"We've got about ten hours Captain," Joker said. "Maybe a little less."
"Good. I'm pretty sure I have a mountain of paper work thanks to Garrus' shopping spree."
"Yeah," he laughed. "Good luck with that."
"Thanks," she sighed. She tapped the back of his chair and headed back through the CIC. Pressley stopped her for a moment and complained about the amount of "clutter" in the cargo bay. She assured him that he would be fine and that she was personally going to see what was going on. He still seemed disgruntled, but anytime any of the non-humans did anything, the Navigator was displeased.
"Commander."
"Good Morning Doctor," she replied brightly. "What can I do for you?"
Chakwas smiled. "You can come and have a checkup."
"Checkup?"
"Commander," she chided kindly. "You made contact with an unknown alien artifact which rendered you unconscious for over fifteen hours. We need to do several checkups to assure you're well."
Sheppard sighed. "I'm fine, doc. And I have a lot to do before we get to Noveria."
"All the more reason to get this done early," she insisted, looping her arm through the Commanders. Slowly she began to pull an unwilling Shepard toward the medbay.
"Fine," she sighed at last. "Just be quick."
Forty-five minutes, half a pint of blood, and the last of Shepard's patience for the today later, she emerged from the medbay with a fake smile plastered on her face. She grumbled all the way to elevator, and complained loudly all the way down to the cargo bay.
By the time the doors opened at the bottom she was so frustrated she was starting to feel light headed. She peeled the band-aid off her arm and stuffed it into one of the many pockets on her pants.
"Commander," Wrex grumbled as the doors slid open. "Are you gonna handle all this?" He gestured over his hump toward the million different parts scattered across the floor of the Cargo Bay.
Shepard sighed. "Yeah, I'll handle it."
Wrex grumbled something under his breath as he boarded the elevator. She wanted to ask what he said, but given the natural animosity between krogan and turians, she decided it would be best to let it ride.
How was she going to handle this mess? She hadn't figured that out yet.
There was literally three dozen piles of crap spread across the floor. The Mako itself was positioned in the middle of the bay like it was ready to be launched. Ash was nowhere in sight, (not that Shepard blamed her), and Garrus was literally climbing all over the place.
"Garrus," she inquired as kindly as she could.
Apparently he didn't hear here. Though she was sure she could hear his voice.
"Garrus," she called again, more annoyed.
He was talking alright.
To himself.
"VAKARIAN!" She shouted, her temper getting the better of her.
He started and jumped slightly.
"Co . . . Commander," he said, looking around. "I, uh, didn't hear you there."
"I was only screaming your name," she told him, still frustrated. "Do you often ignore people screaming you name?"
She regretted that question the moment it was out of her mouth.
Garrus raised his eyebrow plate at her and smiled, (she was now 99.9% sure that was a smile.)
"Don't answer that," she grumbled.
"I didn't think the Alliance ran their ships so loosely," he laughed.
"What is all this mess?" She asked, fighting the losing battle to keep a straight face.
"These are all the parts we bought on the Citadel. And I'm glad you're here." He handed her a dirty greasy rag and some kind of wrench.
"What is this for?"
"Your wrecked it, you gotta help fix it."
"Uh hu. And how long will that take?"
Garrus scratched his chin for a moment. "Depends on how adept you are with a wrench." When she raised an eyebrow at her he added, "I have no idea."
"Well then this is going to have to wait. I have a ton of paperwork to do and I need to sit down with everyone before we get to Noveria . . ."
"Noveria?" Garrus asked cutting her off. "That's where we're headed?"
"That's the last place Benezia was seen."
Garrus sighed. "Not a place I'd want to go under normal circumstances."
"Bad?" She asked.
He nodded.
"Fantastic," she muttered. "Well if you can get some of this cleaned up for now, I know Ash and Wrex have duties they need to get squared away. Hopefully we won't need the Mako for this mission."
He nodded. "What time are we meeting?"
She checked the clock on her omnitool. "Three hours."
Liara stared at the screen in front of her.
She'd spent most of the night going through all the files she could find on her mother.
Which wasn't much.
Most her mother's files were either useless, or heavily redacted.
She wanted to take something to the Commander, give her something on her mother that would be both useful, and show that she truly was on their side. No one had been so brass as to come right out and say they doubted her loyalties; but it was obvious in the way several people looked at her.
Shepard had told her before that she didn't have anything to prove to anyone.
