"Agh! I just can't do it!"
"Please, remain calm."
"You've had hundreds of years to learn all this. I could barely remember the regulations we had to follow in the force."
"Have you been keeping up your meditations to keep your mind fresh?"
"I try but to be honest, I just find it boring. Is this all necessary?"
"A Justicar's life flows directly from the Code. Every situation, every eventuality, every decision. Yes, it is necessary."
"Okay, okay, I'll just need to try harder."
"Do not make it a chore. You must want to learn."
"I do, honestly, Samara. I was just never one for hitting the books. I really appreciate this opportunity you've given me, I will try my best to learn the Code."
"Trying is not enough. You must, if you wish to join our ranks fully. But enough for today, it is nearly meal time. Relax for a while with our sisters with a good meal."
"Oh yea. Them."
"Meaning?"
"Don't get me wrong, they're all alright. It's just... they can be a bit... condescending to me."
"How so?"
"That look they give me when I obviously don't know one of the sutras, and that I use things like 'don't' instead of 'do not'. They can be quite the Thessian snobs really."
"Most have spent the majority of their lives dedicated to the Code and Thessia, they mean nothing by it."
"Coulda fooled me."
"Anaya, you must let go the mental trappings of your old life. Your cynical and facetious ways will not endear you to anyone."
"Maybe I just still have the romantic ideal of the Justicars in my head."
"I must leave Thessia soon. Try to concentrate on the Code in my absence. At least master the first thousand sutras, meditate on their meaning."
"Where are you going?"
"I have had some distressing information about my daughters. All communication has been lost with their monastery. I must go to them."
"Is that safe at the moment? The Reapers are starting to dominate most systems."
"Whether safe or not, it is necessary. They will need me now."
"Well good luck with that. I hope you and your daughters get back safe."
"They will not be returning with me. I must only ensure the monastery is secure and the Ardat-Yakshi are not free to roam."
"But your daughters?"
"The Code is clear on this matter. I suggest you also study this area. You must know what is required of you, no matter how harsh it may seem."
"I don't think I need to read the Code to understand what that means. Could you?"
Samara looks down with the sorrowful look that appears on her face whenever discussing her daughters' condition.
"I have no choice. As I said, the Code is clear on these matters."
"Then I hope everything goes well for you and that choice doesn't need to be made. Sure you don't need any back up?"
"I must do this alone."
"If you say so. Be safe, Samara."
"Thank you for your concern, Anaya, but I will do what is necessary. My safety is secondary."
"You're certain about this, Shepard?" Admiral Hackett asks via the QEC.
"He knew I'd know. He's mocking me. Not sure exactly what it means, but he's certainly not sending his best wishes."
"I've checked the service records and yes, former Alliance Captain Ethan Ramsay did join the black ops group that became Cerberus. Reading between the lines, I'd say he was selected for the group for his extreme views. We should have seen what was coming with Cerberus years ago. So you think this is personal?"
"Probably not entirely what with Cerberus' long term goals, but we never had the best of relationships. That he sent this mail just tells me: he's calling me out."
"This complicates the Cerberus angle if they want to take you on specifically. We can't afford that. You've already started making great headway in forming alliances."
"Tell me about it. We've already had several run ins with Cerberus, I can't see that changing."
"But Commander. 'Blueberry'? I don't understand."
"It's from my childhood when me and Ethan were both on Mindoir. No-one else would use that. It's definitely him, I'd stake my life on it."
"You think he's indoctrinated?"
"Hard to say. He wouldn't need to be indoctrinated if his previous record is anything to go by but with the Illusive Man? Anything's possible."
"You were right to inform me of this, Shepard. I want you to be extra careful with any Cerberus encounters in light of this."
"Of course, Admiral."
"Well you'd better get back to it, Shepard. Hackett out."
Ethan Ramsay. Verity knew this day might come. She knows he has only done this to throw doubts in her mind. Has he really fallen so far? Verity had always given him the benefit of the doubt before investigating the Cerberus records. She never would have thought that his prejudices went this deep. Verity wonders if his specific hate of her is due to the spurned advances so many years ago. None of that matters now. If he is part of the Cerberus problem and in turn the Reapers, then she has no choice if they meet.
"Fear and ignorance are powerful weapons, Ramsay. If you've put Shepard on the back foot even a little, well done."
"When will I get the chance to take her head on?"
"Opportunities present themselves daily. She'll come looking for us before long. Patience."
"Everything she did after Mindoir, she just played along with the problem. Her and that ship of aliens, taking out our operations across the galaxy. Literally sleeping with the enemy. Makes my skin crawl. You should have sent me after her back then."
"Do not presume, Ramsay. I'd rather have you as you are now than..."
"No. You can't do to me what you do to those grunts."
"Then don't push this. It'll come."
The Illusive Man takes a long drag on his cigarette, savouring the flavour. He's replaced as much of his body as he can with technology to combat the cancer but it still lingers, as does his addiction. His days are numbered. If the Reapers can be controlled, perhaps he can find a way to immortality and rid himself of the need for the weak flesh and bones he was born with. Fear is indeed powerful.
"For now, Ramsay, I want you to concentrate on the traitors in our midst. We have several operations that have gone dark. Deal with them how you see fit."
"Isn't that usually Kai Leng's thing?"
"He's occupied with... other things."
"Where do we start?"
"A group of some of our best scientists have gathered at a facility on Gellix. Bryn Cole, Gavin Archer, guided I believe by Jacob Taylor."
"You want anyone of them alive?"
"No. They're tainted now. If we forced our will on them, it'd only be counterproductive."
"Good."
"Nice to see you're still enjoying your work after all this time. You've been with us since the beginning, Ramsay, we may just see the fruit of all our labours soon."
"Then I can get back to our original vision: human domination. Starting with the batarians. Blueberry did us all a favour taking down Bahak. Shame it wasn't more of those disgusting freaks. Even after she killed that slaver bastard in the Chomos system and joined us to get to the Collectors, she betrayed us and returned turned herself in to the misguided Alliance."
"She wasn't aware of our true intentions with the Collectors. If she were, I doubt we could have got her on board. She was always going to stay true to her ideals and the Alliance."
"She'll pay for her treason to humanity."
"Don't let this get too personal, Ramsay. That's when mistakes are made. Mistakes you can't afford."
"I won't let you down."
"Let's hope not."
The Illusive Man ends the QEC communication then uses his internal comm.
"Send her in."
His door opens and an asari shuffles in, confused and frightened.
"Aaah, there you are. I hope your visit to the doctor has made you less... confrontative than our last visit?"
"Whuu... what happened? Where is mother? I thought Sanctuary was supposed to be a safe place. I do not understand. What have you done to me? I can almost hear them... the voices, speaking to me... I... I..."
"Now, now, Livia. Relax. Come, sit with me. Let me take your mind off all that. And might I say, Livia, you are looking lovely today..."
