A/N: Almost done with the Citadel now. I should have just done a double chapter update, then again I forgot about the dialog blocks at the end of this mission.


The squad was ready to go through the last door and into the new area. Aran activated the door as Aay'han took point. With the area clear of hostiles, he signaled the team to move up. Prudii entered next as he took position next to the door in preparation for an attack. Shepard moved up followed by Garrus and Aran. EDI was assisting Shepard in their effort to find Harkin as she notified him, "Shepard, I have patched into the warehouse scanners. The crates in the transport carriers overheard are rigged to explode when dropped."

Shepard replied to the information for the AI, "Good to know," as cranes moved through the area, with three dropping off a group of LOKI mechs. Aran signal Prudii to go around and flank right. Aay'han moved to engage the mechs but just as he moved out from behind cover, a Blue Sun merc on an elevated platform fired off a missile at the clone commander. Lissarkh pulled him back to cover behind a few crates as the missile veered after him, destroying one of the crates on impact.

"Why don't you just turn around?" Harkin shouted over the loudspeakers. Prudii grabbed the DC's sniper components. His position did not give him a clear shot at the heavy weapons merc but he did spot another merc just waiting for a hole in his helmet. Without hesitation, the commando killed the merc before he could become a threat to the others.

Garrus grabbed his Mantis sniper rifle as he steadied his breathing. Aran, Shepard and Aay'han moved to positions behind the other crates scattered about the area, taking care of the mechs and keeping the two mercs with high ground distracted. Lissarkh also added in this endeavor, clouding the minds of the two mercenaries, preventing them from noticing Garrus when he was ready to attack. Aay'han and Aran's time destroying Separatists battle droids proved to be more than advantageous as the LOKI mechs quickly fell to the duo. The Blue Suns Commander however was becoming a nuisance along with the missiles from the lackey. Just before the merc could fire off another missile, Garrus killed her with a shot between the eyes.

Prudii climbed up onto one of the elevated platforms as the others moved up to finish the last Sun off. They were able to knock out his shields before a new group of LOKI mechs were flown in by cranes. This was enough for Prudii, as the batarian did not have a bucket over his head. As the batarian let loose with his Revenant assault rifle Prudii got a clean shot in the center of the batairan's face, between his four eyes. Finishing the last mech, Garrus was fed up with the resistance, "Harkin's going to regret this!"

The team moved on with Shepard leading. Harkin shouted over the loudspeakers again, "I'm not running from you, Shepard!"

Prudii liked the perspective the higher platform offered and climbed up instead of following. Just as the team was about to clear the segmented area, Garrus spotted trouble above, "Oh, crap. Two heavy mechs—incoming!"

As the cranes carrying the YMIRs moved closer, Harkin taunted the team, "Do you really think you can take me down, Shepard?"

Lissarkh had enough of these machines and grabbed both cranes before they could drop their cargo. Exerting her connection to the Force, Lissarkh began to close both of her hands as the machines were slowly losing their integrity. Moments after his fists had closed shut, both cranes and the YMIRs they carried imploded into themselves leaving only two balls of mashed metal and wires. Releasing her grip, the remains dropped to the floor in a thud, "This has gone on long enough."

Harkin became scared after seeing such unusual abilities and strength as he started to mess with the platforms in front of the control center he was in. "You'll never make it!"

There was a clear path of steps from the crates and platforms to the left of the control center and the recently elevated platforms made Harkin blind to that area. But Harkin did have two LOKI mechs active next to that door and the two simple VIs moved to engage the squad. Aran and Prudii quickly put down both of the clankers, destroy both head so the squad could confront Harkin.

As Harkin tried to find where they were, Shepard moved up to the open door but Garrus saw a way around. Prudii and Lissarkh joined Garrus as Aran, Aay'han and Shepard prepared to confront Harkin. Shepard waited for Garrus' signal over the comlink before he moved in with his pistol draw as Aran and Aay'han flanked him. Harkin ran for the door away from them as he thought he was scot free, "You were close, but not close enough."