She only wished it felt that way.
After another twenty or so minutes, she gave up. There was nothing in any of these files that could help. Liara pushed her chair away from the desk and sighed. For the first time in half a century she regretted not spending more time with her mother.
Shepard filed the last report she had time for and opened her personal messages.
There was a note from Anderson thanking her for dinner and reminding her not to throw anyone else into peace ponds. Then there was note from her bank back on Earth informing her the latest paycheck from the Alliance had been deposited. Then some kind of spam message about a prince from Sur'Kesh needing credits to fund his trip home, whereupon he would pay out a tidy sum for her help.
She deleted the spam, and filed the other two. A few moments later she was on her way to meet the rest of the crew for their briefing. Shepard was starting to feel inadequate in her new position. Not for the first time, she questioned if she should be in charge of the Normandy. She was still early in her career, and her knowledge of the universe was limited. Somewhere in the back of her mind she worried her lack of knowledge would become a detriment to the crew.
The Commander was so caught up in her little world of worry that she didn't hear Kaidan call to her. She didn't even realize he was walking beside her until he put a hand on her shoulder.
"What?!" She started.
"Shepard, are you okay?" He asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking."
"About?" They started walking again.
"The Galaxy," she replied, not sure what else to say.
"That's a lot to think about," he laughed. "Can you narrow that down or an arm or maybe even a star system?"
She smiled. "Maybe." She pushed the button and the door slid open, most of the crew was already waiting in the comm room, seated in the chairs lining the walls. Kaidan put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and took his seat next to Ash.
"So, Noveria," Shepard started after everyone had exchanged a few greetings.
"Terrible place," Wrex muttered. "Too cold, and never enough paying work."
"You would think a place like Noveria would have an abundance of work for a Merc," Tali observed.
"Nah, they like to handle everything "in house"," Wrex informed them.
"I know the council has a tenuous relationship with most of the businesses there," Garrus added.
"Tenuous how?" Shepard asked.
"They enjoy the benefits those business allot them. A lot of technological breakthroughs have come from those labs."
"What do they do in these labs?" Ash asked.
"I do not think any one knows for certain," Liara commented quietly. "They have longer non-disclosure contracts than Council Spectres."
"That's probably why Benezia is there," Kaidan sighed. "Even if they wanted to tell us why she was there, they couldn't."
"Garrus," the Commander asked, "do they recognize the authority of the Council there?"
"Are you asking if they would acknowledge your authority as a Spectre?" He asked knowingly.
"I am."
"They maybe outside Council space, but they'll adhere to its authority."
"Good. Let's hope this isn't as complicated as it sounds." There was a general look of uncertainty around the room. "Anything else?" She asked.
"Commander," Kaidan said uneasily. "Maybe it would be best not to come out guns blazing."
"What are you suggesting?" Shepard asked.
"We go in with side arms only."
There was a lot of complaining around the room all at once.
"You can have my shotgun when you quad up and pry it from my cold dead fingers," Wrex challenged.
"The last thing we want is to be caught in a bad situation without protection," Garrus scoffed.
"No way, LT," Ash laughed.
"Alright!" Shepard shouted, quelling the arguments. "It's not a bad point. If we go in locked n' loaded we're going to send the wrong message. Side arms only. Except Wrex."
"Why him?" Tali asked curiously.
"I'm not foolish enough to try and separate a krogan from his shotgun. I'm hoping they aren't either."
Shepard stood on the bridge as they approached Noveria. She was hoping they could land without incident, but just in case, she was ready.
"Approach Control," Joker hailed over the comm. "This is the SSV Normandy. Requesting a vector and a berth."
"Normandy, your arrival was not scheduled," a rather annoyed voice hailed back. "Our defense grid is armed and tracking you. State your business."
Shepard and Joker exchanged a look.
"Citadel business," Joker replied. "We've got a Council Spectre aboard."
There was a long silence.
Finally, "Landing access granted, Normandy." The console in front of Joker pinged and a set of coordinates popped up. A few button presses later, Joker had them pulling into a nearby hanger.
"Be advised: we will be confirming identification on arrival. If confirmation cannot be established, your vessel will be impounded."
Another look passed between Shepard and Joker.
"What a fun bunch!" He joked. "I think I'll take my next leave here."
She chuckled and shook her head. "This is gonna be a blast," she said sarcastically. "Don't let her get too comfortable. I get the feeling our welcome is gonna wear thin real fast."
