John, Garrus, Thane and Max entered C-Sec Office at Zakera Ward. Initially John wanted to keep this low key but Max quickly jumped in after seeing distraught in drell that was quite famous for his composure.

"Commander? Can I help you?" Captain Bailey asked from behind his desk.

"Yes. I have two delicate matters that could also affect your precinct. Thought we could help each other." John replied trying to keep his voice down. Bailey immediately get more interested.

"I'm listening."

"I'm looking for a local forger. Fade..." Garrus begun.

"You and half of my men" Bailey retorted. "This guy is a ghost, we can't find anything on him. He's either paying off somebody or have access to our databse. Don't know which is worse...The word is that you can find him in Shipping Warehouse district. You're outsiders, maybe he'll show up."

"Thanks, the other thing is more...sensitive."

"My son recently came here, I suspect-" Thane started but Max piped in "we think he got mixed up with the wrong people. He doesn't exactly knows the score and he's in danger."

"Mhmmm that shouldn't be a problem, not many drell are on the station..." Bailey leaned to his console "Mmmm insteresting, a young drell that arrived recently was seeing talking with Mouse..."

"Mouse?" Thane asked.

"A local street-smart. He used to be a duct-rat but managed to grow up. No he's errand boy for everyone. A middleman. You can catch him at public terminal next to Darks Star Lounge."

"What's a Duct-Rat?" John raised his eyebrow.

"A poor kids, orphans and such, are playing in ventilation and maintenance shafts where only child would fit in." Bailey replied and saddened. "It's a deathtrap sometimes. Every now and then we pull out a little body...Lacerated by fan blades, broken by a deadfall or suffocated by vacuum exposure..."

John felt a sudden surge of memories...It was very similar what Max was doing because John was busy with himself instead of taking care of little brother...He could end up like them...

"Mouse was either smart or lucky enough to outgrow vents. He's running everything, even Shepard VI's..." Bailey finished with a chuckle.

"Shepard VI?" Max laughed.

"Yeah, buggy though. Crushed every few minutes. It said that there was a galaxy to save so you have to fix problems yourself" Bailey smirked.

"Now that's hardcore John" Max grinned. He'll have to get one of those...

"Anyway, Thanks Captain. I'll be back once we'll find anything." John said then ordered move out.

/.../

Mouse was closer to reach so DarkStar bar was first stop. John approached poorly dressed teenager using public extranet terminal.

"Hey, you Mouse?"

Kid turned around and seeing four, fully armed people, he let out a yelp. "Y-yes..."

Surprising everybody, kid then looked at Thane, "Krios?!"

Thane walked up to him and gave him a pat. "Relax Mouse, You can change your pants in a moment."

"You know him Thane?" John was quite shocked that assassin has any connection to a lowlife like this one.

"He and other children were supplying me intel...Over ten years ago, when I still worked in my...profession." Thane lowered his stare.

"Look, Mouse, you got contacted by another drell. What he was looking for?" John turned to Mouse.

"He...he wanted a contract, He knew about me, thought you sended him...I put a word out..." Mouse stuttered answer.

"Who ordered it? When? Where?" Thane walked up to teenager. "It's my son Mouse. I need to find him"

"I-I can't...they'll hurt me if I would!"

"Look kid, you can tell us this, and we'll clean this shit up, or I'll beat the answers out of you" Max spoken. Now he knew what this was about, and family...that's the bottom line you do not cross.

"Okay! Okay! E-Elias Kelham, a new big fish in Zakera...I don't know anything else"

"Good boy. Don't worry about the heat. Nobody will know." Max replied to Mouse and John ordered to go back to precinct."How about to square things up...sell me one of those Shepard VI's..."

/.../

John decided to go to precinct with Thane and get help from Bailey while Max and Garrus would go to Warehouses and look for Fade. John hoped that if they'll find Sidonis, maybe Max could charm Archangel to not becoming a murderer...

"So? What did Mouse spilled?" Bailey welcomed them.

"Elias Kelham ordered some hit."

"Kelham? Oh shit..." C-Sec Captain shifted uncomfortably in his seat "Look, this is awkward...Kelham and I have an agreement. Guy keeps trouble low key and 'buys tickets to C-Sec Charity Ball' " Bailey made and air quote "In return I ignore his sleaze...I'd rather keep one I know, than douse wildfire everyday"

"I'm not some prude telling you how to run your precinct Bailey, I want your help to get him here, and I'll squeeze answers from him. If anyone asks, I pulled a Spectre on this." John replied, he wasn't enthused that Bailey was taking bribes but nobody's a saint here. And he was on the clock.

