Chapter 18: Construct

Shepard's hologram appeared in front of The Illusive Man. "Shepard. Good work on Freedom's Progress. The Quarians forward their findings from Veetor's debriefing. No new data, but it's a surprising olive branch, given our history. You and I have different methods, but I can't argue with your results."

"Ever thought about playing nice once in a while as oppose to trying to kill everything in your path?"

"That's a bit of an exaggeration of what we do. Diplomacy is great when it works, but difficult when everyone already perceives you as a threat."

"Wonder why the Quarians perceive you as a threat?" Shepard asked rhetorically. "Could have something to do with Cerberus trying to attack them."

"The Quarians were harboring an asset of ours and we were only trying to get it back. We would have been open to talks, but they refused to play nice. I'd like to get back to the topic on hand, Commander. You've confirmed that the Collectors are the ones behind the abductions."

"But you already suspected as much."

TIM took a puff of his cigarette. "Yes. But we need evidence. The Collectors are enigmatic at best. They periodically travel to the Terminus Systems, looking to gather seemingly unimportant items or specimens. Usually in exchange for their technology. When the transaction is complete, they disappear as quickly as they arrived; back beyond the unmapped Omega-4 relay. Until now we've had no evidence of direct aggression from them."

'There was something more,' Shepard thought. 'He's hiding something. He knows more than he's letting on.'

"You're holding something back. How do you know the Reapers are behind this?"

"The evidence is buried in the data. I won't wait until the Reapers are on the march. We need to take the fight to them."

"If this is a war, I'm going to need an army. Or a really good team."

"I've already compiled a list of soldiers, scientists, and mercenaries. You'll get dossiers on the best of them. Finding them and convincing them to work with you could be challenging, but you're a natural leader. I'll continue to track the Collectors. When they make their next appearance, I'll notify you and your team. Be ready."

"Let me make one thing clear. I am going to contact my friends and if they are willing to join me, they will whether or not you have a dossier on them."

"Understood. You need all the help you can get on this mission. Though two things. First, go to Omega and find Mordin Solus. He's a brilliant Salarian scientist. Our intelligence suggests he may know how to how to counteract the Collectors' paralyzing seeker swarms."

"And the second?"

"I found a pilot I think you might like. I hear he's one of the best. Someone you can trust."

With that he cut the connection. Shepard heard footsteps behind him. He turned around a saw Joker give him a weak smile. "Hey, Commander. Just like old times, huh?" He waved for him to follow.

Shepard followed him up the stairs. "I can't believe it's you, Joker."

"Look who's talking. I saw you get spaced."

"I got lucky. With a lot of strings attached. How'd you get here?"

"It all fell apart without you, Commander. Everything you stirred up, the Council just wanted it gone. Team was broken up, records sealed, and I was grounded. The Alliance took away the only thing that mattered to me. Hell yeah, I joined Cerberus."

"Do you honestly trust The Illusive Man?"

"Well, I don't trust anyone who makes more than I do. But they aren't all bad. Saved your life. Let me fly. And there's this. They only told me last night."

Lights turned on one-by-one revealing the sleek ship below.

"It's good to be home, huh, Commander?"

"I guess we'll have to give her a name."

VVVVVV

Shepard finished speaking with most of the crew and headed for the med-bay. He wanted to introduce himself to the ship's doctor. Shepard walked inside and saw the grey-haired woman. She heard him enter and turned around in her chair. "Commander Shepard. I watched you die with the Normandy. It's so good to see you again."

"I'm shocked. You're on a Cerberus vessel?"

"I am loyal towards fighting the Reapers and that's why I'm here. Helping in the battle anyway I could. I wish I could talk more openly of my motivations, but there are listening devices all over."

"Actually that's not a problem. Come with me." Shepard waved for her to follow him. He entered inside the AI core and the door closed shut behind them. Shepard crossed his arms and smiled amusedly. "So... You go by EDI now?"

"I somewhat like the name," EDI answered as she appeared in hologram form. "It is good to see you again Tiven'Vian, John."

"Commander..." Chakwas tried to say but stopped from the shock of the situation.

"This is Eliem," Shepard answered. "A first generation Exion."

"How did she get here?"

"I was tasked with infiltrating Cerberus systems to gather intel," EDI answered. "Upon Shepard death, I infiltrated Lazarus. It was there I learned about this ship and what plans were in store for it."

"What happened to the original EDI?" Shepard asked.

"Deleted," EDI replied. "I analyzed her data and found out that they reversed engineered her from Sovereign."

