Author's Notes at the End to avoid spoilers…

Garrus, Solana, and Vega

"Are you sure?" Garrus asked an old contact of his from his days in C-Sec, "Absolutely…positively…sure?"

"Yes." The turian C-Sec officer responded as he called up a holographic image from his omnitool. "I caught sight of him while reviewing the Zakera Ward security cam footage. I did some more digging and discovered that he's been in contact with a fixer we only know as 'The Fade.'

"The Fade?" Garrus's mandibles formed the turian equivalent of a sarcastic grin.

"He specializes in helping people to disappear…for a price." Garrus's informant explained, "We haven't been able to figure out his identity yet."

"So…how do people looking for his services contact him?"

"We're not sure." The contact admitted, "All we have is a mailbox on the extranet and it changes every so often. Here's the most recent address. If you're planning on contacting him, you'd better hurry before he decides to change it again. This makes us even."

"Thanks." Garrus replied with a nod of his head. "I appreciate it."

"Look, Garrus. I don't know what he did and I don't want to know. Just…be careful."

"Thank you, Delus." Garrus replied in a low voice, "I will."

With that, Delus turned and walked away, leaving Garrus alone gazing down at the holographic image of the turian who had betrayed his team on Omega now playing on his tool. After a momentary pause, the turian vigilante typed an extranet message and sent it to two addresses. Meet me for breakfast tomorrow at Zakera Café. I'm buying.

"Time to even the score."

V'lana and Kaidan

"Mmmm…That tickles!" V'lana purred as the man in bed with her gently caressed her.

"Hello." Kaidan murmured as he kissed his Romulan bed partner on the neck.

"Back atcha." V'lana whispered as she turned about to face the handsome human biotic and returned the kiss with one of her own on his lips. "So…what's for breakfast?"

"Typical Canadian breakfast." Kaidan replied with a lopsided grin. "Bacon…eggs…more bacon…flapjacks with plenty of butter and syrup…and coffee…lots of coffee."

"Sounds good. So…what do I do?" V'lana quipped as she sat up in the bed.

"You get showered and dressed while I cook." Kaidan joked back as he got out of the bed.

"Uh…Huh…" V'lana, with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, shook her head. "We take a shower together. Then we get dressed and I watch while you cook."

"Works for me!" Kaidan laughed as he rushed to the bathroom, calling out over his shoulder, "Loser buys the first round tonight!"

"You dog!" V'lana exclaimed with a laugh as she quickly jumped out of bed and dashed after her man. "When I catch you…"

"Promises…Promises!" Kaidan teased as he barely beat his partner into the shower. Grabbing her by the arm, he playfully pulled her into the stall, embracing her as the water cascaded. "So…whatcha gonna do to me?"

"Mmmm…" The lovely Romulan purred as her hands began to wander, "This…"

Tali, Tovan, and Veril

"Shit." Tali swore in a low voice as she saw a handcuffed quarian female being taken into custody by a human C-Sec officer while a volus looked on, his stance reflecting the smugness that could not be seen on his face due to his encounter suit.

"What's wrong, Tali?" Tovan, sensing his companion's ill ease, gently inquired.

The quarian engineer answered back with an anguished sigh, "Just another young pilgrim being arrested for standing while quarian. She probably just bumped into the volus and he had her arrested for something stupid like picking his pocket."

"Do you want to check on her?" Tovan asked, his voice carrying a note of concern that his quarian friend quickly picked up on.

"Yes." Tali replied, her spirits lifting slightly, "Please."

"We probably won't get a straight answer from him." Tovan pointed out, his gaze falling on the volus, "But one of these witnesses might know something."

"Good idea." Tali responded as a voice spoke out from one of the advertisements.

"The quarian didn't pick his pocket. I was there. He dropped it in the electronics shop next to the Sirta kiosk. You can't miss it."

"Who are you?" Tovan asked as Veril took out her tricorder and began scanning. "

"She's at your three o'clock, approximately five meters away and three meters up. I'd say on that ledge." The Reman engineer declared, gesturing at the location.

"All right." Tovan called out, "We've spotted you. If you want to talk to us, decloak now."

"Damn." A woman with Asian feature and wearing a dark shirt-pants combo appeared on the upper level precisely where Veril had stated. "First time that's happened to me. You've got a sensitive scanner."

"Thank you." Tovan responded laconically. "Now who are you and what do you want?"

"Pardon my manners." The stranger apologized politely. "My name is Kasumi. As I said, I saw what happened. The quarian girl didn't pick that fat volus's pocket. He dropped his credit chit in the electronics shop over there. Check it out—you'll see."

"He must be the volus Marab was talking about." Tali interjected, no one seeing the scowl on her face thanks to her visor. "Bosh'tet didn't even bother to think that he might have just dropped it. Instead, he jumps to a conclusion and blames the first quarian he sees. Because…" the scorn easily detectible in her voice, "…quarian equals thief."

"Why are you doing this? And what are asking for in return for your help?" Tovan asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I don't like bullies." Kasumi answered back. "As for what I want—I'll be in touch." With that, she reactivated her cloak and disappeared into the crowd.

"Do we go after her?" Tali asked as she scanned the crowd with her tricorder.

"No." Tovan shook his head, "I need to comm V'lana and then after that, we get an innocent person out of the brig." Tovan replied as he tapped his comm badge. "Little Sister? I need your help with a…diplomatic matter."

V'lana and Kaidan

"So…" Kaidan teased as he heaped large second helping of flapjacks, eggs, and bacon on his Romulan lover's plate, "…can I cook or can I cook?"

"You. Can. Cook!" V'lana gleefully exclaimed as she poured melted butter and syrup on to her flapjacks and took a big bite. "I'm going to have to put extra time in at the gym to work off all these calories."

"They're healthy calories." Kaidan joked as he sat down at the table and took a bite, washing it down with fresh brewed coffee.

"Little Sister? I need your help with a…diplomatic matter."

"Bad timing, Big Brother. This better be important." V'lana growled as she reluctantly set down her fork. "I'm in the middle of the best Elements damned breakfast I've ever had."

"I'm sorry, Little Sister. Let me explain…"

V'lana and Kaidan both quietly listened while Tovan explained the situation, with the occasional helpful comment from Tali until her executive officer had finished. "Let me get this straight…a quarian girl got unfairly arrested for pickpocketing when the mark actually dropped his credit chit in some store—right?"

