Shepard lay on his back on the bed in his cabin staring out the window into space. He tried to sleep, but he couldn't knowing that Tali wasn't on board. He couldn't remember having this much trouble sleeping even after Eden Prime. This is different, he said to himself. For a missing crew member had never mattered this much to him in his entire life.
Shepard had sacrificed too many people for the sake of the mission in the past. At this point, there was no mission other than to get her back. The best he could hope for is that Conestoga's mobile platform was protecting Tali just as she would any other member of her own crew.
Shepard had Joker violate almost every safety violation on the books in getting the Normandy to Noveria. Something he did not regret. The crew didn't seem fazed at all by it either. Kelly said that the crew had no issues taking extraordinary lengths to get Tali back. She did the same for them so it was only fair that they be just as dedicated to rescuing her if she were abducted.
Shepard's thoughts darted back to memories of his original crew on SR1. They were all damn good people, Adams, Pressley, Alenko, Jenkins. He had been proud to serve with each of them. However, the crew of this new Normandy, an all Cerberus crew, had exceeded his wildest expectations. They weren't military, but served with all the dedication of any soldier in the Alliance. Shepard now couldn't see any other crew on board this ship, even if the old faces weren't around.
Shepard's thoughts turned back to Tali just as Joker came in over the intercomm.
"Commander," said Joker, "We're in a standard orbit above Noveria, control says they have a shuttle bay prepped and ready for your arrival."
"Have Garrus and Grunt meet me at the shuttle." Said Shepard as he got up to grab his armor.
Shepard met his party down in the Normandy's shuttle bay. Garrus was his usual calm and collected self while Grunt hadn't seemed so agitated since his rite of passage on Tuchanka. He reconsidered for a moment, his decision to bring the Krogan along, but having the extra muscle couldn't hurt even with Garrus' interrogation skills.
The shuttle gently touched down in the Port Hanshan shuttle bay, a bit smaller than his first port of entry into Noveria, but the elevator led down to the same reception area for new arrivals. However, Shepard was greeted in the only way Noveria could.
"Captain Matsuo," said Shepard, "Surprised to see you're still here."
"Shepard?" said the stunned Elanus operative, "We have you listed as KIA."
"I can't really get into the exact nature of my disappearance Captain, but I'm here on council business."
"Apologies Commander, we just got the updated record from the council now. You and your team may retain their weapons."
"Thanks Captain," said Shepard as he looked back towards the weapons scanners. "I'm looking for Gianna Parasini, would you happen to know where I can find her?"
"Miss Parisini has a suite up at the hotel. I'll radio ahead and tell the front desk you're coming."
"Pardon me Captain," said Garrus, "when last we were here nobody was quite this welcoming."
"Administrator Anoleis had us all a bit on edge when you were here chasing after that Asari. Since Shepard got Anoleis' ass thrown in jail we've been under new management."
"Good to know."
Shepard nodded in gratitude towards the captain and continued on up to the elevator to take them to Hanshan's mezzanine.
On the ride up Grunt couldn't help but squeeze in a few words. "Clan-leader Wrex told me about your deeds here on Noveria Shepard. Said you freed the last surviving Rachni queen."
"It wasn't my place to condemn an entire species to extinction." Said Shepard coldly.
"Tank imprints tell me much about the Rachni and how the Krogan wiped them out the first time. Most would say what you did for the queen was a sign of weakness, but I know better Battlemaster. If you feel the queen you let go can be trusted you have inherited a powerful ally."
"Nice to see you're broadening your horizons Grunt." Said Garrus.
"I'm starting to think that when Okeer said you were the perfect Krogan, Grunt, I think he also meant it in other ways. You seem to be much more in tune with the Krogan sense of honor Wrex told me stories about."
"Clan-leader Wrex showed me that there was still hope for the Krogan. That some of us still maintained our honor and sacred traditions. You honor me and Urdnot by allowing me to serve under you Shepard."
"Just one thing Grunt, try to keep yourself under control. We're not here to start a war, but if we have to, I'm making damn sure its us who comes out on top."
Grunt growled in approval of Shepard's statement just as the elevator stopped at the Mezzanine. The place hadn't changed at all in two years, except maybe abit more crowded. Since the Geth attack on the citadel Shepard had learned several additional facilities had been opened up on Noveria's surface. The Turian company that reverse engineered Sovreign's main weapons for the Normandy's Thanix cannons had conducted their research at one of Noveria's remote labs.
Shepard, Garrus, and Grunt made their way to the far side the mezzanine only to be blocked by a Hannar.
"Greetings Human," it said, "this one does not know if you remember it."
As much as it annoyed Shepard to have to reintroduce himself to anyone he ran an errand for 2 years ago he decided to maintain civility. "I remember you Opold, how have you been?"
The Hannar's skin flickered, "This one is ever grateful for your previous assistance. It would like to offer you a discount at its new and improved shop kiosk. This one would also like to offer its services in acquiring information you might need."
Shepard nodded in appreciation before thanking the Hannar, "Thank you Opold, I'll keep that in mind."
"May the Enkindlers be with you Human."
Shepard still was a bit leery of the way Hannar spoke, but he figured he needed to get used to it since becoming a Spectre. He'd have to deal with a lot more of them, and probably not all would be that gracious about it.
Shepard finally made it to the Hanshan hotel and approached the front desk.
"How may I assist you?" asked the Salarian.
"I'm here to see Gianna Parisini." Said Shepard
"Hmm, do you have an appointment with Miss Parisini?"
