A/N: I can't believe that it's been three months since I updated this. It has been a very busy three months though, so please do forgive me. My proof reader has a lot happening with his career at the minute, and I was busy with a wedding, followed by a honeymoon. Hopefully we're back to slightly more regular posts now. Enjoy!
Chapter 35 – The Alpha to Omega
"Shepard?" Doctor Chakwas's voice called out as Jane heard the door to the dark medi-bay open. Both were barely audible over the sound of the ball Miranda had given her bouncing in a steady rhythm.
"Hey Doc," she replied from her bed as she felt the lights turn on around her. A faint glow crept through the bandage still covering her eyes.
Miranda and Doctor Chakwas had been ready to start Shepard's nanites to work once she had returned to the medi-bay two nights ago. To Jane's surprise and relief the process of setting the nanites to work had required nothing more than a simple upload to the network her implants all operated on. Shepard hadn't been able to resist making several jokes about the Cerberus Agent turning her into a walking comm buoy though.
Since then, Shepard had been confined to the medical bay to allow Doctor Chakwas to monitor the work being done on Shepard's optic nerve. The stubborn human's blood stream needed to stay stocked with the elements and compounds required for the new chips' construction, while ensuring that levels of heavy metals never reached a level that would prove toxic to Shepard's enhanced physiology. For anyone else the dosage would have proved fatal within days. For Shepard however, it rapidly accelerated the manufacturing rate of her implants.
"How do you feel?" The doctor asked as Shepard heard her footsteps approach.
"A little dizzy actually," Jane replied as she sat up in the bed, letting the ball come to a stop. "But I think I can see the glow of the lights now that they're on."
"I think we can take that as a good sign. You're probably feeling a little dizzy because you can see again and your brain is a little unsure on what to do with that information."
"So, does that mean I'm getting the bandage off today?" Jane asked eagerly.
"I'm not answering that until I've checked your progress," Chakwas stated, causing Shepard to huff in mock disgust.
Jane sat silently for several minutes, listening to the bleeps and tones of the doctor's omni-tool as her status was checked until Chakwas spoke again.
"You're in luck. It looks like the implants are already functional."
"YES!" Shepard shouted from her seated position on the bed, resisting the urge to move much in celebration as she wasn't completely sure where the older woman was in front of her.
"Just remember that your vision is likely to be blurred at first, and I expect you to be a little short sighted until the nanites are finished," Chakwas warned. "I'm going to need to test it thoroughly before I'm willing to allow you to start going on any missions, raids, rescue operations and anything else involving guns. The last thing anyone needs if for you to be unable to distinguish between friend and foe."
"Don't worry Doc, I don't think I could take Garrus's jokes about not shooting straight if I'm not back to twenty-twenty before I pick a rifle up again."
"Glad to hear it," Chakwas answered as she moved around directing in front he the Commander to grip at the bandage. "This is probably going to seem exceptionally bright. Remember, you haven't opened your eyes for two days."
"Then I hope you've got the lights set low," Jane mumbled. "Let's go for it Doc."
The bandage was gently pulled away from her face. The intensity of the light in the room instantly overwhelmed her, causing the commander to throw an arm up to protect her eyes. After blinking several times, Jane began to cautiously remove her arm, letting in slightly more light until she was looking up towards a blurred face in front of her.
"Good to see you again Doc," Shepard said with a grin.
"If you're feeling up to it, we should be coming in to dock at the Citadel within the hour. There's just enough time for you to get showered and have breakfast before I have to run my tests," the Doctor stated. "Just make sure you come back here after dinner. I'll need to check the metal levels in your blood again."
"Sure thing Doc," Shepard replied, not paying any attention to her as she pulled a sheet off of the bed to wrap it around herself.
"Don't forget that," Chakwas added as she pointed up towards the ceiling before walking back towards her desk.
Shepard grinned as she looked up at the ball that had come to a rest on the ceiling just above what had been her bed. She held an arm out from beneath her sheet and released her biotic hold on it, letting the sphere fall straight into her awaiting palm. Without a look back, she then headed out to the ship's crew deck and towards the elevator to her quarters.
