Chapter 22

"So what happens now?"

Garrus sighed and leant back against his chair, his entire manner weighed down by the responsibilities he now carried. He looked exhausted but then again; it's never easy dealing with betrayal.

It had been a few hours since I had been caught very much red handed, in my personal interrogation efforts. The time had changed my position on the ship considerably. Now I was the one being held in our makeshift brig and Cordanoy was in sickbay being treated by Dr. Chakwas.

"We've just had word from one of Aria's people. He'll be arriving to drop off Sheppard in the next couple of hours," Garrus explained.

A long silence hung in the air.

"I'm not going to mention any of this to him. As far as he's concerned the Normandy has just been running standard patrol missions for the Alliance and you were never here."

"I really appreciate-"

"Don't thank me. I understand why you felt the need to go behind our backs but I don't condone it. The only reason I'm willing to keep this quiet is that we both know John has far too much to worry about already. He doesn't need to know that you came back just to wind up turning on your crew, assaulting EDI, and committing a war crime. The only reason I'm letting you go at all is that I know it's the best way to cause Cerberus some more pain."

"Garrus I- I understand."

"Good. I've booked passage aboard for you aboard a Salarian transport headed for the Citadel in one hour. It's a civilian ship, slow, taking a long winded route to stay clear of Reaper forces but it will get you there safely."

"Excuse me? I don't have time to waste hanging around in transit Garrus, I still have leads to pursue on my own investigation."

"You don't have an alternative. The Normandy isn't going to be taking you anywhere. Nor is the Deceiver, which is something you'll have to discuss with Marie before you leave, and if you try to stay here the Noverian board of directors will arrest you for your part in the recent disturbances on the planet."

"I can handle the board of directors."

"There's no doubt about that but I had to promise to make sure you left this planet in order to smooth over relations between the Alliance and the Noverian authorities."

I gritted my teeth but I could already see that Garrus wasn't going to budge on this. Which meant I'd be spending the better part of the next two weeks stuck in the slow lane. And there was nothing I could do about it. It was petty, given the mercy I'd been shown but two weeks was a long time to be stuck doing nothing.

But seeing my frustration, Garrus' expression did soften slightly.

"It might not be as bad as it sounds. From what I hear, it sounds like there could be another lead on the station."

"What lead?"

"I'm not sure it's my place to say. I'll let Marie explain when she's ready."

"Whatever it is it'll probably be stone cold by the time I get there."

"I'm sure you'll find a way to pick up the trail again. I may even try to pull a few strings to get you some support."

"Despite the fact I betrayed your trust?"

"Oriana didn't. Good Luck in finding her Miranda."

And with that he took his leave, not waiting for a reply. After he was gone I was left to sit alone in silence for 28 minutes before my next guest arrived. Just as Garrus predicted Marie wanted to talk.

I'd been waiting anxiously for this meeting, doing my best to try and prepare for it. I'd be happy to hear about whatever new lead they had managed to come up with but I was also keen to change her mind about leaving me behind. If I could get her to ferry me to the Citadel on the Deceiver I'd be able to continue my investigation much sooner.

Which is why I spent most of the time alone in that room, marshaling my arguments. I thought I could anticipate what she was going to say. I had lied to her about the real reason I wanted to go after Cerberus, we had had disagreements about my conduct while I was undercover and maybe she even agreed with the Colonel that I was getting too close to the issue.

Whatever the reason I was certain I could talk her round. That confidence persisted right up until the moment I caught sight of her face. She'd been crying heavily, it was plain for anyone to see. The skin around her eyes red and blotched, her features turned downward, and her whole body lacking its usual nervous energy. She turned her glare towards me; she did not seem pleased to see me.

"Marie are you alright?" I asked. It was obvious she wasn't but it still seemed the easiest way to broach the topic.

"Your Turian friend asked me to come down and explain what's been going on," she replied, ignoring the question.

"Which is what exactly?"

"Jackson's been hurt."

"How-"

"There was a fight after we caught you. Some of us were still trying to figure how the Salarians had known we were going to be there. Jackson figured it out."

"And that caused a fight to break out?"

"It did when he realized it was his doing," she replied softly. She must have caught the change in my expression because she quickly went on the offensive before I could speak.

"It wasn't his fault! He didn't know it was a risk because you never bothered to explain half of what was going on," she started screaming at me, her voice rising in volume and pitch.

"And what was it that I was supposed to explain?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe anything? You didn't tell us half of what happened while you were undercover, you never explained who the hell that Elcor was and you never told us that our whole mission was just about saving your poxy sister!"

While I was left speechless at the tirade, Marie took a moment to calm herself before continuing.

"And you never told us that, that Salarian you brought up with you from Korlus wasn't one of your trusted alien allies."

That grabbed my attention.

"Jackson contacted Melnar? What for?"

"He thought going to Noveria was a risk. He knew Cerberus had agents there so he contacted the hospital on the Citadel. Told the Salarian what was going on and asked him to bring as many of the Krogan that could fight and charter a ship here, as backup."

"And it never occurred to him to mention any of this to me? Or to get suspicious when they didn't arrive?"

"My boyfriend is an idiot sometimes. It doesn't excuse your lies. Or what that thuggish green friend of yours did to him."

Javik, it could only have been him. Admirable as his willingness to see the best in all his squadmates was, I don't think the Commander realizes how much of a loose canon some of them are.

"He's certainly not my friend. I understand what you must be going through Marie, but-"

"Jackson is going to be fine by the way. He's being tended by the medics aboard my ship. Now I've told you everything Garrus wanted me to say and I don't think we have anything left to talk about, do you?"

I didn't have any way to respond to that as she strolled calmly from the room. Apparently, I had managed to burn all my bridges. Or nearly all, Garrus had afterall arranged this meeting to push me in the direction of my next lead. Would he still be on the Citadel by the time I got there? Doubtful, but it seemed like as good a place to start as any.

And so just twelve minutes later I found myself in the Normandy hanger, preparing to board a shuttle that would dock with the civilian transport just before its departure (normal passenger loading was conducted on the planet but Garrus was concerned that I would be arrested if I stepped foot on Noverian soil again). Much to my annoyance I also found that I would not be traveling alone.

"You expect me to share a transport with him?" I asked incredulously, throwing a glare at Kallen who flinched in response. Behind him Nalar stood quietly, scowling about something or other.

"We don't have any other options. Garrus wants all our guests off the Normandy before Shepard arrives in order to avoid any awkward questions. And the Deceiver isn't willing to take on any more passengers. In fact, they just departed," Liara explained, her tone sympathetic but firm.

"Remind me, wasn't Garrus placing Kallen under arrest just yesterday?"

"After some consideration, he's decided to drop the matter."

"Just like that?"

"According to the evidence I was able to purchase from the Shadow Broker, it seems that Kallen's story holds true. There's no sign that he was ever with the Separatists. And now you have a flight to catch."

I didn't like that at all but it didn't seem like I had any other choices open to me. With bad grace I climbed aboard the shuttle, followed by a still scowling Nalar and finally Kallen, who continued to throw nervous glances in my direction every few minutes.