The Normandy arrived in orbit of the frozen world of Novharia. A planet set aside for corporations to preform experiments and research that would otherwise be illegal, immoral or just ill-advised.
"This is the SSV Normandy to Novharia ground control, requesting permission to land," Joker said.
"Request denied. We have no record of a scheduled landing. State your intentions or you will be fired upon." The traffic control officer said.
"Citadel Council intentions, we have a Specter aboard," Joker said.
"Very well, landing access granted Normandy. Be advised, we will be inspecting your claim. And your vessel will be impounded if confirmation cannot be established. " The traffic control officer said as the Normandy docked.
"Commander, remind me to book this place for shore leave," Joker said to Judy sarcastically.
XXXX
Judy, followed by Liara and Wrex entered the spaceport... and were shortly greeted by armed guards. "That's far enough." The leader of the guards, a fox vixen said.
"I'm not here to cause trouble," Judy said.
"Your arrival is unscheduled. I need your credentials." The fox vixen said.
Judy just facepawed. "For the love of... I'm Commander Judy Hopps, I'm with the Alliance Navy, the Citadel Specters, whatever. I'm here to find clues on where the turian, Saren Arterius is, and what exactly his plans are. If you won't help us, then please show me to who can!" Judy said.
"They look like trouble to me ma'am." The pig next to the fox vixen said.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot let you into the port area without confirmation of your identity. Sergeant Sowling, secure their weapons." The fox vixen said.
"Aye Captain Matsune." Sowling said as she approached Judy's squad, but they quickly armed themselves.
"Try and you die," Wrex said as he pointed his shotgun, and chuckled at his unintended rhyme.
"I don't want to cause trouble, but we need our weapons," Judy said in a vain attempt to be diplomatic.
"Charge and lock!" Sowling said to a turian.
"You have till the count of three before we use lethal force." Captain Matsune said.
"Captain Matsune! Stand down! Specters are permitted to carry weapons, Commander Hopps and her squad can pass!" A women's voice said over a loudspeaker.
"I see, Sergeant stand down. You may go on ahead; I hope that your stay at Port Hornshan will be more pleasant. Tapirsini-sans office is up to the stairs, she'll most likely want to see you." Captain Matsune said.
"And you better keep that little nose of yours clean rabbit." Sergeant Sowling said in contempt as Judy and her squad left.
"Why do I get the feeling that's going to be a recurring encounter while we're here?" Judy said in annoyance.
"There rent-a-cops, they can't help but be pea-brained idiots," Wrex said sympathetically to Judy as they made their way up the stairs. A loud beeping went off as they approached a set of doors.
"Don't mind those, there just weapons detectors. My name is Giana Tapirsini, assistant to Administrator Anoleis. And on his behalf, I apologize for Captain Matsune's behavior." Giana said, a tapir wearing a purple dress.
"Oh no offense taken, I actually find her professionalism refreshing. Most foxes I've met are usually unbearably sarcastic, or just plain mean for no apparent reason." Judy said.
"I was referring to the altercation that almost happened. Matsune takes her job seriously... far too seriously some might say. But the company considers her workaholism an asset rather than a liability. Now, do you have any questions?" Giana asked.
"Have any... unusual visitors come through here?" Judy asked.
"Hmm... a few days ago, an asari Matriarch came through. I think her name was Lady Benezia." Giana said.
"My mother is here?" Liara said.
"Long story short, she's working for a traitor to the Council and a rogue Specter. I'm here to bring her to justice if I can and figure out Saren's plans. So I need to find her, and find her fast." Judy said.
"Well, that's actually going to be a bit of a problem. The Board doesn't like having to deal with outside issues Commander. To the best of my knowledge, Benezia left for the Peak 15 research complex shortly after she arrived and she's still there." Giana said.
"Good, just give us the directions and we'll be out of your mane in no time," Judy said.
"Well, you'll have to ask Administrator Anoleis about that," Giana said.
"And where's he?" Judy asked.
"He's in his office on the main level, it's on the left at the top of the elevator," Giana said.
"I see, can we go in?" Judy asked.
"Yes, if you need any help, you can ask me at the administrator's office," Giana said as she left.
"I... Benezia is here. It's been half a century since I spoken to her. Hopps, whatever you might-"
"Liara, look me in the eyes," Judy commanded sternly. Liara knelt down to Judy's eye level. "I actually meant for you to get me onto the counter," Judy said as Liara obeyed Judy, and picked her up and placed her on a counter. "Liara, whatever happens when we meet your mother. I will trust you, however, it turns out. You may not be military, but you've carried yourself well since Therrum." Judy said firmly.
"Thank you Hopps, your faith in me... it means a lot to me, and your brothers... interest in me," Liara said gratefully.
"And please, just call me Judy- wait, what's that about Davies?" Judy asked.
"I'll... explain on the elevator ride," Liara said.
"So it'd be a long story then," Wrex said wryly.