"I want that sheet back sterilized," Chakwas shouted after her, just before the door to the med-bay closed.
"Hey Joker," Shepard greeted the pilot as she reached the cockpit. "Looks like we're almost there?"
"Hi Shepard. Good to see you back up and about," Joker shouted happily over his shoulder. "You've had us all worried this last couple of days."
"Yeh, well I was worried too. So, we almost there?" Shepard asked as she stared out of the cockpit's canopy into the swirling serpent nebula.
"About five minutes out from dock. Already got our approach vector," Joker replied as he focussed his attention back on the ship's readouts.
"Our current velocity is two percent above maximum safety guidelines, Mr Moreau," EDI's synthesized voice stated as the holographic globe representing her appeared beside the pilot. "We should decelerate in order to avoid unwanted scrutiny. Cerberus is, after all, considered to be a terrorist organization by both the Citadel and the Alliance."
"And you guys had to paint a logo on the side of the ship," Shepard sighed. "Ease off a little Joker. No security attention, at least not until I've had chance to speak to the Council."
"Sure," Joker groaned as he adjusted the ship's controls. "Take its side."
Shepard rolled her eyes as the immense structure of the Citadel began to manifest within the swirling gasses of the nebula.
"Feels like a lifetime ago doesn't it?" Shepard asked the pilot.
"The good old days, or the last time we were here?" Joker asked sarcastically. "Because I was here less than a month ago. Shipment of computer hardware for some research project. That and basic supplies." The pilot turned to look at Shepard over his shoulder. "For the record, Athabasca Class freighters handle like bricks. Worse than that shuttle down in the hanger." He turned back to his controls as a proximity warning came up on his main display. "Give me a Normandy and their over powered drive cores any day."
"This isn't the Normandy Joker. None of this ship was even a part of the original Normandy."
"But there's us. I mean, I've got to take what I can get. The last two years have been hell. At least Garrus is back now too. Give it a few weeks, we'll have the whole gang back together," Joker said cheerily. "It'll be just like old times."
"I hope not," Shepard shrugged. Kaidan and I died."
"Not another one," a gravely turian voice mocked over the ship's communications system. "Do you guys have any idea how many humans have named their ships 'Normandy' in the last two years? Really original. You're cleared for civilian bay G-forty-eight. Have a nice stay."
"Thanks Control," Joker replied over the comm.
"So how are you two getting along?" Shepard asked as she looked towards the now empty holographic display.
"I preferred the Normandy when she was quiet. This thing's like ship cancer," Joker complained as he gestured towards EDI's appearing hologram. He quickly pulled his arm back to apply a course correction as the ship approached the dock.
"It offends Mr Moreau that I am installed on board his ship," EDI stated. "Although I have no access to the ship's systems beyond the sensor telemetry, he believes that I am not trustworthy."
"Ships don't talk back to their pilots!"
"I am not the ship. I am merely along for the ride, just like the rest of the crew," EDI stated.
"Well if you were a member of the crew you would stop listening and watching everything everyone does," Joker argued.
"That's it, I'm finding you two a couple's councillor," Shepard sighed. "EDI's just doing her job Joker. Did you really think the Illusive Man would give us free ship without putting some sort of leash on us?"
"Well it'd be nice if he could be a little more discrete about it," Jeff complained as the Normandy came to rest in a berth.
"Then give him the complaints, not EDI. She's not a Geth Joker. She's a potential resource."
"Whatever," Joker grumbled. "Go enjoy the Citadel and make good with the politicians. I'm sure they'll all be overjoyed to see that their favourite Spectre is back. You can give them another ear bashing on giant ancient killer AI's wanting to wipe them all out."
"Don't worry Joker. I know at least one of the Councillors will be happy to see me alive," Shepard replied before walking into the airlock as Garrus, Miranda and Jacob reached the cockpit, each out of breath.
"You could have given us a little more notice," Miranda huffed as they stepped into the airlock.
"Where to first?" Garrus asked.