"You got it, Commander."
She turned and addressed her team, who had were waiting for her while they approached.
"I assume you all heard that?" She asked.
They nodded. Except for Liara, who looked slightly uncomfortable in her armor. It had worked out fairly well for her, considering she had turned out to be almost the exact same size as Shepard. So the extra combat armor she'd brought fit her fantastically.
Not that she seemed as excited about that now.
"I guess it's good we weren't expecting a warm welcome," Garrus muttered.
"Let's just try to not get thrown off the planet before we find our answers." Shepard lead them through the air lock and out into the docking bay.
At once she was struck by how cold and grey their surroundings were. Immediately to their left was a floating turret. It scanned each member of her team as they passed by. It didn't fire, but it kept the barrel of its gun trained on her.
Together they moved right, around the side of the ship. They came around the next corner and Shepard sighed. Three heavily armed people in combat armor stood waiting for them. She could hear at least two other floating turrets somewhere nearby as well.
"Commander?" Liara asked nervously.
Shepard waved her concern away and kept walking.
"That's far enough," the woman in the middle called. She was shorter than the other two, granted one was a turian and the other woman was the tallest Shepard had ever seen. Even though she was the smallest, she was clearly the person in charge.
Shepard stopped and lifted her hands. "We're not here to cause problems."
They didn't look convinced.
"This is an unscheduled arrival," the woman in the middle spoke again. "I need your credentials."
"You first," the Commander insisted. She knew how compelling both Saren and Benezia could be. She needed to be careful about who she spoke to.
"We're the law here," the woman to the right grumbled. "Show some respect."
The woman in the center raised her hand to silence the other. "I'm Captain Maeko Matsuo, Elanus Risk Control Services."
Shepard nodded. "I'm a Spectre. My name is Shepard."
"Load of horsecrap, ma'am," the tall blonde woman scoffed.
"We will need to confirm that," Captain Matsuo informed them. "Also I must advise you that firearms are not permitted on Noveria. Sergeant Stirling, secure their weapons."
With a smile the blonde woman started toward them.
A lot of things happened at once.
Shepard, Liara and Kaidan fired up their biotic barriers. Ash, Garrus, and Wrex drew weapons. And Tali pulled her omnitool up, eyeing the floating turrets. Captain Matsuo, Sergeant Stirling, and the turian guard all pulled weapons. The commander had hoped they would be able to get through things without incident. But she would be damned if she was going after an asari Matriarch unarmed.
"It would not be wise to search for the geth unarmed," Liara offered quietly.
After a moment's hesitation, Shepard dropped her barrier. "Stand down," she sighed. "Their house their rules."
"If you think this is best, Commander," Garrus said begrudgingly.
Before anyone could lower their guns, the comm clicked on.
"Captain Matsuo!" A woman shouted. "Stand down. We have confirmed their identity. Spectres are authorized to carry weapons here, Captain."
Everyone lowered their guns and returned them to their mags.
"You may proceed," Matsuo told them. "I hope the rest of your visit will be less confrontational. Parasini-san will meet you upstairs."
Shepard nodded her thanks and moved to pass.
"Behave yourself," Stirling muttered as they went.
Without another word the three dispersed. Shepard turned to the left to see the two turrets she'd heard a moment ago. Just behind them was a wall made up of glass panes on each side and a set of rotating glass doors in the center.
Just beyond that she could see an open space with stairs along each wall leading up to a platform she couldn't quite see yet. Between the stairs there was a large flowing water fountain flanked by two potted plants.
Not wanting to press their luck, Shepard lead them through the doors before Stirling changed her mind and fired on them. Just through the door she could see two other glass doors on either side. Just a head she could hear conversation, so she headed up the stairs to her left.
At the top of the stairs there was an assortment of packages being sorted on the left, seats all the way on the right, and two more floating turrets with scanners. Just past them there was a counter with two computers and a man with a sour expression.
As they started toward the man alarms began to blare.
She brought her barrier up and heard several members of her team draw weapons.
"Weapon detectors!" A woman in a floor length pink dress shouted as she approached the counter. "Don't mind the alarms." She waved at the sour faced man and a moment later the alarms stopped.
"I am Gianna Parasini," the woman in pink announced. "Assistant to Administrator Anoleis. We apologize for the incident in the docking bay."
Shepard nodded, "I appreciate your help."