Garrus was waiting for him as he smacked him in the face with the stock of his assault rifle. As Harkin was recovering from the attack, Garrus grabbed Harkin by the shoulder before he was dragging him to the wall and pinned him, "So, Fade…couldn't make yourself disappear, huh?"

"Come on, Garrus—we can work this out. Whaddaya need?" Harkin was overconfident, believing he was in no real danger, or at least he wasn't going to die.

Garrus let go of Harkin as he took a few steps away from Harkin. Prudii continued to hold his rifle at Harkin as Garrus asked him, "I'm looking for someone."

"Well, I guess we both have something the other one wants." Garrus quickly turned around to Harkin and kneed him in the gut.

Shepard joined Garrus in trying to get information from Harkin, "We're not here to ask favors, Harkin."

Harkin finally got up from the brutal hit, still hesitant to believe either of them as he sarcastically said, "You don't say."

Garrus quickly turned to Harkin, "You helped a friend of mine disappear. I need to find him."

Harkin continued the sarcasm as he told Garrus, "I might need a little more information than that."

Garrus gave him specific, "His name was Sidonis. Turian, came from the…"

Harkin cut him off, "I know who he is, and I'm not telling you squat."

Shepard was now playing the 'good cop', "Harkin, this doesn't have to be hard."

"Screw you," unwilling to accept of believe Shepard. "I don't give out client information. It's bad for business."

Garrus kneed Harkin again as he placed his talons on Harkin, "You know what else is bad for business? A broken neck."

"All right! All right! Get off me!" Lissarkh was about to send Garrus across the room until she saw Shepard gently nudged Garrus' shoulder. Garrus released Harkin from the pin under his foot as the human jokingly commented, "Terminus really changed you, huh, Garrus?"

"No, but Sidonis…opened my eyes. Now arrange a meeting."

Harkin turned to the terminal as Garrus signaled for him to do it. "I'm going."

Aay'han turned to Aran as Harkin arranged the meeting, "Damn, that was rather rough."

Aran tried to explain it, "Advisor, Garrus lost ten good men in a trap that was set up by one of his own. I know we'd don't usually have to worry about traitors among us clones, but Garrus put a lot of trust into these guys, hell we were friends as wells. But Sidonis helped kill them, the mercenary gangs on Omega teamed up to wipe the team out. They succeeded in killing the squad, but not Garrus. I know you didn't know any of them but we're not going to let Sidonis get away with this."

Harkin finished talking with Sidonis as he informed Garrus, "He wants to meet you in front of Orbital Lounge. Middle of the day. So, if our business is done, I'll be going…"

Garrus grabbed Harkin by his collar, "I don't think so. You're a criminal now, Harkin."

"So what…you're just going to kill me? That's not your style, Garrus."

There was a pause as Garrus stared Harkin in his eyes before releasing him. "Kill you? No." Garrus pulled out a pistol he had concealed, "But I don't mind slowing you down a little."

Lissarkh was about to pull Garrus' arm but Shepard did it instead, pull the pistol up into the air just as Garrus pulled the trigger, "You don't need to shoot him. He won't be able to hide from C-Sec now."

Garrus shrugged Shepard off his arm as he agreed to Shepard's consideration, "I guess it's your lucky day."

"Yeah. I hope we can do this again real soon."

Garrus turned back to Harkin as he head-butted him. Garrus smirked as he told Shepard, "I didn't shoot him."

Shepard continued on as Lissarkh and Prudii walked to join them, "Come on. Let's move."

Garrus warned Harkin, just like his volus contact, "Sidonis better be there, or I'm coming back to finish the job."


As the two skycars moved to the meeting point, Garrus lamented, "Harkin's a bloody menace. We shouldn't have just let him go. He deserved to be punished."

Shepard turned to his friend concerned, "I'm getting a little worried about you, Garrus. You were pretty hard on Harkin."

"You don't think he deserved it?"