"The Council. I want my Spectre status back. If we're going after the collectors, and they are involved with the reapers, we're going to need every available resource we can get our hands on," Shepard replied as the air started to hum.
"Decontamination in progress," EDI stated.
"After that, I feel like a shopping trip."
"Oh, that reminds me. I have something for you," Miranda said as she pulled out a credit chit. "This is for an account. Cerberus put a thousand credits in there for you. The Illusive Man will top it up every now and then."
"That's it?!" Shepard snapped. "And what about my credits? I suppose I can't access any of that on account of being dead!"
"Actually, everything was given to your mother since you didn't leave a will," Miranda shrugged. "You died."
"Remind me to ask her for some of it back," Shepard sighed as the airlock opened. "Come on, let's go."
"I don't suppose you've had a chance to look over all of the dossiers yet, have you?" Miranda asked as they stepped onto the gangway.
"No, not all of them. It hasn't exactly been easy since I haven't been able to see anything recently," Shepard snapped. "You're asking because of the thief though, right?"
"Kasumi Goto. She's meant to be the best, and that's exactly what we're after for this mission."
"I thought it was my mission? And I'm not sure what use we'll have for a thief. We want to kill the collectors and the reapers, not pick their pockets," Jane commented. "And I thought a dossier was meant to have detailed information. This just said she's a thief, that she contacted Cerberus and told them that she would meet us on the Citadel."
"A thief that has allegedly never been detected," Miranda elaborated. "Someone that can get in and out of almost anywhere without being seen. She could be a great help to us."
"I don't see why this is an issue. There wasn't a meeting place listed, or anything other than 'the Citadel'. What, you want me to search the whole station for an expert at not being found?"
"I was merely curious if you were aware of them," Miranda stated as they reached the port. "Come on, let's get through security," she sighed, rubbing the back of her neck where she'd had to remove her biotic amplifier.
"Looks like they beefed it up a bit since the last time I was here," Shepard observed.
"Technically, the war with the geth is ongoing. C-Sec have been using it to gain tighter security throughout the station," Jacob explained.
"About time. The number of weapons soared after the Normandy was destroyed. Suddenly everyone got jumpy about geth infiltrators, like they expected them to try and invade the Citadel again," Garrus recalled.
"They've banned guns, knives and amps, so if anyone has one, now's the time to get rid of it," Miranda suggested as the four of them approached the nearest checkpoint.
"Miranda, my amp," Shepard hissed. "What am I meant to do?"
"Don't worry, I'll be able to talk them into letting you through. I should be able to explain every implant in you as prosthetics if I have to," Miranda replied calmly, leading the way to the nearest checkpoint.
"This can only go badly," Shepard mumbled from the back of the line, wishing for the chance to go somewhere without creating a scene.
She watched silently as the turian security guard waved the two Cerberus agents through as they cleared the scan. He paused to exchange a few words with Garrus, but quickly moved on, leaving Shepard standing just outside of the scanner.
There was no way to get through this checkpoint without incident. With the array of implants Miranda had grafted into her, Shepard was certain that something had to be against the law. That was without mentioning the biotic implant sitting in the base of her skull. The icing on the cake however was that she would officially be dead. Two years after the destruction of the Normandy, there was no way that she couldn't be listed as deceased.
"I haven't got all day," the turian eventually snapped after the human had spent several seconds staring at his work station.
Hesitantly, Shepard stepped between the two pylons that made up the scanner and held her breath.
"Well this is weird," the Turian officer muttered as Shepard continued out of the scanner. "I'm sorry Ma'am, but you'll have to wait a minute. We're having some technical trouble," he stated before turning away from the human as two barriers powered up, effectively sealing her within the scanner.
Jumping back slightly out of surprise, Jane felt the flicker of her biotics down one arm as her body instinctively prepared to fight its way out of confinement. She held her breath, hiding her glowing hand behind her back as the turian's gaze returned to her, although he was still hissing comments into his mouthpiece.
