadmus clenched his jaw. This was the tricky question. "It's not official yet. It's something I'm curious about. I've noticed a tie from the Citadel to an organization on Palaven. It's possible there's a criminal connection."

"Which organization?"

"The Pavo Foundation." Cadmus felt his heart pounding in his chest.

"Turian charitable organization for the advancement of intergalactic education."

"That's the one."

"Interesting," Kepel stated. He did, indeed, sound intrigued. "What do I look for?"

"Anything out of the ordinary. Any connections to someone on the Citadel."

"I will get back to you as soon as I can. Kepel out."

Cadmus lowered his hand from his ear, then flashed on his omni-tool, tapping away. When he finished, he pressed back into his chair. The file was sent. Now he'd see if anything came of it.


Cadmus continued to work on other cases throughout the day, but his mind constantly turned back to Furin Par. He was on tenterhooks waiting for Kepel to get back with him. Paeon noted his agitation when he came in to discuss a case. His friend stayed only a few moments, recognizing that whatever Cadmus was working on had his full attention. Cadmus excused his distraction, but Paeon, always the conciliatory turian that he was, waved his excuse away.

Cadmus attempted to bide his time. No case on his desk, however, could compare to a homicide. Cadmus had investigated exactly zero murders so far on the Citadel. The turians in Bachjret were just too refined. There'd been a couple attempts as a result of domestic disputes, but nothing else. Most of his days were spent on petty criminals and thieves. Furin Par's case on the other hand had the potential of a huge payoff for his career. So when his omni-tool suddenly beeped, alerting him to an incoming call, Cadmus promptly put his hand to his ear.

"Yes?" he asked eagerly.

"Detective Vakarian?" Cadmus felt the letdown of disappointment. It wasn't Kepel.

"Speaking."

"It's Dr. Lisan. Your wife is at Detrix Hospital. I'd like you to come immediately."

Cadmus' gut twisted. "What's wrong?"

"I'd like to explain in person. Please come."

"On my way."

Cadmus jumped up from his desk and rushed over to Decimus' office, barreling into his chief's private space. Decimus was sitting at his desk, gazing intently at his computer.

"Something on your mind, Vakarian?" Decimus asked humorously, looking up.

"I need to leave, sir. My wife's just been taken to the hospital."

Decimus waved a dismissive hand. "Go."

"Sir." Cadmus turned and hurried down the hall, ignoring Nissa who was just passing and sent him a haughty look. As he made his way to the elevator, he imagined the worst. Cadmus was not one for superstition. But as the elevator climbed, he couldn't help but mutter a prayer inside. Spirits, preserve her life.


When Cadmus reached Detrix Hospital, he waited impatiently in a line at the receptionist's desk. An asari in front of him had her child with her and was concerned over some disorientation the child had experienced after a biotic lesson. Cadmus groused inside. Who cared about a child's vertigo when Laelia was somewhere within the confines of the hospital possibly dying? The receptionist was trying to convince the asari that a doctor would be with them soon, but the asari kept arguing that her child needed to be seen faster. After of couple minutes of banter, Cadmus couldn't take it any longer. He stepped in front of the asari and stared down at her from his height.

"Take a seat," he growled out in his most authoritative C-Sec voice.

The asari timidly blinked at Cadmus, still decked out in his C-Sec armor. She toddled away with her child in tow and sat down at the far end of the room.

"Thank you," the asari receptionist intoned gratefully. "I thought she'd never leave me alone. She's been back up here five times already."

"I need to see my wife," Cadmus replied quickly, brushing off the asari's thankfulness.

"Name?" the receptionist asked, her voice annoyingly pleasant at a time like this.

"Laelia Soranus."

The receptionist tapped the keys on her computer too slowly for Cadmus. It took all his self-control not to swing the computer around and do it for her. "Yes, Dr. Lisan has authorized you. Follow me."

Cadmus followed the asari who walked too slowly for his liking. The doors to the hospital rooms opened and Cadmus glanced every which way, searching for his wife through the glass walls. Finally the asari stopped and touched a panel next to a door, announcing Cadmus' arrival. Cadmus fixed his eyes on his wife laying on a gurney in the room. Laelia's eyes were closed and she moved not a muscle. His heart pumped. She looked like she was sleeping peacefully. Was she, indeed, sleeping or had she already left him?

