Disclaimer: I do not own either Star Wars or Mass Effect. They're just two of my favorite franchises and I wanted to play in the sandbox.

Chapter Twenty: Cover Stories

Although a good pretext, the task of placing communication buoys in the Outer Rim was boring. Joker sighed and rested his elbow on the armrest of his pilot's seat. His chin leaned against his fist as he watched Edi and Alenko drift in the darkness, tethered to the shuttle, setting up yet another buoy.

Liara's agents provided several leads, but they were dead ends. The droids and weapons spotted were nothing more than broken-down, half buried Separatists droids and tanks. Their scans of the Outer Rim only picked up scant traces of eezo radiation. Not enough to follow. Either Reaper tech wasn't out there or they just weren't finding it. He would have thought after three months, they would have found something.

Joker sighed again and activated the buoy. "Looks good, Major. Bring it in."

Just as the pair entered the shuttle and the door closed, alarms blared. A ship was exiting hyperspace practically on top of them. Joker scrambled and took evasive action, narrowly avoiding a collision at the last second. A Separatists destroyer appeared and immediately opened fire as fighters deployed.

"All hands to battle stations." Vega ordered over the comm as ship wide alarms activated. "Cortez, get your ass in here now!"

"Negative, Commander. We're cut off, Vultures are everywhere. Edi is calculating a jump point."

"I am detecting multiple hull breeches!" Edi called.

A dozen buzz droids skittered across the cockpit window. With torches and cutters, they chittered maniacally as they tried to compromise the physical barrier. Activating the external security protocols, the droids were electrocuted and fell from the ship.

A squad of Vultures banked hard for a frontal assault. Red energy blasts bounced off kinetic barriers. Returning fire, half the ships spun off and exploded. The Thanix cannon fired on the destroyer, but the droid ship's shields anf armor held fast. They had little choice but to retreat. Two more fighter squads circled around, trying to cut off their escape until the destroyer's tractor beam could move into position.

"Vega, you're swarmed. Get the Normandy out of there." Alenko ordered, "Coordinates are set. Meet at the rendezvous."

The shuttle vanished in a flash. A moment later, the Normandy was in hyperspace. Joker sat back in the cockpit breathing heavily. An assuring hand gently rested on his shoulder.

"Well done, Joker." Vega praised.

"That was close." He replied with a sigh. "How did they know exactly where we were? The almost ran through us."

"I don't know." He admitted, "But it couldn't have been by chance."

Once safely away in an unoccupied system, the Normandy cut propulsion and drifted. The shuttle docked and no injuries were reported. Vega called the team to the war room to discuss the next steps.

"Esteban, what's the status of the shuttle?" He began.

"She's in bad shape. Those buzz droids made a mess of the electrical system. If it hadn't been for Edi, we'd wouldn't have been able to make a safe jump before they cut the power. They didn't know where the critical systems were this time."

"I doubt we'll be lucky like that again. Can you get her running?" He asked.

"Yes, Commander. I've already started a duty roster. We'll get to work right away."

"Good. Edi, what's the damage to the Normandy?"

"The hull breeches need repairing, however I believe they can be accomplished without a port, but we'llbe vulnerable. The kinetic barriers wouldn't have been able to take much more before failing. My cyber warfare suites briefly accessed the Separatists ship's nav-computer. I could not determine how they found our exact location, however they have been trailing our buoy locations."

"We should circle back and run a diagnostic before to make sure they haven't been compromised." Alenko stated.

"I have agents near several locations who can pull the data." Liara offered.

"Do it." Kaidan confirmed, "We can't risk an engagement until the ship's repaired."

Traynor suddenly hurried into the room. "Major, Commander. I've been reviewing the Separatists communications from the incursion and I found an anomaly. There was familiar chatter, so I isolated the pattern and found this."

She keyed a command at the console and played an audio file. It was a series of rapid, synthesized clicks and tones. Although not unlike the binary language used by battle droids, it was distinct and familiar.

"That sounds like Geth. That's impossible." Garrus said, perplexed.

"I couldn't believe it myself, so I compared the dialect signatures to Edi's archive of Legion." Traynor continue. "They're a perfect match."

"The message is a distress call." Edi translated. "Multiple platforms are being held against their will and are requesting help."

"Did they provide coordinates?" Vega asked.

"Yes. I have mapped the location to grid coordinates L-19" She pulled up the galactic map of the Atravis sector. "Based on available data, the likely location is the Mustafar system, which is under Separatists control."

Alenko took a deep breath. "Both the council and Alliance command have been clear that we cannot engage with Separatists forces unless acted upon first.

"Is Shepard in comm range?" Garrus asked.

