Date: May 6th, 2357

Time: 09:42, Galactic Standard

Location: Medical Bay of STG-RV "Logical Approach", en-route to Citadel Station

"… and the last thing I know, before I woke up here, was breaking the necks of those two Separatists"

Doctor Chakwas nods. "Quite the ordeal. It takes an extraordinary will to survive all that"

I nod weakly, then look to the Asari standing outside. "Who's she?"

Doctor Chakwas spins her chair around. "Doctor Veera, would you please come inside? Our guest wishes to meet you"

The asari, Veera, enters the room. "I am Doctor Veera N'Teva. I'm here to fit you with a biotic amplifier"
I breath in, and breath out. Biotics… Nihlus said that Vyrrnus had turned me into a biotic. Could this asari doctor help me?
"What's a biotic amplifier?" I ask, scratching my head.

"It's a neural augmentation, designed to help the user focus their biotic abilities. I'm guessing Vyrrnus didn't give you one?"

I shake my head. "Too busy splicing God-knows-what into my body"

"Eezo concentrates"

I turn to the new voice. It's the turian from the base, Nihlus

"They put raw eezo into her?" Veera asks, turning to the turian Spectre.

Nihlus nods. "Part of his experiment. He devised a solution of eezo and other elements to create eezo nodules in separatist volunteers. He used prisoners of war to experiment on, to determine the… ideal solution… for delivery"

A shudder runs through my body. I take a sip of water, then lie back down. "Doctor, what's the exact damage?"

Chakwas and Veera turn to face me. "Eezo concentrates are a huge risk. You might've ended up with cancers throughout your body. You got extremely lucky that you ended up with nodules"

I sigh. "Wasn't like I had a choice in the matter"

Doctor N'Teva nods. "True enough. Anyways, let's start with the fitting process"

[-]

Time: 12:23, Galactic Standard

Location: Bay of STG-RV "Logical Approach", en-route to Citadel Station

After Nihlus and I gave our reports, we were ordered to report to the Citadel. Asari specialists are awaiting our arrival, to treat Commander Cooper. M-Cor was ordered to the station as well, in case Vyrrnus tries to reclaim his "success" while she's recovering.
The thought of it enrages me.
And I'm not alone. Nihlus and Saren are angry as well. Sparatus was pissed after finding out what Vyrrnus was doing.
Technically, our original mission is complete. With Kuben Blisk's death, our trap was justified. And the data we got from the Gothis Black Site will help with Loyalist operations against the Separatists.
Personally…
I want to murder Vyrrnus' face.
After seeing the details of his twisted experiments, the broken prisoners, even the operating room, I want to take my axe and sink it so far into Vyrrnus' chest that it severs his spine.
Saren and Nihlus share my sentiments, so we've been meeting in the bay of the ship, discussing plans to lure Vyrrnus out into the open.

"Gentlemen"

I raise my eyebrow. "Kirrahe. What brings you down here?"

Kirrahe chuckles. "This is an STG ship. Did you really think you could hide what you three were doing by meeting down here? Subtle as you three have been, the STG is ever aware. That said… you got an extra seat?"

I smirk and tap the seat between myself and Saren. "Of course. Want me to deal you in?"

Kirrahe nods. "What're we playing?"

"Skyllian Five poker"

[-]

May 9th, 2357

Time: 14:23, Galactic Standard

Location: CIC of STG-RV "Logical Approach", on approach to Citadel Station

Sneaking out of Separatist space had, of necessity, taken time. Warping from system to system, instead of dropping cloak and using one of the relays, took time. However, the risk of dropping our cloak was deemed sufficient enough to avoid, and we glided through each system with a speed that would rival Hermes.
And now we're in the Serpent Nebula, approaching the Citadel
"Salarian vessel 'Logical Approach', you are cleared to dock at Kithoi Ward. Councilors Valern and Sparatus await your arrival"

The captain nods. "Thank you. Logical Approach, on approach"

I chuckle. "Saw that coming a mile away"
The captain responds with a grin.
"Aaaand… docked. Pressure is equalizing to Citadel standard, Captain"

