CHAPTER 36: MODUS OPERANDI
INT. HACKETT'S FLAG SHIP – SITUATION ROOM – LATE EVENING
Ashley follows Admiral Hackett into a medium sized room known as the situation room. The room is far from being empty. Filled with wall-sized holographic terminals and stations. Several uniform alliance officer's work diligently taping or sliding through the dozens of reports as they analyze the fleet's main deployments and satellite feeds coming from Earth and around Citadel space. This was the first time she actually saw military operations being broadcasted on the fancy high-tech holographic terminals.
Ashley was a military soldier to the core. She loved being out in the field and making a difference. One of the things she had in common with Commander Shepard. They both knew what it took to be a soldier, the life of a soldier but Shepard was more experienced and had more specialized training being an N7 and now Spectre. She too would give it her all. Work harder to prove her worth to the Alliance.
"I'll keep this brief."
Ashley turns her attention back to Admiral Hackett standing in front of the medium sized table in the upper section of the room.
Hackett's leans forward swiftly retrieving the data pad into the palm of his hand. Ashley's thoughts rumble through her mind as Admiral Hackett taps on the device.
She knows her actions down on Earth, raiding a facility, could land her ass in some serious trouble. Even though her commanding officer was an Alliance Intelligence officer, she followed orders as an Alliance soldier was expected to do. Ashley thought of Shepard and what she put him through.
He'll never trust me again.
"We believe a Cerberus cell is operating within the vicinity of Vancouver." Hackett says breaking the long silence and interrupting Ashley's personal reflection.
"Any leads, sir?" Ashley standing with her hands behind her back.
Hackett steps forward handing Ashley Williams the data pad. "Detailed information on what we discovered thus far." Hackett pays special attention to Ashley's reaction.
"They were Cerberus?" Ashley couldn't believe the information was correct. "All this time, believing Alliance soldiers were killed at that French restaurant."
Admiral Hackett's hard stare goes right through her making Ashley feel a bit uncomfortable. "Who said anything about Alliance soldiers? Their identities were withheld from the media."
"Mr. Farnsworth, sir."
Hackett folds his arms. "He did quite a number on you. Misleading you down on Earth. Creating a hell of a mess for us to clean up."
"The shuttle explosion was Cerberus?" Ashley asks for confirmation.
"Any reasons to believe otherwise, Lieutenant Williams?"
"None, sir." Ashley putting all the evidence together. Cerberus was indeed after them. Or rather, Miranda Lawson. Ashley felt sorry for Orianna being caught in the middle of this.
Hackett releases his arms. "Uncover their headquarters by any means necessary. I want that Intel on how to find and eliminate the Illusive man."
"Understood, sir." Ashley acknowledges with a nod.
"Before you go. I've read over your report to Anderson. About the Cerberus assassin, stealing back their human-reaper experiment."
Ashley slips her hands behind her back standing at attention with the data pad still in hand. "We still haven't found the one responsible. Anderson believes it might have been an ex-N7 operative."
"I've heard."
Ashley wrestled with an undeniable urge to ask Admiral Hackett about Miranda Lawson's being allowed to roam free.
Hackett scratches his chin. "Any theories as to why Cerberus would want the body of Henry Lawson, a dead scientist?"
"Not at the moment, sir." Ashley thinks internally for a moment before speaking her mind. "Rather convenient that Miranda Lawson's father died around the same time of the theft and kidnapping of the newborn."
"Go on." Hackett intently listened to every word Ashley said taking it all in.
"It's the sole reason why we raided the facility, sir. To recover the newborn held within Mr. Lawson's care."
"With what evidence?" Hackett wasn't impressed that she raided the facility or directly involved in setting it up with Mr. Farnsworth.
Ashley looks down at the ground for a moment. "I'm sorry, sir. I. I should've contacted you or Anderson about Mr. Farnsworth's demands to bring Commander Shepard in. Well, the threats to my career and being locked in detention. It was enough to warrant going through with his demands."
"Don't let it happen again!"
"Yes, sir." Ashley replies to Hackett nodding in agreement.
"I'm trusting you to make sure Commander Shepard and this Miranda Lawson make good on locating the Illusive man's base of operations and eliminating him at all cost. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly clear, sir." There it was. The answer Ashley sought after. That was the agreement she had with Anderson? Hackett? To take down her former boss. Too good to be true.