He thought for moment. "Until we know if the comm buoys are still secured, we have to hold transmissions. We can't risk tipping our hand. What's the nearest Republic controlled planet?"

Traynor keyed up the galactic map and zoomed into a sector. "Looks like...Genosis. There's a strong Republic presence and it's only 10 parsecs away."

"Can we make it in our current condition?" He asked Edi.

"Critical systems are operative, but I recommend running at low emissions to avoid possible detection. The recommended course would take 12 hours to reach our destination."

Vega look at Alenko, "It sounds like our best play, Major."

Kaidan thought for a moment, "Okay, let's do it. I want status updates by the end of the cycle."

Shepard flopped face first onto her bunk and didn't move. Skywalker hadn't exaggerated when he called her expedited mental training an 'unpleasant process'. Basic was an unpleasant process. Torture resistance during N7 was an unpleasant process. Strengthening her mind to withstand a Sith was unlike anything she had experienced. Each session left her mentally drained and physically wired.

She essentially had volunteered her collective lifetime for review by a young man she barely knew. In some regards, it was therapeutic in a way, as he stumbled upon memories she had suppressed during her abusive childhood. However, her teacher was ill prepared handle her breakdowns and couldn't give much advice beyond letting go of her emotions that were tied to the memories. It gave her perspective about how the Jedi dealt, or rather didn't deal, with trauma.

On such days, they agreed the best course was to end the session early so she could process her feelings in the way she needed. Often times, she would meditated, sketch, and finish with vigorous exercise. Both Rex and Fives quickly picked up on the pattern and kept a watchful eye on her. Kix likewise made a point of finding her in the mess hall and encouraging her to talk. She was grateful for the support. Despite the unexpected emotional challenges, she was making progress in her training.

The area she wasn't making progress, however, was solving the mystery of Order 66. As anticipated, she was tasked with learning the Grand Army regulation and training manuals. She spent her free time reviewing the files and much to her consternation, Ahsoka had recalled correctly. There was no Order 66 in the manuals, despite the presence of dozens of other, sequentially numbered contingencies. Taking a chance, she had asked Fives about it on their way back from a recent mission. He, like Ahsoka, had no conscious knowledge of such an order. When he pressed her about where she heard the command, she played it off as a mixup of an Alliance contingency and let the subject drop. Fives seemed skeptical of her conclusion but he still let it go.

She huffed into her bunk out of frustration. As it stood, the Kaminoans were the only ones aware of the implant's existence. Given the Chancellor's reaction to her prodding at their first meeting, her gut told her he was involved as well. Crucially, she had no proof of either. And try as she might, she couldn't think of an inconspicuous pretext to go to Kamino so she could snoop around. Sitting up, she decided to take a walk. There was one person she hadn't asked yet.

The medbay was quiet. Kix liked it that way. A quiet medbay meant living brothers. As expected after departing from Coruscant, a string of troopers sought him out for what he came to call "shoritis". Not a specific ailment, it referred to one of several infections picked up by troopers while rabble-rousing and not using protection, despite his numerous and belligerent recommendations.

Fortunately, they typically needed little more than an antibiotic, a reminder about safe sex practices, and a few condoms that he knew would be discarded before the next round of shore leave. By his count, twenty-two brothers had requested treatment since their latest departure three rotations prior. When the door opened yet again, didn't even bother looking up from the console and repeated the question that cut through the nonsense.

"What are the symptoms, for how long, and where?" He asked as a reflex, adding a tick mark to his list.

"I'm sorry?" A woman's voice replied.

He abruptly looked up and blushed, realizing it was Shepard standing at his desk. "Oh, Captain. Sorry I thought you had-never mind."

"It's alright." She chuckled, "Shore Itch isn't why I'm here."

Internally, Kix sighed with relief, "How can help, Captain?"

She sat in the vacant seat and rested her elbows on her knees, "Do you recall the troopers treated on the Normandy several months ago at Aralakh Colony?"

"Of course." He replied, "Your medic did excellent work and the men recovered without complication."

She started with context. "Concussive brain in injuries are common with Reaper weapons, so preforming a deep brain scan is standard Alliance protocol. Doctor Chakwas reported to me that she performed scans of the troopers. She shared the results with me. There were anomalies in their scans and included the findings in her final reports for your interpretation."

"Yes, I remember that." He keyed up the records. "I agree there's something there, but it's hard to know what. I forwarded Doctor Chakwas' reports to Kamnino for review."

"What did they know say?"

He turned the display so Shepard could read. Her eyes scanned the report and her brow furrowed slightly.

"It is concluded that the equipment used to perform the scan is defective resulting in false positive findings." Shepard recited and arched a brow at him, "Is that what you think?"

He leaned back in his chair and rubbed the stubble on his face. "I don't think Doctor Chakwas would knowingly use faulty equipment."