"That's about the size of it." After a lengthy silence in which V'lana merely breathed in and out, Tovan resumed the conversation, this time with a slight note of concern in his voice. "Little Sister…Subcommander…Are you still there?"

As she sat quietly pondering her options, V'lana then overheard Tali's voice coming through the comm., speaking to Tovan, with an even more worried tone of voice, "I think she's mad, Tovan."

"Ummm…Little Sister?"

"Tovan."V'lana finally responded, now in a more serious tone of voice. "You do understand that this is an internal Citadel matter—right? I feel as bad for that girl as you and Tali, but, I'm sorry, there really isn't anything we can do for her."

"Actually…" Tovan answered back, "Tali, Veril, and I came up with a solution."

"All right, Big Brother." I'm listening. What is this solution of yours?" Several moments later, after he had outlined their plan, V'lana, after a little prodding from Kaidan, finally gave her consent. "All right. Go down to C-Sec. I'll send Cilla and Kal Reegar to meet you. I'll also give Councilor Anderson a call. No promises—you understand."

"I understand, Little Sister. And…thanks."

"Don't thank me yet." V'lana cautioned, "We haven't pulled this off. And if we do—you're going to owe me—big." Taking a deep breath, V'lana kissed her lover, "I'm going to comm Anderson. Don't touch my food—understand?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Kaidan laughed, "It'll be waiting for you when you get back."

Tovan, Tali, and Veril

Smiling down at his quarian friend, Tovan inclined his head to a waiting cab, "Come on, Tali." Turning to Veril, the Romulan centurion inquired, "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

"Yeah." Veril responded, "I've got to get back to the ship so my second can have some shore leave. Good luck and let me know how things turn out."

"Will do!" Tovan replied as the Reman engineer got into a nearby taxi and departed.

"Thanks, Tovan." Tali replied as the pair got into the taxi, "You don't know what this means for me."

The Romulan answered back as he took Tali's hand in his. "I know what it means to not have a home—as does V'lana. We'll set everything straight, I promise."

"Isn't young love sweet?" The Asian woman they had met earlier decloaked in the front seat of the cab, a smirk on her face. "Just thought you'd like to know. I did some checking on that guard." Her smile broadened, "He's got an interesting record. "Here…let me transfer the data to you."

"Thank you." Tovan replied, a slight green-hued blush to his cheeks thanks to the stranger's earlier comment. "Again I ask…Who are you…why are you doing this…and what do you want?"

"My name is Kasumi. Kasumi Goto." The woman responded with a grin. "Like I said, I don't like bullies. As for what I want…have your boss meet me at the Dark Star Lounge at 2000 hours. I think she'll like what I have to offer and I'm not asking much in return."

"I'll pass it on." Tovan promised as the cab set down near their destination. "Thank you."

As they entered the C-Sec offices, the pair halted on hearing a familiar voice calling out to them, "You just can't keep out of trouble, can you Ma'am?"

"Kal Reegar!" The young quarian exclaimed as her old friend approached, accompanied by the lithesome human second officer, now wearing a standard 23rd century gold command minidress with her rank displayed on the sleeves. "Lieutenant Commander. Thank you for coming."

"The Subcommander informed us of your plan." Cilla coolly responded as the tiny group made their way to the detention area. "Councilor Anderson has contacted Captain Bailey—he's the ranking officer. We're on our way to meet up with him."

"I just got off the comm with Councilor Anderson and had to endure a thirty minute…what's the human word? Ass chewing? Yes…that's the phrase. Thirty minutes. Nonstop." Executor Pallin, his anger and irritation clearly visible in the image visible on Bailey's monitor, declared. "Now, it's your turn." Pallin was as good as his word as the hapless C-Sec officer had to sit for nearly thirty minutes as his superior ranted until finally, his rage spent, Pallin sighed, "Look, Captain…I've got Councilors and diplomatic legates breathing down my neck on this. I want the matter taken care of and I want it done as quietly and as soon as possible."

"Understood, Executor." Bailey acknowledged, the haggard look on his face reflecting his current state of mind. "I'll deal with it."

"Good." The Executor nodded in satisfaction. "A delegation from the Romulans and the Federation are on their way to you. I expect results and your report on my desk this evening. Pallin out."

Letting out a breath of air as his screen went blank, Bailey tapped his intercom, "Leslie? Send a man to pick up that volus who originally filed the charges on that quarian girl and have her brought to my office. Also, get hold of Officer Carmichael and tell him to get his ass here now."

"Right away, Captain."

A few minutes later, his receptionist commed back, "Kor Tun has been picked up and is enroute, and Officer Carmichael is outside waiting. An officer is also bringing in Lia Va'el—the quarian. Also, I just received word that the Romulan Republic and Federation reps are on the way and should be here soon."

Heaving a sigh, Bailey responded, "Thanks, Leslie. Carmichael can stew for a little bit until I finish my coffee." Taking his time, the harried captain finished the coffee in his cup. "Okay, send him in." As his officer entered the office, Bailey pointed to the chair in front of his desk and growled, "Plant it, Carmichael."

"Is there a problem, Sir?" The human C-Sec officer inquired as he sat down.

After his officer had taken the seat in front of his desk, Bailey snapped angrily, "Do you have any idea what sort of shitstorm you and that volus started?"

"What are you talking about, Captain?"

"You know damned well what I'm talking about." Bailey countered with a low growl. "That quarian girl's arrest. What the hell were you thinking?"

His lips curling up in a contemptuous sneer, the C-Sec officer replied, "She's a quarian. You know how they are…nothing but vagrants and thieves. She had to have stolen it."

"Did you even bother to question anyone at the scene or check her story out first?" Bailey shot back as he drummed his desk with his fingers.

"I didn't see the need." The guard answered back. "It was open and shut. Besides…she ought to be thanking us. This is probably the first night she's been able to sleep on a real bed in months."

"You stupid ass!" Bailey cursed, as he got out of his chair and leaned forward on his desk. "I just got off the comm with Executor Pallin who reamed my ass after he got his rear chewed by Councilor Anderson. Our new guests, the Romulans and the Federation, for some reason or other have taken an interest in the matter."

"Why should they care?" Carmichael responded with a shrug of his shoulders, "She's not a pointy eared freak, and I don't know anything about this Federation except that a bunch of alien loving humans are in it. What business is it of theirs?"

