-Jane-

"Watch yourself, Commander. They're a real cheerful bunch." The pilot's voice echoes through the decontaminating air lock. "I think I'm going to put in request to take my next leave here."

Jane shakes her head while Liara frowns, still not used to Joker's sense of humor. Jane can't see her husband's reaction as he clamps his dark helmet on, the only defense for his face against the planet's cold chill.

When the air lock doors finally slide open, the freezing air hits her like a solid wall of ice. "Holy shit balls," she yells and clamps her arms across her chest despite the fact that it won't help to contain the heat past her armor. "That's fucking freezing!"

Liara nods emphatically while Garrus simply huffs his shoulders, a rumble very reminiscent of 'I told you so' coming over their comms. Jane motions forward with a quick jerk and all but runs down the dock. Why in the world would they have these paths out in the cold? Are they idiots as well as assholes?

Just before she and her team are able to make it into the warm interior of the port, a group of security officers block their path, weapons at the ready. "That's far enough," the center officer demands, a hand raised to both her own officers to hold fire and Jane's squad to halt. "This is an unscheduled arrival. I need your credentials."

We just gave you our damn credentials before we docked so you wouldn't blow us out of the damn sky. Jane's brows draw down and she fights her stance not to shift back in defiance. "My pilot already transferred my Spectre stats to your communications command. Don't tell me you people don't know how to make a simple call."

The only other human officer, a blonde woman to the right, scowls and interrupts who Jane assumed is her commander. "Show some damn respect. We're the law here." Jane raises a brow, unimpressed, and she hears the light huff through her comm of Garrus sharing her sentiment.

The center woman, a slender officer who stands calm with her hands at her back, turns to Jane and her crew. "I'm Captain Maeko Matsuo," she introduces, "Elanus Risk Control Services. Seeing as how you are here and we haven't received confirmation from communications, I will ask again for your credentials."

Security firm, huh? What a great way to control what is and is not allowed on this port. Seems like the rumors of this place having little law but that of the credit chit might be true. Figuring that it's not worth it to point out that this process is illogical, Jane crosses her arms and locks gazes with the Captain's almond shaped eyes. "Commander Shepard, Alliance Navy and Council Spectre."

"That sounds like a load of bullshit, ma'am," the still unnamed blond says to the Captain and Jane rolls her eyes subtly.

Matsuo nods to her subordinate before returning to the visiting party. "We will need to confirm that, Commander. For now, however, I must confiscate your firearms should you choose to wait within the port's waiting area. No one but Elanus Risk Control Services employees are permitted weapons on Noveria." She quickly turns to her officer and Jane's figures twitch, knowing what the Captain will try next. "Sergeant Sterling, secure their weapons."

The blonde, who Jane now knows is named Sterling, takes a step forward and Jane hears the arming of Garrus' rifle and feels the low buzz of Liara's biotics flaring to live as she aims her own pistol. Sterling and the Turian officer that's been quiet and still up until now aim at her team.

She sets her sights directly between the Captain's eyes. "Let's say we test your employee benefits. You think Elanus offers life insurance?" She directs the second statement to her squad and hears the low rumble of amusement in their comm.

The Captain calmly looks over the three armed soldiers and her brows drop. "We are authorized to use lethal force, Commander. You have to the count of three to surrender your weapons."

"We won't need that long-"

"Captain Matsuo! Stand down." A feminine voice over the intercom interrupts Jane, drawing all eyes upward to the speakers. The Captain drops her head, obviously required to listen to the faceless voice's command. "We confirmed their identity. Spectres are authorized to carry firearms while visiting Noveria, Captain."

The other two officers lower their weapons, an expression of relief on the nameless Turian and one of frustration on the Sergeant. Matsuo seems to have let the entire confrontation slide past her and she relaxes her stance. "You may proceed, Spectre. I have hopes that the rest of your visit will prove to be more pleasant." She motioned to the large glass doors to the left of their meeting as Jane and her team lower their offensive stances, holstering their weapons. "Parasini-san will meet you upstairs."

"Behave yourself," Sterling adds, making Jane roll her eyes as the group of security officers disperse. Have to have the last say? What is this, kindergarten?