"You're welcome. You understand our security chief was only doing her job. We aren't accustom to such . . . interesting visitors."
"That's an understatement," Tali muttered.
"Anyway," Gianna continued. "One of my duties is orientation of new arrivals. Do you have any questions?"
"Has anyone unusual passed through here recently?" The Commander asked.
"Unusual?" She asked. "Uh, an asari Matriarch passed through a few days ago. Lady Benezia."
"Benezia . . . ?"Liara stumbled. "She is here?"
Shepard looked at Liara for moment. Clearly her mother being so close was painful. For a moment she wondered if bring her was a wise idea.
"Can I speak with her?" She asked at last.
Gianna pulled a face. "Benezia left for the Peak 15 research complex days ago. To the best of my knowledge she's still there."
"Could you tell me how to get there?"
She made another face. "You'll need to ask Administrator Anoleis for clearance to leave this port."
There was a murmur of discontent among her crew.
"Where can I find the administrator?" Shepard asked.
"His office is on the main level," Gianna instructed them. "Left at the top of the elevator."
"Understood," Shepard nodded. "Can we go in now?"
"Of course," she replied politely. "If you need any help, you can ask me at the administrator's office." She turned a disappeared the way she'd come.
"She is here," Liara said quietly. "I can't believe it." She turned and faced the Commander. "I imagine you want to talk to me, Shepard. About my mother."
She smiled kindly at the asari. "No, I don't. I trust you, Liara. You may not be military, but you're part of my crew."
Liara smiled brightly. "Thank you, Shepard. That means a great deal to me."
"Let's get moving," she said leading them down a set of stairs and around a corner to an elevator. A very small elevator. Carefully the seven of them packed inside, not too much unlike sardines. There was a bit of grumbling and complaining. Once they were aboard, the Commander hit the button and the doors hissed closed.
"Welcome to Port Hanshan," An electronic voice greeted them. "The galaxy's most respected site for independent scientific research and development. For your own safety, and to protect the privacy of others, you are required to obey any directions given by our security personnel. If you have questions or concerns, our friendly administrative staff is always available. Thank you and enjoy your stay."
"That sounds promising," Ash muttered as the doors slid open.
Inside there was a similar motif. Stone grey walls and floors with the occasional glass window and water fountain to break up the monotony. There were several groups of people milling about on the floor directly in front of them and it seemed like there was more down the stairs to the left.
The Commander walked up to human female and a salarian male engaged in a whispered conversation.
"Excuse me," she stated politely.
"Oh," the salarian started, taking a step back. "You're that Spectre security told us about. We're not supposed to talk to you." Without another word the two turned and walked away.
"So friendly," Garrus muttered. "Will the whole planet be this way?"
"Most likely," Tali commented off hand.
For a moment Shepard was inclined to ask why. Until she remembered that quarians were always given the brush off, everywhere they went. This probably seemed like just another greeting to her.
"Well, whatever the case maybe, we have a job to do," Shepard reminded them. "Garrus, Wrex, with me. Everybody else, fan out and see what you can find out. These people might not talk to me, but you all might get lucky."
"Commander," Liara called uncertainly. "I would like to go with you, if I may. If my mother is here, this administrator is certain to have information about her whereabouts. And he would have no reason to keep such information from her daughter."
Shepard considered this for a moment. "It might be a long shot, but yeah. Come with us and let's see what we can find out." With a nod, the rest of the team moved off to see what they could learn. A human, turian, krogan, and asari, turned for the stairs and headed down.
Down a small stone flight of stairs, across another level where a turian guard held his gun a little to tightly for comfort, than down another set of stairs and off to the left they could see the door.
Like the rest of the planet, the office was comprised of stone and glass. There were tables here and there and a few small sad looking potted plants. Around a large stone column that tactically, made no sense at all, and then through another glass door.
"How can I help you?" Giana greeted as they entered.
Shepard nodded a quick greeting and said, "I'd like to speak to Anoleis."
"All of you?" She asked, her voice sounding slightly strained. Before the Commander could reply, she waved away her previous comment and said, "One moment, please." She tapped a few buttons on her com system at her desk. "Mr. Anoleis?"
"Yes. What? What!" He called back, sounding both rushed and annoyed.
"Commander Shepard is asking to see you, sir."
"Right," he grumbled. "Fine. Come in."
"Around my desk and through the door," Giana whispered as she ended the call.