"What? Do you seriously… Yeah, okay." He let out a groan as the channel was closed on him. "I'm sorry. We're getting some false data back from our records. They're listing you as deceased," the C-Sec officer explained as he lowered the security barriers.
"Yeah, I get that a lot. I was listed as missing in action a few years ago," Shepard replied, trying to sound relaxed.
"I'll need you to check in with my captain. He can reinstate you in our system. His office is the big one by the checkpoint exit," the turian stated with a jab over his shoulder. He craned his neck to look behind Shepard. "Who's next?"
Not needing to be told twice, Shepard quickly caught back up with the rest of the group. "I cannot believe we just got away with that," she exclaimed in a hushed voice. "Seems too unlikely to be a computer error."
"I saw the specs on those scanners just before I left for Omega. It's not possible for them to miss your amp," Garrus mumbled as he led the way towards the security office. "Too many backups for a malfunction, or even a hack."
"Well something, or someone, is on our side at least," Miranda Shrugged. "Doesn't matter now, we're through."
"Not necessarily," Shepard warned as she received a message on her omni-tool. It was marked as being from Councillor Anderson. "Seems the council just became aware of my presence. Apparently that means I'm required to attend an emergency meeting."
"Perhaps they want to give you the several awards you were granted for dying in the line of duty in person," Garrus chuckled.
"Don't get too ambitious," Jane replied with a smile. "We need to see this captain first," she cautioned as she stepped up to the door of what appeared to be a large communal office. Judging from the number of staff inside, it had to be responsible for the security of a significant portion of the ward.
"Commander Shepard. I had to see this one for myself," a seasoned looking officer said from the desk closest to the door. "Every database I've got access to says you're dead."
"Got bored. Figured I'd save the galaxy again," Shepard shrugged with a cocky grin.
"Usually you'd have to go through the Station Security Administration to reactivate your IDs," the captain replied, his mouth twitching as he fought off a laugh. "Then to Customs and Immigration to regain access to the Citadel proper. And probably a stop by the treasury. 'Spending a year dead' is a popular tax dodge," the experienced Captain grumbled.
"I wish," Jane sighed.
"But, I can see you're a busy woman, so how about I just press this button right here, and we call it done?" he offered, pointing to his console.
"You're not big on formalities are you?" Shepard asked, unable to hide an amused smile.
"I'm with them right up until the point they keep people from doing their jobs," the Captain answered with a quick tap of his interface. "Somehow I think a dead Spectre has better things to be doing." The console chimed in response. "I just saved you about nine days of running around. That said, you should head up to the presidium and tell the Council you're still alive and kicking."
"That's our next stop," Jane confirmed. "What's the quickest route to the Presidium?"
"There's a public shuttle terminal on the far side of the market. Take that, it'll drop you off at the base of the tower."
"I will, thanks," Shepard said to the Officer. "Should be nice to have access to some resources for a change." She gave Miranda a sideways glare.
"Best thing about working for C-Sec. You need something, it's yours. Just look at the security equipment they gave us since that rogue spectre attacked the Citadel."
"Thanks Captain. We should go." Jane stated as she turned to leave the office.
"Commander, if you ever need any help from C-Sec, don't hesitate to ask. And it's Bailey by the way."
"Well that could have gone a lot worse," Jane yawned, cracking her neck as the group stepped out onto a bustling street.
"I still don't understand how you could have gotten past those scanners?" Garrus queried.
"It has to have been a hack job," Jacob replied. "Possibly-"
"Cerberus couldn't have done it," Miranda cut in before Jacob could suggest it. "Besides, the Illusive Man doesn't have enough agents in the Citadel to gain control of dock security like that… I don't think."
"Very few other people know I'm alive, let alone that we were coming to the Citadel." Jane pondered as they reached the shuttle station. She used the nearby interface to call them a car.
"A lot of people must have seen you on Omega," Garrus theorised as he climbed into the front passenger seat of the car.
"None of them are likely to help, beyond you and Mordin." Shepard quickly closed the door to the vehicle after she seated herself besides Garrus, with Jacob and Miranda in the rear seats.
