Chapter 32b: Noveria pt. 2

Port Hanshan is the capital of Noveria, owned and operated by the Noveria Development Corporation (NDC). Given Noveria's notoriety as a corporate haven for the conducting of ethically dubious, controversial or dangerous research, Port Hanshan's security is near unbreachable, to discourage dissent, espionage or outside interference. Unexpected visits are met with aggressive suspicion, and, even when permitted to land, the impounding of vessels is rigorously enforced.

The NDC retains the services of one of its member corporations, Elanus Risk Control Services, as a private security and administration force to enforce containment as well as to protect the many facilities and corporations of Port Hanshan.

As the Noveria Development Corporation is not a member of the Citadel, Noveria is not considered part of Citadel space, and is not subject to Council oversight or regulations. However, the NDC has a standing arrangement with the Citadel which allows Spectres on official Council business access to the planet, much to the dismay of the corporations that maintain facilities on Noveria.-Codex

They made it to the office; the office was cold, sterile, and bland which matched perfectly with the corporate lifestyle of the planet. "Wow, they must throw some great parties here" Shepherd said sarcastically. "Where's Anoleis?" Parasini nodded and opened the intercom.

"Mr. Anoleis?" Parasini asked. "Commander Shepherd would like to speak to you"

"Waste of time, tell him to schedule an appointment" Anoleis said impatiently.

"Sir, he's a spectre" She said.

Anoleis sighed. "Right, fine, tell him come in"

"Nice guy" Shepherd said dryly. Parasini shrugged. He then turned to his team. "Stay here, I'm going to talk with this Anoleis guy"

Liara stood at attention. "Um, are you sure you won't need help?" she asked nervously.

Shepherd smirked. "Unless, he can make a data pad into a weapon, I think I'll be fine" he said. Ashley rolled her eyes. Shepherd left, leaving Liara alone with Ash. 'I'm already starting to miss him' she thought.

Liara always felt nervous around Ashley, it was obvious from the first time they met, that Ashley didn't like her. 'Maybe this time will be different' she thought. "Ashley" she said. Ashley looked at her.

"What?" she asked. Liara was twiddling her thumbs nervously.

"I've noticed that things have been strained between you and Shepherd" she said.

Ash scoffed. "Eavesdropping, have you?" she asked.

"N-no, I've heard it around the ship" Liara said nervously.

"I'll bet" Ash said. Liara spoke up.

"It's about Shepherd and Tali being together, isn't it?" She asked.

Ash sighed. "Shepherd didn't trust me enough to tell me about him and Tali" she said. Without thinking Liara spoke.

"Are you more upset about him not telling you or that he didn't pick you?" she asked.

Ashley looked at her. "What was that?" she asked angrily.

Liara paled. 'Oh goddess, I'm afraid I may have said too much' she thought nervously. Liara took a deep breath. "I've seen how Shepherd is when he is around Tali, he's happy" she said.

"Happy? But Tali's a quarian, she can't even take her suit off, they can't even eat the same food "she said.

"Maybe that doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things with him, I've seen the pain he carried from the times I've melded with him, but I also see great joy" she said. "A lot of that comes from us, but Tali is special, with her life is bearable even precious, it makes coming to terms with his past easier"

"Can you really say you can do the same for Shepherd?" she asked.

Ashley went silent and had a thoughtful look on her face. Ashley sighed. "I…I guess I can't…" she said.

Liara put her hand on her shoulder. "You truly liked him didn't you?" she asked.

Ashley blushed. "Yeah" she said. "He was the first one to truly acknowledge me, not my grandfather's mistake, not my last name, but me" She sighed. "But I guess at the same time, I didn't see him, I was such a bitch to them..."

"Why don't you talk to him after the mission? Despite his rash nature he seems to care for his crew" Liara said.

Ash chuckled. "I will, thank Liara" she said before adding. "So about you and Garrus"

Liara blushed. "U-um..y-you..see..I" she stuttered. They then heard the footsteps of an angry Shepherd. 'Thank the goddess' she thought.

"Goddammit !" Shepherd yelled.

Ash looked at him concerned. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"That prick, Anoleis, won't let us see Benezia" he said.

Liara shook her head. "Why?" she asked.

Shepherd started pacing and explained that Anoleis told him how Saren and Benezia are involved with Noveria affairs, they were both major investors in Binary Helix, an asari owned genetic engineering and Biotechnology Company. The Company currently had a significant presence on Noveria, and the salarian had basically threatened Shepherd that interference will bring the board on their heads.