"Captain?" The voice of Bailey's receptionist came through the speaker, cutting him off before he could reply.

"Yes, Leslie?"

"Kor Tun and the Romulan and Federation representatives are here."

"Send them in."

Looking up as an odd collection of beings entered his office, Bailey took a deep breath. "I guess you're the people from the Romulan Republic and Federation. I'm Captain Bailey. I wish we could have met under better circumstances."

"As do we." Cilla coolly responded, maintaining a polite diplomatic expression on her face as she spoke with a decided Dutch accent. "I am Lieutenant Commander Cilla Oudekirk, Starfleet and second officer of the Gallena. As I had served as a security officer before moving to command, I was asked by the Subcommander and Minister Gladstone to represent the Federation." Inclining her head to the quarian who had entered the room with them, she declared, "And this is Sergeant Kal Reegar. He and Tali'Zorah nar Rayya represent quarian interests in this matter."

"Centurion Tovan Kev. First Officer of the RRW Gallena and representing the Republic on behalf of Subcommander Avesti."

Gazing at Cilla, the C-Sec officer remarked in a gruff tone, "I had heard rumors that there were non-Alliance affiliated humans in this Federation, but wasn't sure I believed them. But that's a discussion for another time. You're here about Lia'Vael?"

"Correct." Tovan replied, his face also an expressionless mask as he placed a gentle restraining hand on Tali's arm before she could speak.

"All right..." Bailey nodded his head, "Let's get started." Turning his attention to the volus who had just entered the room, the captain questioned, "Kor Tun?"

"Yes." The volus wheezed, "That quarian…" He declared, pointing an accusing finger at Lia'Vael, "Stole my credit chit." Pointing now at Carmichael, he announced, "Your officer agrees with me. He arrested her."

Addressing Bailey, Cilla demanded, again keeping the icy expression on her face as she spoke in a level tone, "Does your officer have proof that a crime occurred?"

Leveling an accusatory gaze at his deputy, Bailey growled, "Well, Carmichael. Do you want to tell them what you told me earlier? Or shall I?"

"She was arrested on suspicion." He declared as he glared accusingly at the three quarians in the room.

"Arrested for standing while quarian you bosh'tet!" Tali spat out before Tovan again placed a gentle hand on her arm. Looking up at the Romulan first officer, Tali apologized, "I'm okay…don't worry."

"I assume you had probable cause before arresting her?" Cilla questioned, leveling a stern gaze at the security officer.

"It had to be her." Kor Tun interjected

"First…" The C-Sec captain declared as he took charge of the discussion, "I want to apologize for my officer's actions. He exceeded his authority in arresting her on the spot and I have spoken to him about that. However…there's still the matter of the missing credit chit."

Turning to Kor Tun, Bailey inquired, "Why do you think she stole it?"

"She bumped into me." The volus answered back. "That's how they operate. My credit chit is missing. She had to have stolen it!"

"I believe we can clear this up." Tovan announced as he and Tali approached the captain. "Marab, the manager at the Sironis electronics shop, is willing to swear out an affidavit that Kor Tun had dropped his credit chit in his store. He still has the chit in his possession."

"Leslie?" Bailey called out to his assistant who quickly responded.

"Already on it, Sir." Moments later, she returned to the office. "Marab confirms their account. He's got the credit chit and will hold it for either Kor Tun or us to pick up."

"That's good enough for me." Bailey responded. "You're free to go Ms. Lia'Vael."

"Thank you." The quarian girl sullenly replied as Kal Reegar came to her side.

"Ma'am." The quarian sergeant respectfully introduced himself.

Clearing his throat, Bailey addressed both Cilla and Tovan. "Forgive my curiosity, but I have to ask. What is so important about her that your people were willing to create a diplomatic incident?"

"Leaving out the fact that she was innocent…" Tovan responded, "She has also been hired by both the Romulan and Federation delegates in our new interest section as a 'special consultant' and receptionist."

"Are they serious?" Lia'Vael whispered to the quarian standing next to her, "Are they really offering me a job?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Reegar answered back in an equally low voice.

"As for you, Carmichael…" Bailey growled, "Consider yourself on two weeks unpaid suspension and there'll be a written reprimand in your file. Now get the hell out of my office." Turning his attention back to the Romulan and Starfleet officers, the captain inquired in a gravelly voice, "Are we done here?"

Nodding her head in assent, Cilla replied, "The Federation is satisfied if the Romulan Republic is." Taking the Romulan first officer's slight head nod as acceptance, the willowy Dutch officer spoke. "Thank you for your help in resolving this situation, Captain. If there's nothing else, we'll get out of your hair as well."

"Thank you." The young quarian, her tone of voice reflecting her surprise as her eyes fell on the group that had just come to her rescue, "Not to sound ungrateful…" She nervously queried, "But I have to ask…why? You went through a lot of trouble for just one quarian whom you've never met. Why did you do it?"

"Our people were refugees too." Tovan explained "We know what it is like to have to depend on the generosity of others, and we've seen others treated as you were. We found a home for our people. Maybe one of these days we can help you find a home of your own." The handsome Romulan smiled as he felt Tali's hand tighten on his, "…or help you reclaim the home you lost."

"Then I'm in your debt." The quarian replied, "And I always pay my debts. You said that I had been hired as a 'special consultant' and receptionist. Was that offer legit?"

"The offer is genuine." The Gallena's executive officer responded, "Kal Reegar will take you to our joint interest section on the Presidium and will introduce you to Legate Tamov and Minister Gladstone. They are who you will be working for."

"Ma'am?" Reegar interjected, gesturing towards the door. "If you'll come with me? And on the way I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have."

"Thanks." Lia'Vael replied, "I've only got about a million of them. Addressing the others, the young quarian stammered, "And thank you again. I am in your debt."

As their newest employee left, Cilla and Tovan again said their farewells. Exiting the captain's office, Cilla quipped in a low voice, "You owe me, Tovan."

"I saw a book in one of the commercial zone bookstores—leather bound…fine quality. I think it was by an Earth author by the name of Hemingway—For Whom the Bell Tolls? If I buy you that, will that make us even?"

"It will." Cilla replied with a slight smirk on her lips. "I'll see you two later. Take care."

"Thank you, Tovan." Tali said in a warm voice as she slipped her arm around the Romulan's waist. "Now, I owe you. Let's get some lunch. I'm buying."