The three sat silently for several minutes as the car merged with the streams of traffic flowing through the colossal station.
"What about Aria?" Jacob eventually proposed. "Compared to every other encounter with her I've heard of, she seemed to like you."
"I don't think she's the type to hand out free favours," Jane replied with a worried expression.
Garrus couldn't help but laugh. "If that pirate has access to Citadel Security, the Collectors just ranked a whole lot lower on our list of problems."
"Most people wouldn't be able to recognize you anyway, not from simply passing you in a street," Miranda commented. "Although, with the implants you certainly are memorable."
"Just when I was starting to feel a little less self-conscious about thmn, you had to bring them up. Thank you so much Miranda," Shepard responded sarcastically.
"I didn't mean to offend," Miranda apologized after a moment of silence.
Shepard let it] hang for a few moments as the shuttle began its descent towards the Presidium ring, and the base of the Citadel Tower. "Look, I'm just a bit self-conscious that someone put me together from a box of scraps. It's not your fault, but you really don't make it easy."
"I guess I could say the same about you," Miranda stated as car touched down.
Shepard swore she saw a small smile on the Cerberus agent's lips as they exited the car, but found neither the time, nor the desire to inquire further as they hurried towards the tower and already awaiting elevator sitting at the base.
"I worked and lived here for years, but this is the first time I've ever seen an elevator waiting at the base of the tower," Garrus stated in disbelief. The doors quickly closed behind them before the car began to ascent the tower.
"And it's already set for the Council offices. Someone's giving us just a few vague hints they're here," Shepard stated with a grin.
"You know who got you through security?" Jacob asked.
"If you're capable of stealing something and smuggling it off of a station, I'd imagine you're capable of sneaking something onto a station as well. Isn't that right Ms Goto?" Shepard's final question was addressed to the remainder of the elevator car, rather than to any one member of the team standing around her.
"Not bad Shepard. I heard you were a good," a small, playful, unseen voice replied. "I did hope you'd figure it out based on the security checkpoint, but I do hate having to wait for elevators. Standing in a public place too long isn't good for those try to stay hidden."
"If Miranda hadn't mentioned you when we left the ship, I doubt I would have pieced it together at all," Shepard replied.
A flicker of light came from against the glass on the opposite side of the car as another human appeared out of thin air. The small slender figure was almost completely dressed in black with their head and most of their face shrouded by a low hood. A small mouth was visible however, curled into a smile. "In that case, allow me to introduce myself. Kasumi Goto, the best thief in the business."
"Never heard of you," Garrus declared.
"Good," the thief replied. "If everyone knows who I am I'm doing something wrong."
"So why all of the subterfuge and games? Not that I don't appreciate someone that can actually turn invisible."
"I wanted to be sure you really were you. There's been a few people claiming to be Commander Shepard over the years, but now I'm certain," the Japanese girl replied with a shrug.
"How so, you've only just met me?"
"You've got an aura about you. Authority." Kasumi's smile flicked up into a grin. "One badass woman with a mission, and death itself can't stand in your way. Like you've seen things."
"I take it Cerberus has briefed you then?"
"Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't try to find me sooner. My fault for being hard to find I guess. Once I found out about their signing bonus I contacted them and made a deal. I have a problem I need some help with, and you seemed like the perfect candidate."
"I take it this deal is something I should be aware of?"
"Yeah, guess it slipped their minds." Kasumi replied with a flat sarcastic tone.
"It always does," Shepard replied with another sideways frown at Miranda.
"I'm looking for my old partner's grey box. A man named Donovan Hock took it, and I'm planning to take it back."
"I doubt Hock is going to be the type of guy to appreciate someone stealing their stuff?"
"I always expect trouble," Kasumi replied calmly. "That's why you're here."
"So, a grey box is some kind of hardware?"
"It's a neural implant," Kasumi answered as a holographic visor appeared over her eyes, just beneath her hood. "Illegal in most places. Stores memories, thoughts… secret codes, illicit information. This one in particular is important to me. It belonged to my partner, Keiji Okuda. We worked together for a long time, before Hock killed him."