Hackett knew Ashley wasn't forthcoming about the evidence she burned in the intelligence office earlier tonight. She was protecting someone. Shepard. Miranda Lawson. Or the young girl in the photograph. Hackett saw the evidence and had a few speculations of his own.
"Have there been any arrest made for those associated with L & H Research and Development Facility?" Ashley asks hesitantly.
"We've retrieved a lot of data. It will take time to analyze its importance. A lot of startling revelations on what they were doing down there. No arrest were made."
"I'd like permission to continue the investigation of where they hid the baby."
"Focus on investigating the whereabouts of this Cerberus cell. Keep in contact with Shepard and Miranda Lawson in finding the Illusive man's base of operation. I'll debrief you in person once you found and eliminated the threat."
"Yes, sir." Ashley replies firmly.
TWO WEEKS LATER
INT. NORMANDY – CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS – LATE MORNING
Shepard walks into his cabin with a warm cup of ginger tea for Miranda. He hopes to find her resting but alas, she was working diligently at Shepard terminal reading over material that caught her attention. Ever since their failure to retrieve the baby from the facility, Miranda was insistent on sifting through each and every file retrieved from the facility. Shepard found it unexciting and dull at times but Miranda enjoyed the challenge. He even thought she'd be an excellent intelligence officer, if she was ever recruited into the Alliance. She was after all a covert spy of sorts with many talents.
So, so, many talents. Shepard starts to grin. Shepard's eyes roam around Miranda 'perfect' body. Dressed in high heel boots, form-fitting black slacks and a loosely layered long-sleeved blue shirt. He enjoyed seeing her in a more relaxed state but the 'catsuit' had its advantages in all the right places.
Miranda raises her eyebrows at him noting him watching her, rather devouring her, from afar. "Thanks, Shepard."
Shepard approaches Miranda handing her the clear glass of tea she requested. "What are you working on, now?"
Miranda could feel the warmth of the glass through her bare fingers as she took a sip, leaning back in his chair. "I'm reanalyzing all the data. Father's research, clinical trials, co-ventures, you name it." Miranda takes another sip finding the taste soothing. It was exactly what she needed.
"Find anything?"
"A few inconsistencies."
"Really?" Shepard was teasing Miranda at this point. Sitting down on the desk's edge having taken his pet hamster out of his cage, he begins to pet his hamster affectionately.
Miranda faintly smiles at him, noting what he was up to. Taking another sip of her tea before placing it on the counter to the right of her. Her mind wanders to the conversation she had with Ms. Perrigo down on the peer. Replaying every word, every detail said by both. Miranda might have had a lot on her mind that day but she had excellent recall.
Shepard holds his hamster up near his face and mumbles incoherent ramblings much like one would coo a baby.
Miranda was so repulsed by the similarities between her father and herself she had overlooked that one astounding fact, or line rather, said by Ms. Perrigo, which came screaming back at her. "Bloody hell."
Shepard raises his eyebrows at Miranda's sudden outburst. "Ok. Back in the cage you go little guy… big momma bear needs some loving."
Miranda scrunches her eyes together. "What?" Miranda questioning what she just heard come from Shepard's lips.
"Heh." Shepard feigned ignorance.
Miranda's fingers tap over Shepard keyboard bringing up the video conversation Ms. Perrigo had sent Ashley Williams some time ago.
"What is it?" Shepard watches.
"Reconfirming Ms. Perrigo's statement of being locked up from the outside world for twenty years. And now claiming to know of a fact. Not many people would be privy to such. Both can't be true."
"You think she's lying? What about?" Shepard felt left in the dark.
"She knew everything my father did to me. From conception to birth. Knew that I escaped from my father and with Orianna sometime later. Claiming it was some staged evident. Hardly planned. Not on his end. And claiming his lack of affection was the necessary raw emotion to unlocking my true potential. Bastard."
Shepard folds his arms and listens.
"And yet, why would my father dump Ms. Perrigo's body in an alley way for someone to find? He's not one to leave loose ends, Shepard." Miranda looks up at him for a moment before turning back towards the terminal. "He would have terminated her once he was done with her. But he always had a plan… some goal in mind. For everything he did."
"You think your father was using her to track you down? To pull you in?"
Miranda shook her head no. "My father's not stupid. He knew not to come after me. Not until I left Cerberus that is."
"Why her? What's the connection?"
Miranda snorted. "An emotional appeal to fulfill the wish of having a mother, I suppose. I knew I didn't. He made that perfectly clear. Each and every time the opportunity presented itself." Miranda stands up from the chair walking away from him and the terminal stopping ten feet in front of the large fish tank, folding her arms.