Shepard thanked her and led the small group through another glass door.
This is a room was different. Most of the walls here were glass along with a large section of the roof. For a moment, Shepard was tempted to stop and watch the snow beat relentlessly against the window. But she figured the director wouldn't sit around and wait for that.
At a large desk directly across from the door, sat a very uptight looking salarian in what appeared to be a very expensive suit.
"You will excuse me if I don't stand up." It sounded like a very dismissive command. "I have no time to entertain refugees from that urban blight called Earth."
Shepard crossed her arms. "I see you've looked up my service record."
"Only a fool enters negotiations without knowledge of the other party's tendency. This greeting is a courtesy. I will only cooperate as required by the Executive board. Businesses come here to avoid the second guessing of galactic law."
"Are you telling me you have no safety protocols?" Shepard asked before she could help it.
"Don't be ridiculous! Do you think a for-profit company would take no precautions against loss of life and materials? Project leads have final say here, not meddlesome politicians."
Already regretting having even asked, the Commander changed tactics. "Do you do any business with Saren?"
"Agent Saren?" Anoleis asked. "One of your Spectre compatriots? He is a major investor in Binary Helix Corporation, which is one of Noveria's backers."
"Is Binary Helix developing weapons for him?" The commander asked.
"It's possible given his interests," the administrator admitted honestly. "What our clients do in their labs is their business."
Liara cleared her throat loudly.
Understanding, Shepard asked, "I've heard an asari Matriarch is here. Benezia?"
Anoleis narrowed his eyes, "She arrived a few days ago, accompanied by a personal escort and some cargo. She is up at peak 15."
"What can you tell me about her cargo?" Shepard asked.
"Large, heavy, and sealed," he replied annoyed again. "It passed weapons screening. Beyond that it is not our concern."
"What brought her out here?"
Anoleis waved away her question like it simply didn't matter. "If I knew, I wouldn't be at liberty to say. She came here as Agent Saren's executor. She's here on business for Binary Helix. There were issues at Peak 15 that required Saren's attention."
"I'd like to see her immediately." Shepard tried to put as much authority into her voice as she could muster.
The administrator shook his head. "I'm afraid you cannot. Peak 15 is a private research facility in the Skadi Mountains. Regardless, there is a blizzard in the area. Shuttles are grounded, and surface access has been cut off."
"Surface access, you say?" Shepard asked.
"Cut off, I said. The roads are not suitable for travel. Don't make an issue of this, Shepard."
"Forget him, Commander," Garrus said. "If he won't help us, I'm sure someone else here will."
She nodded. "I have no more questions, at this time," she added.
"Good," he said with a something that could have been happiness. "I received a dozen urgent messages while you dithered about."
Wrex shifted uncomfortably behind her. Shepard could tell he didn't care for the salarian's tone and was eager to make that known. She turned on her heel quickly and motioned for the others to head out the door. She followed close behind, just in case someone decided to try and beat the information out of Anoleis.
"What do we do now, Commander?" Liara asked as they came around the back side of Giana's desk.
"Mr. Anoles isn't the only one with a pass to leave Hanshan."
The group stopped.
"Miss. Parasini?" Shepard asked.
"You've never worked in the corporate world, have you, Commander?" She asked with a smile. "You can't bludgeon through bureaucracy."
"So it would seem," She replied. "I need an alternative."
Giana leaned forward and looked around, "Speak to Lorik Qui'in," she whispered so quietly Shepard had to practically lean across the desk to hear her. "You should be able to find him at the hotel bar. Can't say more. Not within earshot of Mr. Anoleis."
Shepard nodded. "Thank you," she said in a normal voice. "I've taken up enough of your time."
"Not at all Spectre," she replied brightly, "This is my job after all."
The Commander led her small group out into the main are of the port. It took a few minutes to find the rest of her crew but once she had, she pulled everyone off the beaten path and relayed to them what they had learned.
"So what's the plan then?" Kaidan asked. "Should we track down this Qui'in guy?"
"He's a turian," Garrus offered. "I remember hearing something about him a while ago, back on Palavin. Can't remember what for."
"Alright then," Shepard decided. "Let's spread out and look for this guy. It's a big place, but not huge. Try to stay out of trouble and if you get eyes on him, radio for the rest. Garrus, Kaidan, you're with me."