The door to the room opened and a couple salarian doctors emerged. One of them was Dr. Lisan, obvious from the rare purple markings on his horns. The other doctor left with the asari. Dr. Lisan turned his attention to Cadmus.

"What happened?" Cadmus demanded, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

"She's fine," Dr. Lisan assured. "She's resting now."

Cadmus stomach unclenched. She was alive. "Why is she here?"

"Let's sit," Dr. Lisan suggested, gesturing down the hall.

"No. Tell me now."

Dr. Lisan smiled, a large salarian grin that irritated Cadmus. "You can calm down, detective. Despite my call, your wife isn't as bad off as I feared. She came in with pain in her abdomen, some bleeding. When I examined her, it was obvious. Your wife is pregnant."

"She is?" Cadmus stammered, shocked as the news registered in his mind.

"If all goes well, in eleven months, you'll be a father."

Cadmus breathed in and out slowly. Relief flooded him at first. They'd finally done it. They'd managed to get pregnant. Then the fear returned. "If all goes well."

"I won't pretend this is going to be an easy pregnancy," Dr. Lisan explained. "If she hadn't called me when she did, she could have miscarried today."

Cadmus gazed at Laelia through the window. It would have killed her to have tried so hard and lost this child.

"We were able to stabilize her," Dr. Lisan went on. "She'll have to be closely monitored throughout the pregnancy, but her prognosis is good."

"The baby?" Cadmus asked, his eyes still glued to Laelia.

"We did a DNA analysis. It's healthy and strong. Do you want to know gender?"

Cadmus considered through his slow-thinking stupor. Would Laelia want him to know before her? "When will she awake?"

"We gave her some medication to help her rest. She was quite shaken. She should come to in about thirty minutes."

"I'll wait."

"Then go ahead and sit with her. Let me know when she wakes up." Dr. Lisan patted Cadmus on the arm, then moved off to another room.

Cadmus stepped through the door, then up to the bed. Laelia's eyelids fluttered slightly. He wondered what she was dreaming. Maybe good dreams of a child to love and care for. He sat down in a chair next to her and instinctively reached out to run a talon gently across her cheek. Her dream had come true. He couldn't wait for her to wake up so they could share it.

The minutes passed by slowly as Cadmus sat silently, pondering. Was he ready to be a father? Did he have what it took to raise a child? What was it like to guide someone utterly new to this life? He felt the sudden weight of responsibility on his shoulders. It would be up to him to shape his child into a form of excellence and fortitude. He thought back to his own father, how he'd spent his time with Cadmus' brother, less impressed with his second son. Cadmus promised himself one thing: his child would not be neglected. He would give this child his full attention.

Cadmus was pulled out of his musings when a soft moan filled the room. Cadmus stood immediately and looked down to see Laelia's eyes open, slightly disoriented. He smiled.

"Cadmus," she breathed. "Cadmus…"

"I'm here."

"I…there's a baby…"

"Dr. Lisan informed me."

Tears began to mist Laelia's eyes. "Is the baby…"

"Healthy and strong."

"Thank the spirits," Laelia breathed out.

Cadmus reached under the sheet to take her hand. "You'll have to be monitored during the pregnancy. They want to assure there are no further problems."

"Yes, of course, of course…Are you happy?"

"Yes."

"You look…scared."

Cadmus shook his head. "Scared for you alone. Though, I admit, the idea of being a father is…daunting."

Laelia now smiled and gripped his hand tightly. "You're a good turian. You'll be a good father."

He was grateful for her trust. He had not a doubt Laelia would be a perfect mother. About himself he was far less sure. "Dr. Lisan can tell us the gender. I wanted to wait until you could hear as well."

Laelia's eyes lit up in excitement. "I want to know."

"I'll find the doctor." Cadmus left the room and sighted Dr. Lisan not far away. He paced towards him, his stomach suddenly lurching in anticipation. If the baby was female, her upbringing would fall mostly on Laelia. He would play the part of protector. If a male, Cadmus would be bound to raise him with a sense of duty and honor. He didn't know at the moment which he preferred, though he thought a son would be much easier to rear. He could understand a male; females were still quite mysterious to him.

When he reached Dr. Lisan, the salarian had already turned to head back down the hall and smiled again when he saw Cadmus. "She's awake."

"Good. Let's go then."