Shepard was just looking out for his friend, "It's just not like you."

Garrus couldn't respond to Shepard as he looked out the glass, "What do you want from me, Shepard? What would you do if someone betrayed you?"

Shepard answered truthfully, "I'm not sure, but I wouldn't let it change me."


As Shepard continued to try and convince Garrus not to go through with his plan, Lissarkh convened with the clones about this matter as well. "As I Jedi, I cannot let Garrus kill Sidonis. You do realize that, Araniik?"

"I understand, ma'am. But Garrus lost a lot of good people because of Sidonis."

Lissarkh countered, "Many good Jedi, clones, and civilians have died because of Sidious, should we seek revenge for everything he has done? No, in the end the light will prevail. The Force has its ways of ensuring that, even if we do not always see it or its results."

Prudii seemed to understand her, but that still didn't help the feeling of losing the few friends outside of the Mandalorians they had, "Then what should we do, General?"

Lissarkh was calling upon the teachings she had received from Plo Koon, "First, we must understand his actions, why he did what he did. If his heart is sincere and his reasons understandable, Garrus must see reason."

Aran nodded, "Yes ma'am. It looks like they're about ready. Sidonis will recognize our armor, so Prudii and I will stay here with Garrus while you guys head down with Shepard."

Lissarkh and Aay'han joined Shepard in his X3M as Garrus moved into position. Prudii grabbed the Widow and handed it to Garrus. Garrus accepted the rifle as he propped the sniper onto the railing to compensate for the weight. Garrus checked the comm signal, "Shepard? Can you hear me?"

Shepard replied as Aay'han got out of the skycar, "Loud and clear."

Prudii was the first to spot Sidonis, "Advisor, your one o'clock. Bench. About twenty meters."

Aay'han turned and spotted the lone turian sitting on the bench, "I've got him."

Garrus told Shepard, "Wave him over and keep him talking."

Shepard did and Sidonis walked over to the group. Garrus had Sidonis in his sights as he's mandibles continued to flap in anticipation. Sidonis spoke to Shepard, "Let's get this over with."

Garrus had a perfect shot but Shepard was in his way, "You're in my shot. Move to the side."

Shepard wasn't going to let Garrus go through with his plan, "Listen, Sidonis. We're here to help you."

Sidonis leaned to Shepard as he tried to hush him, "Don't ever say that name aloud."

Shepard explained, "I'm a friend of Garrus'. He wants you dead, but we're hoping that's not necessary."

Sidonis wasn't expecting to hear that name again, "Garrus? Is this some kind of joke…?"

Garrus was pissed Shepard wasn't following his plan as he warned him, "Damn it, Shepard. If he moves, I'm taking the shot!"

Sidonis saw Shepard's eyes look away as though he was listening to someone, "You're not kidding, are you? Screw this. I'm not sticking around here to find out. Tell Garrus I had my own problems…"

Aay'han grabbed Sidonis' shoulder as Lissarkh moved herself into Garrus' line of sight as well, "Don't move."

Sidonis shouted as he threw his arm into the air, "Get off me!"

Shepard explained to Sidonis as he whispered, "We're the only thing standing between you and a hole in the head."

"Fuck," Sidonis knew if Garrus had him in his sight, he was as good as dead. Sidonis tried to explain himself, "Look…I didn't want to do it…I didn't have a choice."

Garrus didn't agree with Sidonis, "Everyone has a choice."

Sidonis continued, "They got to me. Said they'd kill me if I didn't help. What was I supposed to do?"

Garrus didn't like Sidonis' excuse, "Let me take the shot, Shepard. He's a damn coward."

Aay'han was disgusted, "That's it? You were just trying to save yourself? When you commit to a team, you die for that team if it means they live."

Sidonis didn't need Aay'han to tell him that. He walked over to the railing as Lissarkh, Shepard and Aay'han continued to cover him, "I know what I did. I know they died because of me, and I have to live with that. I wake up every night…sick…and sweating. Each of their faces staring at me…accusing me." Garrus wasn't expecting guilt, he had thought Sidonis betrayed them out of greed or hate, but now, "I'm already a dead man. I don't sleep. Food has no taste. Some days I just want it to be over."