Jane motions her teams towards the revolving glass doors, taking note of the hovering sentry turrets and looking over her shoulder to see Garrus doing the same before nodding in silent understanding. Heavily armed… going to be a pain in the ass if things go ass-end up.

Hopefully that won't be a problem as they approach what looks like a check-in desk of the port, the light hiss of Garrus' helmet depressurizing as he removes it sounding as her team walk through the shifting sensors. A loud alarm sounds but a tall woman in a long red dress steps forward and speaks loudly above the din.

"Weapon detectors." She waves her Omni-Tool and the sound abruptly cuts off. "Don't mind the alarms." She steps around the desk and smooths out a nonexistent wrinkle on the front of her dress before looking up to Jane with a plastered-on smile. "I am Gianna Parasini, assistant to Administrator Anoleis. We do apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced in the docking bay."

Jane quirks a brow. "You're Chief of Security always that quick to try and take on an armed squad with nothing more than a stern stare?" She definitely has to admit the woman had balls to expect her two subordinates to take on all three of her squad without trying to raise her own weapon. Stupid balls that wouldn't have saved her from a bullet, but balls all the same.

"She takes her job seriously and is a valuable asset to the company. The Executive Board does everything in its power to protect the privacy of all our client corporations." Jane's brow raises subtly in suspicion. I doubt that 'privacy' is just to keep competitors from stealing ideas.

The woman must be able to read Jane's doubt in her expression because she smiles that fake smile again, the expression making Jane's skin crawl in revulsion for this entire place. "This planet is beyond the jurisdiction of the Citadel, I assure you. The law is whatever the Executive Board says it is. They believe that discovery should not be limited by ethics laws or morality concerns." Her brows lower. "Can you imagine all the scientific, medical, and technological breakthroughs that would have never came to be if those pioneers were limited in such a way?"

Though she knows this woman's argument isn't completely false but still absolutely insane to justify a place that seems to have no qualms like this, she doesn't really have the time, or patience, to add anything. Instead she looks to the entrance that leads further into the port. "Has anyone unusual passed through here recently?"

Finally, the mirage of pleasantness drops and the woman frowns in confusion. "Unusual? Matriarch Benezia passed through a few days ago-"

"Benezia?" Jane has to hide her smirk at her Asari companion interrupting the pampered assistant. "She is really here?"

Deciding that Liara's shock isn't going to help get their objective across to this woman, Jane steps closer to Gianna. "Benezia is a criminal and threat to galactic peace. Tell me where she is and your 'Executive Board' can do whatever illegal shit it wants. I'm bringing her in or taking her out."

Parasini's frown shifts from one of confusion to stern disapproval. "The Executive Board doesn't appreciate outside issues being brought to Noveria, Commander."

"That's not my problem or my responsibility." Jane shrugs lightly. "Maybe if you people actually looked at the news or read an extranet article or two, you'd know about Benezia and not let her in the damn port to begin with."

The woman simple shakes her head and huffs in dismissal, clearly not moved. "In any case, Benezia left for Peak 15 a few days ago. To the best of my knowledge, she is still located at the research complex."

Then what's the big deal? "Then give us the directions and we'll be in and out before your Executive Board can get their panties up their ass."

"You would need to speak with Administrator Anoleis. He is the only one to approve of clearance for you and your team to leave Port Hanshan." She points towards the glass elevator further on. "You will find him in his office on the main level."

Jane's brows drop in frustration. "You going to let us in or are you just telling us this just before kicking us out?" Why does everything have to be so literal with some people?

"Of course," the assistant says with her signature pull of her glossy lips that Jane can't wait to get away from. "If you need any more assistance, my office is directly outside of the administrator's."

She leaves as Jane sighs in exasperation. It's starting to feel like this mission isn't going to be a simple in-and-out or search-and-destroy, if what they've already encountered is anything to go by. Why does every mission always need me to jump through hoops?

"I can't believe my mother could really be here." Liara's soft and distressed voice rings out, stopping Jane before they reach the inner elevator doors. Jane turns to the woman, seeing her confused and searching eyes. "I imagine you would like to talk to me about this, Shepard."

Not really, but you obviously do. She doesn't feel like she has to question the Asari, but perhaps this is more for the girl and not herself. "This is something different than shooting Geth or Krogan mercs, Liara. I can understand if you'd rather stay on the Normandy…" The woman shakes her head with a stern look of determination. "Then I still think you'll know what to do when the time comes."