Shepard knew her too well and followed her. Whenever anything bothered her she'd look way or find some way to distance herself.
Miranda turns her head having captured his full attention.
"Ms. Perrigo claims to be genetically related to me. Through various sources my father used to create me but I can't verify that claim. She also claims my father used my DNA template to create Orianna. Claiming I saved her because of the connection between a mother and child. That's not why I rescued her and took her away from him!"
Shepard faintly smiles at the irony of that last statement.
"But that isn't what's bothering me…" Miranda stares at the fish swimming around the tank carefree and afraid of nothing.
Shepard tilts his head slightly. "What is it?"
"Claiming she had knowledge of my remarkable work in re-animating the human body. Bringing you back to life, Shepard." Miranda turns around looking back at him. "Nobody knows the length Cerberus went through to bring you back. What I went through to bring you back! How could she have known?"
Shepard releases his arms. "You know how rumors float around the Extranet."
"Rumors of you being alive, maybe."
Shepard steps closer. "You've never talked about how you brought me back."
"Funny. Mordin asked me the same thing. Access to those classified files."
Shepard raises his eyebrows.
As expected, Miranda knew Shepard would have a lot of questions about his 'rebirth'. "Shepard. We need to have another chat with Ms. Perrigo."
Shepard faintly smiles at Miranda running his hands down her arms towards her fingers. "Maybe someday? You'll tell me about it?"
Miranda's eyes stare at their hands resting within each other palms.
Shepard could see the hesitation in her lack of response.
"I will, Shepard." Her eyes move upwards to meet his. "Just not today." She moves away from him heading towards the exit.
Shepard turns his head watching her leave. "It's a start, at least." He mumbles quietly enough to himself.
EXT. EARTH - VANCOUVER - NOON
Cars, trucks and buses drive down the many streets in downtown Vancouver at frequent intervals. Parked vehicles lined many of the side streets in front of local business and apartment complexes within the downtown area. Traffic lights and walk signs kept the traffic at a controlled paced. Many of the pedestrians waited for the walk now sign, located on the opposite side of the street, while others were impatient and took their chances with the oncoming traffic.
INT. EARTH - VANCOUVER - CAFÉ - NOON
The interior of the café was that of an ordinary cafe busy with people eating their lunch at the various small wooden tables with four chair each. Neatly organized rows of two, down the side wall of glass windows as well as down the center isle of the cafe. Men and women were sitting at the small counter eating and drinking involved in small talk conversations.
Miranda had hope to make their way directly to the address given to her some time ago but Shepard insisted they stop at the small local café just down the street from their intended target. She had to admit, she was a bit famished.
Shepard and Miranda sat at the corner table with a perfect view of the outside street in front of them and to the side. Miranda insisted on having the perfect view of the area front and to the side of her leaving Shepard's back facing the café door.
After ordering from the menu, the young and friendly waitress brought over their ordered meal placing it down in front of them. Along with their meal, two tall glasses of water were placed down in the center of the table within easy reach. Miranda could smell the aroma of coffee brewing with in the café. She was almost tempted to order a cup. Shepard unfortunately did, to her dismay.
"Bring me a cup of coffee. Cream and sugar." Shepard says confidently but yet pushy.
The young lady nods at him. "I'll be right back with that, sir."
Shepard faintly smiles in response.
Miranda cleared her throat as Shepard's eyes turn back towards Miranda's.
"How's your salad?" Shepard leans back slightly in his chair.
Miranda moves her fork within the salad selecting parts of it to take into her mouth. Shortly thereafter she replies. "Not as unhealthy as yours."
Shepard briefly laughs at her statement. "Thanks." He took a few curly fries into his mouth. Enjoying the greasy onion-filled fries.
The young waitress approaches, yet again, gently placing the hot cup of coffee, with saucer, down on to the table next to his plate. "If you need anything else, just ask."
"I will." Shepard turns his attention back to the meal in front of him.
The waitress smiles back at him as she walks away totally ignoring Miranda sitting across from him. Even in incognito, Shepard seemed to gather the attention of the ladies. Miranda had to admit he was quite the catch. Sexy and pushy. Miranda smirks.
Shepard's fingers wrap around his steak and cheese layered sub sandwich bringing it up towards his mouth taking a large bite off the end. Enjoying every bite of it. "Mmm."