"It sounds important. We'll get it done."
"It'll be fun! And if we're lucky you won't even have to draw your gun." Kasumi playfully replied.
"I'm not known for my good luck," Shepard grumbled.
"Just winning against impossible odds," Garrus interjected.
"Good point," Shepard chuckled.
"We're at your stop," Kasumi warned them as she disappeared in a flicker of light.
"You realize this elevator has cameras, not just the floors?" Jacob warned the invisible thief.
"I'm assuming he's not your infiltration expert. No one cares about losing the signal to one camera. If a whole floor went dead though, C-Sec would have the building locked down within minutes."
"It wouldn't take them that long for the Tower. One point of ground access," Garrus corrected.
"You do make good eye candy though," the Japanese woman teased as Jacob felt something prodding his bicep.
"Let's just go find Anderson." Shepard ordered eagerly, "I never got the chance to see him after he became the human Councillor."
"This meeting would be more productive if Udina were to join us," the asari Councillor stated.
"My advisor is unavailable," Anderson huffed. "As councillor I represent the voice of humanity and the Alliance without him. Shepard will be-"
"Talking about me Councillor?" Shepard asked as the door into the Council's meeting room opened.
"Commander, we were just talking about your sudden return, and my authority here," Anderson replied with a sour glance towards the three other members, each seated around a large circular table that occupied the majority of the small room.
"It's been a long time Anderson. I hope the last couple of years have treated you right?" Shepard laughed as she shook the dignitary's hand. "Hopefully the soft beds aren't wearing you down."
"There've been some rough spots. It's good to have you back," Anderson beamed, pulling the Commander into a quick hug with a pat on the back.
"Old softie," Shepard laughed with a small shove before she turned to look at the other Council members.
"We've heard many rumours surrounding your unexpected return. Some of them are… unsettling," the Salarian Councillor cut in.
"I think he means you," Shepard half whispered to Jacob, bringing a small smile to the ex-marine's usually hard expression.
"We've called this meeting to give you the chance to explain your actions, Shepard. It seemed necessary once you appeared on the station. We owe you that much. After all, you saved our lives in the fight against Saren and his Geth," the Asari Councillor explained.
"Sovereign," Shepard corrected. "On the one hand we have the mindless brainwashed turian lackey. On the other we have the billion year old reaper pulling the strings to bring about the end of our races. Easy mistake to make I'm sure," she explained with a sneer.
"Ah yes!" the turian councillor exclaimed. "Reapers! The sentient race of starships supposedly waiting in dark space."
Shepard had to fight back a small laugh as the councillor gestured quotation marks at "Reapers".
"We have dismissed that claim."
"Shepard, no one else encountered the hologram on Ilos that told you the truth about the reapers. Only you and you crew ever spoke with Sovereign," Anderson conceded. "I believe you, but without evidence from another source, the others believe Saren was behind the geth attacks.
"I prevented the conquest of the Citadel. I sacrificed human lives to save this council," Shepard argued. "Whether you believe me or not you cannot deny that!"
We are in a difficult position, Shepard. You are working for Cerberus, an avowed enemy of the Council. This is treason, a capital offence," the Asari Councillor stated.
"I'd like to see you try," Jane answered threateningly as she approached the table to glare across it.
"That's too far!" Anderson shouted back at his fellow Councillor. "Shepard is a hero. I'm on this council too and I won't allow this whitewash to continue!"
"Maybe there is a compromise," the Asari Councillor offered, quickly glancing between the two other council members sat at the table. Each gave her a quick nod in support, even if the turian's was clearly begrudged. "Not a public acknowledgment, given your ties, but something to show peripheral support."
"Shepard, if you keep a low profile and restrict your actions to the Terminus Systems, the Council is willing to reinstate you as a Spectre," the turian barked.
"What does this mean, I'm going to have to start filing reports?"
"That won't be necessary. This is a show of good faith on our part," the Salarian Councillor explained calmly.
