Shepard sighed. "You know, I've seen you do some stupid things Bourne, but getting drunk knowing we had a mission today? And knowing that you'd then have a hangover on said mission?"
"Hey, after that damn reporter showed up again, I needed to get drunk...and I didn't even think I could get drunk in the first place! Besides, it isn't that bad of a headache."
(Says you.)
)See? That's why it's not so bad. I know you're suffering too.(
*Ugh, you are never, ever drinking again… did I really just use the galaxy's oldest cliché?(
)Alright, that makes me feel a little more guilty, but I'll live.(
(If I have a say in it, no you won't.)
*Less literal in my case, but what he said.*
"You shot her camera, then did a karate throw on her, then threatened to spread a rumor about her." She said, crossing her arms and giving me a look.
"Isn't that what she wanted to do with you? Start spreading around that you and Liara are together?"
"But it's true in our case, even if I'd rather keep it under wraps. You were just making stuff up."
I chuckled. "Actually, I wasn't."
She stopped short. "Wait, seriously?"
"Does it really matter? She believed it." I shook my head. "So who are we taking today then?"
"Well, you already said we should take Wrex, though you didn't really explain to me why."
"Well, besides the fact that he's not exactly unscary…"I looked around again, making sure no one else was around. Though since I had passed out in my cabin last night until now, it seemed a bit redundant. "I couldn't really tell you why, I'm only getting fragments about this place, like echos from Saren's tampering…But my gut hasn't usually been wrong. As for the others, since Ash drank nearly as much as I did- though her drinks weren't anywhere near as strong- she'd probably better stay here."
Shepard frowned. "I'll have to talk to her about that."
I met her gaze, though the glowing purple didn't exactly help my headache. "You know as well as I do why everyone got so wasted. And for the record, Wrex drank twice as much as you, me, and Ash combined."
"He's a got a higher tolerance as a Krogan, that's different."
I frowned. "Man, I hope he doesn't have a hangover or he's going to be pissed."
(Yeah, nothing helps a hangover like a race of giant bugs that are supposed to be extinct.)
)Will you shut up?(
(And I might be the craziest, but you aren't acting sane either.)
*Sigh. What are you rambling about now?*
(He got a little bruise and pretended like it was life threating so Dino-lady wouldn't drag him anywhere. Now he's got the worse hangover any of the three of us have ever had, and he's going to fight?)
*Yeah, it says a lot that I'd do the same, yet you're known as the crazy one among us.*
)Yeah, how messed up must you be to hold that title?(
"Focus Bourne. Who else should we take?"
I thought about if a moment. "Honestly, I'd say the best choice is Liara."
Shepard's face got that old look for a moment, before she relented. "Okay, why?"
"For god's sake Shepard, she isn't a doll that needs to be surrounded by soft foam to keep from breaking!" I put a hand to my forehead, my own yelling not helping. "And Benezia is her mother. That might be helpful. Low possibility, but it's worth a shot."
(No it isn't. You know as well as I do that she's going to end up dead.)
) I know. But Liara deserves to be there. And more than that, I want all the Biotics I can get against Rachni. Explosions do more damage than guns, and I know how to make those happen left and right.(
*Can you please stop arguing? And put on some sunglasses or something?*
I laughed despite myself.
Shepard looked at me like I was crazy. Though it wasn't that undeserved.
"Iron and Hero are complaining because I gave them a hangover too." I explained.
She uncrossed her arms as she headed for the door. "Get your armor on, then go talk to Chakwas. You aren't watching my back like you are now."
(You let Alenko watch your back even when he got those migranes.)
)Too soon.( *Not funny.*
(Uh, Sociopath, remember?)
A few minutes later, I stepped out of the airlock feeling much better. Good thing this isn't the first time Chakwas has had to deal with hungover marines.
(Can you explain why you two feel so much better, but I'm still feeling it?)
)Karma.(
*Or because now it's just me putting pressure on you so you still feel the same.*
(What happened to you being the Paragon?)
*You got on my bad side.*
)Note to self. Avoid getting on Hero's bad side.(
*Good idea.*
(I hate both of you.)