Miranda lets out a half chuckle when she notices the ring on his left hand. He had worn it for a time after they were engaged but not since coming back to Earth, until now. Miranda on the other hand was always wearing her gloves. It just didn't feel right underneath or over top. Silly rather.
Miranda had placed her ring, in a black case, within Shepard desk drawer near the bed. Whenever she had the desire to feast her eyes upon it she could. Even now, she wore gloves underneath her casual wear. It had become her second skin. Thus, avoiding electric shocks and without leaving her fingerprints anywhere. It was an added plus. Even after leaving Cerberus, she was still a covert operative spy. It's the only life she ever knew. But once your cover is blown, your life as a spy is over. For Miranda, she wouldn't let that happen.
Miranda focuses her attention back to eating her salad. "Impressed with the availability of shops and cafés within walking distance."
"Yeah, seems nice." He cautiously drinks his cup of coffee.
Miranda reaches for her glass of water taking more than a few sips nearly drinking half the glass of water.
Shepard had noticed Miranda's increased level of food intake and water consumption within the last few weeks. Being a biotic was challenging enough with their daily intake requirements of 4,500 kilocalories per day, it proved to be even more challenging for Miranda being pregnant. Still amazed that it was actually possible despite being told otherwise.
Subconsciously, she felt like a pig. Eating and drinking so much but she knew it was required to keep herself and 'junior' well-nourished. At least she didn't feel sick any more. That was a definite plus. Miranda was starting to feel a bit more like herself but tired most days. Hopefully, this new found 'energy' Dr. Chakwas had mentioned, in a recent conversation, would finally kick in.
Shepard was also pleased with how positive everything was going with their 'bun-in-the-oven'. Even though it had only been several weeks since Shepard first saw what he had helped create, he was eager to take another peak. To prepare. To protect. To live this part of his life with Miranda. Deep down Shepard was scared and nervous about being a good father and being there for them in the coming months. Luckily for Shepard, Miranda continued filling him in with all the changes that were occurring within her body whether he wanted to know or not. Truthfully, he did.
EXT. EARTH - VANCOUVER - NOON
After their brief lunch, Shepard and Miranda step out of the café shop heading towards their intended destination.
Finally. Miranda internally spoke.
The walk now sign appears as many of the pedestrians begin crossing the street. Shepard and Miranda were not that far behind. Successfully reaching the other side they head north towards the studio apartments where Ms. Perrigo was said to be staying.
"It's certainly getting a lot colder here." Miranda candidly says feeling the cold chill flow through her unzipped black leather jacket.
"You warm enough?" Shepard asks being concerned with Miranda's well-being.
Miranda turns her head and smirks at him bundled up in a black fleece jacket and hat covering up his bald head.
"I'm fine, Jon."
"I'm surprised it isn't snowing." He grins slightly. "Being almost Christmas and all." He glances about.
"Didn't know you celebrated that old Earth custom, Shepard." Miranda asks surprised.
"Don't you?" Shepard asks curiously.
"Not really." Miranda replies. "What's to celebrate?"
Shepard wraps his arm around Miranda's back with his palm on her shoulder as they walk down the street together. Random men and women pass by them on the more than accommodating sidewalk. "Actually, Joker and Kasumi have been wanting to decorate the Normandy's mess hall with Christmas lights, a tree, missile toe and presents. You know?"
"Really?" Miranda wasn't sure about it.
"Why not?" Shepard and Miranda stop just in front of the apartment complex.
Miranda turns her head slightly to think about it.
"Or?" Shepard catches Miranda's attention. "We could rent one of ski lodge condos up north?"
Miranda begins to faintly smile as Shepard continues to go on about all the benefits and amenity's that would be provided.
"A roaring fire, soft beds and privacy to do whatever we want."
"Sounds nice, Shepard."
"Agreed?" Shepard looks at her intensely.
"Alright." Miranda turns her attention towards the apartment complex in front of them. "First we work. Then relax."
"Sounds good." Shepard begins to smile.
Miranda eyes roam upwards towards the sky taking in how large the white apartment complex really was. Too many levels to count. Every floor, of every apartment, had a balcony.
"The view must be spectacular at night." Miranda mentions truthfully.
Shepard smiles wider at Miranda. He always knew Miranda loved a great view. Even on Illium, her apartment was high in the sky.
Miranda notes the small alley way next to the building, heading towards it with Shepard in tow. "This must be where they dumped her off."
"Yeah. Seems likely."
The alley way wasn't that wide and not as dark as it would be a night. Still, not a safe way to travel to get to the other side of the block.
