"You know for a complete and utter stooge, you're not too bad. You've got a sharp tongue on ya, anyway." The woman laughed. "Wits beyond any other uniform wearing suckers that I've ever had the misfortune of running into over the years."

Shepard was stretching in his cell as the other inmate began to talk. It was the first time she had done so all day. "Did I just get complemented?"

"Don't let it go to your head." The woman shook her own head. "Just saying, you've got something about you. It's a shame you don't use it for better things than being a glorified lap dog."

Shepard began to do his daily dose of sit-ups. "I'm still going to take that first bit as a compliment. So what did I do today, on this fine morning, to receive such praise from you?"

"Today's a good day." The inmate smiled. "A real good day."

"Color me curious, friend. Why is that?"

The inmate smiled to herself and whispered. "You'll see soon enough."

Twenty five minutes later, Shepard heard the steps approaching the cell block. Two guards walked past, not paying any attention to Shepard as they walked past the clear glass portion of his cell. It wasn't much for privacy. It did however allow the man to see what was going on outside his four walls, which was a small comfort.

"Alright you violent little bitch, it's time for today's therapy session." One of the guards sneered as he unlocked the cell. "And if you're good, we'll-"

The man suddenly stopped talking as he stumbled back, grabbing his throat. Shepard stood from the floor immediately and walked towards the glass to try and get a better look at what was happening. The other guard suddenly slid past his cell, the man clearly unconscious. Shepard's fellow prisoner appeared as she stepped out of her cell, kicking the first guard in the face to knock the man out. She laughed as she picked up the keycard.

"That was easier than I expected." She checked the mans pockets, growling as she seemingly couldn't find what she was looking for. "Fuck! Where is it?"

"What are you doing?" Shepard eyed up the unconscious guards.

"I'm getting out of here, that's what I'm doing." The woman rolled her eyes. "But this!" She suddenly yanked her wrist into focus. There was a small metallic device attached to it. "Is going to make things more difficult and less fun." She rushed to the second guard and checked his pockets. Once again, she growled as she came up empty in her search. "Fucking pricks! Guess I'll have to do it without." She turned to Shepard's cell and twiddled the key card round in her hands. "Fancy some freedom today, hero?"

Shepard stared at the keycard. He had to admit, a small part of him found the offer tempting. But even if he wanted to escape, which ultimately he didn't, he knew it couldn't be like this. He shook his head. "No. You'll never get out of here. They've got this place securely locked down. This is a mistake."

The woman sneered. "It's not as secure as they think. Trust me, I've seen ways. And hell, I've got out of worse places." She shrugged. "But fuck it then. Have a nice time in here, Shepard. So long!"

She grinned, throwing a mock salute as she ran off, Shepard unable to see where she'd left to. Suddenly sirens began to blare. Shepard backed away from the glass, sitting on the edge of his bed as he waited for word of the un-named prisoners demise.


Garrus stared at the man as he stepped through the door. "You."

Tyrone Rawlings stepped into the safe house on Omega. "Correct, me." He glanced at Miranda. "Didn't tell him I was coming, Operative Lawson?"

"I told Garrus that Cerberus would be sending assistance. I thought it'd be best for you to explain, rather than I."

Tyrone smiled. "That's smart. No wonder the boss is so fond of you. It's quite the honor I have to say. I've heard many stories, all of them excellent."

Miranda rolled her eyes as she stepped away from the door. "I assume from your reaction Garrus that Shepard told you about Tyrone, correct? Trust me. There are worse options." Much worse.

Garrus nodded as he eyed up the man. "That's one thing he didn't expect to find out."

"Well I didn't expect to be thrust into that, or this situation either." The Human dropped his bag to the floor. "But here I am. And since you're here, both of you, I take it you're deadly serious about getting him out of captivity."

"You wouldn't be here if we weren't deadly serious, Rawlings." Miranda stated. "There are three other people who know about this operation. You make it four. I trust you know what that means."

"It's very clear, Operative Lawson. I am here to help, truly. But you know he's not going to go for it, Jack I mean? He's always been stubborn, even back when we were kids on Earth. You don't make that man do something truly he has his heart set on not doing. You're going to have to have a hell of an ace up your sleeve if you want him to walk with us."

Miranda motioned to the board of information. "Do you have any ideas in mind?"

"Maybe, depending on where he is." He looked towards Miranda and Garrus. "You know where he is, right?"

Their silence told the entire story.

"Really?" Tyrone shook his head in exasperation. "How are we supposed to launch a rescue operation, for someone who doesn't want to be rescued by the way, when we don't even know where the target is located?"

Miranda gritted her teeth. "We're working on it. We've narrowed down locations where he isn't-"

"Oh and that just leaves another million and one places where he could be?" Tyrone scoffed as he cut Miranda off. "This is amateur hour in here. The lover and the best friend chasing shadows? Give me a break. I expect better from you, both of you."