*We hate you right back.* )Feeling's mutual Bronze.(
I shook my head, catching up with Shepard in the lead.
I suddenly realized how cold it was, and was glad Chakwas had given me something to help. It wasn't that it bothered me, but I could have easily frozen without feeling it.
As we got closer to the doors, we were met by a small squad of marines; I quickly counted, and came up with ten.
(That's way more than when I was here.)
*Maybe because Bourne is here too?*
(With his luck, probably.)
I ignored Iron and Hero, and started picking targets for if came to a fight. I could see Wrex was doing the same behind me.
"That's close enough." The one clearly in charge said. Of course it helped that I knew exactly who she was.
"Relax. We aren't here to cause trouble." Shepard said.
I, on the other hand, slid a few concealed knives into each hand.
"This is an unscheduled visit. I need to see your credentials."
I glanced up, waiting for Parasini to break it up. "You first." I stated flatly.
The blonde next to her glared at me. "We're the law here. Show some respect."
Her voice sent knives into my ears. Guess that stuff didn't work so well after all.
(Or she's just that annoying.)
Her boss sent a glance telling her to stand down. "I'm Captain Matsuao. Elanus Risk Control Services. This is Sgt. Stirling, my second in command"
Shepard looked me with that look at usually meant she was going to do something horrible to me. "I'm Commander Shepard, and this is Lt. Bourne."
I snarled. "That's Agent Bourne, Spectre. You should have just said that first Shepard. And mentioned that you're a Spectre too."
Stirling snorted. "Load of Horsecrap."
My eyes glowed dangerously. "You really shouldn't talk about your face like that. It isn't good for your self-esteem."
(Okay, I have to give you credit, that was a nice way to turn it around.)
)Thanks.(
(I was being sarcastic you idiot! That was the worse comeback I've ever heard.)
)I'm hungover here! It isn't easy to think of insults, give me a break.(
*If you keep doing things like that, Stirling is going to give you a break. In your arm.*
)Please, I eat punks like her for breakfast.(
(Is that what you and As-)
)Friday, Friday, Gotta get down ARGH!(
(It's even worse with a Hangover! I didn't think that that was possible!)
*Make it stop!*
)Stop pissing me off then!(
"We will need to confirm that." The Captain said. "Also, I should advise you that weapons aren't permited on Noveria. Sgt. Stirling, secure their weapons."
"Gladly." She said, moving forward.
I flared my Biotics and popped the blade on my knives, holding them ready to throw.
I heard Wrex unfolding his shotgun behind me. "Don't even try it." He said, aiming at them.
I smiled. "No, go ahead and do. Please. I could use the entertainment."
Everyone but the captain suddenly had a weapon aimed at the two of us.
"Bourne, knock it off." Shepard said, sounding more exasperated than anything.
"Yeah, let me think about it for a second… No."
She stepped back a few feet in response. Liara did the same, eying us all warily.
"Safeties off." Stirling said to her team.
"I'll make you a deal. I give you all my knives, then I step over your body and walk in unscathed." I activated my barrier on top of my shields. "Or you could stop being morons."
*They're not really being the morons here. It's 9-2 odds.*
)I know. They really are outmatched.(
*How would you-*
)Singularity to catch most of them, knives on anyone who wasn't caught, Assassin if they escaped that, then blow the singularity with a warp field. Plus whatever Wrex does.(
*…*
)I'm hungover, not stupid.(
(That's debatable.)
The Captain made one last effort to stop it. "We are authorized to use lethal force."
"So am I. A perk of being a Spectre. And believe you me, I've taken down a lot more, and a lot tougher than you." My eyes never left Stirling, and her weapon never left me.
Wrex flared his Biotics next to me.
"You have to the count of three to relinquish your weapons." The Captain said, resigning herself. "One, two-"
On cue, a voice came over the intercom and stopped me from launching a few knives. "Captain, stand down! We confirmed their identity. Spectres are authorized to carry weapons here."
I sheathed and stored the knives, keeping my Biotics ready. "Glad that we got that settled." I shook my head. "Honestly, how is that everyone on the Citadel knew Shepard and I were Spectres within five minutes, but out here it's been over a month and you didn't know?"
