"Shepard."

"Wrex."

"I've gotta say, I like what you've done with the ship. Lot brighter, lot more closed."

"The Cargo Bay is closed Wrex. And that's only because of the car you sent us."

"It's a Tomkah, John, and a damn good one at that. You're just lucky Wreav managed to smuggle all the parts to me."

"Wreav? I thought you hated him."

"Well, you stick a shotgun in someone's face enough times and they're bound to do what you ask."

"I thought Krogan had a kind of honor thing going on."

"This is Wreav we're talking about Shepard."

"So, you had any word from Clan Urdnot since?"

"Nope. I've turned my back on the Krogan. They're a lost cause."

"Are they? There's been centuries of advances. You could help cure the Genophage."

"And where will I get a team of scientists?"

"Like you said, shotgun."

"Ha! And then what? The Krogan start breeding like flies in preparation for a hopeless attack on the galaxy?"

"I could always try and get you Batarian support."

"You're a good man John, don't let anyone tell you different, but when it comes to the Krogan, just stay away. That's what I do, that's what everyone should do."

"I'll keep it in mind. Now, if you'll excuse me, I should go."

Garrus was at a terminal, next to the Tomkah.

"Vakarian. What're you up to?"

"Calibrating the guns on this pile of crap."

"Don't let Wrex hear you say that."

"I mean it in the best way possible. Really, it could be a thing of beauty, if any of your crew knew how to correctly program a weapon. Or a navigational computer. Or a VI."

"And where did you learn to? VIs aren't exactly in C-Sec training."

"Eh, Dad always hard-pressed me into everything. Wanted me to "keep my options open", even though I knew he'd never let me go on to do anything but C-Sec."

"Why's that?"

"He was one of their top officers when he retired. Wanted me to be the same."

"And now you're working with a criminal to take down a Spectre."

"I was looking for a change of pace."

"You know, I never really was a slaver. Technically."

Garrus pushed himself from the terminal, looking at Shepard.

"Technically?"

"I was never a fan of slavery. Grarak and the other captains they… they burned my colony to the ground. Took everyone I knew. Whoever tried to run or fight was shot. My brother was killed, my mother is probably someone's slave, if she isn't dead. Grarak took me in."

"And you just let him get away with it?"

"He wasn't in it for revenge against humans like the others. He actually liked us, thought we were interesting. He even had two or three other humans on board, but they died or left. No, but he was in it for the money. Never let me take part in any raids either, didn't want any PTSD. I convinced him to stop working in the slaver business, after one or two years, and we started taking up odd jobs. Making money, giving Batarians a better name, that stuff. Hell, we were working our first job for the Shadow Broker, back on Eden Prime. I came in handy when we had to stop at the Citadel, or human worlds."

"That didn't answer my question."

"...No. No, I guess I wasn't okay with being a slaver. But my own father left before I was born. My mom told me he was a soldier, but I doubt it. Grarak though, he kept me from becoming a slave, a murderer, a monster… He kept me safe but pressed me to be my best. As far as I'm concerned, Grarak was my father."

"...Listen, Shepard, I don't know if I can trust you and your crew just yet. But if you take me up to Peak 15, I'll see what you do, and reserve judgement until then."

"You're too kind Vakarian."

"And just like that, Shepard's back."

"I like to keep 'em guessing."

"Don't we all?"

Tali was working at the engine. Shepard tapped her shoulder, and, surprised, she turned around.

"You getting settled in okay?"

"I've lived on a starship my whole life John, I'll be fine. Though it's a bit louder than I'm used to."

"You'll get used to it."

"Look, Shepard, about what Garrus said…"

"About me being a slaver?"
"Is it true?"

"Little of Column A, little of Column B."

"What does that mean?"

"I met Grarak when he was a slaver. I convinced him to quit the business after a year or so, and we started taking up odd jobs. I was only there for one or two major raids, but Grarak kept me out of them. Didn't want any PTSD."

"Why would you have PTSD about slaver raids?"

"Grarak picked me up after raiding my colony."

"John, that's horrible!"

"I've moved on."

"How? How can you be so casual about it?"

"It's been ten years. I'm past it. Besides, on this ship, I've had good times. I've made lifelong friendships, I've helped people, I've explored the galaxy! All I remember from the colony is a cramped room and a brother who was only there when I didn't want him to be."

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't care about what happened."

"I never said I didn't. Just that I've moved on."

"But-"

"If a castle is destroyed, you build a new one; but you can still keep your old design."

"Huh. Surprisingly philosophical Shepard. I'm impressed."

"Don't be, I got it from Fuyumi Soryo."

"Significantly less impressed."