Miranda watches men and women stroll past them on the sidewalks. Old habits were hard to break but it's what kept her safe all these years. She wasn't about to drop her guard even with Shepard beside her. Miranda cautiously looks at everyone that approaches her location and her nearby surroundings. She couldn't afford any ambushes or mistakes by anyone wanting to take her down.
"I'd be surprised if anyone recognized us in these 'normal' outfits, Miranda." Shepard teases.
"You can never be sure. Let's go, Jon." Miranda and Shepard head towards the front door to the studio apartments.
Shepard, being the gentlemen that he is, opens the door for Miranda holding it open until both enter successfully inside.
INT. EARTH - VANCOUVER - STUDIO APARTMENT - EARLY AFTERNOON
Miranda and Shepard make their way down the long, bare, white corridor towards the last door on the right.
"This is it." Miranda confirms.
Shepard's knuckles rap against the door to get Ms. Perrigo's attention or whoever else was living within the apartment.
Dead silence.
"Perhaps I should have called first." Miranda says with some disappointment in her voice.
Shepard raps his knuckles on the door for a second time.
From the other side of the door, Ms. Perrigo hits a small black button on the view screen next to the door. Surprised by the unscheduled visit from Miranda Lawson. She quickly unlocks the door with a press of a button.
The door slides open and not a moment too soon.
"Miranda?" Ms. Perrigo waves her inside with a gesture of her hand.
"Not a bad time?" Miranda asks walking inside with Shepard following up from behind.
"Not at all. Just reading a lovely book in the living room. Can I get you some tea? Coffee perhaps?" Ms. Perrigo was excited to see her as she heads into the small open kitchen.
Miranda glances about the place. Not as a fancy as she would have expected for someone of Ms. Perrigo's tastes. Then again, what did Miranda honestly know about this woman tastes? She barely knew her. Still this apartment was mediocre to Miranda standards of living. "None for me."
Ms. Perrigo turns her head towards the man accompanying Miranda as she fetches two cups from the upper cupboard.
"I'm good. Thanks."
Ms. Perrigo nods briefly placing the empty tea cups down on the counter. "A pleasant surprise seeing you here, Miranda. Any leads?"
Miranda turns her head away from Ms. Perrigo. Casually walking into the living room. The apartment had an open floor plan and yet the living room felt a little small. It had very little character or decorations. Plain. Two small sofas took up the majority of the living room. A small clear glass coffee table was situated in front of sofa that was against the wall. The other sofa position adjacent. In front of the coffee table was a large flat screen. Currently off. The book Ms. Perrigo had mentioned was indeed resting upon the coffee table.
Ms. Perrigo enters into the living room walking behind them. "Please, make yourselves at home."
Miranda preferring to stand, folds her arms. Shepard on the other hand takes the first available seat on the sofa to the right.
"Narrowing down other possible leads but I'll need your help." Miranda responds.
"I'll help any way I can." Ms. Perrigo sits down on the other sofa next to the wall.
Miranda remains silent for a moment as she collects her thoughts and questions carefully.
"That, Lieutenant Williams came by about a week and a half ago. Mentioned you were unsuccessful in raiding one of your father's research facilities. I was hoping for better news."
"So was I." Miranda replies unhappy about the outcome.
Shepard looks at both women and how silent the room had become and towards each other.
"We need to approach this from a different angle, Miranda. Ms. Perrigo." Shepard says trying to help.
Miranda turns her focus to Shepard. "Perhaps." Turning her head back towards Ms. Perrigo, Miranda responds. "Any idea where you were being held captive for the past twenty years?"
Ms. Perrigo watches Miranda step forward slightly. "Seems odd that you've been held captive all that time."
Ms. Perrigo could tell Miranda wasn't going to make this an easy conversation. She knew Miranda had her suspicious. Her doubts. Mistrust for anyone associated with her father. Past or present.
"Is it really so hard to believe you were the only one he held captive within his estate?" Ms. Perrigo leans back in the sofa slipping her leg over the other.
Miranda watches how confident Ms. Perrigo was in her statement. Evading the question with another... the nerve. Perhaps there was truth in her words. "What others do you speak of?"
Shepard was just as curious to find out and about Miranda's past back then.
"His servants? Caretakers? Tutors? There were a lot of unoccupied rooms within his Australian Estate, as I recall."
