Chapter 6

The Normandy team assembled in the briefing room all looking up to Shepard like a shining leader who could ask anything of them, and stood up with their faces radiating with confidence. Shepard hid it well but he was shocked by how much his entire team trusted him for he had never commanded such loyalty in anyone and he was proud of himself for being there for his team when they needed him the most. Even Reegar respected him greatly despite not knowing him for very long. The biggest gem out of all the crew however was Tali, who, behind her mask, stared straight into his eyes. Shepard's heart became as light as a feather for the first time since the horrible mission with Reegar at the Cerberus base. He smiled back with a renewed will stronger than any tampered steel and promised himself silently that he was going to get more time with her.

"Alright crew, I'm going to need most of you on an important counter-Cerberus operation," Shepard started. The crew didn't flinch one bit; they worked for Shepard, not for a rogue Alliance black op.

"Cerberus is launching more horrid projects on human biotics. Not sure what for exactly but it isn't anything good and this could really hurt us in the future when the reapers arrive. We can't let them just do what they want so we're going to capture an agent who would know about these experiments and interrogate them." The crew kept their stalwart gaze as Shepard explained the mission trusting him to have a plan.

"The cell we're looking for is Styx Company who operate out in the Terminus," Shepard explained while bring up a galactic map of the lawless Terminus Systems, "We'll infiltrate Omega and Illium drawing as little attention as possible, track down a Styx Company agent, and either interrogate him where he stands using whatever means necessary to get him to talk or drag him back on a shuttle and interrogate him on the Normandy. I'm not sending anyone out there alone since we don't know what will happen so you'll be going in three-man teams. That way, you want draw enough attention to scare off an agent but still have reliable squad mates that can help you if things get rough."

"Shepard, how the fuck do we get to two planets with only one shuttle? The Normandy will be way too obvious to Cerberus agents," Jack criticized disrespectfully with arms folded.

"The fleet can lend shuttles sir," Reegar answered for him.

"Excellent, thank you Reegar," Shepard called out excitedly, "Alright, teams guys. Kasumi, you have the tracking skills that other thieves probably cry out for, Legion, you were able to track me down to my last known location by yourself, and Samara, Morinth was never far from you when you were tracking her so you three can team up and search Illium.

"Shepard Commander, a Geth platform may attract the attention of unwanted organics while searching for a Styx Company operative," Legion warned.

"A human and asari friend on Illium walking around with a 'synthetic assistant,' Legion," Shepard explained with his hands in the air signaling quote marks, "what's unusual about that?"

"Good idea Shep," Kasumi complimented, "let's do this guys."Legion nodded lightly in approval, and while Samara seemed to approve Shepard hoped she wouldn't attack Kasumi if she let her thieving habits got the better of her. No choice however, they were the only group that wouldn't attract too much attention on Illium.

"Alright, the second team is going to Omega," Shepard continued, "The advantage here is that a small group of 'mercenaries' roaming around would be completely normal. Garrus, you can put your C-Sec training to use, plus no one would recognize you as Archangel by now, Zaeed, you've been able to track people down as well so you should accompany him. Finally, Thane, you're probably unrivaled when it comes to finding mercs and slavers, and you're subtle, which you could easily keep the other two subtle as well. You three can easily find an agent if one is around without drawing too much attention if you blend in properly." Garrus, Zaeed and Thane nodded in agreement and gathered around. Shepard knew they were all excellent marksmen who would get along just fine.

The rest of you, Mordin, Jack, Grunt, Tali, Jacob, Miranda, Reegar and myself will act as back up, being tactically deployed should any of you six need assistance if things get rough out there," Shepard explained, "any questions before we get started?" Garrus slowly raised his arm.

"No Garrus, you can't stay behind to do calibrations," Shepard stated bluntly. Garrus slowly put his arm back down slightly embarrassed. None of the team had any questions and all just looked back up at Shepard with eyes radiating in respect, admiration and loyalty. It was obvious Shepard was going to have to make a speech right now.

"Alright team, I know this won't be easy," Shepard started sincerely trying to collect his thoughts, "this might normally seem like a waste of time since none of us have much of a lead, but I know if anyone could pull this off it's you guys for I have the galaxy's best at my side." The team gathered around even closer to Shepard, somewhat inspired by his words. He decided it was the perfect time to speak a little louder.

"Cerberus thinks they can do whatever they want, to humans, to other species, to us. They think they're invincible, entitled to everything, able to do what they want without suffering the consequences. We're going to be the ones to prove them wrong. We'll show them they're just as mortal as any one of us, that they're not entitled to everything in this galaxy and that they can't just do what they want without getting punished for it. They like torturing innocents so much to benefit themselves? We'll show them they've gone too far, that they've crossed the line for the last time and we're going to bring them to justice, to make them think twice before they decide to run another brutal experiment on someone who deserves peace in their life next time." Now everyone was hyped up for action showing it in some way, whether from flashing their biotics, flashing flames or electricity from their omni-tool or loading a gun. Everyone knew what needed to be done and more importantly why it had to be done, and they were ready to follow Shepard into dark space if that's what serving him meant.

"Alright team, let's go kick some ass," Shepard ordered inspiringly.

Ok, this Chapter may have been somewhat boring and there has been hardly any Tali-Shepard time but rest assured that future chapters will be a lot more action packed and I'll try to add some more romantic moments somewhere in this then, reviews, favourites and followers are more than welcome.

-Frostbrandt