"Don't push your luck." Stirling said, glaring at me, but lowering her weapon.
I just smiled, letting my powers fade.
"You may proceed. I hope the rest of your visit is less confrontational."
I was suddenly aware of Shepard's death glare, so I bit back what I had been about to say in response.
"Parasini-san will meet you upstairs."
"Behave yourself." Stirling warned.
"Don't worry, he will. I'll make sure of it." Shepard growled, pushing me through the door.
I tried to head up the stairs, but she pushed me to the side towards a bunch of terminals.
"Wrex, Liara, can you excuse us for a minute?" She said through gritted teeth.
They quickly fled her presence, and I wished I could do the same.
)Say, Iron, any chance you could let me do a charge past her?(
(You're on your own.)
*Word of advice: don't argue with anything she says. It'll only piss her off more.*
)Well that's just great. You guys are a lot of help…and if she hits me, you'll also feel it!(
"Bourne, are you nuts? You nearly got all of us into a fire fight!"
"No, you and Liara weren't involved. They were aiming at Wrex and I, and I never told him to-"
I had to duck under her sudden punch.
"I knew what I was doin-"
Her slap caught me off guard, and nearly knocked me off my feet.
(Didn't you hear Hero say not to argue with her?)
"I don't care if you're hungover, I don't care if you broke every bone in your body- that is not the way we operate!"
"Believe me, that slap was punishment enough." I muttered, my head still ringing.
*You know, it'll be interesting to see what she can do with an Omni-blade if she can hit like that.*
(Yeah, interesting. Also, OWWWWWWWW! Stop letting her do that!)
)I told you you'd feel it!(
"You have no faith in me at all, you know that?" I grimaced. "I figured that they'd figure it out, or I'd take them down- I could even do it nonlethally."
*How would you-*
)Stasis fields, ripping their guns out of their hands and hitting them with them, and possibly putting Wrex in stasis too.(
Raptor threw her arms in the air. "Oh, great. So you were just making enemies because you could?"
"Did you really think I was just going to let them take our weapons?" I smiled. "Do you know how long it would take me to remove every single knife? Or put them back on?"
My smile quickly disappeared as she managed to tower over me, despite that I was actually slightly taller. "Don't push me Bourne."
"Jeez, did you drink too much last night too?"
"No. I lost a good friend, who will now never walk again."
"You think I don't know that?" I said quietly.
(Well, considering it's your fault-)
)Would you rather she slapped me again, or rather I lied by omission and avoided that?(
*I would rather you avoided that.*
(Yeah, even I ain't that crazy.)
"I recognize that you have more experience here, but I'm not exactly an amateur myself."
She glared at me a moment more, but then she relented. " Just do me a favor and stop trying to kill everyone that we meet?"
"Yeah, I got the message the first time. And then the second time when you slapped me too."
We proceed up the stairs, me doing my best not to groan at my aching head.
I don't want to shoot him, I don't want to shoot him, I don't want to shoot him…okay, I do want to shoot him but I won't.
Shepard's hand dropped to her pistol as alarms went off everywhere.
A woman in a red dress walked to the desk. "Weapons detectors, don't mind them."
"Yeah, because I was really worried about them." Bourne said sarcastically under his breath.
"I'm Giana Parasini, assistant to Administrator Anoleis. I apologize for the incident in the docking bay."
"Did someone piss in her Ryncol this morning?" Wrex rumbled.
"Who drinks Ryncol first thing in the morning? Well, maybe you would, but…" Bourne chuckled.
"You know what I mean Bourne."
"The Captain takes her job seriously." Parasini stated. "One of my jobs is orientation of new arrivals. Do you have any questions?"
"Lot of security for a small port." Wrex muttered. "Care to explain?"
"The executive board does everything in-"
"Spare us the corporate BS." Bourne interrupted. "I have bigger things to do than investigate a few cooperate secrets." He crossed his arms, face blank and unreadable. "Anyone of interest pass though lately?" He asked.
"Of interest? An Asari matriarch passed through a few days ago."
"Benezia?" He said, not a question.
"Yes, that was her name."
Liara tensed beside Shepard. "Benezia? She is here?"
"So where is she now?" Bourne continued.