Miranda walks slowly over towards the large window in between the two sofas. She was right. It was a beautiful view. "You personally visited the estate?" Miranda asks not looking back for confirmation.
"You really don't remember do you?" Ms. Perrigo asks.
"Why the bloody hell would I want remember that ungodly place?" Miranda's response was cold and bitter.
Ms. Perrigo slips her leg off her other and slowly stands up. "Yes. A few times. I believe I mentioned watching you develop in his research lab from conception to birth."
Miranda turns her head watching Ms. Perrigo approach her location.
"He did have a state-of-the-art research lab within the lower sections of the estate." Ms. Perrigo seemed thrilled with the last statement.
"You believe she's there?"
"I doubt he'd travel that far to dump me in Vancouver of all places."
Miranda turns her focus out the window for a brief moment. "Probably."
Shepard stands up. "We did find the research facility with a lot of… pods."
Miranda turns around looking at both Ms. Perrigo and Shepard. "Ever work for L & H Research and Development?"
"Did it have a small, windowless room with chains dangling from a wall?" Ms. Perrigo sarcastically remarks.
"Not that I recall." Miranda replies in kind.
"Any familiar surroundings? Buildings you may have noticed nearby?" Shepard adds.
"Like I mentioned before, I never left the facility." Ms. Perrigo remained nearby.
"I find that hard to believe." Miranda responded not very kindly in tone.
"Your father kept the door to my cell locked under strict security protocols."
The tension between the two women was evident to Shepard.
"What else can you tell us about the place?" Shepard asks.
"A well-equipped facility in handling the needs of a woman giving birth, I'd imagine. A hospital perhaps?" Ms. Perrigo remained fixed looking out the large window and skyline. "He was a scientist after all."
Miranda walks slowly away from Ms. Perrigo thinking through the information presented to her here and from the video. "Being held captive for 20 years, is a long time. What did you do?" Miranda body turns focusing in on Ms. Perrigo as she turns around.
"Helped your father in perfecting the perfect human free of diseases. The night you escaped he knew that I had 'left' information for you to find. To rebel. He was continuing to pursue a better… a more obedient you."
"Orianna?" Miranda says without hesitation.
"Yes."
Miranda shook her head. "Bloody hell." Miranda already had her suspicions about her father and learned a lot more from the bugs she had installed within her father's terminal system. Whatever this 'information' Ms. Perrigo left for her to find wasn't so clear.
Ms. Perrigo folds her arms. "He punished me that night by using me as one of his new experiments. His lab rat, so to speak. He took my unfertilized eggs and continued his research. In an attempt to protect those embryos that grew within those pods, I offered to help him willingly. He was skeptical at first. Didn't believe I could be trusted. He most likely never did. He had other specimens as well. Sent to different labs around the galaxy. There was nothing I could do for them."
"So you helped him 'perfect' his new legacy?" Miranda was appalled. "How many others has he managed to taint besides, Nikolas?"
"Nikolas was the only one that obeyed your father without question. The only one he allowed to mature. He was the next best thing…"
"Best thing?" Miranda was disgusted. "Nikolas was arrogant. A monster, just like my father."
"To you. Orianna was all he had left, at the time." It finally occurred to Ms. Perrigo.
Shepard noted the sudden revelation sweeping across Ms. Perrigo's face. "What is it?"
Ms. Perrigo steps away thinking it all through.
"You remembered something?" Shepard steps forward towards Ms. Perrigo.
Miranda takes note and follows Shepard's lead. "Shepard?"
Ms. Perrigo places her hand near her forehead for a moment. "I should have known." She places her hand down to her side. "It was Nikolas."
"What?" Miranda was confused.
Ms. Perrigo having put the pieces together. "Nikolas had watched me give birth. From the balcony. A viewing area used by doctors when watching operations taking place below."
"I know what a viewing area is." Miranda retorted.
"I was so out of it, after your father drugged me. I was to be disposed of… subject 237, cell block E. I remember. Barely coherent. Tried to reason with him."
"No point in reasoning with my father. He wouldn't have listened. Surprised he didn't end you then and there."
"No. This was after your father had left the room. It was Nikolas. He ordered the men away. It was him that set me free."
Miranda didn't know whether or not she could believe it. "Hmph."
"Did he have some kind of connection with you?" Shepard asks.
"He didn't care about me. But I could tell… Nikolas wanted to make his father proud. Just as you wanted so many times before."
"Never would have happened." Miranda replies hastily.
