The Citadel fame game was a new experience for Commander Shepard. So far up to this point, he wasn't enjoying his new found celebrity status. He didn't mind signing the odd autograph and posing for pictures with the general public but it certainly made getting around a lot slower. Plus almost every person he ran into seemed to have some sort of request for him.
"So Kaidan, do you think we'll be signing autographs after we stop Saren?" Ashley asked her colleague with a grin as she walked side by side with Alenko and Shepard.
"I could do without that. I mean, it's nice and all, but yeah it's a little strange."
Shepard nodded. "Certainly is."
"Just think of all the vid offers that will come your way Commander! There's going to be no shortage there either." Ashley laughed at Shepard's groan of a response.
So far the three had helped a Consort, a grieving husband, a C-SEC officer and had around 300 requests from people including crime bosses, different C-SEC officers and even a diplomat. They had just checked in with Admiral Kahoku after agreeing to look into the man's missing marines on Edolus previously.
What they found wasn't good. The marines had been lured there by a distress beacon, planted right into the midst of a thresher maw nest. The men had stood no chance against the beast. Distressed, Kahoku took his leave, despite Shepard's offers to help further. He wasn't sure if he'd hear off the Admiral again.
Bar Wrex, the entire ground team was on the Citadel. The Krogan chose not to depart the Normandy, muttering about how he'd only just left the station. Shepard had spoken to Wrex just before they docked, informing him that if he wanted to stay, he could. Shepard had been impressed by the Krogan thus far. Despite some prodding in the direction of Garrus, he'd been reasonably well behaved and proved to be a valuable asset when recruiting the Asari, Liara T'Soni.
Liara had started to settle on the Normandy within the last couple of days. Shepard had introduced her personally to all key members of crew, as well as a proper introduction to the ground team. She seemed to warm to him quickly, which pleased him, her rescue (previously considered as capture) seemingly now a thing of the past. Ashley seemed a little edgy to the Asari's presence however. He'd been meaning to speak to the woman but had yet to find the time. He made a mental note to talk to her when they departed from the Citadel.
The Asari had chosen to join Garrus and Tali. The young Quarian was still on edge after her ordeal prior, so Garrus suggested her tagging along with him. He invited Liara, keen to get to know his team mate in a more relaxed setting. Although hesitant at first, Liara finally agreed, noting that she needed to pick up a few items while they were docked.
"Excuse me! Commander!" Shepard turned to his right, spotting the attractive redhead who called his name.
"Gee I wonder what it will be this time," said Ashley rolling her eyes as she made reference to their last conversation about pets on the Citadel. "Hamster stuck in a tree?"
Shepard approached the woman with a smile. "Good afternoon. What can I do for you Miss...?"
"Yorke, Patricia Yorke." The woman smiled. "I'm a senior reporter for HISNO."
Shepard nodded, familiar with the media outlet. They had been widely positive about him thus far.
"I was wondering if I could take up a few minutes of your time? I know you're busy, very busy but trust me, this is worth your time."
Eh, what the hell. I've heard from everyone else today.
Shepard turned to Ashley and Kaidan. "Head back to the ship. I won't be far behind you."
Ashley snorted. "Now you're hogging all the media opportunities for yourself? Fame is changing you Commander."
"Yeah, yeah." Shepard shook his head as the two soldiers took their leave. He focused back on Patricia, but instead found her staring at Kaidan and Ashley until they had disappeared from view. Only then did she turn back to Shepard, her mood changing in an instant.
"You need to listen to me Shepard. I can't talk freely, not here. I need you to come with me, now."
Shepard raised an eyebrow, his guard raised. "What's this about?"
The woman shook her head. "Not here. Please. I'm not armed, search me if you like. But we need to go now."
"I don't make it a habit to go to places with people that I'm unsure of, Patricia."
He could tell the woman was getting frustrated with him. She sighed, shaking her head once more before dropping her voice to almost a whisper. "This regards the woman you're involved with."
Miri? How does she know about... Cerberus. She's Cerberus. And she wants you to follow her? But..
Shepard hadn't heard from Miranda since his visit to her apartment. She was out on assignment, like him and she would contact him when she was able. Every part of Shepard wanted to yell at this woman, to shake the answers out of her. But he knew she couldn't tell him anything, not while they were in public. It was the only thing he could do.
"Lets go."
Shepard's mind raced as he was driven towards a part of the Citadel that he had never visited before.
What if this is a trap? If it was all a ploy? Wait for me to become a SPECTRE and.. is she in on it? Did she play me?
Shepard look over at the redhead who was driving. She seemed agitated, as if she was in a rush. What if she's hurt? What if she's... no. She's alive. She's fine.
"How long?"
The woman didn't look at him. "We're almost there."
"Where are we going?"
"A safe place."
'Patricia' pulled the car down, coming to a halt outside what looked like an industrial building. It was unlike any area Shepard had seen on the Citadel. The were two guards at the entrance, watching as Shepard got out of the car. His driver motioned him to follow her, walking right past the guards and through the door.
Shepard paused as he looked at the sign on the door. HISNO Studios. I can't believe they're Cerberus. He quickly caught up to 'Patricia'.
"Right I'm here - so tell me what's going on." His voice was firm, not betraying any of the worry that he felt for Miranda.
The woman pointed to a door. "You'll find your answers through there. I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you more." And with that, the redhead walked away leaving Shepard seemingly alone outside the door. Taking a breath he stepped inside to find absolutely nothing. The room was empty, except for a circular base on the floor. Stepping forward carefully, he made his way onto the base.
It felt as if he had been transported far, far away. He was in a different room, somewhere, overlooking the stars. A lone figure sat on a chair in front of him heavily shadowed, a trail of cigarette smoke leaving the person's mouth.
"Commander Shepard. It's an honour to meet you at last."
Shepard stared at the man. He couldn't make out many features, presumably done on purpose. His voice however seemed natural, without any sort of modulators to mask it.
"Who are you?" That has to be him, Miranda's boss.
Another puff on the cigarette. "That is not important right now. What is important at this time is a woman who means a great deal to both of us."
"Miranda... where is she? What happened?"
The man's voice stayed calm. "She's on Feros. We lost contact with her shortly after she arrived. This isn't something to normally be alarmed at, sometimes it is necessarily for agents to go dark. However, Operative Lawson did not check in and hasn't done since. For someone of Miranda's experience, this was a major flag." The man stubbed out his cigarette. "Intel has uncovered that the Geth have attacked Feros. I have no doubts that you'll be briefed shortly by the Council."
Time seemed to slow down almost for Shepard. Miranda is on Feros. The Geth have attacked Feros.
"I apologize for the secrecy in bringing you here, Commander. But you must understand the risks that we have taken to give you this information. I cannot tell you why she was on Feros, but I can tell you her alias - Felicity Blake. Hopefully this will help you when you arrive planet side."
"I... thank you." Shepard wanted to be out of there, to be off the Citadel and on his way to Feros. Yet he couldn't escape what was happening. He was a SPECTRE, an Alliance marine, not only in a Cerberus base but also talking to their leader. It was madness.
The man stood up from his chair, giving Shepard an unobstructed look of who could only be the man at the top of Cerberus' food chain. "I hope that any future conversations we may have come under better circumstances. I wish you luck in the fight ahead, Shepard."
The image winked out, leaving Shepard once more in the empty room on the Citadel by himself. The door opened behind him, revealing the redhead once more. "I'll take you back, Commander."
Shepard nodded, moving quickly as he exited the building without another glance behind him.
Why have the Geth attacked Feros? It can't be because of Miranda? What is there?
Miranda's there. And right now, that's what matters. Hold on Miri, I'm coming for you.