"She did the same test on me the next morning." She pointed at the shadow in the image. "That wasn't on my scan. No one had used or adjusted the equipment in between."

Kix exhaled thoughtfully and laced his fingers behind his head. "There's a lot even those of us trained as medics don't know about our biology."

"Is that your medical opinion?" She nudged him to think deeper.

Kix looked at her for a long moment without speaking. His brows worked slightly as he considered her oddly vague persistence. In the conversations he had with Doctor Chakwas, he doubted she wouldn't have taken into account and eliminated the variable of equipment failure. He had to admit the Kaminoans conclusion of faulty equipment was convenient and their dismissal of the findings didn't sit well in his gut. Still, what could be done?

"Medically speaking, whatever this is doesn't seem to be causing a problem at this point. None of them are reporting headaches, vision changes, or any changes in behavior suggesting a tumor. I would advise a repeat scan on Kamino with a biopsy, depending on the results. The genetic implications are serious if half a dozen troopers of varying ages and batches are suddenly manifesting cerebral tumors."

"What if it isn't a tumor?"

Although it was framed as a question, her tone gave him the distinct impression she knew more than she had admitted.

"Hypothetically?" He clarified after a pregnant pause.

Shepard deliberated for a moment. As soon as she began to speak, her Omni-Tool began beeping rapidly.

"Shepard, we're receiving an urgent communication from the Normandy. I need you on the bridge." Anakin informed.

With an apologetic look she hurried from the medbay, leaving Kix both confused and uneasy. Taking a deep breath, he keyed up the reports from Doctor Chakwas and read them with a new level of scrutiny. Although he had already reviewed them several times, his brief conversation renewed his concern. As he read them again, Shepard's question circulated in his mind.

What if it isn't a tumor?

Although not a particular provocative query, it was heavy with suggestion. If it wasn't a tumor, then what was it?

Shepard, you just knew the Geth would figure into this war somehow.

After she ran to the bridge, Alenko informed them of the Normandy's ambush by Separatist forces and the distress signal Traynor detected. They were presently orbiting Genosis with repairs well underway. Alliance command, via Admiral Hackett was clear following the report. Under no circumstances was the Normandy to pursue and engage any enemy forces. The only action permitted is act in defense if attacked during a single engagement. Any failure to comply would result in the court marshall of all Alliance personnel on board the ship at the time of the incident.

The Citadel Council was deliberating what action to take, as the Quarians had not yet rejoined Council, having been instructed to settle their own internal debate about the Geth first. They agreed the platforms falling into Separatists hands would be devastating in multiple ways, however the politics of the entire situation were nothing short of a quagmire.

As soon as the gravity of the situation was made clear, Skywalked patched in the available member of the Jedi Council. Shepard did her best to explain the urgency of the matter and how the Geth differed from droids.

"Captain, you're absolutely certain the Geth did not join the Separatists of their own volition?" Master Windu asked.

"Without question, General. When the weapon we used to defeat the Reapers fired, all synthetic intelligence was affected. Every known Geth platform had been collected and stored in a secure location. Manual, external activation was the only way to bring them back online. This Geth did not get here his own." She tried to volunteer information without giving away too much.

"We have confirmed with Admiral Zorah that there has not been a final vote on the Geth as of 0600 hours on Rannoch." Kaidan verified. "They are in the process of auditing the serial numbers of the stored platforms to see if any have gone missing, but it will take time."

"Mustafar isn't far from our location. Captain Shepard and ARC Trooper Fives could easily handle reconnaissance. We know Separatists have been active there in the past." Skywalker recommended.

"Unfortunately, we have a more pressing matter at hand. Captain, you are to depart without delay. In the interim, we will investigate this lead on Mustafar. Major Alenko, we thank you for the intel and wish you well in your mission. May the Force be with you." Windu's hologram flickered and disappeared.

"Good luck, Shepard. We'll be in touch once we know more." Alenko's hologram likewise vanished.

Shepard was ready to tear apart a Reaper with her bare hands. Admiral Xen was behind it. She knew it like she knew her rifle. But she couldn't deal with that yet. Her hands gripped the edge of the console. The buzzing in her ears subsided with a few deep breaths. With a deep breath, she shook off the last of her anger and found her focus.

Once Fives arrived, Skywalker briefed them on their mission. An informant's cover had been blown after gathering intel and he needed immediate extraction. Their target had made it to Tattooine but with a damaged ship. With a notorious bounty hunter hired to capture him, he was trapped on the lawless planet. The ship was prepped and they set off within the hour. It was a plain clothes operation. Shepard and Fives changed into civilian attire, though the latter was uncomfortable without his armor.