Garrus was tempted to let him live, but his lust for revenge outweighed that thought, "Just give me the chance."

Shepard tried to convince Garrus, "You got to let it go, Garrus. He's already paying for his crime."

"He hasn't paid enough. He still has his life…"

Lissarkh turned to Garrus' location as she conversed with him, "Look at him. He's spirit is broken. Both you and he need healing, of which both of you could help the other heal these scars you hold in your hearts."

"My men…they deserved better." Aay'han could understand Garrus, but this wasn't the way.

Sidonis turned to Shepard and the others, "Tell Garrus…I guess there's nothing I can say to make it right…"

Sidonis' confession affected Garrus more so than he was anticipating. Garrus became hesitant now. Aran had placed his hand on the turian's shoulder as he told him, "Just let it go…"

Garrus finally conceded, telling Shepard, "Just…go. Tell him to go…"

Shepard turned back to Sidonis as he told him, "He's giving you another chance, Sidonis. Don't waste it."

Sidonis wasn't expecting that as he got up and spoke to Garrus through Shepard, "I'll try, Garrus. I'll make it up to you, somehow." He then spoke to Shepard, "Thank you. For talking to him." Shepard nodded as the two groups walked their separate paths.


As Shepard rejoined Garrus on the upper walkway he told Shepard, "I know you want to talk about this…but I don't. Not yet."

Shepard knew this was the best outcome, "I know it didn't go the way you planned, but I think it's for the best."

"I'm not so sure…"

Shepard patted Garrus' arm, "Give it time."

"Yeah. Maybe that'll be enough. I want to know I did the right thing. Not just for me—for my men. They deserve to be avenged. But when Sidonis was in my sights…I just couldn't do it."

Lissarkh has seen this before. "Good and evil are line we must define, but those we know blur that line."

Garrus nodded, "Yeah. There was still good in him…I could see it. It's so much easier to see the world in black and white. Gray…I don't know what to do with gray."

Aran lightly punched Garrus in the shoulder, "That's what your instincts are for."

Garrus couldn't help but laugh, as he noted, "My instincts are what got me into this mess."

Shepard assured him, "Don't be too hard on yourself."

"Thanks, Shepard, Aran. For everything. Let's get going. I need some distance from this place."

Shepard agreed, "I'm with you."

Aran clasped Prudii's hand as the two commandos went their separate ways, "Stay safe brother. I'm expecting you to keep us up to date of anything we need to watch out for." Prudii nodded before they released their grip.


Dagger, Swoop and Rasen returned to the Tervho with as their purchases were being loaded into the ship's hangar bay. Prath was awaiting their return. "Rasen, you received an urgent message from the Migrant Fleet. I made sure no one read the message, not even I. I forward it to your personal account for you to read through at your pace."

Rasen bowed to the volus, "Thank you for respecting my privacy, Prath." Prath nodded as he waddled back to one of the terminals. Rasen turned back to Dagger and Swoop, "Sorry, but I want to check on the message as soon as I can."

Swoop shrugged, "Eh, no problem, just as long as that message doesn't have any bad news or anything."

Rasen went through a second decontamination to enter her room so she could remove her helmet. She placed her Mandalorian helmet onto a manikin and her quairan envirosuit mask onto her desk. Accessing her computer, Rasen found the message Prath was talking about. As she read through the content, she gasped in horror and dread. "No…It can't be…"


A/N: I think you all can see where we're going next. Now I forgot to mention it in the last chapter to explain, but I have found that if you can hit the YMIR mechs before they land during the Garrus loyalty mission(depending on how high or where, not entirely sure) but they usually explode in mid-air(at least for me). So a good shot, Concussive Shot, Overload, or Warp can kill a YMIR before it deploys, real helpful for a Insane run.