"That's bullshit!" Ash said.

"Yeah, I know, we've basically been cock-blocked." Shepherd said.

Liara blushed. "Shepherd! Must you use such language?"

Shepherd sighed. "Sorry come on, we won't find any help here."

Parasini spoke up. "Wait, Mr. Shepherd"

Shepherd stopped. "What?"

"Anoleis is not the only one who can get you out of here." She whispered.

"What can you do?" Ash asked.

"I can't talk too much, Anoleis has eyes and ears all over the place" Parasini said, "But you could talk to Lorik Qui'in of Synthetic Insights. His offices had been wrecked by security forces under Anoleis' orders, so he's understandably quite ticked at the Administrator."

"I bet" Shepherd said. "But why help us? Isn't Anoleis your boss?"

"It's complicated, now hurry, Qui'in is in the hotel lounge," Parasini explained.

The team walked away. "Can we trust her, Skipper?" Ash asked.

"Talking to me are you?" he said with a smirk.

Ash smirked. "Well, the silent treatment was getting kind of boring" she said.

Shepherd grew serious. "Don't know, but I'll be watching my back just in case" he said. They made their way to the hotel. They met with Lorik, who was sitting at one of the tables on the main level, confirms that Anoleis is a corrupt administrator. As the administrator of one of the port's tenants, he did have a garage pass to offer you, but he needed access to evidence in his office in return. Shepherd considered his offer and ultimately agreed. They went down to Lorik's office, however it wasn't long before a fire fight started.

"Tell me again, why are we doing this?" Ash asked annoyed. As soon as they entered the Synthetic Insights office, they had to fight ERCS guards.

"Cause we need that garage pass" Shepherd said.

Liara looked at him. "You're a spectre, couldn't you just force your way through" she said.

Shepherd shook his head. "We could, but I rather not give the board a reason for a manhunt, besides I'm on thin ice with the council as it is" he said.

Ash looked at him. "Since when do you care what the council thinks?" she asked.

Shepherd shrugged. "Since I found out their bitching gives me headaches" he said. He then gave a smirk. "Ah hell, what's one more? Liara light 'em up"

Liara used her singularity field to lift the guards and Shepherd shut them down with a powerful warp. The ones left standing were ripped through by Ash's sniper rifle. "More up the stairs, Skipper" she said.

Shepherd threw his grenades up the stairs and caused the guards to fly. "Ash?" Shepherd asked.

"We're good" she said. "Sending rookies against trained soldiers, I think Noveria likes to waste credits"

Shepherd scoffed. "They don't care, as long as they protect their money, they won't care how guards they have to go through, fucking megacorps"

The team made their way upstairs to Qui'in's office. "Is that the data?" Liara asked.

Shepherd nodded and whistled. Ash came to take a look. "Damn that's a lot of money, Anoleis is going to hang for this." She said.

Shepherd smirked. "You mess with a nest of vipers, expect to get bitten" he said.

Liara tilted her head. "V…ipers?" she asked. Ash looked at her.

"A venomous snake back on Earth, one bite is enough to kill several adult humans" She said. Liara nodded now getting the metaphor.

Shepherd downloaded the data and the team walked out before being met with Sterling and more guards. "Shit, I here I thought this going to be easy" Ash said.

"It never is" Shepherd said.

"I don't think you're supposed to be in here, Shepherd" she said with venom.

Shepherd crossed his arms. "I could say the same thing about you" he said. "Funny how you just happen to be get here just as I walk out this office."

Sterling glared at him. "What are you trying to say?"

Shepherd smirked. "You're in on the whole thing, Anoleis bribed you to keep his money laundering a secret" he said. "Man, if the board finds out, you and your thugs are going to fry"

Sterling gave a murderous glare. "Since you know already, you think I'm going to let you walk out of here alive?" she said coldly.

Ash sighed. "Another idiot with an ego problem, like that never gets old" she said annoyed.

"I know, just bear it and humor her for a moment" he said. He faced Sterling. "So, you want to start or should we?"

Sterling gave a cold laugh. "You're an arrogant son of a bitch aren't you? Tell me do you know what we did to cop killers on my world?"

Ash rolled her eyes. "Oh my god, let's just kill the dirty bitch and get on with the mission" Shepherd and Liara nodded agreement and the battle ensued.