"Yeah, sure I'll help you. Glad you see grey instead of only black and white."

/.../

Max and Garrus entered the designated warehouse. A volus walked up to them, along with two krogans, looking like guards.

"Can I help you two?"

"Yeah, you Fade?" Max spoke bluntly.

"Yes...Which one of you wants to disappear?"

"I'd rather have you make someone reappear" Garrus replied.

"Uh...That's not what we do" volus took a step back.

Moment later both krogans were dead, shot point blank by Max that used his cloak diversion. Garrus aimed his pistol at volus.

"Make an exception, just this once"

"Wait! I'm not Fade! Just a middleman!" volus yelled. Which was hard because of his suit respirator.

"Knew it...Where is he?" Max leaned to the volus.

"Factory district. Old prefab foundry"

"I know the place...Let's go Max..."

/.../

"Alright, I have him in interrogation room. Work fast, because I'm sure his damn lawyer is on his way." Bailey spoke to John.

"Okay...I'll press the guy, you may try Good Cop routine" John spoke to Thane. "If you want that is."

"You are very eager Shepard."

"Family is something you don't give up on. And do whatever it takes..."

"You speak out of personnal experience..."

"I do...I've made mistake, won't let you too" John replied and entered the interrogation room. A middle aged man was sitting there, cuffed. Shepard took a glance at him. Slick or sleazy were the words to describe him - from perfect haircuit and expensive business suit to stare of a criminal that thinks he's untouchable.

"Very funny Bailey..." He started but trailed off seeing a human and a drell in combat armor. No C-Sec insignia.

"Mr. Kelham, you ordered a hit recently. On whom?" Shepard was blunt. And actually itchy to hit the guy but supressed the urge.

"I'm not telling you shit. You have nothing on me clowns" Kelham was confident. He won't be muscled in by some mercs that Bailey hired. A smack to the face shooked him up.

"Let's start again" Thane begun. "On who you ordered a hit. Recently."

"You just signed all your stuff on me froggy" Kelham spat. "I'm gonna drown you in court"

Another smack, backhanded. "Kelham, you really should think about what you are saying" Shepard said aggravated.

"Hit me again and I'll send you to worst slam I can find" Kelham still tried to play tough, but he felt something was off.

Doors opened and another sleazy man walked in. "What is going on here! Step away from my client!" He immediately yelled.

"Nice of you to come in Charles" Kelham smiled. Yeah, he's gonna crush these assholes...

"Have you ever heard of Spectres?" John spoke slowly. "This IS Spectre business. Get. The fuck. Out." John flashed his holo ID.

"Shit..." Charles suddenly lost all his cockiness. "You're on your own Elias" and ran from the room.

"Now...Kelham." John walked up again to Elias. "You know that Spectres are untouchable? I can split you open here and flay alive only if I feel like it"

Kelham now took a good look at the human. Shepard. A fucking Spectre.

Blood drained from businessman's face. A knife appeared next to his throat.

"The hit. Now." John lightly pressed blade against the skin.

"J-Joram Talid! A Turian at 800 blocks!" He sputtered scared beyond his nightmares.

"See? Was it that hard?" John gave him a parting smack to the head and motioned at Thane.

"That was impressive interrogation Shepard" Thane spoke as they walked out.

"Not something I'm proud of. But I hate pricks like him. And we're on the clock." John replied unhappy with himself. "Thanks fot the knife by the way" He returned blade to Thane.

"Keep it, you may find a better usage for it than me" He replied and gave John a sheath.

"So what he told you?" Bailey came up.

"Joram Talid" John replied.

"Ah shit...Just getting better and better. Talid is some turian asshole that runs for control over the Ward. Problem is, after atack by Sovereign, humanity got elevated fast and big. Many races doesn't like that. Talid mixes politics with anit-human bias. If the hit succeed there will be a big mess.

"Then we'll make sure he won't succeed" Thane replied.

"Think you can get us a ride to 800 blocks?" John asked Bailey "And keep Kelham here for a bit. Maybe clean up a little puddle he sits in."