"She left for the peak fifteen complex days ago. To the best of my knowledge, she's still there."
"Then I guess that's where we're headed next."
"You'll need to ask Administrator Anoleis for clearance to leave this port."
Bourne snorted. "Clearance? Maybe you forgot that whole discussion in the docking bay, but Shepard and I are Spectres. We don't need 'clearance.'"
"Bourne, you've already almost gotten us kicked out once, so maybe you should let me handle this." Shepard interrupted, irritated.
"I'm just saying. Isn't that the whole point of having a special tatics and recon branch in the first place? What's to stop us from just-"
Shepard cut him off. "Where can we find the administrator?"
"He's on the main level. Left at the top of the elevator. If you need any help, you can ask me at the administrator's office."
Bourne chuckled. "Somehow, I get the feeling it'll be the administrator that'll need help."
Shepard turned to him.
"If Shepard tells me it's okay." He added.
"Good answer."
"Spoilsport."
"Bourne…"
"Shutting up now."
"I imagine you want to talk to me Shepard." Liara broke in hesitantly. "About my mother."
"No, we don't. I trust you Liara, more than almost anyone."
Bourne nodded agreement. "Same thing Shepard said, but without all the- on second thought I've pissed her off enough for one day."
"Yes Bourne, you have."
"I'm just saying Shepard, I don't know why you're letting it bug you so much."
She wheeled on me so fast, the two guards nearby half raised their guns at her. Luckily for them, they didn't actually get involved.
"Bourne, I am about one more comment from ordering you back to the ship."
"Only one? Guess I'm really pushing my luck today."
"Okay, that's it-"
"Shepard, I got one word why you can't do that. SPE-CTRE. Should I spell it?"
"No."
"Just asking."
"As for why it bugs me so much, I had been hoping to keep a lower profile. But since you blatantly told that Hanar that we are Spectres-"
"He already knew, or at least suspected. And I actually had a reason. The smuggling thing could be used to our advantage."
Wrex cleared his throat, sounding like distant thunder. "Maybe we could discuss this another time? And actually go in and talk to the guy?"
Shepard glared at me, but nodded agreement. "Let me handle this Bourne."
"Okay. But if he won't do cooperate, I'm taking over."
"If I can't get through to him, his ass is yours."
I just stared at her. "Shepard, could you have not said that any other way?"
"You know what I mean."
"I'm just saying, you and Liara may swing either way, but I don't."
Both their faces turned very red- or in Liara's case purple- very quickly.
"Okay. Let me begin my three part apology by saying that I think you're both wonderful people, with great potential-"
"Just shut up and follow me."
Shepard led the way into the administrator's office, and saw the woman from upstairs sitting at the receptionist's desks.
"How did she beat us down here?" She muttered.
"With how slow the elevators go, and how long you took looking for a better sniper rifle, I'm not all that surprised." Bourne answered in a low voice.
Shepard didn't even bother glaring at him this time. It clearly wasn't working today.
Walking up the front desk, she put on a small formal smile. "I'd like to speak to Administrator Anoleis if he isn't too busy."
She heard a sound like a slap behind her, followed by a groan from Bourne. "Ughh, note to self, don't facepalm for the next few hours."
Shepard just rolled her eyes.
"Let me check. Administrator?"
A rushed voice came over the intercom. "Yes, what? What?"
"Commander Shepard…" She looked past Shepard for a moment. "Is here to see you."
She looked behind her to see Bourne making a sign across his throat, telling her not to mention him.
"Right, fine come in." The Administrator said in a bored voice.
Shepard glanced at Bourne. "Why do I get the feeling you two won't get along?"
"Why do you think I didn't want my name mentioned?"
They went in, Shepard already thinking about how to be diplomatic.
That line of thought quickly died as the Administrator opened his mouth. "You'll excuse me if I don't stand up. I have no time to entertain orphans and Mercenaries."
Bourne looked at Shepard, eyes glowing. She sent him back a glare that equally meant no.
"You should also remember that we're Spectres. That's who we're here as." Shepard stated.
"You should also know that I could probably find and break every bone in your body, even the ones you didn't know you had." Bourne said mildly. "But since Shepard already told me not do that, I guess I'm out of luck."