The captain nods again. "Notify the medical team and our resident Spectres"

I head to the airlock, joined by Nihlus, Saren, Kirrahe, Admiral Graves, and the medical team, including Doctor Chakwas and Doctor N'Teva. As we disembark, we're greeted by Sparatus, Valern, and surprisingly…

"Field Commander Briggs. I was expecting you to show up" I say, saluting her

The old commander smirks. "Because of my protégé, I'm guessing. At ease Sergeant"

I nod and relax. "It's a doozy, Field Commander. We found our war criminal…"

Field Commander Briggs nods. "I saw the reports. Mangled by a Reaper?"

I nod. "Saw the corpse myself. Took the kit, took the Ronin he captured – "

"Captured?"

I nod again. "Yes. NAX-4170 told me he was captured by the IMC and forced to link with Blisk, who was captured by the Separatist and subsequently got him killed"

I shake my head. "It's strange that they didn't dismantle him. The Separatists' platform is AI eradication"

Field Commander Briggs folds her arms. "I find it odd too. Perhaps this General Desolas wanted to create something akin to our Titans, but without the AI that we use"

I fold my arms. "Like how the IMC make their titans?"

Field Commander Briggs nods. "Exactly"

I sigh. "Just what we need…"
The medical team walks Melissa out, and the Field Commander turns to look at her. I hear her sigh as she looks at her protégé, then gestures for me to walk with her and the team. "Melissa gave you a learner's certification, correct?"

I nod. "It was why I was able to operate Nax at all. And the jumpkit I recovered was Blisk's. I've since customized it to my own tastes"

Field Commander Briggs nods. "Saves me having to commission a jumpkit for you" She chuckles. "Almost exactly like how Jack got his jump kit"

"Ma'am?"

Field Commander Briggs smirks at me. "You and he both got your jumpkits from dead people. You from a war criminal, he from his mentor"

"I'm just glad I didn't have to inherit Mel – Commander Cooper's kit"

Field Commander Briggs raises an eyebrow and smirks. "Did you almost refer to a higher-ranking officer by her first name, Sergeant Anderson?"

I chuckle. "I've been thinking of her as just Melissa for… well, since we activated the Relay on Shanxi almost three years ago now. I catch myself every so often"

Sarah grins. "Well, hopefully I'll be able to give you a full certification soon. Of course, I have to get Nax's evaluation, but I see no reason why to keep you from becoming a full pilot, especially since most of ours are aging out"

I grin. "Glad to hear it, Field Commander"

[-]

Time: 19:48, Galactic Standard

Location: Clinic in Kithoi Ward, Citadel Station

Field Command Briggs and I sit in the waiting room while some of the Republics' best physicians work on Melissa. Having to endure as long as she did took a significant toll on her body, and word from Doctor N'Teva was that she won't be ready quickly.
So in other words, it was up to Saren, Nihlus, and me to bring Vyrrnus to justice.
I spoke with Field Commander Briggs about this for some time while the asari worked on Melissa. She didn't like the idea of Vyrrnus running his experiments on willing separatists and said she would ask Lieutenant Kirrahe if he could get the Salarian STG to work on tracking down the Separatist Commander. What really concerned her was Desolas, though. Saren made it clear where he stood on the situation during the ride to the Citadel, and said he would do anything to bring in his "wayward sibling" before we disembarked. Briggs was more worried about the idea of Separatist Pilots. IMC Titans had no AI, as the IMC viewed their Titans as disposable. Mere tools for their Pilots, as the stories went. Only the Militia placed any real value on the Pilots' Titans, which led to the creation of Artificial Intelligence. After the war, we expanded the use of AI to the other titan classes, both combat oriented and non-combat oriented. A Journeyman was as much a person as anyone else on the Frontier, and if that Journeyman wanted to serve, he or she could have their AI transferred to one of the Militia's multiple non-AI Titans, and get it upgraded for modern-day combat.
The idea of Separatists mass-producing non-AI titans was as much a threat as Vyrrnus' experiments.
And Melissa was not going to be ready for combat any time soon.
I had to make a couple of calls.