Bailey chuckled. "Yeah, sure. Thanks to your stunt with his lawyer I'm innocent here."

/.../

Max followed Garrus that claimed to know the foundry's location. a Blue Suns hideout. Once they approached gate a two guards in gang markings halt them. A man walked out through the gate. Middle aged, messy and uncollected. A drunk, at least former. Garrus recognized him immediately. Harkin. A scum officer that brought C-Sec nothing but bad name. Not surprising he went fully criminal. And working with Blue Suns now just added to long list of reasons to put him down.

"Garrus?" Harkin said shocked then turned to guards "Shoot them! Now!" and ran into the foundry.

"Run all you want Harkin! I'll find you!" Garrus yelled and dived behind container unslinging his sniper rifle.

Max took cover too, throwing a grenade at the guards.

After explosion, duo started fighting through the halls and warehouses full of machinery, conveyors and mercenaries supported by security mechs. Luckily, Max modified Garrus's sniper rifle to fire armor piercing ammo so turian sniper was able to score multiple hits or pierce cover and target with single shot. Couple this with Max's arsenal of explosives and flanking while cloaked and two soldiers ripped through opponents.

Finally they reached a hall with open elevator leading to office overlooking entire floor.

"Ten to one that the elevator is jammed" Max wanted to wipe sweat off his brow but forgot he was wearing a face mask.

"We got bigger problems" Garrus pointed at two boxes in front of them. Boxes broke and extended into two heavy mechs.

"Meh!" Max threw anti-armor grenade at each of them. Two explosions later he was already hacking the elevator controls.

"Huh...Good thing you're around Max" Garrus nodded at Jester.

They reached the office doors. Max broke the lock and saw Harkin.

"Not fast enough idiots!" He spat and ran to the other doors only to bump against Garrus.

"Harkin..." Vakarian spoke in menacing tone.

"Come on Garrus...We can work it out...Whaddya need?" Harkin tried to back out only to see Max aiming at him. Once he turned around he got headbutted.

"So Fade...Since you're here...Make a certain person appear for me" Garrus wiped Harkin's blood from his faceplates.

"I don't turn clients over. Bad for business" Harkin spat with bloodied nose. In return he got a kick to the gut and fell. Garrus put boot on his throat.

"You know what's also bad for business? A broken neck!" Garrus pressed a little when Max pulled him off the forger.

"Alright! Alright!" Harkin stood up "Terminus adventures changed you huh Vakarian?"

"No...but a turian named Sidonis did. You got him off grid. Get me to him" Garrus replied fuming with anger.

"I'm going..." Harkin typed something to console and opened a channel "It's Fade, there's been a development. I'll send an agent to you. Where you want to meet?" he spoke to the console. "Yeah, okay."

"He'll be in front of Orbital Lounge. Noon." Harkin spoke to Garrus "Now that our business it's done..." he tried to back off but turian grabbed him by the shirt.

"Not so fast...You still a disgrace to C-Sec, and a traitor." Garrus aimed pistol at him.

"No Garrus" Max interrupted sharply "No executions here. You're not some gang scumbag that shoots unarmed people."

Garrus twiched his mandibles. A thought striked him, he was becoming like the ones he hunted down on Omega, the ones that disgusted him his all life.

"You're right Max...But we should let him just walk out?"

"Yeah, we should..." Max shrugged then kicked Harkin in the leg breaking his shin bone. He fell to the floor screaming. "But limping. C-Sec will bag him. We'll earn some good graces."

"I can settle for this." Garrus was already thinking about killing Sidonis...

"Let's get to the meeting place"

/.../

John and Thane found Talid doing some rallying speech. Guy was no better than Kelham. Spat venom and insults at humans. He completely ignored fact that if not for human then Citadel would be non existent, along with most of the galaxy by now.

"How do we play it? You're the assassin here" John spoke to Thane.

"My son, Kolyat, is no killer. He has no training. I'm sure he just used my name to get a pass." Thane replied. "Professional would be predictable, an amateur is dangerous."