"Captain Matsuo said she'd radio ahead, I'm Commander Shepard."
"Ah yes, we told Miss Parisini you were on Noveria, she said for you to head on up as soon as you arrived."
The team boarded the hotel elevator and it was only a short amount of time before they entered to a small, but luxurious executive suite.
Seated at the desk was Gianna Parisini, an agent with Noveria internal affairs. She brought Anoleis in with Shepard's help back when he was stopping Saren. She was actually a rather fetching woman, and tough as nails from what Shepard could gather. Perhaps that combination is what made her such an effective officer.
"Commander Shepard," said Gianna, "you're the last person I'd expect to see darkening my doorstep."
"I wish it were under better circumstances Gianna." Said Shepard as he took a seat in front of her, "I need your help."
Gianna smiled a bit, "So a girl gives you a kiss and that's not enough for you?" She would have persisted in her teasing, but she realized that Shepard had come in Earnest. "On a serious note, I do owe you more than just a beer, you've helped me on two cases now. What do you need?"
"Two of my crew went missing on the citadel. We found some information that said whoever has them might be bringing them to Noveria."
"I don't see why they would be bringing them here Shepard, the executive board abides by council laws… to an extent. No projects here on Noveria would be using involuntary subjects, its bad for business."
"Maybe they're not bringing them here specifically, but a clandestine lab nearby then. Maybe close enough to siphon some of Noveria's resources away."
"I might be able to help you more if I knew more about your missing crew."
"My chief Engineer, a Quarian, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. The other is a synthetic based on Geth technology, answers to Connie."
Gianna was intrigued by the two missing crew members. Quarians were renowned for their work with Artificial Intelligence and all manner of possibly illicit technologies. A very unique oppurtunity to develop new weapons tech. "That pair would be worth any potential legal troubles Shepard. Might have been too juicy to turn down if they had a means of getting to you."
"Got any ideas who might be interested in them?"
"Since the attack on the Citadel, research into the Geth has gotten very popular, and very lucrative. Though one researcher in particular came across my desk due to possible ethics violations. Walter Bell, couldn't pin anything on him though. Either someone was spreading a vicious rumor about him or he was good at covering his tracks."
"Any idea where I can find him?"
"Bell's been a bit off the grid in the past few months, last I heard he'd convinced the Executive board to let him build a private lab on Amaranthine in the Fortuna system."
"Sounds like something I would do if I were bringing in unwilling test subjects and laborers."
"That's the thing Shepard, the executive board still has a regular supply shipment going to his lab. My guess is they feel whatever he's doing is worth keeping him on the payroll, but just far enough from under their noses that they aren't culpable if shit hits the fan. Which also keeps me off his ass. If it didn't happen on Noveria I'm not to touch it."
"You mention these supply shipments, any chance I could get hired on to run one out to him?"
Gianna mysteriously chuckled a bit, "That might work Shepard, if your ship didn't have Cerberus logos painted all over it as well as Normandy in big bold letters on the sides. I don't think too many clandestine research labs are going to want you delivering their supplies any time soon." Gianna composed herself and punched up some data on her terminal, "I can tell you that the next supply shipment is due out tomorrow and always makes a fuel stop at the Pax depot before heading out of the system."
"Thanks for the information Gianna." Said Shepard as he got up from his seat.
"Don't mention it Shepard. Maybe one of these days you can actually tell me what's really going on. Oh, and next time you're back this way, maybe you can take me to dinner sometime."
Shepard just smiled as he, Garrus, and Grunt left the office to head back down to the Shuttle.
"That was rather unhelpful Shepard." Said Garrus.
"I wouldn't say that Garrus, we know more than we did before coming here. Walter Bell may be up to something."
"Shepard," came EDI over the radio, "the Normandy's stealth systems were not designed for a lengthy pursuit. I recommend planting a tracking device on cargo destined for the supply ship."
"Won't they just be able to detect it?" asked Garrus.
"Cerberus has several tracking technologies that fall within the margin of error of typical instruments."
Shepard pulled up the schematics on EDI's reccomended bug, "I think its time we take our favorite Hannar merchant up on its offer."
It didn't take long for the trio to find Opold which was quietly tending its shop. Shepard noticed a distinct lack of other customers, but then again a merchant like Opold tended to not do much work face to face.
"Greetings human," said Opold, "May this one interest you in an upgrade for your weapons?"
Shepard just eyed Garrus and Grunt motioning for them to watch the door. Shepard didn't want anyone in on this plan he couldn't trust. "Actually, I'm here for information."
The Hannar's skin twinkled before it spoke, "Oh, this one has much information that it can share with you human. What would you like to know?"
"I need some information on a supply ship bound for the Fortuna system. I want to know where it's headed, or rather where the cargo is headed."
The Hanar looked noticably agitated, but responded in its typical polite manner. "This one regrets that it cannot divulge that information. This one's customers value discretion."
"I figured you'd be the one to procure the supplies for that ship. All I need you to do is plant a tracking device on one of the crates. I'm also willing to pay."
"This one does not have an objection to complying with your request. Give it the tracking device and this one will make sure it is attached to one of the client's crates."
"I'll have it delivered to you from my ship. Does a thousand credits sound like a fair fee?"
"This one accepts your proposal human, it is most generous."
"I should go." Said Shepard having concluded his business with Opold.
Shepard's party boarded the shuttle and headed back to the Normandy. He couldn't help but feel impatient that it was taking so long to get the ball rolling. It was all he could do, and it didn't seem like enough.