The team disbursed. Liara and Tali took off to the left together. Wrex went off on his own, in the direction of the bar. And Ash headed off down a set of stairs toward signs that read: "Garage".
Shepard lead her small group away and to the right, seeing what looked like several shops. Hopefully shopkeepers would be chattier.
"Commander?" Garrus asked as they started toward some stairs.
She groaned quietly. "Yeah?"
"How much do we trust Liara?"
"Why?" She asked almost coming to a complete stop.
"She could be leading us into a trap for her mother."
"Garrus is right," Kaidan agreed. "We're taking a huge risk here."
Shepard stopped at the top of the steps. "At this point I don't think we have a choice. We have to get to Benezia. And if Liara isn't being honest than her mother already knows we're here. We press on."
Garrus seemed relived she wasn't defending the asari. He didn't' seem to like her answer, but he was done questioning her
After talking with a Hannar shopkeeper, and refusing to help it smuggle goods in, Shepard and her group walked out of the shops, empty handed.
"That was . . . insightful," Kaidan offered.
"More like a waste of time," Garrus corrected.
The com in her ear buzzed before Shepard could respond. "I think I found your turian." Wrex's voice came over, sounding somehow more guttural. "Come to the bar."
A moment later, the rest of the group was shuffling into another small elevator. Granted, without the krogan, it wasn't nearly as tight a squeeze.
As the lift climbed Shepard could hear some kind of techno music playing. As they came to a stop they faced a long cement hallway that opened up to what looked like a very large bar. Hoping this would be a simple, they set out.
Of course it wouldn't be. There was at least a dozen different turians running around in the bar. More salarians than Shepard could count, and just enough asari to keep it interesting. Very few humans, though.
"I don't suppose you remember what Qui'in looks like?" Kaidan asked.
Garrus shook his head. "I've never actually seen him before."
"Excuse me," an asari called from their left. "I need a moment of your time." She was wearing a skin tight yellow dress that didn't leave anything to the imagination until it stopped at the top of her thigh. Curious, Shepard turned.
"My name is Mallene Calis. The male human at the hotel bar, he is a sales rep for Binary Helix. His name is Rafael Vargas. I need you to speak with him."
The commander looked around confused. "Do you know who I am?" She asked. Saren was on the board for BH. Was there something about him this man knew?
"Everyone knows who you are, dull stone," she insulted Shepard. "That makes you ideal for my job. You are a known quantity. Or so Vargas will think. He will assume you are here to investigate his company's dirty laundry. That will distract him from your—my—real intentions."
"He's right there. Why not talk to him yourself?"
"I wish I could," Mallene sighed. "I already bungled this myself. He realized I was not a real buyer."
"I don't know anything about Binary Helix. What would I talk to Vargas about?"
"I represent the Aramli City Council on Thessia. Our town is known for its biotic amp crafters."
"What is your city's interest in Binary Helix?" Liara piped up, "They do not manufacture amps."
Calis regarded Liara the way a teacher would a dumb child. Shepard wondered for a moment how significant, if any, the age difference was between them. Most asari looked to be about the same age to Shepard. If she was being honest, she still didn't know a whole lot about them. Her training in the alliance and the N7 program revolved around the military strengths and weaknesses of the other species.
Making a mental note to ask Liara more about her culture, Shepard focused back on the conversation at hand.
"Much of BH's work relates to biotics. There are rumors that the Noveria branch has flown in asari biotics. Powerful ones. Commandos, to be specific. We want to assess any potential risk to asari copyrights."
She crossed her arms across her chest and looked around at their strange little group. "You will present yourself as a buyer. On behalf of the Specters or the Alliance," she waved her hand dismissively, as if neither of those institutions mattered to her. "Discuss their military enhancement programs.
"Your real objective will be to distract him. I will give you a device that will crack into his personal wireless network. It will upload a variety of monitoring viruses. They will infiltrate Binary Helix when he logs onto the intranet."
"Shepard," Kaidan muttered quietly.
She shook her head. "I'm sorry," she started, "do you think this uniform is just for show? My job is to enforce the law, not break it."
Shepard would have been done then, but Mallene kept talking.
"Do you think that Binary Helix obeys all the laws? That they do not spy on other companies?"
Shepard shook her head again. "What they might be doing, somewhere else, doesn't justify my acting against them here."
With a very dramatic eye roll, Mallene said, "Very well, Spectre. I'll be on my way." She slinked off toward the bar, her dramatically tall heels, clicking on the hard stone floor.