Cadmus followed the doctor back to the room. A nurse had come in and propped Laelia up on the bed. Cadmus stood next to her. She reached out and grasped his hand as they both stared in expectation at Dr. Lisan.

"I always enjoy this part of my job," Dr. Lisan said, sliding a finger over a data pad. "Here's the report. It looks like you're going to be the proud parents of a son."

Cadmus heard Laelia crying happy tears. For his part, he felt relief wash over him. He could relate to a son, raise him in the ways of turian males. He imagined all the fun he would have with his son, teaching him how to fight hand to hand, how to shoot and how to flush out an enemy. He was going to be a son to make his father proud.


Cadmus called Decimus to let him know he wouldn't be back for the rest of the day. Decimus didn't seem to care one way or the other, agreeing in an offhand manner. As Cadmus supported Laelia on their way back to their apartment, he enjoyed basking in her ecstatic joy. She alternated between dazed happy shock and discussions of names and nursery preparations. When they finally arrived back at the apartment, she instantly headed to the guest room. Cadmus could guess at her thoughts—she was already transforming the guest room into a nursery in her mind. Cadmus decided he'd fix dinner. She didn't need to be in the kitchen right now. She should relax and take it easy.

He made his way to the kitchen and prepared a simple turian dish. He wasn't a good cook. He knew nothing but bachelor meals. Despite this fact, when he'd finished, Laelia gratefully accepted his efforts, caring little about how the food turned out. Nothing could bring her down from her blissful heights.

They ate in the living room, Laelia propped up on the couch, persistent in her gushing. "We'll need to look for a turian pediatrician."

"I'm sure there are plenty on the station."

"But I'll need to research them."

"You have months to do so."

"Yes, but earlier is better."

Cadmus smiled as he took another bite of dinner. He'd never seen Laelia so giddy with excitement. It pleased him deeply.

"They say turian babies do best surrounded by the color silver."

"I don't think it matters what color we put in his room," Cadmus spoke quietly, biting back the laughter that threatened to escape.

"Well, it can't hurt."

"I suppose so," he admitted, staring at Laelia, his mouth opening in a wide grin.

Laelia looked back at him and suddenly narrowed her eyes. "What?"

"It's good to see you so happy."

Laelia smiled then and bowed her head. "I…I haven't been the most pleasant wife, have I?"

Cadmus set down his bowl on the coffee table and walked over to the couch, kneeling down on one knee next to her. "You've been the perfect wife. I'm just pleased I could finally give you what you wanted so badly." He leaned over and touched his mouth to hers. She responded and they kissed what Cadmus considered their most passionate kiss in several months.

Cadmus pulled back and stood up. "I'll clean the dishes. You rest." He had a duty now to both Laelia and his son. What was best for the mother was best for the son.

Cadmus picked up the dishes, then made for the kitchen. He hadn't been there for but a second when a beeping sounded. He placed the dishes on the counter and flipped on his omni-tool. He'd received an e-mail marked urgent. It contained only one sentence: Call me. It was from Kepel. Cadmus remembered that he'd shut down his comm, not wanting to be disturbed while he and Laelia celebrated their success. But if Kepel had found something in the Pavo Foundation's records…

Cadmus tapped at his omni-tool, reconnecting his comm. He put his hand to his ear. "Kepel," he heard his salarian teammate's voice answer.

"Cadmus. Have you found something?"

"I need to meet with you."

"I can come in early tomorrow."

"Not tomorrow. Tonight."

"Tell me over the comm, then."

"I must meet with you privately."

"Kepel, what have you found? Why…"

"Not now. Meet me in fifteen minutes. I'll send coordinates." Cadmus' comm went dead. His omni-tool beeped almost instantaneously, having already received Kepel's coordinates.

Cadmus' mandibles flexed in and out. He sensed the urgency in Kepel's voice as well as a hint of fear. He'd have to leave Laelia for a time. He walked back into the living room. "I have to go out. Work call."

Laelia smiled. "That's fine. I need to contact some friends anyway."

Cadmus stifled a chuckle, knowing she couldn't wait to share the good news. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Alright."

Cadmus turned, glancing back once more to see Laelia already tapping on their personal computer, probably compiling a list of everyone she needed to brag to.