"Then we better find him before he'll try playing grown men game"

"Agreed. Take the catwalks, follow Talid. I'll be on the ground." Krios adjusted his coat and put shades on. "Goddess Kalahira guide us"

John entered the catwalks and in near darkness followed Talid through the Ward. Politician finished his speech then accompanied by Blood Pack krogan bodyguard started strolling through the streets. Blood Pack deal only with crime, a proof that Talid was corrupted. Along the way there was more of them. Bodyguard entered few stores and picked up a chits from terrified human owners. A 'protection' money. Then they shaked down a turian club owner. John heard a tiny whisper in his head convincing him to let Talid die.

When Talid was getting closer to his office, John spotted a figure walking out of the shadows. A drell in blue overcoat. He boldly pulled out a gun and tried to shoot Talid but bodyguard covered him and taken the shot.

John jumped to the floor and ran with Thane appearing right next to him. Kolyat grabbed Talid and dragged him to his office. Once doors have opened John froze. Thane's son was holding politician at the gun point.

"Kolyat!" John yelled and pulled out a gun. Drell looked at him then at Thane.

"What...What is this?!" He spoke in shock.

"Kolyat, put the gun down." Thane tried to reason with his son.

John saw Kolyat flinch and aimed at drell's pistol, praying that his aim is that good. He managed to shoot at amateur hitman's gun, throwing it off Kolyat hands. Thane jumped forward and tackled his son. At this moment doors opened and C-Sec with Bailey himself entered the office.

"Wha-" Talid started but John quickly grabbed him by his suit. "I have evidence that you are corrupted Talid. I'm Spectre Shepard so listen closely. Nothing here happened and I'll let you ran you racist mouth a little longer. Understood?" Talid noded shocked. "Now scram." John let him run out.

"Kolyat, listen to me" Than helped young drell to get on his feet.

"I don't want anything from you!" he replied enraged. "You were never there when you were needed!"

"Son...I'm dying and I don't have much time left." Thane interrupted him. "You are angry because I wasn't there. Yes. I wasn't. But I want to grant you peace explaining why. I'll tell you everything."

"This isn't the place for this." Bailey spoke. "I'll get you a safe room at the precinct."

/.../

Garrus and Max were closing in to the Orbital Lounge.

"I can take the shot from there" Archangel pointed at ledge near.

"You sure you want to just blow his head off?" Max asked.

"I am. You weren't there. I had a team of good people Sidonis sold us out to the gangs."

"I'm no saint. But there is more to this. Has to be. I'll talk to him. If he's just an asshole, then I'll give you a clear shot. But I want to hear his side. Even you don't know everything." Max replied.

"Do what you want. I'm setting up."

Max recognized Sidonis. Turian looked like after year in prison and detox. Jester approached him without mask or hood on.

"Sidonis?"

"Not so loud damn it!" He spoke nervously looking over his shoulder.

"I have him in my sights, move to the side."

"Don't move. You flinch by an inch and Garrus will take your head off" Max spoke. Sidonis's eyes went really wide.

"G-Garrus is here?!"

"Yes. And you gonna tell me what happened on Omega. Or bite the damn bullet" Max pierced Sidonis with his stare.

"I-I got caught...By Blue Suns...They told me that if I wont tell them where our base is they gonna torture me..." Sidonis begun in voice of a man already at peace with dying. "I broke down. I'm too afraid of torture...But I couldn't bear that they just get slaughtered. I called Garrus to get him out from the base...That at least he would survive. Avenge them..."

Max glanced at Sidonis. You can't imitate this amount of grief and sorrow...

"I'm dead too. I cannot sleep. Every night I see their faces...my friends...accusing me of betrayal. I'm dead either way...Just...just wanted Garrus to know the truth."

"Just let him go...Tell him to run and get out of my sight"

"Go Sidonis" Max looked at broken turian. "Go before Garrus changes his mind."

"He-I'll... I'll make it up to you Garrus!" Sidonis sputtered "I swear I'll redeem myself!" he turned around and ran.

Max approached the ledge where Garrus was sitting. Jester was sure that if turians could, he'd cry.

"Garrus" he spoke and extented his hand "It's over man." Vigilante grabbed offered hand and stood up.

"I wanted to kill this bastard but..."

"But he already payed for his crime. And he ensured you survived." Max spoke still holding taloned hand. "And you showed who you are. Not just another murderer. You're Archangel, you fight injustice not spread it."

Garrus let go of Max's hand and flared his mandibles slowly "Yes...I'm not a criminal...Thanks Max." He nodded at Jester "Is this the way you pulled Shepard out of his hole after Horizon?"