Garrus' mandible flicks in agitation at that, but, thankfully, Liara has her back to him and doesn't see it. Instead, the woman nods and looks forward to the elevator, a silent acknowledgment that they can move on. "I still believe her actions are wrong, Shepard. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see this through."

Jane simply nods and steps into the lift, waiting to press the appropriate buttons once her team enters and takes position at her back. The lift is just as slow as the ones on the Citadel, so she turns to her husband and motions to his helmet locked to his thigh. "I didn't ask if you were going to manage, Vakarian. How are Tali's adjustments doing?"

"Better than I expected but still not much against the blizzard outside." His plates shift slightly in a soft shiver that she's sure only the two of them notice. "Did I tell you Turians don't like the cold? We've never even seen snow on Palaven before."

Jane smirks as the doors slide open. "You can always go back to the ship and send Wrex out in your place. I bet he wouldn't complain about the weather if it gave him a chance to gloat over you."

Liara smiles softly, her jumbled thoughts of her mother easing slightly at the jab. "I believe he would rather freeze out in the snow than admit he was cold."

Jane looks over her shoulder at her husband with a raised brow in a 'see? She agrees' look. Garrus growls jokingly and waves off the offer. "No thanks. I don't think I could stand that insufferable Krogan after that. I'd be better off becoming a –what was it called- Turian popsicle?"

Liara huffs a soft laugh as Jane smiles to him, a silent acknowledgement between the two of their efforts to try and take the Asari's mind from the seemingly inevitable outcome of their eventual encounter with her mother. It isn't as if Jane is going to go in expecting to kill the woman outright, but with the way things are going, it might end up being their only option.

Jane leads the team to a large office along the far wall of the main lobby of the port, assuming the place with the most obvious location away from, and still overlooking, the rest of the area must belong to the administrator. They enter to find another lobby before finally entering a smaller office that sits a desk before yet another door.

It's all a useless and redundant waste of space, but Jane knows it's some stupid mind game to show importance. She can't wait to get out of this damn place with its facades of civility and pomp. This place is worse than the Citadel, with its corporations and Executive Board and rules that cater to their overall greed.

The small desk is unoccupied and unassuming, so she assumes it belongs to the assistant from downstairs, wherever she may be now, and takes to what she hopes is the last door separating her from the Administrator.

"Oh, Commander Shepard." The team turns to the door they just entered to see Parasini walk briskly in and move towards the desk in the room. "Is there anything I can help you with? Would you like to request an audience with Mr. Anoleis?"

"Yes. That would be the only reason I'd be here considering he is the only way I can get to Peak 15." Jane sighs in frustration. Why can't I just shoot things? Who would have thought that I'd find something worse than talking to the Council in talking to corporate assholes?

The woman nods, not caring to comment on Jane's attitude it seems. "One moment, please." She taps the interface on her desk, calling up an intercom. "Mr. Anoleis?"

"Yes?" a distinctly Salarian tone sighs out in upset. "What? I'm quite busy."

"Commander Shepard is requesting to speak with you, sir," she says, her cheer still seeming deprecatory even to her supposed boss.

"Yes, yes. Fine. Come in," the voice of the Administrator snaps. Gianna nods and motions towards the closed glass doors with a fluid hand and turn of her glossy lips.

Preparing for what she knows will most likely be one of the rudest people on this planet, yet, Jane waves her team to follow, taking a deep breath to force herself to enter with as calm of a mind as she can muster. The rounded double doors swing open with a softened switch, cold air wafting past as their speed, and Jane sees the Administrator typing furiously on a computer before him, his brows drawn down in either concentration or frustration.

"You will excuse me if I don't stand up," he calls out without looking up from his work. "I have no time to entertain refugees from that urban blight called Earth-"

Jane scowls and interrupts. "Funny thing about Earth and humans, we tend to take offense against our homeworld. Especially from someone whose planet made then soft and squishy frogs."

Anoleis waves off the insult. "My homeworld is clean, poverty is non-existent." Probably because none of you live long enough… "If you take some perverse pride in that overheated, acid-washed slum, that is your business." Jane exhales deeply, fighting the urge to bring her fists into this conversation.