"Charming." The administrator said, unconcerned. "This greeting is a courtesy. I will only cooperate as required by the executive board."
Bourne chuckled darkly. "Tell you what. You just give us what little info we want, and I won't go poking around company secrets and wasting your time. Because I honestly don't care that much, and It'll be sure to ruin your day."
"I will not allow to harass our clients. This world is private property."
Bourne rolled his eyes. "Since you obviously don't care about being formal, neither do I. Benezia. Talk."
"She arrived several days ago accompanied by a personal escort and some cargo. She's currently at peak fifteen."
"What do you mean personal escort?" Liara asked.
"The phrase is self-explanatory. Body guards attending to the safety of her person. Mainly Asari commandos."
"You let a bunch of Asari that can kill you with their minds run around freely but give us flack about guns?" Wrex asked, incredulous.
Bourne sighed. "Wrex, you, me and Liara are Biotics too; don't make it sound like they're Ardat Yakshi or something." He smiled. "After all, Shepard is arguably the most dangerous one here, and she doesn't even have Biotics."
Shepard turned back to the Salarian. "What can you tell me about her cargo?"
"Large, heavy, and sealed. It passed weapons screening. Beyond that, I have no interest."
"Like the sort that could hold multiple machines?" Bourne asked.
The administrator shrugged. "I suppose so, though I fail to see how that it relevant."
"In our case, I'd say it's plenty relevant." Bourne said, turning to Shepard, searching her face for understanding.
The reason hit Shepard like a thunderbolt. Geth. She crossed her arms. "I want to see her. Now."
He smiled mockingly. "I'm afraid I cannot do that. Peak fifteen is a private facility in the mountains. There is also a blizzard, so there is no way to get there."
"Our Mako could make the trip easily."
He nodded. "Yes, I suppose it could. If I gave you a garage pass."
Shepard uncrossed her arms. "Which is why you're going to give us one, right?"
"I will do no such thing. Lady Benezia came here as Saren's executor, and as he is a major shareholder-"
"He's also a wanted criminal. And if Benezia can tell us where he is, I'm talking to her." Bourne said, raising a hand, flaring his Biotics around it. "And if you're getting in the way of justice, that makes you a criminal. As a Spectre, I can… eliminate criminals."
He laughed. "Even were you so foolish, security would be here within seconds. Now, do you have anything else to ask? Every minute I waste with you costs the company twelve credits. I'm keeping a running tally."
Bourne looked at Shepard, and this time she nodded. After that line, he deserves whatever Bourne does to him.
He leaned on the desk, smiling. "I'll level with you. How much for a garage pass? Thousand credits? Ten thousand? I have plenty."
The salarian chuckled. "Do you think such a bribe will make me betray one of our biggest clients?"
"Apparently not." Quick as lightning, he grabbed him by one of his head horns and slammed his face against the desk.
His pistol flew into his other hand. "How about a threat then? If you don't give us a garage pass-" He pressed the gun to his head, holding him there with the other hand. "I think you can guess."
"Nice." Wrex commented.
"Do you really think you can get out of here if you shoot me?" The administrator asked.
"Hmm, you know, that's a good point."
He holstered his gun and unsheathed his shoulder blade. "This is much quieter. So, where should I start? Any suggestions? Fingers? Eyes?"
"I've always wanted to see one of those horn things cut off." Wrex put in. "Never got around to it though."
"If I give you a pass, I'll lose my job. I won't let that happen."
Bourne's face darkened. "Is that so?"
"Obviously."
He flared his Biotics. "It would be so easy to just kill your right now and take the pass off your body."
He glared at him coldly, but the Salarian met his gaze evenly.
He released him and sheathed his blade. "Too damned easy. " He shrugged. " Enjoy the next couple hours. They'll be your last as administrator."
That said, he turned and walked out of the office like he hadn't just threatened him multiple ways.
Shepard turned to him. "Last chance. He didn't sound like he was bluffing. "
"Don't you humans have someone else to threaten and extort?" he said, picking himself back off the desk. "I still have work to do."
"Lot of backbone for a salarian." Wrex muttered.