Garrus rose from his chair swiftly. "We're working with what we have." Miranda meanwhile stood surprised by Tyrone's forcefulness.

"Bullshit. There's always more." He looked to Miranda. "You know that. I've read some of your files, Lawson. You don't wait for information to simply drop into your lap. You go out there and take it. It's why you're the damn best operative we have. And yeah, I figured it out. The Illusive Man didn't need to spell it out for me. You and Jack? There's something between you, something strong. It's why you're here, it's why he's here." Tyrone motioned to Garrus before turning back to Miranda. "Tell me I'm wrong, that this is simply an operation to get Shepard over to Cerberus? Because with present company, I highly doubt it."

Miranda stared at the man. While she loathed revealing details of her personal life, it'd do no good to hide them here. Her relationship with Shepard, while known to the higher-ups in the Alliance and those amongst Shepard's crew, had seemingly not been a hot topic of conversation within Cerberus. Either they were unaware, or they were simply told not to discuss it by the Illusive Man. And with Garrus present too, it was almost a confirmation by itself.

"Everything you believe is true."

"Of course it is." Tyrone pointed to the board of information. "Now if we're getting him out of wherever he is they've got him locked up, we owe him a duty for it to be successful. It's time to up our collective games, people. No more friend, no more lover. John Shepard is a target. And he's a target we're going to bag. Understood?"

Miranda nodded as she analysed Tyrone's words. "Understood." Do I not have my head in the game? Am I not thinking clearly? Should I be doing more?

Garrus too agreed. While he was still wasn't sure of the man, he respected Tyrone's attitude towards getting things done in a professional manner. He reminded him of Shepard. Maybe the man was right, that Garrus and Miranda were too close to the situation. It couldn't be personal, not with Shepard's life on the line.


It had been twenty minutes since the prisoner had made her break for freedom. And once again, Shepard heard her coming from a mile away.

"You son of a bitch! Get your fucking hands off me! When I get out of here, I'll kill every last one of you!"

Shepard stood up from the bed and made his way to the glass. He could see the woman being carried by four guards, each holding a different limb. She was trying to kick out, but her actions seemed weak. If Shepard had to guess, the prisoner had been sedated.

"Throw her inside and chain her to the walls. Make sure the bitch can't move." One guard followed the other four, his nose clearly broken.

"You okay there?" Shepard asked.

The guard shot a glance at Shepard. "Just peachy, Commander. Goddamn psychotic bitch. She broke my nose!"

"Did she kill anyone?"

The guard shook his head. "No. Thankfully her biotics are under control thanks to the device attached to her wrist." He silently motioned to a key under his shirt, hanging down from his neck. "She's too powerful otherwise."

"I see." Shepard couldn't see the woman, but he could hear the sound of chains being rattled as they were attached. The prisoner was shouting obscenities at everyone and anyone. "Are the chains really necessary?"

"Really necessary?" The guard scoffed. "You've seen what she did, Commander. She should be in chains all the time. Playtime is over with this one. I wish they'd put her down and be done with it. But oh no, she's valuable they say. Eugh."

"I saw but.." Shepard gritted his teeth. "Can you not chain her?"

The guard blinked, surprised. "Why are you even asking, Commander? She's an animal. She's nothing to you."

Shepard stared at the man. Tap into the respect. He still calls you 'Commander'. "In some ways, she's the only company I have." Shepard shook his head as he looked to the floor. "Please."

The guard frowned. "Fine. But Commander, this is a one time deal, you hear me? If she tries this again, chains will be the least of her problems."

Shepard locked eyes with the man once more. "Thank you." The thanks was genuine.

"Myers, Pete. Leave her. Bring 'em. Not today." Shepard heard the rattling of chains again, this time seeing them as the guards walked out of the cell with them. Finally, the prisoner stopped cursing as the door was locked once more. "You've got off light, bitch. You can thank the respect I have for the Commander for that." The main guard nodded at Shepard before making his exit, the others following him in his wake.

Shepard sat back down on his bed. It was five minutes before she finally spoke again.

"Why did you do that?" The prisoner was clearly exhausted, but the surprise was evident in her voice. "Why did you stop them?"

"We're friends, aren't we?" Shepard smiled sadly. "I figured you might not be in too talkative a mood if they went through with it."

"Would have saved you a sermon or two, dumbass." The woman coughed as she rubbed her throat. "But.. thanks, you know."

"You're welcome." Shepard laid down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling.

"Jack."

Shepard blinked in surprise. "What did you call me?"

"Eugh. Not you, dumbass. My name is Jack. I guess you earned it."

"Oh." Shepard smiled, embarrassed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jack."

"Yeah, yeah." Jack rolled her eyes. "Don't get too comfortable. I'm not giving up on getting out of here yet. I was sloppy. Another day? That's a different story."


Remember Tyrone calls John, Jack, from when they were kids. Not to be confused with actual Jack.

Gee I hope they don't meet, that'll get confusing fast!