Cadmus traced the coordinates Kepel sent him. He found himself standing on a swath of grass in a shadowed part of the Presidium, a location behind a mostly unused stairwell. The Presidium sky had darkened, casting the hidden spot into almost total darkness. As Cadmus waited for Kepel, he tried to determine what Kepel had found that required such secrecy. Whatever it was, Cadmus perceived that his misgivings regarding Furin Par were being proved right.

Kepel finally appeared, strolling across the grass, not down the stairwell. The stairwell was the only legitimate way to get down to this part of the Presidium. To come across the grass, Kepel had to vault several barriers. He clearly didn't want to be seen. He marched up to Cadmus and without any preliminary greetings, launched into an explanation.

"I have surveyed the financial accounts of the Pavo Foundation. I have found something of interest."

"Show me," Cadmus insisted. Kepel stood next to Cadmus and produced his data pad.

"These transactions here."

Cadmus read the name Kepel pointed to. Rutilus Pericul. A number of large and regular transfers had been made to this turian. "Who is he?"

"He does not exist."

Cadmus tilted his head. "Explain."

"There is no record of this turian."

Cadmus rubbed his chin. Turians kept immaculate records. It could be possible for a turian to slip through the cracks, but highly unlikely. "Why didn't you tell me this at the precinct?"

Kepel rubbed his scarred horn nervously. "There is no official record. However, I recognize the name."

Cadmus' heart skipped a beat. "He's on the Citadel?"

"Not now."

"Who?" Cadmus asked warily.

Kepel rubbed his horn more vigorously. "There was a day I…listened to the chief's private conversation."

"You eavesdropped?"

"Yes," Kepel affirmed. Cadmus understood why admitting such a thing would make the salarian nervous. "He was arguing with Aiolus."

The name was familiar, though Cadmus hadn't heard it in months. He remembered. "His brother." The one Cadmus had replaced.

Kepel bobbed his head. "Decimus was upset. I heard little. They argued in whispers. But I recall one statement clearly: 'Calling yourself Rutilus is illegal. Get rid of the name.'"

Cadmus intuited where Kepel's conclusions had been drawn. "You think Aiolus has an unregistered name."

Kepel swallowed visibly. "I do not think. I know."

"How?"

Kepel produced a rather detailed chart. "I traced Aiolus' locations, then Rutilus Pericul. Look."

Cadmus read the chart. It started from about eight months ago, the same time Cadmus had come to the station. Aiolus had left a few weeks earlier, as Cadmus remembered. Kepel noted Aiolus had gone to Tridend. No surprise there. But then he'd left Tridend, showed up on Palaven. On Palaven he'd traveled all over the planet. And by coincidence, Rutilus had deposited large sums of credits at every place Aiolus had been. "These sums…"

"They match the credits paid out by the Pavo Foundation to Rutilus Pericul."

Cadmus put a hand to his neck, rubbing it as he paced and thought. Decimus' brother, Aiolus, was Rutilus Pericul. He'd been on the station with Furin Par. He had a connection to the Pavo Foundation. And Aiolus had been transferred suddenly, without a word from their chief as to why. "What do you think, Kepel?" he murmured.

"I believe it is possible Chief Mehrkuri has shielded his brother. Perhaps has even participated in the deceit."

Cadmus shook his head, trying to make sense of it. Decimus had never seemed one to break the law, even in regards to family. Cadmus thought if Decimus caught his own mother committing a crime he'd haul her in to confess. But then, Decimus also prided himself on being from Tridend. Tridend turians might stick together even in crime.

Cadmus stopped pacing when a thought occurred to him. "Let me see the chart." Kepel handed over his data pad. Cadmus ran a talon down the list of places Aiolus had been. When he found what he was looking for, he tapped loudly on the pad. Aiolus had been in Argentum, the city where Fatum Prison was located, on the very day Furin Par had been killed. Decimus' brother wasn't just passing credits. He could very well be a murderer. "Don't tell anyone about this, Kepel. Do you understand?"

"I do. What is your plan?"

"I need to compile solid evidence."

"I can help. I will search for records here on Rutilus. We must know who Aiolus contacted on the Citadel, if anyone, under his false name."

"I agree. Do that. Let me know what you find. But be careful. We're swimming in deep water here, Kepel."

"I will be careful."

"Go."

Cadmus watched Kepel backtrack across the grass. He sensed the danger he had just put his teammate in. Whatever was going on here went far beyond what it had appeared. They were moving into deep water for certain. Cadmus just hoped they'd be able to swim.