"Or he's just an idiot. Come on, let's find Bourne before he tries killing someone else."
(You fucking wimp! You could have just killed him, and you didn't! Now think about how much you'll have to do!)
)Yeah, like I'm really going to kill him in cold blood. And let you get a hand hold on my brain.(
*I hate to agree with him, but maybe eliminating him would be best.*
)What?( (What?)
*One dead, vs a bunch of cops dead. Simple math.*
(You mean dirty cops.)
)God, I can't believe I'm saying this, but Bronze has a point. And since I just threatened to blow his head off, I don't think just telling him about the Hanar's smuggling would work. Besides, if I don't take him down after all that, I'll look like a wimp.(
(Makes sense to me...but I thought-)
)Bronze works better.(
*I hope it occurs to that he's agreeing with you. That isn't exactly a good thing.*
I pushed them away as Raptor Shepard approached me. "Bourne, I really hope you have a backup plan."
"He isn't the only one with a garage pass you know." Parasini said from her desk.
)It also occurs to me that with the whole reality bending thing, I don't think I can get out of it now. Besides, I want to kill that Stirling chick.(
(Agreed.)
*Seriously, am I the only one seeing something wrong here?*
"What was that?" Shepard asked.
"You've never worked in the cooperate would, have you? You can't just bludgeon through bureaucracy. "
I laughed. "I almost did. Lucky for him I didn't think he was worth wasting a bullet on." My eyes narrowed, and I dropped my voice to a whisper. "Though I'm surprised that you didn't call security if you heard all that. Unless there's a reason you'd want to see him taken out?"
"If you really want to get to him, you should talk to Lorik Qui'in. You should be able to find him at the hotel bar."
I nodded. "Thanks."
(Why are you thanking her? You already knew that.)
*Oh shut up.*
It took a short time to get to the hotel. Though I was for the millionth time wondering what a-hole designed the elevators to move so slow here.
"I need a moment of your time." An Asari stated as we passed.
I flicked a knife into hand. "I'm busy. Talk to someone that cares."
She was smart enough to leave.
"You don't even know what she wanted Bourne."
I looked at Shepard with a small smile. "I could guess." And dealing with more coorperate BS is not what I'm in the mood for. Two thirds of me wants to just call it off for the rest of the day and get unhungover. Unfortunately for you two, I'm too stubborn for that.
*Damn it.* (You're insane. And I would know.)
I shook my head and went over to talk to the guy, then my Omni-tool beeped, signaling an incoming call... from Ashley.
"Shepard, can you handle him yourself?"
"Probably. You flirt with your girlfriend while I handle things this time."
"Reversal from normal." I commented, moving into a corner where I wasn't so likely to be overheard.
I also transferred the call from my Omni-tool to my earpiece.
(Someone is paranoid today.)
)Hero, can you shut him up while I'm talking to her?(
*Only if I can listen in.*
I decided to just push them both away and answer the call before she decided to just hang up.
"Ash?"
"Hey Jason. How are you doing?"
I chuckled softly. "You sound like I feel."
"I know. Chakwas gave me something. I swear though, she deliberately still made it painful."
"Well, her name does spell 'hacksaw' if you move the letters around."
There was silence on her end for a moment. "That doesn't really make me feel better."
"Sorry."
"So, how's the mission going? Stop Saren and save the galaxy yet?"
"Not quite. I managed to piss off the guy in charge, damn bureaucrat. And Shepard's mad at me, but that's fairly standard by this point."
"What did you do this time?"
"Let's just say the headache isn't helping my temper."
"I'm actually sort of glad I'm not out there."
"Come on Ash, Shepard isn't that bad. As long as you have Biotics so you can hold her off if she really goes after you."
"Yeah, I think I'm staying here Jason."
"Probably just as well. I probably can shrug this off quicker with the genetic enhancements."
"You want me to do what?" Shepard's voice cut across our conversation. Not overly loud, but still loud enough for my enhanced hearing, and her tone was like what she normally sounded like talking to me.
I sighed. "Sorry Ash, I gotta go save someone from Shepard."
"That's sort of backwards. I'll see you when you get back."
"Love you too." I smirked, cutting the com.