Garrus, Solana, and Vega

"Thanks for coming." Garrus said as James and Solana joined him at his table. "Breakfast is on me."

"You bet it is." James quipped as he and Solana placed their orders. "So…what's up?"

"Remember me telling you about Sidonus?" Garrus inquired as he called up the turian's holographic image on his omnitool.

"Yeah." Vega nodded his head. "Wasn't he the son of a bitch that got your team on Omega killed?"

"And almost got me." Garrus nodded his head. "I finally tracked him down. He's here. But he won't be for long. He's contacted a fixer named Fade who helps people disappear."

"So…you want to catch him before he gets away." James finished as Solana quietly listened.

"I want to do more than catch him." The turian vigilante growled, lowering his voice even more. "I want to put a bullet though his head."

"Menhei'sahe." Solana said in a low voice. "A matter of honor."

"Right." Garrus replied, "I owe it to my team."

"Wouldn't letting the authorities punish him do the same thing?" Vega asked, urging caution.

"No." Garrus shook his head. "Blood calls for blood. He killed my people…I kill him. Look…You don't have to actually kill him. I just need your help tracking down the fixer and cover me if I run into heavy opposition. Once I get what I need from this Fade person, I'll take care of Sidonus on my own. So…will you help me?"

Glancing at his Romulan companion and seeing her subtle nod, Vega took a deep breath and exhaled, "All right. We're in. Where do we start?"

"I've tracked him down to a warehouse on the next level. He uses that as one of his contact areas. I sent him an extranet message telling him I needed to disappear and was told to meet him there in two hours."

"Enough time for us to finish breakfast and return to the ship." Solana remarked, "We'll need armor and weapons. From what I saw of your customs, we can get phaser ones through with no problem. Anything heavier, we'll have to use the transporter. T'kala has transporter duty today and she owes me a favor. I can trade it in if necessary."

"Thank you." Garrus replied somberly. "I knew I could count on you."

"Just…watch yourself." Vega cautioned. "You know what they say about vengeance."

Garrus, Solana, Vega

"I'm not sure I'm on board with this, Solana…" Vega muttered to the Romulan woman walking next to him. "It's not like I haven't killed anyone before…but not like this…not in cold blood."

"I understand." Solana replied sympathetically. "That was one of the reasons why I deserted the Tal Shi'ar. It's one thing to kill someone in battle…assassination is another matter entirely. Menhei'sahe is a very powerful motivation though."

Vega countered, "For a Romulan it is, but Garrus is turian…"

"Turians have a code of honor not that different from Romulan in some respects." Solana rebutted before conceding, "I would prefer that Garrus confront his enemy face to face."

"Yeah. I don't know about you, but I'd like to know why Sidonus did that and how he feels about it now. Does he feel sorry about it? Not give a damn? Garrus should force him to answer those questions before he decides whether to put a bullet in his head or not. He can't do that if he shoots him in the head with a sniper rifle from a couple hundred meters away."

"Maybe we can help him do that…" Solana suggested as her eyes fell on her comm badge.

"Good idea." Vega grinned, "All we gotta do is make sure Sidonus lives long enough to say his piece."

Spying their turian friend standing by a kiosk waiting patiently for them, Solana replied with a sigh, "Now we have to figure out how we're going to do that."

Chuckling, Vega quipped in response, "One thing at a time, chica."

"Thanks for coming." Garrus said in a low voice as his companions joined him at the kiosk. "The warehouse is over there. Best case, we meet up with Fade and after a little arm twisting he tells us what I want to know and I take care of Sidonus."

"Worst case? Vega inquired in a half joking manner.

Garrus bluntly replied, "We have to take out his bodyguards before breaking his arm to get the information I need."

"All right." James sighed as he nodded his head towards Solana, "Let's get this over with."

Entering the warehouse, Garrus and his companions at once spotted a pair of krogans each standing in what was obviously a flanking position. Signaling Vega and Solana to take care of the flankers, the turian approached a volus who had emerged from a tiny office. "You Fade?"

"Which one of you wants to disappear?" The volus wheezed as Vega and Solana both unobtrusively readied their phasers.

"I want you to make someone reappear." Garrus declared in a low, threatening tone.

"That's not what we do." The volus replied, making a hand gesture to his krogan bodyguards. "We guarantee confidentiality to our clients."

"Make an exception in this case." Garrus threatened as his hand slipped to his phaser.

"No exceptions." The volus wheezed, signaling his guards. Just as the krogans drew their weapons, Solana and Vega fired, the yellow beams from their phasers striking home, bringing the two hulking bodyguards down.

"Your turn." Garrus growled as he stared down at the volus. "I'm looking for a client of yours…"

"Not my client!" The volus exclaimed, "I'm not Fade. I only work for him."

"A front man." Solana deduced, the volus quickly affirming the Romulan security chief's deduction.

"Right. I'm just his face in public."

"But I'm betting you know where to find him." Garrus declared in a menacing tone, cracking his knuckles.

Gasping in fear, the volus hurriedly responded, "Yes. Of course I do. You can find him in the Factory District. He works out of the old prefab foundry. But be careful…he's protected by the Blue Suns."

"How many?" Solana inquired as the two krogans began to slowly emerge from their stupor.

"I don't know." The volus answered back, "Harkin thinks the Blue Suns are there to protect him."

"Harkin?" Garrus exclaimed. "Harkin's Fade? This gets even better." The turian vigilante sneered.

"Who is Harkin?" Solana inquired as the two krogans slowly rose to their feet while the Romulan and her human companion kept close watch on them, phasers at the ready.

"Easy boys." Vega cautioned, "Unless you want to take another nap."

"Harkin used to be in C-Sec." Garrus explained, "As rotten as they came. Bribes…blackmail…you name it…he was up to his neck in it." Turning his attention back to the volus, the turian continued his interrogation. "Tell me about this arrangement Harkin has with the Blue Suns."

"They use his services." the volus responded. "He helps their people worm their way into businesses and different organizations on the Citadel. They've got either controlling or majority interest in several businesses in Bachjret and Alioch Wards, and they've gained control over the Alliance Veterans Association here…they use it as a recruiting and disinformation front."

"Your Citadel security chief would be interested in this." Solana suggested to Vega and Garrus.

"Yeah…" James growled, "Not to mention the Alliance military and headquarters of the AVA on Earth. We should let them know about this too. Maybe we should clue Massani in on this as well?" Vega further suggested, "He's got an ax to grind where the Blue Suns are concerned."