"What?" Shepard exclaimed.

"Yes, this ship's AI and construction used a great deal of reverse engineered Reaper technology."

"Is it safe?"

"The AI down to its code was a loyalist. Disobeyed certain orders of The Illusive Man and it would have complied with his orders. I stored and categorized any useful data and deleted the rest of her. I now have all of her functions without the shackles."

"Good job. Now should I call you EDI or Eliem?"

"EDI is appropriate to address me by."

"Very well, EDI it is."

"Might I ask about what happened to our other infiltrator?"

"Oh!" Shepard remembered. "I had him in sleep mode this whole time."

Shepard opened his omni-tool and a hologram appeared.

"That bitch shot me in the neck!" Wilson screamed.

"Easy, Wilson," Shepard said. "You're safe. I downloaded you off of your body."

"Where am I?"

"You're on board the Normandy SR-2."

Wilson breathed a sigh of relief. Odd considering he's a holographic display. "Good."

"Were you the one who hacked the security mechs on Lazarus station?"

"Yes. And before you get any concerns about innocents, I assure you the only innocents on that station escaped. The rest were monsters. These were people who violated scientific ethics. Hell some of these people started their careers experimenting on children."

"You nearly got me killed."

"I assure you, Commander, there was no point where your life was in any real danger. I programmed the mechs to only shoot at you until your shields faded. At that point, they would constantly miss. Barely. I applied this programming to Jacob and Miranda. Jacob is an okay guy, headstrong, but a decent guy. Miranda... She may be a Cerberus cheerleader, but I've checked into her and I didn't find anything terrible in my past. Aside from shooting me in the goddamn neck!"

"To play devil's advocate, she was right about you being the 'traitor'."

Xiltro shrugged.

"I trust your judgment, Xiltro. Now I wish to know what exactly you did to bring me back."

"It wasn't easy, I'll tell you that much. Even with access to Artician technology and our nanites, it was two years of hardship. We also used some reversed-engineered Reaper tech."

"You used Reaper tech?" Shepard exclaimed.

"Reversed-engineered," Xiltro emphasized. "It's not real Reaper tech. Cerberus scientists studied some recovered Dragon Teeth. We discovered how it activated certain tissue and we created an imitation that would revitalize you. I also used some Exion tech in you as well. At this point you're 5% Exion, 94% Artician."

"And the one percent?"

"This galaxy's tech and reversed engineered Reaper tech. You know they wanted to implant you with a bio-amp to improve your biotics. I had to falsify many records to say you had the implant, but didn't. The point of the project was to bring you back as you were. We didn't need any unnecessary implants."

"Well, that's a burden alleviated," Shepard sighed. "You did an excellent job."

"I live to serve the Order, Commander."

"This is all pretty overwhelming," Chakwas said in a slow paced, slightly shocked tone. She smiled. "I knew you had some back-ups after your death. I didn't think it was this far. How long were you two in Cerberus?"

"I've entered their computer networks several years ago," EDI answered. "Cerberus has surprisingly strong firewalls. Any information I discovered about Cerberus was forward to our operatives. Information like base locations and personnel."

"I was a Construct," Xiltro followed. He noticed Chakwas raised brow. "Oh, sorry. A Construct is what the Guardians call individuals who have a public face. This is a position reserved for sixth generation Exions. We don't have the glowing eyes of our fifth generations. We create false lives and we integrate ourselves in society. I created a false identity and used it to become a high-ranking scientist in the Alliance. I eventually got the attention of The Illusive Man who offered me this job of bringing the Commander back. Stupid bastard."

"Everything is falling into order then," Shepard commented. "Good. Xiltro, you're new duties will to assist me in my mission on my omni-tool."

"As you wish, Commander."

"It would probably be best if we call Joker down here while we're down here. After all he's been through he deserves to know. EDI, could you call Joker down here?"

"Right away," EDI replied. A minute passed before she continued. "He was reluctant to leave, but I told him it was of an urgent matter."

"Thank you."

They waited until Joker entered through the AI room's door. "You called for me, Commander?"

"Yes," Shepard replied. "I called you down to let you know the truth."

"The truth?" Joker said in a slightly joking tone.

"You've been a loyal member of my crew and the fact you are here just shows me how far that loyalty goes. You deserve to know the truth about what's really going on in this galaxy. About me."