XXXX
Judy and her squad met up with Giana a second time. "Now how can I help you?" Giana asked.
"We went through this at the security checkpoint. I'd like to speak to Anoleis." Judy said, looking confused.
"One moment please, Mr. Anoleis?" Giana said as she pressed a button on her computer.
"Yes? What? What?!" Anoleis said irritably.
"A Commander Judy Hopps is here to see you," Giana answered.
"Fine, enter," Anoleis answered irritably.
"Well, he sounds like fun," Wrex said wryly as the squad entered Anoleis's office.
"You'll pardon me if I don't stand up. I have time to greet every orphaned rabbit that's dolled up in military hardware." Anoleis said curtly.
"Excuse me?" Judy said with contempt.
"Yes, I know about your childhood on Mindoir. Frontier colonies are unreliable sources of income; too likely to be raided as history has shown. Now I only speak to you as a courtesy, I will only work with you as is required by the Executive Board. Businesses come here to AVOID galactic law." Anoleis said, completely ignoring that Judy was practically fuming.
"You're going to let me, and my squad travel to Peak 15. Or I'll be the least of your worries frog." Judy said, crossing her arms and gritting her teeth.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that as is. Not only because Peak 15 is home to some highly sensitive data, resources and research for Binary Helix, but the storm outside prevents shuttles from safely flying. And ground transportation is off-limits until the blizzard clears." Anoleis said.
"Well, I have half-a-mind to just WALK THERE!" Judy shouted as she stormed out of the office.
"Fair enough, I received at least a dozen urgent messages while you were dithering," Anoleis said, oblivious to Judy's transparent rage.
"Commander, Mr. Anoleis isn't the only one with a free pass to leave Hornshan," Giana said.
"Talk," Judy said in aggravation.
"Look, you can't just bludgeon your way through bureaucracy and red tape," Giana said.
"You don't say, got any ideas on how to get that pass?" Judy asked.
"Find Lorik Qui'in in the hotel bar, I'd say more but Anoleis is in earshot," Giana whispered.
"Well, he can't be worse than Anoleis. See you later." Judy said as she and her squad departed.
XXXX
"By the Spirits, you must be Commander Hopps. Sit down, have a drink, and tell me what I can do for the first mammal in the Specters?" Lorik said as Judy approached him.
"That depends, are you Lorik Qui'in? And can you help me?" Judy asked.
"That depends, what do you need help with?" Lorik asked.
"I need to get to Peak 15, but because of the weather, only ground vehicles can get there. And I had to put up with Anoleis... so what I need help with. Is getting a pass into the garage so that I can drive to Peak 15." Judy explained.
"Hmm... so it seems we might be able to help each other out. You see, I'm the manager of the local Synthetic Insights office. By which I mean Anoleis closed my office, claims of corruption he said. You know, it's an interesting coincidence that since he took control of rents, that his personal bank account has skyrocketed... that is the correct mammal terminology, yes?" Lorik said.
"Yes... almost as if he's getting kickbacks." Judy surmised.
"Indeed, and isn't it ANOTHER coincidence that Anoleis had my office closed. Just as I had gotten evidence of his actions. No doubt his merry band of glorified rent-a-cops, are ransacking my office for anything and everything that isn't nailed to the ground to find it. Recover the evidence, and I'll give you my garage pass." Lorik explained.
"You actually have a plan?" Judy asked.
"I do actually... there's one problem that I believe you need to know of. Anoleis will have Elanus Risk Control Services in the office. So your likely to have to fight you're on your... paws you call them? At any rate, he's paying them under the table, and Captain Mitsune is unaware of this corruption." Lorik explained.
"Dirty cops... at this point, there as good as dead anyway," Judy said with contempt.
"My sentiments exactly Commander, here is the pass to my office, and it should activate the elevator. Getting the data itself should be relatively simple. Just put this OSD into my computer, and it will automatically download the evidence. Oh, and before I forget. Try to keep the bloodstains off of the carpet; it's almost impossible to get out of yath'ii wool." Lorik explained.
XXXX
"Hornshan security, this office has been sealed by order of Administrator Anoleis." An ERCS Guard said.
"Oh, I know what's going on... your being paid to shake-down a man. Not because he's missed a rent payment or anything. But because Anoleis knows that Lorik has evidence of his corruption. Performing shake-downs is a crime, and while I do have bigger fish to fry than some corrupt cops. I won't hesitate to put you to sleep... really. The final verdict is up to you." Judy said as she cracked her knuckles. "Also, I'm not above biting... and I can tell you that despite our size. Bunny bites can hurt."
"I'd call your bluff... but frankly that cheapskate isn't paying me enough to deal with Specters. Just a courtesy, but the other guys WON'T value their lives as much as I do." The ERCS guard said as she and her turian companion left.
And indeed, Judy's squad was fired upon by the rest of the ERCS Guards in the office. It wasn't too long before they killed every hostile, and arrived at the Lorik's computer, and extracted the data they were looking for.