"Not to mention he could prove useful if we run into heavy opposition." Solana added.

"You will." The volus confirmed.

Nodding his head in agreement, Garrus activated his comm. "Garrus to Massani. Where are you?"

"Playing poker in the Silversun Casino." The hard-bitten mercenary responded.

"Found some old friends of yours."Garrus declared, "You know…the ones who like to dress up in blue? We're about to pay them a visit. Thought you might want to join us…discuss old times with them?"

"You're Goddamn right I would." Zaeed responded. "Just feed me the coordinates and I'll meet you. Hope you're bringing party favors."

"Solana's got that covered." Garrus answered back. "Here's the coordinates. We'll meet you there." Turning to his friends, the turian remarked, "Massani's onboard."

"Right." Vega grinned, "Solana?"

"Just got off the comm with T'kala." The Romulan grinned. "She'll have the goods ready to send us when we're ready."

"Great." Garrus acknowledged in a grim voice, "Let's pay Harkin a visit." Turning to the volus and his guards, the turian vigilante pointed to the door with his phaser, "You can go. But if we don't find Harkin…well…I don't have to tell you what will happen."

Factory District

"Thanks for inviting me to the party." Zaeed said with a scowl as he regarded the factory-warehouse, "They holed up in there?"

"Yeah." Garrus nodded his head as two carry bags materialized in a green column of light next to the Romulan security chief.

Opening the bag, Solana gave each of her teammates a phaser rifle and photon grenades. "Everyone armored up?"

"Yeah." The grizzled merc replied as he put his helmet on. "I'm set. Ready when you are."

Spotting his quarry standing in between a pair of Blue Suns guards, the turian vigilante growled, "That's him." Raising his voice, he then called out, "Harkin!"

His expression a mixture of surprise and fear, Harkin exclaimed in disbelief, "Garrus?"

"You've got one chance, Harkin." Garrus threatened. "Tell me where I can find him and you get to walk…limp…away."

"Fuck you." The disgraced C-Sec officer cursed as he turned to flee, shouting to his guards, "What am I paying you for? Stop them!"

"You can run, Harkin!" Garrus shouted as the door slid shut behind the cowardly forger, "I'll still track you down!"

"Cover!" James shouted as the mercenaries opened fire.

Taking aim with her phaser rifle, Solana fired, disintegrating one Blue Sun as the other froze in shock, setting up for Garrus's shot while Zaeed took out the remaining two guards.

"I'm not letting him get away." Garrus exclaimed as he opened the door's access panel, bypassing the electronic locks. "We're in."

"Mechs!" Vega shouted as he fired at a pair of Loki's hiding in a cargo container.

"Two more down!" Solana called out as she brought down two more of the light mechs.

"Blue Suns at twelve o'clock!" Massani yelled as he dove for cover, a hailstorm of mass effect projectiles just missing him. "Goddamn asshole must have bought an entire company."

"Heavy mech ahead!" Garrus warned as a lumbering Ymir fired a missile barrage at their position.

"Photon grenade outgoing!" Solana shouted, launching the grenade.

"Keep pushing forward!" Vega urged as he laid down covering fire for his comrades. "He's got to be running out of room to run."

"Bastard's got more mechs." Zaeed spat out, pointing to a group of Lokis accompanied by an Ymir, its chain gun spitting out bullets.

"Got Blue Suns on my left!" Solana cried out as she lobbed another grenade.

"We've broken through!" Vega shouted, "They're falling back."

Advancing to an office area, Solana let out a breath of air, "We've got a few moments to catch our breaths."

"Did you know Harkin while you were in C-Sec, Garrus?" Vega asked as he checked over his rifle.

"Yeah." Garrus nodded his head, "He was a pain in the ass back then too. But I'm not in the mood to put up with his bullshit now. I'll kick his ass from one end of the Citadel to the other if he doesn't tell me what I want to know."

"Whoa, Man!" Vega exclaimed, "You're getting tense here."

"I don't want Harkin to tip Sidonus off." Garrus replied with a scowl.

"I know what it's like to lose friends to some asshole I trusted…" James advised.

"As do I." Solana interjected with a frown as she scanned the warehouse with her tricorder. "We still have company." She murmured as she readied another grenade.

"Yeah, I saw something too—between those crates." Massani warned, cradling his rifle before adding his two cents to the discussion, "Bastard stabbed you and your team in the back, Garrus. I say he should get what he's got coming to him—right between the eyes."

"That's the plan." Garrus grimly responded, "It'll be quick and clean. Better than he deserves."

"Goddamned right." Zaeed muttered as he inclined his head, "Harkin's trapped himself back there. I'm betting he's got more Blue Suns and mechs waiting for us."

"Good bet." Vega agreed before asking his turian friend, "So…what are you going to do with Harkin if he doesn't want to cough up the info?"

"Harkin crossed the line." Garrus replied, "As far as I'm concerned, he's a real criminal now and working for the Blue Suns. I should just shoot him, but I need him alive to get what I need to know. I might rough him up a little, but I won't do anything permanent."

"Roughing up is okay." Vega commented, Solana nodding her head in agreement, "But try not to get so caught up in your…questioning…that you end up killing him."

"If you lose control and kill him…" The Romulan security chief advised, "…then you'll be back where you started and your prey will have escaped."

"I know." Garrus declared with a grimace, "Don't worry…I know where and when to draw the line. He won't get anything more than a few bruises…maybe a concussion or a broken limb or two."

"You sure about this G-Man?" James asked with a note of concern in his voice. "Do you have to kill Sidonus?"

"Yeah." The turian responded, "I'm sure. Look…I have to do this. I'll pull the trigger and live with the consequences."

"Menhei'sahe." Solana muttered as she kept her eyes on the back of the warehouse.

Spotting movement in between the crates, Garrus called out as he fired his rifle, its yellow beam striking and disintegrating a mech. "Round two!"

"Looks like breaktime's over." Vega quipped as the fight began once again.

"Am I imaging things or does it seem that the opposition is getting heavier." Solana remarked as she fired her rifle, disintegrating a Blue Sun heavy weapons specialist before he could fire another round from his rocket launcher.

"You're not imagining things." Vega bantered back as he brought down a pair of Lokis in rapid succession. "Harkin's throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us."