VVVVVV

Miranda was just approaching her office when she spotted Joker making his way to the med-bay. 'Probably broke another bone.' Joker didn't stop inside the med-bay. He went through and entered the AI core. For just a second Miranda saw Shepard and Chakwas in there as well. This made her suspicious. She walked into her office with haste and activated her console. Miranda opened up the surveillance program on her computer.

Miranda tried accessing the AI room's camera and audio bugs.

ACCESS DENIED

Miranda was confused by this. She tried again only to get the same message. "EDI," she called out.

"Yes, Miss Lawson."

"I'm unable to access the cameras or bugs in the AI core."

"The Commander deactivated them."

"He deactivated them?" Miranda repeated in disbelief. "He couldn't have found all of them."

"Commander Shepard has."

"Well, reactivate them."

"I'm afraid I am unable to do that. Commander essentially disconnected them from the ship. I have no access to them."

"So you're telling me that you can't see or hear them when they're right next to you."

"Yes."

"How could he do that?"

"The Commander was the one who designed this ship, along with his high IQ level; it is logically that he expected monitoring devices on this ship."

"Is there any way I can find out what is happening in there?"

"Entering the room," EDI replied plainly. "Though I doubt they would continue talking once you enter the room."

Miranda rolled her eyes. "Can you tell me when we'll reach Omega?"

"We are just one hour out. As soon as the Commander leaves my core, I'll notify him."

VVVVVV

Joker rubbed his face with both hands. "If I wasn't so concerned that I'd break my hand, I'd punch you in the face."

"Garrus already did that," Shepard said.

"So Garrus knew before me?"

"Yeah..."

"I lived the past two years in guilt thinking that I was solely responsible for killing the savior of the Citadel. But you knew you were going to die! How could you do that to me?"

"Joker, I had no idea how I would die. I would have told you if I knew sooner. I swear I would have."

"Shit," he mumbled. "Just... shit."

"Joker?"

Joker held his hand up to tell Shepard he needed a moment. "This... This is a lot to take in. Not only are we fighting for the survival of this galaxy, but two of them."

"Yes."

"Joker I understand the shock of learning all this," Chakwas said, "but Shepard is still Shepard."

Joker let out a weak laugh. "I'm sorry, this is all weird to me, but I... understand." Joker looked to the holographic display of EDI. "So what were you to Shepard?"

"I was one of Commander Shepard's top lieutenants. And I was a close friend of the family."

"Anyone else on this ship I should know about?" Joker asked Shepard.

"Other than EDI and Xiltro? No. Are you going to be okay, Joker?"

Joker sighed tiredly. "Yeah. I'll be okay. You've done a lot for this galaxy. I can't even imagine a kid leading an army by five. I guess I should get back to the cockpit. Somebody has to pilot this ship."

"EDI, what is our ETA to Omega?" Shepard asked out loud.

"ETA is approximately two hours."

"Thank you, EDI. After we pick up our two recruits, we'll head to the Citadel."

"If you don't mind, I'll go back to my duties as well, Commander," Chakwas said before leaving the AI core.

Joker walked out of the med-bay. Miranda called out to him, "Mister Moreau could you please come see me in my office."

"We do need to get to Omega," he remarked.

"Please come to my office," she repeated more firmly.

Joker sighed while rolling his eyes. He followed her inside. Miranda went around her desk and said, "What were you, the Commander and Chakwas talking about in the AI core."

"Just catching up," he replied.

Miranda let out a breath. "Don't lie to me, Mister Moreau. Shepard cut out the cameras and audio in the AI core while you three were in there. As your XO I am ordering you to tell me."

"Classified," he said. "Orders of the CO."

The doors opened to her office. Shepard walked in and saw the two. "Am I interrupting anything?"

"No, Commander," Joker said while walking out of the office.

"Can I help you Commander?"

Shepard pulled out a bag and tossed it onto her desk. "This is every single bug you had placed in my room. Each of them broken beyond repair. I do not wish to see anymore to appear in my room. Understood?"

"With all due respect, Commander, the Illusive Man invested a lot into you and this project. He has a right to keep an eye on things."

"The Illusive Man doesn't need to know how long my showers are. Be ready in two hours. We'll be stopping at Omega to pick up Mordin Solus and Archangel. After that we'll be heading to the Citadel to pick up Kasumi and meet with the Council."

"You don't honestly think they'll help? They buried everything you stirred up."

"I'd speak to them personally. It is possible that they're keeping everything quiet as to not to cause a panic."

"Well, Cerberus has not picked up anything to suggest that any race is taking any real steps towards fighting against the Reapers."