"We cannot become involved with an investigation regarding the missing colonists in the Terminus Systems. But, Spectre reinstatement shows our support of you personally," the Asari Councillor added.
"Fine, I accept your offer," Shepard replied.
"Good luck with your investigation, Shepard. We hope for a speedy resolution… and a quick end to your involvement with Cerberus," the Asari Councillor said in parting before she rose from her seat and left the room, followed by the two other alien councillors.
"Well that went better than expected," Anderson sighed with relief once all of the other Councillors had left the room. "You realize the Council's offer is just symbolic? They won't actually do anything to help?"
"I don't need them to. Just keep them out of my way."
"Well that shouldn't be very difficult. Not as long as you stay in the Terminus Systems," the Councillor replied as the door behind them flew open.
"Anderson. We need to talk about-Shepard!" Udina exclaimed as he entered the room. "What are you doing here?"
"And there I was thinking I might be able to make it through this one, just one visit to the Citadel without having to see you Udina," Shepard groaned as she slumped back in the human Councillor's seat.
"Believe me Shepard, the feeling is mutual," Udina snapped. "Your reappearance is a bureaucratic nightmare for us."
"Well, I'm sorry I'm not dead!"
"Relax," Anderson barked at them both. "Udina, we just finished our meeting with the Council." Udina opened his mouth, but was cut off as Anderson continued. "They just agreed to reinstate Shepard, as long as she keeps her operations confined to the Terminus Systems."
"I can see how that situations might be agreeable to both parties," Udina slowly responded.
"And Shepard, we all know he's an ass. That doesn't mean you can point it out every time you see him."
"Sure thing sir," Jane replied with a laugh. "Probably best if we get moving. We'll have to catch up another time Anderson," Shepard said with a small amount of regret as she led her team back out of the office, leaving the Councillor alone with his fuming assistant.
"So where to?" Kasumi asked, startling everyone in the process as she reappeared safely inside the elevator.
"I need to buy a few things. A bit of gear and a couple of things I want for my cabin," Shepard stated. "I'm not sure one thousand credits is quite going to cover it though, Miranda." She tossed the credit chit as she spoke.
"Then I guess you'll just have to compromise," Miranda shrugged with a wide grin. "Think of it as a thank you for how cooperative you've been since we woke you up."
"I'll just have to borrow your chit late if it doesn't prove enough."
"I assure you, there's enough for what you need," Miranda replied calmly. "Perhaps not for everything you want, but you've made it quite clear you don't work for us."
"I never saw Cerberus as the stingy type," Kasumi laughed, giving Miranda a small nudge with her shoulder. "I hope you guys weren't as cheap with our transport."
"I assure you, Miss Goto, no expense was spared when it came to the Normandy, or Shepard for that matter. It's been a considerable drain on Cerberus's finances for the last two years. I think it's only fair that we start to see some return on our investment, don't you?" Mirada queried, addressing herself more to Shepard rather than Kasumi.
"Can we get noodles?" Kasumi asked abruptly. "There's a little noodle bar near where you guys docked on Zakera Ward that does the best udon."
"I'm going to catch a flight straight back to the Normandy. I have reports to fill out," Miranda stated.
"I should head back too," Jacob shrugged as the elevator reached the bottom and Kasumi disappeared in another flash of light. "I need to sort some equipment out in the armoury for our new friend."
The group split off into two as they stepped out of the elevator, each taking separate cars from the taxi point, with Shepard and Garrus taking theirs back towards the market.
"Does anyone else think Jacob's cute?" Kasumi asked from the back seat, still cloaked.
"Erm… no?" Garrus replied sounding either incredibly unsure or uncomfortable, or both.
"He's not my type," Shepard stated bluntly, fiddling with the credit chit Miranda had given her. "I can't believe they only stuck a thousand credits on this thing."
"I guess they just don't like you that much," Garrus sighed.
"Doesn't matter," Kasumi said with a playful laugh before she de-cloaked lying between the two front seats. "I've got Agent Lawson's." The thief grinned as she threw a second chit to Shepard.
"Kasumi, I love you already!" Shepard stated with a grin.