Chapter 11
Anne was asleep halfway through the movie.
She did have not a gentle easing into sleep but instead a sudden falling into unconsciousness.
Pallin wasn't overly worried at that turn of events but had scanned her vitals anyway.
The human curled herself up into a ball and crushed herself close to him with the blanket forming over her like a cocoon.
Pallin idly petted her hair as he watched the rest of the film before finally finding it within him to get to his feet and carry her back to her bed.
He had shaken his head at the thought - her bed.
Anne had been here less than 48 hours and already she was finding a way to fit in.
It unsettled him.
Once she was securely ensconced in the spare room, Pallin made his way out to the small office he had long ago set up.
He flicked a talon over the terminal and activated the machine.
A number of small programs popped up against a bland cream background. The constant ticker of the Citadel news-feed ran across the bottom of the screen which he glanced over while his inbox refreshed itself.
He had a few messages – two from Dr T'Alera although he felt the need to leave those for the time being.
He began to briefly skim over the rest of his messages. There was nothing too urgent to his immense relief.
Pallin quickly tapped out replies in his usual efficient manner. He did not believe in lengthy prose where only a few short sentences would suffice.
Once completed, he leaned back in his chair and stared at screen.
His mind raced over the details he knew so far about Anne.
Cerberus was a dangerous outfit he knew. He leaned forward to rest his head on his hands.
Suddenly he was a flurry of activity. Pallin deftly recalled and then wrote down all the information he had received from Anne, typing everything he could remember into an encrypted file.
Once done, he decided on one more course of action for the day.
Pallin needed to make a start on finding out who she really was.
If the human was to be believed than she had no further information regarding her real identity to give.
Pallin shuddered. Growing up as a lab rat was no way for anyone to be raised – humans included.
His own prejudices did not extend to that level of malice for the pyjaks.
Pallin padded over to the couch and quickly scanned over it.
He smiled a little before collecting several fine blonde strands of hair. It was just what he needed. He shoved them into a paper bag before grabbing a jacket.
Just as he strode out of his apartment, Pallin stopped.
He went back in, picked up a datapad and quickly wrote a message.
The turian tiptoed into the spare room and placed the pad on the bedside cabinet.
At least now if she woke up it wouldn't be to complete emptiness. Pallin could only trust that she knew he wasn't out to harm her.
Still - just to be sure she couldn't easily escape - he locked the apartment door solidly before making his way to the Academy.
It was late in the cycle when he arrived.
Fellow C-Sec officers saluted him as he walked in.
Pallin nodded at every greeting, stopped and said a few words of encouragement to a newly graduated asari before making his way to the offices.
He rolled his eyes and sighed the moment he caught sight of Vakarian at his desk.
The boy was running himself ragged and it showed considering he was currently face down and snoring lightly.
Pallin padded over.
He stood for a time staring down at the younger turian before finally shaking him awake.
"Huh... oh..."
Vakarian got to his feet and shook his head briefly. He rubbed his eyes before fixing his gaze on Pallin.
"Executor."
"Vakarian, this is not your shift. You should have clocked out..." he glanced down at his omnitool, "... seven hours ago. Explain yourself."
Pallin almost immediately regretted that last sentence. Vakarian's face lit up with that inner fire he got when ever he was on to something he felt passionate about.
"I have looked in to Saleon's escape. I think I might have a lead on..."
Pallin put up his hand to stop the younger turian's speech.
"Vakarian, write it up. Send it to me. I will review and see about freeing up resources. In the meantime I am ordering you home."
"But sir..."
"I don't care. You will burn yourself out."
He started to leave but stopped as Vakarian muttered, "My father never did."
Pallin turned on his heel.
"Your father didn't burn out because he knew when he needed to stop and rest. Go home."
The older turian walked away while shaking his head.
The forensics department had only a skeleton crew. Pallin dropped off the bag containing Anne's hair strands and left strict instructions for the technician who would process them.
"Once the tests have been completed, I want the results forwarded to me and me alone. Are you clear on that?"
The asari nodded. "Of course, Executor."
As he passed back through the offices, Pallin made sure to look out for Vakarian.
The other turian had done as Pallin had ordered.
Vakarian's terminal was shut down and the turian himself was nowhere to be seen.
Pallin headed homewards.
Back at the apartment, Anne was still in a restful sleep to his relief.
He had half expected to return and find her attempting to hack the main door.
Pallin rolled his neck to ease the strain before making his way to his own room.
Tiredness hit him in a wave.
He yanked off his clothes and collapsed naked into his bed.
He stared at the ceiling and mulled over the Cerberus connection in his mind.
Pallin finally closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.