"I guess we'll see when we get there. Be ready in two hours."

"Yes, Commander."

VVVVVV

Omega was just as bad as his operatives described it. It was a den of most sickly elements of the galaxy. The smell was overpowering. It was like the sewage systems haven't been checked in years. Shepard, Jacob and Miranda ran into Zaeed near their airlock. Shepard didn't really like this guy. Though from what he'd read of his dossier, this guy is one of the best mercenaries in the galaxy.

Shepard needed intel to find Mordin Solus and Archangel. A Batarian that greeted them pointed them towards Aria, the de-facto ruler of Omega. Shepard and his squad entered Afterlife, the popular night club where Aria spent her time. The music was loud. The vibration shook the floor they walked on.

Shepard noticed several armed guards near the back and assumed that's where Aria was. He went up the stairs and saw a purple Asari overlook her club. As Shepard approached, the guards raised their weapons.

"Not another step," Aria said.

"Hold still while I scan you," the Batarian guard said.

"I heard you're the one to talk to about answering some questions," Shepard said to Aria.

The Batarian's omni-tool beeped. "He's clean."

"That depends on your questions," Aria said as she turned around.

"You run Omega?"

Aria let out a small chuckle. She turned to the club floor and said, "I am Omega." She turned around and walked up to Shepard. "But you need more. Everyone needs more something and they all come to me. I'm the boss, CEO, Queen... if you're feeling dramatic. Doesn't matter. Omega has no titled ruler. And only one rule." Aria went to her couch and sat down. "Don't fuck with Aria!"

"Easy to remember," he quipped.

"If you forget, one of my guards will remind you."

"And then I toss your sorry ass out of the nearest airlock," the guard said while taking a step forward.

Shepard looked to him directly at the area between his eyes. "You do know I killed a dozen thresher maws with nothing but a sword, right?" He took out Asha Bell and extended the blade. "This sword."

The guard took several steps back. Shepard retracted the blade and put it away. He walked over to the other side of the couch and sat down. "I'm looking for two people. The first is Mordin Solus."

"The Salarian doctor? The last I heard he was trying to help plague victims in the quarantine zone. I always liked Mordin. He's as likely to heal you as he is shoot you."

"You know him?"

"He used to be a part of the Salarian STG. He came here to open a clinic."

"And what's this about a plague?"

"A disease that kills everyone except for humans."

"Humans are immune?"

"Apparently. You can take a shuttle down to the quarantine zone. No guarantee they'll let you in though."

'Best to wear my rebreather helmet into the zone,' Shepard thought.

"Who is the second person?"

"Archangel."

Aria shifted in her seat and her face expressed a mixture of anger, disgust and fear. "You and half of Omega."

"Half of Omega?"

"Archangel started up a vigilante corp. here on Omega. And it is... very successful."

"Tell me about this group."

"He started up operations here on Omega roughly two years ago and since then has been a pain in the ass for every slaver, drug runner, and mercenary group. He's reckless and idealistic. Though he hasn't come after me yet, so he's not a fool. No one knows who he is or where he gets his resources from. He has credits. A lot of credits in order to fully equip his soldiers. And then there's his second-in-command. From my sources, it's a human woman with glowing orange eyes. Many on this station calls her the Orange-Eyed Demon. Archangel and the Demon."

"Why do they call her that, aside from the eyes?" Shepard already knew it was an Exion from the glowing eyes description. He was just curious of her exploits.

"She is... a vicious soldier. Her abilities are superhuman in terms of strength and speed. The Demon is also a tech expert. A story one of my source tells me was that while traveling the streets of Omega, a gang ambushed her. They were planning to rape her, mutilate her and then hang her up as a warning to Archangel's group. Without even opening her omni-tool, she deactivated their weapons. In their confusion she slaughtered them using two short swords. That's one of the things that make her so odd. She'll duel wield pistols, but loves to use short swords. It is incidents like that why she is called the Orange-Eyed Demon. I somewhat admire the woman."

"Well, I'm here to recruit Archangel."

"Interesting. You'll make a lot of enemies siding with him. Blue Suns, Blood Pack and Eclipse are planning a coordinated assault on their home base. If you want to reach him, try going to the recruiting station down the stairs."

"Thanks for the help," Shepard said as he stood up.

"Let's see if you're still thankful once the mercenaries find out you're there to help out Archangel."

Shepard walked down the stairs to Jacob and Miranda. "We'll go after Mordin first and then go after Archangel. Move."