[-]

Date: May 10th, 2357

Time: 09:13, Galactic Standard, Day Cycle

Location: Emporium, Presidium level, Citadel Station

"…And that's the situation currently"

Kirrahe nods. "Vyrrnus' experiments are troubling enough, but Separatist Pilots…"

Field Commander Briggs nods. "So you see our dilemma. Both are our credible threats, but the Militia's assets are limited. After all, we're still assisting Loyalist fleets with their patrols, and while Shanxi paid off, it was a huge investment. So unfortunately, we can only go after one threat right now"

Saren shakes his head. "And knowing Desolas, he'll probably want to jump start his Titan program, since both of Vyrrnus' successes escaped Gothis"

Nihlus sighs. "On the other hand, we have no idea where Vyrrnus is currently, and there's nothing stopping him from starting his sick experiments on another Separatist world"

"Ma'am, if I may?"

"You may, Sergeant. What are you thinking?"

I swallow my spit. "If we track down Vyrrnus, it's possible that we could find Desolas as well. We know that Vyrrnus answers directly to Desolas, thanks to the intel Nihlus and I secured on Gothis. And the STG's 'Logical Approach' might be quick enough to shut them both down. And we'd be getting intel straight from the STG, which would further better our odds"

Field Commander Briggs grins. "Two birds, one stone. Solid thinking there, Sergeant. I'll ask the STG if we can borrow their ship for a bit longer"

[-]

Time: 13:32 Galactic Standard, Day Cycle

Location: Kithoi Ward Clinic

"Is she awake yet?"

"Yes, she just woke up a little while ago. Would you like to speak with her, Mister…?"

"Sergeant Anderson. And yes, I would like to talk with her"

The clerk nods. "Of course, Sergeant. I'll let the nurse on duty know you're on your way there"
I nod and thank the clerk. I walk down the hall to Melissa's room where I'm greeted by an asari nurse. She steps out of the way, and I walk into the room.
"Hey Melissa"

Melissa smiles weakly. "Hey David"

I walk over and take a seat. "How are you feeling?"

Melissa rubs her head. "Head hurts. They gave me some water, told me to drink slowly. Would kill for some bean juice right about now"

I chuckle. "I'll see what I can do"

Melissa smirks at me. "So, what've you been up to since we arrived? Waiting for your next assignment?"

I shake my head. "Not really. Briggs, Saren, Nihlus, Kirrahe, and I had a long chat on the Presidium"

"And?"

"We're going after Vyrrnus and Desolas"

Melissa's smile turns to worry. "Who's backing you up?"

"We'll have Bravo and Kirrahe's STG team, along with Nihlus and Saren. And the 'Logical Approach' as well"

"Two squads, two spectres, one recon vessel. That's not a whole lot of back up, Sergeant"

"Well, we also have Nax"

"Nax?"

I tell Melissa about the Ronin class Titan I had rescued on Gothis, and the evaluation Briggs had received. Apparently, I had conducted myself well, and was recommended for full Pilot Certification. Field Commander Briggs agreed, and I received my Pilot Certification just before heading to Kithoi Ward.

"That's fantastic! Congratulations on your promotion, Pilot-Sergeant Anderson"

I smirk. "Yah, I'll retain the neural link with Nax, and we'll go tromping across Separatist worlds. Sounds like fun, eh?"

Melissa laughs weakly. "Careful, sounds like you're picking up my snarkiness"

I grin. "Someone has to, since you'll be bottled up here for who knows how long"
My grin turns to a frown. "Wish you could come with us"

Melissa smiles sympathetically. "Wish I could too. You take care out there David, alright?"

"Yah. You too"

I hug Melissa, get up, then leave the clinic. Nihlus is waiting for me. "All done?"

I nod. "Yah"

"Good. Time to go hunting"

[-]

Well, there's chapter 14 complete!
Six chapters into Arc 2, and we're switching focus. Don't worry, we'll see Melissa again before the end of the arc.
Many thanks for reading this far, I'll see you next chapter!