He finally looks up to Jane, his black eyes unimpressed by her armored and fully armed team. "This greeting is a courtesy. I will only cooperate as required by the Executive Board." He looks out the windows of the office and out into the flurry of white. "Businesses come here to avoid second-guessing of galactic law that may interfere with progress."

Jane crosses her arms, not impressed by his attempt at insinuation and suspicious of the extent of his 'cooperation.' "Let me guess, this little spiel is all to let me know that you think of me as this 'second-guessing of galactic law'?"

He leers, one side of his squared mouth rising. "Just so we have an understanding, Commander. Take head, I will not allow you to harass our clients while you are here." His eyes narrow. "I may be advised to cooperate, but this world is private property."

Jane rolls her eyes, not caring to keep up the façade of pleasantries if Anoleis clearly won't. "Then tell me about Matriarch Benezia. I was told she came here and I need to get to her."

The man sits back in his chair, laying his clasped hands in his lap. "That's correct. She did arrive here a few days ago, accompanied by a personal escort of Asari commandos and transporting some cargo to Peak 15. She was acting as Agent Saren's executor. Saren is a major shareholder in Binary Helix and she is authorized to act on his behalf."

He smirks at her team and narrows his large black eyes. "Unfortunately for you, that means her visit to Peak 15 is of Binary Helix's authority and I do not have any more information on the matter, nor would I offer it to you any ways."

Jane rubs between her brows, messaging the headache building at this pompous asshole's attitude and this whole world's idiotic practices. She scowls up to the Administrator. "Let me get this straight. You don't permit firearms on Noveria, but you let Benezia waltz right in with a whole platoon of commandos?"

He waves a flippant hand. "They followed all our regulations. I had no reason to forbid Lady Benezia from taking them." He tilts his head towards Jane. "Or do you expect us to forbid the use of natural biotics to our visitors."

"You could have still used dampeners," Garrus interjects at her back. "Or is that one 'galactic law' you actually do abide by?" Jane's never heard of biotic dampeners, but from where he's going with it, she assumes it's because they're either highly illegal or against the rights of biotic users, possibly both. She'll have to look them up one day out of curiosity.

She nods in agreement, but the director waves the protest off against, clearly not bothered by Garrus' observation. She hears a low growl of agitation, a sign he's just as fed up with this pretentious man as she is, and quickly speaks to cover the sound. "Enough pussy footing around. I need to see Benezia immediately."

Anoleis hums with a smile. "I'm afraid you cannot. Your presence is only allowed here in the port as a courtesy and Peak 15 is a private facility in the Skadi Mountains." He waves a hand out to the window as if Jane was blind to the weather. "Even if I was inept enough to allow you to leave, there is a blizzard in the area. All shuttles are grounded and surface access has been completely cut off." He pulls himself towards his desk again. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I've have already wasted enough of my, and the company's, time answering your insipid questions."

Clearly not going to address or acknowledge her squad, Jane turns with a heavy breath of defeat and takes her leave. When she passes by Anoleis' assistant, however, she hears a soft and secretive whisper.

"Mr. Anoleis isn't the only one with a pass to leave Hanshan." Jane turns to Parasini with a raised brow, interested in the comment, and sees the woman typing upon her terminal, feigning obliviousness.

She approaches the woman's desk, drawing her attention and the first sign of true emotion on the dark skinned woman's face in the form of a conspiring twist of her shiny lips. "You've obviously never worked in the corporate world, have you, Commander? You can't bludgeon through bureaucracy."

Jane leans her hands and weight against the woman's desk. "Yeah, must have missed out that training." She looks off in mock thought. "I wonder if that was the day I was stuck in the infirmary. Damn, what will I ever do?"

Gianna smirks and looks over her shoulder to her boss' office before leaning closer to Jane while lowering her voice. "Talk to Lorik Qui'in. You should be able to find him at the hotel bar. I can't say more, not with," she motions to the door at her back and Jane nods in understanding before pushing off of her desk.

~SquigglySquid says: I apologize I've been a bit slow lately. I haven't run out of ideas or steam, but I've just been juggling this with making Christmas gifts for family and friends. Once I complete that, though, I shall be back up to my normal updating pace. :)