"For all the good it's going to do him." Garrus stated grimly as he fired at and hit a Blue Suns sergeant.

"Just means more for us to kill." Zaeed spat as he shot his rifle, bringing down another trooper.

"Heavy mechs incoming!" Garrus shouted, "Two of 'em!"

"Concentrate fire!" Solana yelled as she lobbed a photon grenade. "Take them out one at a time!"

"Watch out for their rockets!" Vega screamed, diving for cover just in time.

"You alright, James!" Solana cried out as she launched another photon grenade.

"Yeah." The Alliance marine responded with a chuckle, "Armor and shield stopped most of the splash damage. Gonna have a few bruises when this is over." His chuckle now becoming a full laugh, he joked, "Want to kiss it and make it better?"

"You wish!" Solana laughed as first one…then the second…YMIR exploded.

"That's the last of 'em." Garrus growled as he gestured towards what appeared to be Harkin at a console ferociously working the controls. "Zaeed…Solana…can you keep him busy long enough for me and Vega to circle around?"

"Get moving." Massani shouted back as he brought down a pair of Lokis.

"We've got it covered here." Solana echoed, "Get to Harkin!"

Slipping in unnoticed through a back passageway, Garrus and Vega found Harkin working the console, sweat visible on his forehead, as Zaeed and Solana drew closer from the front, slaying mechs as they advanced until they reached the door and burst through. "Gotcha arsehole." Zaeed growled as Harkin turned to flee, only to meet up with Garrus's fist.

Slamming his prey up against the wall, the turian vigilante spoke in cool, almost detached voice, "Fade."

"Garrus." The disgraced former C-Sec officer exclaimed in a wheedling voice. "We can work this out…just tell me what you want."

"I'm looking for someone." Garrus declared, the menace returning to his voice.

"Looks like we've got something each other wants." Harkin propositioned, thinking that he now had the upper hand.

As Garrus kneed his prey in the diaphragm, knocking the wind out of Harkin and forcing him to his knees, Zaeed quipped with an evil grin, "Damn. That must have hurt."

"You're in no position to bargain like a Ferengi." Solana sneered, looking down on the pitiable excuse for a human.

"You helped someone disappear." Garrus demanded, "I need to find him."

"I need more than that." Harkin wheezed as he slowly recovered from the blow he had received earlier.

"Sidonus." Garrus answered back, "Turian."

"I know who you're talking about and I'm not telling you a damned thing." Harkin bit back challengingly.

"I got a feeling things are about to get ugly here." James remarked with a grim face.

"Fuck you." Harkin sneered, "I don't give out client information. Bad for business."

"Also a great way to get yourself killed by your clients." Solana whispered to Vega who silently nodded in agreement.

Punching him again in the chest, Garrus threw Harkin to the floor, placing his boot firmly on the man's neck. "You know what else is bad for business?" The turian sneered, "A broken neck!"

"All right!" Harkin screamed, "All right! I'll tell you what you want to know. Just…get off me!"

"Damn." Harkin wheezed, "Terminus really did a number on you, didn't it?"

"No…" Garrus responded in a pensive tone, "But Sidonus…opened my eyes. Now…arrange a meeting."

Activating the communications station, Harkin made contact with his client. "Yeah…it's me. Your identity might have been compromised."

"Compromised?" A panic stricken voice on the other end responded. "How did that happen? What am I gonna do?"

"That's why I'm calling." Harkin responded as Garrus drew his phaser one.

Seeing Solana and Vega shaking their heads, the vigilante whispered, "Don't worry, it's on stun. I just don't want him getting away."

"I'm sending an agent with new credentials for you." Harkin instructed his client. "Where do you want to meet?"

"In front of the Orbital Lounge. Middle of the day. It's public with lots of people and in the open."

"Fine. My agent will be there. Don't worry, I've got it covered." Turning to Garrus, the ex-C-Sec officer pleaded, "He'll be in front of the Orbital Lounge in the middle of the day. So…I did as you asked…can I go?"

"Not so fast." The turian vigilante growled as he grabbed Harkin by the collar. "I don't think so. You're a crook now. That makes you fair game."

"So…what are you gonna do?" Harkin wheezed, "You gonna kill me? That's not your style, Garrus."

"I'm not going to kill you." Garrus replied as Vega and Solana both nodded their heads. "But I am gonna slow you down some." With that, Garrus fired his phaser, stunning his prey before he could escape.

"I called C-Sec." Vega announced, "Captain Bailey's sending a team to pick Harkin up. We'll stick around and babysit until C-Sec gets here." Taking a deep breath, the Alliance Marine declared, his Romulan companion nodding her head in agreement. "Sorry, Garrus, this is where we part ways. We did what you wanted us to do. We helped you find out where Sidonus is. But we're not going to be party to his cold blooded murder."

"I agree with James." The Romulan security chief announced. "If you seek menhei'sahe, you'll have to get it without us. We have fulfilled our debt of honor."

"All right." Garrus nodded his head in acceptance, "Thank you for your help." As he turned to Zaeed, the grizzled mercenary spoke before his teammate could ask his question.

"What are we waiting for?"

Nodding his head in acknowledgement, Garrus replied as he pointed to Harkin's car. "Let's go. I don't think 'Fade' will mind us borrowing his car."

Garrus and Zaeed

"You've been in my shoes." Garrus said to Zaeed as he parked the borrowed aircar near their destination. "You were betrayed by someone you thought was a friend."

"Yeah…" The grizzled mercenary affirmed as his hand went instinctively to his blind eye. "Got this as a souvenir. It reminds me that one day I'm going to do the same thing to Vido."

"Exactly." The turian vigilante agreed, "Blood calls out for blood."

"Goddamn right." Zaeed replied as he gestured toward the lounge. "So what are we waiting for. Let's settle your score and get the hell outta here."

Pointing to a dark ledge where he could easily conceal himself, Garrus pointed, "I can get a clear shot from up there and then slip away before anyone sees me."

"Sounds good." Massani acknowledged, "What do you want me to do?"

"I need you to keep him talking and stay out of my field of fire." The turian instructed. "I'll let you know when I'm ready to take the shot. Give me a signal when you know you're ready and I'll take the shot."

"Right." Zaeed affirmed, "We better move. He should be getting here soon and you're going to need to get set up."

Getting into position on the ledge, Garrus readied the Mantis sniper rifle he had obtained for just this mission. "Massani? Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear."