"What the hell was that about?" Ash asked, a slight xenophobic undertone to her question.
"You should have asked if she was paying," Wrex grunted walking up. Everyone turned to look at the Krogan. "What? Credits are credits."
"I think that's Qui'in over there," Garrus offered, gesturing to a turian sitting alone at a table off the bar. He was dark grey with white tribal markings on his face. He was dressed nicer than most of the turians around, and he wasn't clearly carrying a weapon.
"Garrus, Liara, come with me," Shepard directed, "Everybody else, fan out and take up positions around the room. Just in case." With a silent nod, the party dispersed around the room.
As she approached, the turian looked up and smiled. "Afternoon," he greeted them with false enthusiasm. Sit down, have a drink." Shepard sat, but waved away the drink. "What can I do for you?" He asked when she was settled.
"Are you Lorik Qui'in? I've heard you might be able to help me."
"You are the Spectre that just arrived, are you not?" He asked. "What could an old turian, like me, possibly help you with?"
Keeping as close to the truth as she could, Shepard said, "I'm trying to find a way into the garage. I have placed to go."
He smiled again, wider this time so his mandibles opened revealing very poorly cared for teeth. "You need a pass," he stated. "How fortuitous. I'm the manager of the local Synthetics Insights office. For the moment, at least."
There was a short pause. Shepard wasn't sure if she should ask, or let him continue.
When she said nothing, Qui'in continued. "Mr. Anoleis closed my office. He claims to be investigating reports of my corruption. The administrator is and interesting man. He has become quite wealthy since he took control of rents."
Shepard nodded, "I sense a connection there."
"Indeed. I acquired evidence of Anoleis' actions. His hired goons are ransacking my office trying to find it."
A look passed between Garrus and Shepard. There was more going on here.
"I suspect your goal lies outside this port," Qui'in continued. "Mr. Anoleis would be disinclined to let you wander. If you recover the evidence from my office, I will give you my garage pass, as well as a sum of credits."
Shepard considered a moment, "Why didn't Anoleis cancel your pass clearance?"
Qui'in chuckled. "Why should he? There's nothing outside but snow and hungry nathak."
"Alright," she consented. "You have a plan?"
"I do," Qui'in sighed. "However, there is one other – what is that charming human expression? 'Fly in the lotion'."
"We're listening," Garrus prompted him.
"Violence against Mr. Anoleis' thugs might be necessary. He has members of Hanshan's security team searching my offices. He is paying them under the table. Ms. Matsuo is unaware of their outside employment."
Shepard pulled at the collar of her armor uncomfortably. Liara looked concerned, like the thought of violence my turn her stomach. Garrus seemed completely unphased.
"I'll focus on trying to get your evidence. If I'm lucky, I won't have to fight anyone."
Qui'in smiled again. "Excellent. Here is my pass into our offices. It will activate the elevator. The evidence in on my office computer. This OSD contains an encryption key to access it. Slid it into the drive and it will auto-execute."
Shepard took the dive and it looked it over. It was so small she was afraid if she dropped it, it would fall between the cracks of the floor and be lost forever.
"And do try to keep the blood stains off the carpets," Qui'in added dismissively. Garrus stepped forward, ready to start a fight by the looks of him. Shepard hooked her arm through his and began leading him back toward the entrance of the bar.
"Arrogant son of a bitch, isn't he?" He asked as gave in to Shepard's tugging and allowed himself to be dragged away.
"Arrogant or not," she sighed as she signaled for the others to meet up with them, "we need his garage key."
"I'm sure I could find another," he grumbled.
"We do not have time for that kind of a delay," Liara added helpfully.
"Fine," he grunted.
"That looks like it went well," Ash joked as she caught sight of Garrus foul mood.
Shep explained what Qui'in had told them as the crew made their way from the bar to the elevator access. Even the part about the possibility of violence.
"Not a problem for me," Wrex grunted.
"Or Shepard," Garrus put in. "As a Spectre, there's very little she can't do."
"Yeah, the council is good at covering up what they don't want people to see," Tali said quietly.
"I don't think that makes it okay," Kaidan started.
"It's not," Shepard finished. "We go in for the data and, if I can help it, we won't have to hurt anyone."
"Takes all the fun out of it," Wrex grunted.
"Skipper," Ash offered, eyeing the krogan uneasily. "I know the elevator we need. It's this way."