"I'll never understand why the Jedi don't use armor in battle." He grumbled from their small shared cabin. "You know Commander Tano used to run around in a tube top? Never made sense to me."

"I once fought through through a platoon of ex-military mercs in a cocktail dress and heels with nothing but a pistol and my Omni-Tool." She replied from the weapons bench in the tiny galley across the narrow hallway.

He chuckled, "That's doesn't surprise me. But you also don't wear that chasing down tanks in the field."

"An important distinction, but I still could if I had to."

"I'll warn Rex to be ready for your next night out."

He stood in the doorway wearing simple black trousers, a fitted gray tunic, and black oiled boots. The dark attire served as the perfect background for his bright white armor belt and wrist com to stick out like a sore thumb. Holding put his arms, he raised his brows seeking approval.

"We're posing as merchants, remember? Republic issue gear might get noticed." She stood and crossed to the cabin. "I have a spare mag belt."

She opened an equipment crate and dug around for a moment before pulling out the item. As he swapped belts, she put the crate away and opened cabinet.

"Here. Try this on." She held up a black leather trench coat, which he slid his arms into.

At first glance, it didn't look as though it would fit him, but as it settled on his shoulders, the material comfortably stretched around his body without binding or restricting. It was lighter than he expected and unlike anything he had seen before. Upon closer inspection, he saw it had been well worn, but equally well maintained. She picked up him wrist comm from her bunk and slid the Omni-Tool out. Taking his right forearm in her hands, she tucked the device in a perfectly fitted overlapping pocket on the back of his hand.

"There." She said with a smile, "Now you look the part."

"I never pictured Rex as a black leather kind of guy." He raised his brows and shifted his head slightly to her bunk.

She blushed slightly, but wasn't about to let him get a rise out of her, "Who says he's the one that's into leather?"

She arched an eyebrow and returned to the bench. Following her, he and leaned against doorway as she reassembled her pistol and placed it on her right hip. She checked the blade of the knife she referred to as a ka-bar and replaced it in her left hip sheath. Her hands rested on the shotgun for a moment before she began reassembling it.

"It belonged to a member of my team, since you're clearly curious but won't ask. We were...he died during the Reaper War. I got in touch with his son when I returned home. He had been going through his father's effects and thought I might want it. It won't stop a blaster bolt, but it might help keep you alive...unless you keep making comments about my sex life with Rex." She cocked the shotgun to punctuate the statement and gave him a playful glance.

With a smug smile, he rolled his shoulder off the doorframe, and returned to the cockpit to review the mission brief again. "I really don't like this." He commented as she joined him.

"I know. The streets are a sniper's paradise. Nothing but blind corners and dead ends."

"And our rendezvous is three klicks from the port." He added with a sigh. "What could this guy have that warrants this level of attention? The Seppies must have quite a hard on if they'll send Cad Bane after him.

"From what Skywalker said, he's been tough to keep in prison. I imagine he has a crew and friends on the inside."

"Yeah...I've got a bad feeling about this."

It was dark when they landed. Fives donned a wide brimmed hat and a breather mask while Shepard opted for goggles with a face wrap. Together, they navigated the haphazard maze of streets and alleys. As they walked she mapped their route on her OT to ensure an easy return to the ship.

The rendezvous was a nameless, seedy dive bar was like a dozen they passed with one vital distinction. Their target was there.

Keeping a keen eye, they walked to the bar to ordered a drink. Fives leaned his back to the bar and scanned the room. The scattered tables and booths were filled, but conversations were hushed and heads kept close together.

"Know anywhere to find a clean game of sabbac?" Shepard asked after the bartender served their drinks.

The Twi'lek man scoffed, "There's nothing clean on Tattooine."

They sat on a pair of stools and waited, pretending to nurse their glasses. Shepard noticed a figure peaking out from a dark hallway several times. She made eye contact and received a nod and a discrete wave. Quietly telling Fives to watch her back, she slid from from stood and casually glided to the doorway, standing with her back to the wall.

"I know where to find a clean game of sabbac." A woman said quietly. "Meet me out back."

Returning to the bar, she whispered the plan to Fives. A couple minutes passed and he left. Shepard followed suit shortly after, exiting the bar and turning right at the first alley. As expected, the woman was waiting. She was a Twi'lek as well, likely the proprietor's daughter based on her age and similar facial features.

"Come with us and we'll get you out." Shepard took her arm while Fives watched the entrance to the alley.

"I'm not the informant." She said quietly, "He sent me to meet you. It wasn't safe for them to come here."

Shepard sighed, the unique circumstances of their mission began dawned on her. She felt Fives approach at her shoulder. The irritation was clear in his voice as he bit out a single word question with all emphasis and insinuation she expected out of the ARC trooper.

"Them?"