"Nikolas believed he could. Arrogant as he was, Nikolas went on about your fathers plan… while another man carried me down the long white hallway. Nikolas had a plan to get his sister back."
"And do what exactly?" Shepard asks.
"Unbelievable." Miranda exclaims. "Shepard. My father cared more about his legacy, his work, his empire than ever raising a daughter! Or a family for that matter." Miranda continues moving closer to the living room exit and stops.
"There had to be reason why he needed her back, Miranda?"
"It's always the same answer, Shepard. Wounded pride, I suppose." She looks back at Ms. Perrigo and Shepard briefly. "A foolish attempt on Nikolas's part to believe he'd gain any favor from my father. My father was clearly using him."
Ms. Perrigo releases her arms. "Your father believed you were perfect but he couldn't control you. He grew frustrated. Yet, you're brilliant. Stronger than he ever gave you credit for."
Miranda jaw tighten. "I could care less what that bastard thought of me. Or even you, for that matter."
"What was the point of his experiments? His legacy?" Shepard asks Ms. Perrigo curiously.
"He believed in a positive human agenda…once. He believed human biotics were the answer to dominating the galaxy."
"But they suffer a lot of ridicule and hardship from people within and around the galaxy." Shepard adds.
"They just don't understand them. Their potential. You were with the Alliance. Biotics are quite favored by the Alliance Military as I recall."
"Some, yeah. Others have been misunderstood. Treated poorly. Or worse." Shepard confirms.
Ms. Perrigo nods in agreeing furthering adding to the conversation. "Having humans live longer with unmatched biotic capabilities and power than any other race in the known galaxy was his goal. But they had to be, his genes. His DNA perfected. His legacy. Not only in power, money, and wealth of enterprises but he would be seen as one who elevated humanity in his perfect image."
"He acts like he wanted to be some kind of God." Shepard folds his arms.
"Not anymore." Miranda feeling tired and somewhat drained emotionally. "We should go."
"Hang on." Shepard's hand extends out into the empty space before Miranda to halt her departure.
"You mentioned to Miranda about animating the dead. How?"
Ms. Perrigo watches them both as they eager expect an answer. "Random confessions uttered by her father as he worked on his research projects."
"Really?" Miranda couldn't quite believe it. "Just out of the blue?" Miranda adds.
Ms. Perrigo takes another step towards Miranda's location. "I know that you don't have any reason to trust me."
"I don't." Miranda quickly replies.
"Or believe anything I've said to you." Ms. Perrigo stares down at the ground for a moment before she turns her eyes back up at both Shepard and Miranda. "Let it go…"
"Let it go?" Miranda asks.
"This hatred for me. Your father. It was terrible. I get that. I really do. But he's dead. And he's not coming back. I'm grateful. I would look further into his estates, business co-ventures or scientific colleagues he's worked with in the past. They may be able to help you narrow down where they might've taken her. He had a will. I'm sure his corporate lawyers are going through it and carrying out his orders. Not that I'm getting anything of it, nor would I."
Miranda could see Ms. Perrigo was sincere about what she said but she still didn't trust her. "I'll look into it. No promises."
"That's all I ask."
Shepard nods. "Think of anything, you know how to reach us."
Ms. Perrigo nods following Miranda and Shepard to the door. "Thank you." Ms. Perrigo closes the door behind them. Leaning her back against the locked door.
INT. NORMANDY – MESS HALL – LATE AFTERNOON
Kasumi and Orianna were in the mess hall conversing near the kitchen area.
"Were you always a thief?" Orianna asks.
"Not the most famous thief in the business that's a good thing. It keeps me on my toes when acquiring stolen property."
"What have you stolen?"
"A heist on the planet Bekenstein comes to mind. Donovan Hock, a weapons dealer and smuggler. An all-round bad guy killed my partner, Keiji Okuda and stole his gray box. Shepard and I infiltrated a gala filled with several prominent underworld figures. We ended up tripping the alarm and battling Eclipse mercs who were providing security for Donovan Hock."
"Sounds about right." Shepard says approaching them to pour himself a hot cup of coffee.
"I'll never forget the look on Hock's face when Shepard destroyed one of his most prized possession."
Orianna turns to look as Shepard with raised eyebrows.
Shepard shrugged his shoulders. "It got his attention."
"Did you get what you were after?"
"Yeah and more." Kasumi smiles.
Shepard shakes his head as he walks away from them with a hot cup of coffee.
Orianna probes Kasumi for more adventurous tales. "Do tell."