"Well... that might have been TOO easy," Judy said as they left. Then they ran into Sargent Sowling.
"Well, well, well. Apparently, the cute little bunny doesn't know when to keep her cute little nose out of other people's business." Sowling said condescendingly.
"And apparently you're a racist pig. Moreover I'm a Specter, my job is defined in putting my nose where it doesn't belong... and that includes corrupt bureaucrats and their pet pigs." Judy said venomously.
"Well, Anolais would want you thrown off-world for this... and if you hadn't slaughtered everyone in here. I'd actually oblige him. Do you know what we did to cop killers on my homeworld?" Sowling said.
"Is it the same as what we do to corrupt cops on Tuchanka? Cause we ATE law enforcers that broke the law... like for taking bribe money for example. And unless the rumors are wrong... pig meat is DELICIOUS." Wrex said.
"Sowling, you can either walk away. Right now, or you and everyone you brought in here is a dead man. Your choice swine." Judy said irritably.
"You talk a big talk cotton-tail, but let's see if you can-" Sowling didn't finish her gloating as Judy had made the first shot into Sowling's ankle. Followed by the rest of her men dying quickly.
XXXX
"Commander, what was going on up there?" Giana asked as Judy and her squad left the elevator.
"We ran into some corrupt rent-a-cops. Got evidence that Anoleis is corrupt as well as insufferable and insensitive, and a certain krogan thought he could eat a pig in one gulp. That sound about right Wrex?" Judy said, Wrex just hiccupped. "Yep... told him to pace himself, but he just downed Sowlings corpse in one go," Judy said.
"Taste... might have tasted better, if cooked- hic- first," Wrex said, sounding uncharacteristically groggy.
"Now regarding why you're conveniently here, when the last person I spoke to was a surprisingly polite turian, and not you," Judy said.
"Look... just meet me in the hotel before you meet with Qui'in." Giana said.
XXXX
"All right Tapirsini, what's so important that I should even put up with... look, I'm sorry if... that I've been snippy but-"
"It's alright Commander, the truth of the matter is that I'm actually with Noveria Internal Affairs," Giana said.
"Excuse me?" Judy asked.
"Just act natural," Giana said, gritting her teeth. "Oh my, it has been since college that we have seen each other. Remember that time when Robert ate an entire coconut. Ha, ha, ha" Giana said stiltedly as she hugged Judy. "The Executive Board knows about Anoleis's corruption, I've been stuck pretending to just be his secretary for the last six months. And what I need you to do, is convince Lorik Qui'in to testify to the board. With his word and the evidence, you have on him. Novhareia can run properly again." Giana said.
"Well... I want a garage pass, some new equipment, and credits. I deserve some sort of compensation after putting up with that frog." Judy said.
"Fair enough, just convince Qui'in to testify and I'll pull every string I can. Just let me know if he's willing to cooperate." Giana said as she left.
Judy and her squad approached Lorik. "So... have you looked into that, 'errand' that I asked you to look at?" Lorik asked.
"I did... but I was approached by an Internal Affairs agent, she wants you to testify against Anoleis. I think you should do it." Judy said.
"Really? That evidence is my property, and I'll use it as I see fit. I have no desire to make myself the center of attention." Lorik said, Judy just took a deep breath.
"Look, Mr. Qui'in. I want Anoleis to be brought to justice for his corruption... while I want to bring him to revenge for those comments he made about me being a colonist. But I need the evidence you have in order to do either. I know enough about your people to know, that you're taught at a relatively young age to put the greater good before yourselves. And your testimony, whatever it may cost you. Will be in service to the greater good." Judy said at length.
Lorik trilled in a sigh. "Damn my principles... fine, I'll testify against Anoleis," Lorik said bitterly.
XXXX
"You can't do this to me! I know people on the Citadel!" Anoleis said as Giana dragged him out of his office. "Hopps! I demand that you arrest this harlot!" Anoleis shouted.
"Hmm... I'm thinking no, furthermore." Judy said as she bit into Anoleis's ankle. Causing him to loudly shriek.
"Yeah, no, you have the right to remain silent... as soon as the Commander is done with your ankle," Giana said, eventually Judy did let go.
"Now let this be an important lesson frog... even rabbits have teeth," Judy said with a playful look on her face.
"Agreed, see you later Commander. I owe you a drink." Giana said as she led the limping salarian.
"We have the pass, let's get to Peak 15," Liara said, Judy and the squad made their way to the garage... and found themselves ambushed by geth.
"Well... I should be surprised that geth were smuggled in, but I'm not." Wrex said wryly, hiccupping as they made their way to the Mako at the end of the garage.
"Okay, there are likely geth on the approach to Peak 15. Keep your eyes peeled and your weapons ready. It'll probably be a slog through yet another horde of killer robots... again." Judy said as she and her squad entered the Mako. And drove off through the blizzards of Novharie towards Peak 15.