"I'm not just a funny sidekick Garrus" Max smiled. "And you've been a brother to John as much as I was before. You are a brother to me too now."

"That means a lot."

"Let's go back to Logan. To tell him that...we're good."

"Yeah, we're good..."

/.../

John paced around waiting for Thane to finish reconciling with Kolyat. What bothered him was that he didn't got any message from Max or Garrus.

"I pulled some intel" Bailey waved at Shepard. "Some years ago somebody cleaned house. A lot of bad guys taken down by a drell. Perhaps this had something to do with them"

"Even if, they were bad, it was long ago. Grey zone" John shrugged. "But this kid could use some guidance...How 'bout he'll work for you?"

"I would have to go through channels..."

"Not for C-Sec, for you. Independent guy, he'll learn ropes and be a good use. Put him to observe some low key suspects, possible moles inside. Nothing gun blazing but enough to see how world works in reality."

"Hmmmmm...I'll think about it. This has some perks. Just like that quarian you sent me. Girl's golden. If I could I would keep her employed forever." Bailey chuckled.

"So it's a deal?"

"Yeah, will stir up some heat but should be okay."

"Well we have another bone for you if you're interested." Max walked into precinct with Garrus behind him. "Turns out that Fade was Harkin" Garrus added.

"Harkin? Damn...We fired him some time ago. Damn it! Why I didn't connceted those..." Bailey spat.

"Well you're in luck. He'll probably be still in his prefab foundry office. He fell down some stairs and broke a leg." Max grinned.

"I'll send my men right away. But could use some evidence" Bailey tapped at console and dispatched patrol. A memory disc flew on his desk.

"Complements from Max Shepard" Jester laughed.

"Shepard?" Bailey raised his eyebrow

"That devil here is my brother. Good man." John smiled.

"Yeah, no unneccesary dead bodies" Max winked at John. Did he convinced Garrus to not kill Sidonis? John was proud of Max.

"Looks like I have enough to make a big bust and take Fade down whether he's here or not. And a lot of his clients. I appreciate it. And about this drell? Consider it done." Bailey smirked.

/.../

Squad went back to Normandy. It was a long day. Thane straighten up things with Kolyat revealing everything about his past. Kid apparently understood a lot and eagerly took a job with Bailey. Garrus found some peace and focus as he got back to bantering with Shepard and Max.

"Hell of a day brother." Max spoke while they were storing guns in the lockers.

"Yeah...You pulled impossible Max. I was worried about Garrus, he's like-"

"A brother? I know. And after this? He like one to me. But don't know if I'll manage to set him up with a good date. Don't ask me for it" Max chuckled.

"He's in relationship with his sniper rifle already." Shepard commented and both brothers shared a good laugh.

"So what's now?" John asked rethorical question.

"You do what you want. I'm going to hug my girlfriend" Max cheerfuly grinned. "And maybe make out a little"

"You're killing me Max..."

/.../

Max entered the lounge and something pounced on him almost knocking over.

"Hey, missed me?" Max smiled holding hooded kleptomaniac.

"You bet. Where have you been all day? Hanging out with Shep and Garrus. Bromance date?"

"Nope. I stopped Garrus from becoming a murderer while Logan helped Thane get in touch with lost son. Bombs, mercenaries, assassins...usual stuff."

"Wow. You do know how to have fun without me" Kasumi giggled.

"That was duty. Now I'm having fun" Max kissed her. Kasumi blushed and hugged him closer locking her amber eyes on him.

"What have you done to me...I'm turning into a damsel awaiting her man" she giggled again

"Oh hell no, you are still my beautiful thief 'Sumi, only even sweeter" Max smiled and pulled out a book wrapped in paper. "I managed to pick something for your collection. Hopefully you don't have that one."

Kasumi glanced at the gift. "Really? Gifts? You trying to soften me up even more?"

"Maybe just stay in your good graces. Now how about you pour us a glass of something nice and I'll tell you about today some more...Like about that Shepard VI I just got..."

/.../

John didn't get such great reception. Not from the start. Tali was happy to see him, but because he just slipped in the morning without telling anything anybody, Miranda was catty and Tali was nervous. She displayed it by scolding John that he's wrecking her nerves and then apologised profusely for it. John only hugged his little quarian. It felt great to had somebody to come back to after mission.