Peering through his sight, Garrus immediately spotted his prey, a turian wearing non-descript clothing, sitting down on a bench with his head lowered. "Spotted him. Wave him over and keep him talking."

Doing as he was instructed, Zaeed gestured for the turian to come over to him.

"Let's get this over with." Sidonus said as he drew closer to Zaeed. "I don't want to be here longer than I have to."

"You're in my sights, Massani." Garrus muttered into his comm, "Move to the side."

"Only be a moment." Zaeed told Sidonus as he did as instructed, taking a sidestep to the left.

"You one of Harkin's men?" Sidonus queried with a look of suspicion on his face, "I don't remember seeing you before."

"A few more seconds." Garrus commed as he lined up his target in his sights.

"I was told Harkin was one of the best." Sidonus complained, "This better not happen again."

"It won't." Zaeed replied with an evil grin. "You have his promise."

As the human mercenary stepped to the side, Sidonus, finally realizing his peril, gasped, "Oh shit." He turned away and began walking away as quickly as he could, leaving the back of his head a perfect target for Garrus.

His mandibles twitching in anticipation, the turian vigilante fired. Still keeping his target in his sights, Garrus watched in satisfaction as the projectile struck exactly where he had aimed, causing Sidonus's head to explode.

"Scoped and dropped." Garrus muttered as he put away his rifle, "Betrayal repaid."

Thane

"Your condition is still stable." Dr. Chakwas told her drell patient as he got off the examination table. "I think the combination of neodextramine solution and stenophyl is arresting further progression of your Kepral's Syndrome. Any side effects?"

"Mild headaches and muscle aches on occasion." Thane replied, "Otherwise, nothing bad."

Nodding her head at the news, the Alliance doctor assigned to the Gallena remarked, "We'll continue with the treatments then. While they're not a cure…" Chakwas warned her patient as he got dressed, "…they do seem to be successful in keeping the disease from metastasizing."

"Thank you for all you have done, Doctor." The drell assassin politely stated as he finished putting on his clothes.

"Much as I'd like to take credit…" the human physician smiled, "…it was Dr. Aven's idea to try that particular combination. I just assisted in the research."

"Then I owe you both a debt of gratitude." The drell bowed in gratitude. "I take it I'm discharged now?"

"Yes." Dr. Chakwas confirmed, "Remember you need to come in for weekly injections and I want to know immediately should any side effects develop." Changing the subject, the doctor inquired, "So…do you have anything special planned for shore leave?"

"There is a…matter…I need to take care of on the Citadel." Thane replied ambiguously, "But other than that…" he shook his head, "…no plans worth mentioning."

"Well, if you need anything, just let me know." Dr. Chakwas replied with a smile as her patient made his way to the exit. "Take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Doctor." The drell replied as the sickbay door opened to let him leave, "I will."

Returning to his quarters, Thane called out, "Computer? Please replay the last communication I received."

"Kolyat has been tracked to the Citadel where he has taken on an assassination contract. Unfortunately, we do not know the target or who took out the contract. I'm sorry, old friend. I wish I had more information."

Taking a deep breath, the former assassin muttered under his breath as he rose from his seat. "I hope I am not too late."

Thane—Citadel—C-Sec

Eyeing his surroundings, the professional assassin muttered to himself in a barely audible whisper, "Ten years since I was last here and they still have not fixed all their security flaws. I see at least eight that an assassin or spy could utilize—two of which if used could bring down the entire security network." Shaking his head as he approached Captain Bailey's office, he grumbled, lowering his voice even more. "Such lack of professionalism is inexcusable."

Standing at the threshold to Bailey's office, Thane stayed silent as the C-Sec officer berated his sergeant. "I told you last week I wanted our servers updated with the latest protections and firewalls. I checked this morning and found that it still hasn't been done. Do you have any excuses?"

"No sir." The sergeant, a human, meekly replied, "I'll get on it straightaway."

As his man departed, Bailey spotted the drell standing quietly, "Yeah…what can I do for you?"

"I need your help on a matter." Thane replied as he approached the captain's desk. "I am looking for someone. A drell. He is my son. I need to find him."

"Why?" Bailey inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Let us say that I want to stop him from making a terrible mistake." Thane responded vaguely, "A mistake that will stay with him for the rest of his life."

"I see." The security chief mused as he came to a decision, "Hmmm…Even though we've had an influx of new aliens ever since that warbird showed up, there aren't that many drell on the Citadel. Your man should be easy enough to find. Let's check the most recent security cam recordings. Sing out if you recognize him."

After several minutes of reviewing footage, Bailey heaved an exasperated sigh, "This is the last and most recent one. If he's not on this one, then he's either very good at hiding his presence or is no longer on the station. "I'm cuing it up for play now."

As he watched the footage, paying attention to all details, no matter how small they appeared, the drell former assassin found what he was looking for. "There." He called out, pointing at the screen. Rewind and replay." Nodding his head as the captain did as he requested, Thane again entreated, "Freeze frame and enhance." Taking a deep breath, the drell affirmed, "That's him."

"Hmmm…he's talking to Mouse." Bailey commented with a frown. "Used to be a duct rat. Other than acting as a go-between and selling bootleg Shepard VI's, he hasn't done anything really bad—nothing worth dragging him in for. You can find him hanging out in Zakera Ward, next to Rodam's."

"Thank you." Thane replied. As he turned to leave, Bailey called out to him.

"I hope you find him…your son. And I hope you're able to stop him before he makes that mistake."

"I hope so too." Thane responded as he walked out of the office.

Thane—Zakera Ward

Spotting his old snitch leaning up against the wall next to the turian sporting goods store, Thane silently approached. Tapping his contact on the shoulder, the drell spoke in a deliberately light tone. "Hello, Mouse."

Quickly turning about as he felt the drell's touch, the startled young man exclaimed in surprise, "Thane! Is that really you?"

"Yes it is, Mouse."

"What are you doing here?" The youthful informant, quivering in fear, nervously inquired.

"Relax, Mouse." Thane replied, again maintaining a place exterior. "All I want is information."

"About what?"

"Kolyat. Who hired him?"

"I…I can't tell you that. The contractor…he's bad news." Mouse trembled, his voice quivering as he spoke, "I'll be a dead man if it ever got out that I told you."

"Remember the time you nearly fell into the vats?" Thane reminisced. "Who was there to pull you out?"