"Mm… a heist on Illium and a rescue mission aboard a slave ship."
INT. NORMANDY – DEBRIEFING ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON
Miranda taps on the data pad. A map appears on the holographic vid screen displaying the streets of downtown Vancouver. She blows up the image zooming in on Ms. Perrigo's location.
Miranda's attention turns to the door opening with Shepard strolling inside heading in her direction. She could smell the coffee a mile away.
"What's all this?" Shepard asks before taking a sip of coffee.
"Isn't it obvious?" Miranda retorts back continuing to tap on the data pad held within her hands.
"We… looking for someone? A location?"
Miranda sighs. "Here." Suddenly red dots begin appearing on the screen. Miranda points to the upper right location. "Here's where Ms. Perrigo is staying. She lives in close proximity to a library, two parks, a courthouse and a hospital. All the while, several possible research labs dedicated to the study of DNA and other scientific research all within walking distance down these streets here."
Shepard takes note.
"His M.O. has indicated the need to have facilities far enough away from populated areas as well as under many different names on many different worlds."
Shepard counts the possible research locations on the map. "Not many listed. That's good."
"Not quite. They don't relate to any of the criteria he'd be after."
"How so?"
"Here." Miranda taps on the data pad again. "There are only a few within the downtown area that supports genetic research. Genomix, is one of them." A red blip flashes on the screen.
"Huh." Shepard begins to grin slightly. "In plain sight. Have a visual?"
"I do. Small in comparison to his other facilities." Miranda zooms in on a 3-D image of the building in question. A building's facade made completely out of large, brown concrete bricks with wall length windows all throughout the main level. One could see the main reception area and offices filled with people working and walking about.
"Certainly has a lot of levels." Shepard adds.
"13 in fact. Who knows if there are any secret levels hidden below." Miranda candidly adds watching him take in another sip of his coffee.
"What do we know about the place?" Shepard continuing to focus on the holographic projection.
"It's a privately funded Research and Development facility in Biotechnology. Mostly physical and biological research. Basically a facility dealing with genetics, DNA and Biotic applications."
"Should've known." Shepard places the cup of coffee down on the debriefing table.
"Nearly 2 million in revenue is generated each year."
"Not bad." Shepard folds his arms.
"It gets better Shepard. Seems Mr. Henson and my father held a position as one of the directors."
Shepard scratches his chin for a moment thinking. "Ms. Perrigo mentioned a cell block. It doesn't seem to fit with what she told us."
"Perhaps not but it fits with my father's pattern of acquiring research and development facilities, pharmaceutical corporations and shipping franchises to do all the work, or at least hide what they were doing. The one on Bekenstein, Earth and Illium come to mind. Probably others as well. All contributing to funding or aiding in his research. Surprised he'd even let them work unsupervised."
"Like the Illusive man?"
Miranda stares at Shepard for what seemed like a long time. "They're not the same."
"Really?"
"Shepard." Miranda stares downwards inwardly contemplating the implications of the Illusive man and her father even being remotely similar.
Shepard felt he might have struck a nerve with that comparison. "Sorry."
Miranda turns eyes towards Shepard. "No. I understand. I can see the connection but was corrected of that fact after the Collector base's destruction."
"What?" Shepard acted confused.
"It's nothing really." Miranda turns her focus back towards the holographic projection of the building down on Earth. Downtown Vancouver to be exact.
Shepard smiles faintly.
"Maybe." Miranda concedes.
"If your father was just a director, he must've had a limited role. He could've used the knowledge gained for his own breakthroughs more privately?"
"I'd hardly see his responsibilities as limited, Shepard. He'd be medically, scientifically, and administratively responsible for all that happens in the laboratory. He'd be responsible for hiring, firing and overseeing the laboratories clinical trials."
"Sounds like you have personal experience as a lab geek." Shepard teases.
"What?" Miranda exclaims turning her head towards him yet again.
A faint smirk appears on Shepard's face. "I found you pretty sexy wearing that white lab coat, hair up, running tests and looking through the microscope. Even better with nothing underneath."
Miranda lips begin to form a smile. She knew what he was doing and hinting at. It wasn't the time for such pleasures. They needed to focus on the task at hand. "Even if this is the place, we'll be more cautious this time around."
Shepard nods in agreement. "Agreed."
May 1, 2014.
Setting the stage for the next sequence of events of the chapter and closing it up with what has been promised a while back. Hopefully, it will be worth the wait. Please take a moment to post a review. Thanks! :)