I hope this guy is less of a pain in the ass than the last one. Shepard thought as she walked up to the turian Bourne had indicated.
"Afternoon." He said politely. "Sit down, have a drink."
"Thanks, but I'll pass." I might actually do what I want to do to Bourne. "Are you Lorik Qui'in? I heard you might be able to help me."
He looked at her, gaze lingering and making Shepard want to punch him. Then she realized it was the N7 on her chest he was looking at.
"You are one of the Spectres that came to Port Hanshan, correct? What can an old turian like me possibly help you with?"
"I'm Commander Shepard with the Systems Alliance Navy," She began.
He cut her off with a wave of his hand. "It's far too late for cover-ups Commander. Your picture has been sent to every single Employee." He glanced over at where Bourne was standing, talking on the comm. "Not to mention his. They've been warned that speaking to either of you is grounds for termination. And that he's high risk and to be shot at the first sign of trouble."
"That doesn't surprise me." She said, shaking her head.
"But yes, I'm Lorick Quein. For the moment, manager of the local synthetic insights office."
"Taking a lunch break?" Shepard asked wryly. "Or are you expecting someone?"
"I wish that it were so. The good administrator closed my office, claiming to be investigating reports of my corruption. So, I don't seem to have much to do besides wait."
"Which is a cover up for what he's really doing?" Wrex rumbled. Shepard had almost forgotten the other two were there.
"Put bluntly, he demands rent kickbacks from companies on Noveria."
"And you somehow have evidence of this that can be used against him?" Shepard guessed, understanding why Parasini had suggested talking to him.
"More or less. Now his hired goons are ransacking my office looking for it." He stopped for a moment, looking at them. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect your goal lies outside Hanshan?"
"Yes, but the 'good' administrator doesn't want us leaving. And I bet he doesn't want you sharing that evidence even more."
"Than I believe we can help each other. Give me the evidence from my office, and I'll give you my garage pass. Do we have a deal?"
Shepard almost said yes, but something felt off. "What aren't you telling me?"
"Well there is a small, ahh what is the human phrase, fly in the… lotion?"
Shepard just looked at him with confusion, than glanced at Bourne and decided to ask later if he knew.
"Violence against Mr. Anoleis's thugs will most likely be required. He has many members of Hanshan's security teams searching my office. He's paying them under the table."
Shepard crossed her arms. "You want us to do what?"
"If he's paying them, they're mercenaries." Wrex rumbled.
"That's beside the point. There must be some other way to do this."
"Okay, Shepard, calm down and back away slowly." She heard a sudden voice say.
Shepard wheeled on him. "How many times do I have to tell you not do that stupid ninja thing?"
"By my count, say it one more time and it'll be seventy. So what did you do to piss her off?" He asked Qui'in.
"Short version, part of the plan is killing cops." She said in a low voice.
"Okay… let me guess the long version. The Administrator is paying them to do something they shouldn't be doing, but you still have a problem with that."
"That's still a pretty short version."
"What do you want, an essay?"
Shepard shook her head. "Can you think of some other way?"
"I heard bits and pieces when I was over there- enough to get the gist. And I think taking down Mr. 'you can't have a garage pass' is our only option now."
"Which is partially your fault."
"What do you mean partially?"
"If we could get back to the matter at hand?" The turian broke in. "Do we or do we not have a deal?"
"We have a deal." Bourne said. He held a hand up to forestall Shepard. "If you want to stay here and let Wrex and I handle it, I understand. I can take any bad rap, and you stay clean."
Shepard sighed. "I don't like this, but I can't see any other way."
"Excellent" Qui'in said, handing them an elevator pass. "This will get you into our offices." He also handed over a small OSD. "When you get in, insert this into my computer. It has an encryption key to access the files. It will auto execute."
"Fancy." Bourne commented.
Shepard rolled her eyes. "Let's do this before I come to my senses."
"The sooner the better." Wrex rumbled. "I need to get my blood racing in this cold. Shooting something sounds like a good way to do it."
"It isn't that cold out you baby." Bourne said with a small smile.
"Maybe not to you mammals."
"Maybe. Just do me a favor and don't start hibernating on me."