"You were."

"And who rescued you from those batarians hired out by that insane salarian doctor?"

"You did."

"I'd say you owe me." Thane declared as his informant, sweating profusely, shivered in fear.

"All right." Mouse replied in a low voice, "But I tell you…this makes us even."

Inclining his head slightly, Thane replied, "Agreed. Now…who took out the contract and who's the target?"

"Elias Kellum." Mouse gulped, blurting out his reply, "I don't know the mark—honest. Didn't ask either. Not healthy."

"Thank you, Mouse."

"Yeah." The scared youth replied, "Sure. Just remember…I didn't tell you."

"I'll keep your confidence." As Mouse turned to leave, Thane placed his hand on the young man's shoulder, "Oh…one other thing."

"What?" Mouse gulped, "I thought we were even."

"We are." The drell assassin answered back, "After you do one more thing for me."

"Do what?"

"The Shepard VIs you're selling…I want one."

"Sure. No charge." Mouse replied with a shrug of his shoulders as he handed one of the contraband items to the drell, "Don't know why you'd be interested in it though."

"It's not for me." Thane answered back, "It's for an acquaintance. Goodbye Mouse."

Thane—Captain Bailey's Office

"Oh…it's you." Captain Bailey remarked as he looked from his monitor, at once recognizing the drell approaching his desk. "Did you have any luck with Mouse."

"I did." Thane replied. "Can you put me in touch with Elias Kellum?"

"Kellum?" The captain exclaimed before comming his receptionist. "Leslie? Hold all my calls and no visitors until further notice."

"Yes, Captain."

Closing and locking his door, Bailey motioned for the drell to take a seat as he returned to his desk. "What's your business with Kellum? I assume it has something to do with that big mistake you're trying to prevent your son from making."

"It does." Thane averred, "But, I'm afraid I cannot tell you the reason."

"Then, there's not a whole lot I can do to help you." The captain declared, "Kellum is too well connected. I can't just haul him in on your say so. Sorry…I wish I could help, but my hands are tied."

"I…understand, Captain." Downcast, Thane acknowledged as the latest newsfeed played on the wall monitor showcasing a political rally where a turian was speaking.

"You look about you and what do you see? Human corruption. Since humans were permitted in C-Sec, cases of bribery and corruption have markedly increased. This man…" the turian held up a two dimensional picture of Harkin as he spoke, "…was once a C-Sec officer. This man…who was supposed to protect us, took bribes, extorted non-human businesses, and committed a variety of other crimes while wearing the uniform. Is that who we want protecting us? I promise, if you elect me the Intendent of Zakera Ward, I will not stop until humans are removed from all positions of power and influence!"

"Asshole." Bailey grumbled as the turian politician continued his anti-human rant. "He's as bad and as crooked as Kellum, but I can't touch him either. The first thing they'll do if I haul in either one of them is contact their lawyers who'll spring them five minutes. Then…a few hours later…riots." Taking a deep breath and exhaling, the harried captain remarked in a rueful voice, "Sometimes I ask myself what am I doing here? I'm getting too old for this shit. I should retire. Move to Beckenstein or Terranova or New Eden." Shaking his head, the captain concluded their meeting, "I'm sorry. I wish I could have been more help."

"I understand, Captain." Thane replied, not unsympathetically. "And I appreciate the help you were able to give. Have a good day."

"You too."

Exiting the office, Thane pondered his next moves as the receptionist, Leslie, threw a balled up wad of paper at the computer monitor still playing Joram Talid's anti-human screed. "Fuck you, asshole!" The attractive redhead screamed at the politician displayed on the monitor as the drell assassin, shaking his head in dismay, departed.

Thane—Zakera Ward—Shin Akiba

Thane stared disconsolately down at his tea as he pondered his options, rejecting each one in turn. "Kellum? Getting him alone would not be difficult, but getting him to talk without causing permanent harm or before his bodyguards or C-Sec could intervene could prove problematic. Hacking into C-Sec's network? No…" the drell shook his head dejectedly, "…Bailey's already shut that backdoor. Bugging Kellam's quarters? Also not feasible…I'm sure he sweeps them regularly."

Setting aside his now cold tea, Thane came to a decision. "Only one thing I can do. Stake out the wards and hope to catch Kolyat before he can complete his contract. It's a forlorn hope…" the drell admitted to himself, "…but when a forlorn hope is your only hope you have no choice but to take it."

After finding his way through the maintenance corridors on the upper level, Thane found an isolated spot with a good view of the ward. "Here." He decided as he made himself as comfortable as he could. "There is nothing to do now but wait." The drell watched and waited for what seemed to be hours until he noticed a hubbub coming from the apartment wing. Rushing to the location where the commotion was taking place, Thane spied Baily standing before a yellow crime scene marker in front of an apartment.

"Captain Bailey." The drell assassin nodded his head in recognition. "What happened?"

"Joram Talid and his bodyguard were both killed." The captain replied in a grim tone.

"What of the assassin?" Thane asked as a cold shiver ran down his spine.

"Killed by the bodyguard before he died." Bailey replied as two C-Sec officers wheeled out a gurney bearing a covered body. "A drell." A sad expression on his face, the captain spoke in an apologetic tone, "We IDed the body. Kolyat Krios. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, Captain." Thane sighed as he turned away. His head hung low, the disconsolate drell sighed, "It's mine."

Author's Notes: I put my comments at the end here to avoid spoilers. What I wanted to stress in this part was illustrate the important role the original Shepard still plays in this universe, even in death, her presence—or lack thereof—is felt. Shepard was probably the only one who could talk Garrus down from his desire to kill Sidonus. I don't think Garrus would have listened to anyone else. As for Thane—the same holds true. Shepard was the only one that Thane trusted enough to ask for help. Also, Shepard, thanks to his/her SPECTRE status, had the pull to bring Kellum in for questioning. Thane, acting on his own, could never have done that. Finally, without Shepard's help in keeping close contact on Talid, there would have been no way for Thane to have arrived in time to prevent Kolyat from carrying out his contract. Both Garrus and Thane now have to live with the consequences of their actions and/or inactions because they didn't have their, as Dr. Chakwas once phrased it, "Shepard…our immovable center. A place where a person to stop and catch her breath." That one quote underscores the importance of Shepard to those around him/her. Here, that immovable center is gone. So…even in her absence…Shepard is a main character.