3.
"On Earth? Really?" Liara T'Soni exclaimed as she faced the terminal in her padded swivel chair. "I've never known the Blue Suns to be that reckless."
Jack Shepard took a slow drag from his half-consumed cigar and allowed the flavor to marinate across his tongue before exhaling. "My thoughts exactly," he replied. "A Batarian at that… I can probably count on one hand the number of Batarians I've seen here in Embudu." He tapped the cigar lightly to drop a funnel-shaped ash into the tray beside him on the wicker table.
"And they were trying to rob you," Liara said with further confusion. "That isn't any of the tactics used to recruit soldiers for their private army. It sounds to me that your newfound friends have been duped."
"You think?" Shepard said with a light chuckle. "I've already made an anonymous call to the Police Service here, but those kids claimed that the Batarian in question was the real thing, wearing Blue Suns armor and sporting high-quality gear. It's just made me wonder if there isn't a defector who stole away to Earth and went into hiding, duping these desperate locals into fleecing tourists to bring him credit chits while he hands them empty promises and fills their heads full of delusions of grandeur."
"I'll do some digging and see if I can find anything," Liara said.
"Thanks Liara," Shepard said before taking another drag of his cigar.
"You know that's bad for your health," the Asari chastised.
Shepard chuckled. "So was going after the Collectors and destroying the Reapers, but here I am, twice dead and now retired."
"You are impossible," Liara groaned with a light shake of her head.
"And that's why you love me," Jack said with his sideways grin.
"That is beside the point," she replied. "I'll contact you as soon as I find anything out. Take care, Shepard," Liara finished, and ended the vid call.
Shepard continued grinning as the holographic image faded from the floating VI that hovered three feet above the sandalwood deck. As he finished his cigar, a woman in a low-cut black dress formed from the VI, her long black hair swaying lightly in time with the saltwater breeze that passed across the deck. Her bright purple eyes met Shepard's gaze, a soft smile on her flawless face.
"Shall I contact the Normandy, sir?" she asked, her voice smooth and melodic.
Jack looked out over the bay, holding his hand sideways in front of his face as he judged the time by measuring the setting sun as it glowed across the Indian Ocean. "I think she's had enough sleep. Sure, go ahead and connect me. Oh, and SIREN…for now, let's keep today's incident quiet from Ashley," he said.
"As you command, sir," SIREN replied with a polite curtsy. "Standby for connection," she finished, her holographic form fading and leaving only the floating sphere.
After the discussion Shepard had had with his wife this morning, he didn't want to give her further reason to try pressing him into carrying a small weapon. He knew that Ashley had the tendency to become a mother hen at times, and he understood why she held those concerns for his safety. After all, Jack was nearing his forties, and had faced more in his thirty-seven years than most Asari experience in their millennial lifespan.
"Standby for connection," SIREN repeated after a long period of silence.
Jack sighed as he watched the azure waves shimmer in the orange glow of the setting sun, listening to the hypnotic rhythm as he casually passed his fingers through his blond hair.
"Standby for connection," SIREN said once more.
"I've been standing by," Jack replied. "Synthetic Intelligence and Reconnaissance Node, that's what you're supposed to be… Right now, I'm getting the Synthetic and the Node; tell me, where's the intelligence and the recon part of that acronym? SIREN, you're not shorting a circuit, are you?"
"No sir," the VI answered. "I am attempting to find the Normandy."
"What do you mean, 'attempting to find the Normandy'?", Shepard said as his brows furrowed.
"Exactly what I said, sir," SIREN said. "I cannot find the Normandy, on any frequency. I've even entered the Alliance network to locate them, but there is no connection to be made."
"Any distress beacons or any reports of interference of any type?" Shepard inquired as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. He knew that if the worst had happened, as did with the first Normandy when he experienced the unpleasant feeling of dying in vacuum, there would still be a beacon active, no matter how much destruction was done to the ship.
"Nothing, sir," SIREN reported. "According to Alliance channels, the last transmission from the Normandy was two hours ago. Flight Lieutenant Moreau reported 'entering a vast system of absolutely nothing,' and commenting that 'the most dangerous thing they are facing is sheer boredom, as usual.' The Alliance response message was not received."
"The Normandy is the stealthiest ship in the Alliance, but even that couldn't just vanish," Shepard grumbled. "Contact Alliance Command," he instructed.
"As you wish, sir," SIREN answered.
Shepard glided his fingers across his beard, casually tracing the scars beneath as he began running scenarios through his head. The Normandy was last in the Phoenix Massing system, so the possibility of encountering a black hole was improbable. Even then, the ship's sensors would have picked it up long before they would risk being caught in its pull.
"Secure connection established, sir," SIREN chimed as the holographic imaging of an Alliance operator formed in front of him.
"This is Petty Officer Second Class Davidson with Alliance Fleet Forces Command," the dark-haired human man said. "How can the Alliance help you today?"
Jack chuckled softly at the recruitment phrase. "You can help me understand why I cannot contact the SSV Normandy," he replied.
"Sir, do you have that level of clearance?" Davidson asked politely.
"Of COURSE, I have clearance," Shepard barked. "Look it up yourself if you don't believe me. Shepard, Jackson A., 594-18-1739," he finished.
"One moment sir," Davidson replied, and did a double take as the information formed on his screen. "Apologies Commander, I wasn't aware that you were THE Shepard. Yes, I see a steady history of calls to and from SSV Normandy."
"Uh huh, now, why can't I establish a connection?" Shepard asked.
After a few moments of the Petty Officer tapping and dragging, he finally answered. "It appears that SSV Normandy has encountered a malfunction with their communications array."
"So, Alliance Command still has contact with them?" Shepard continued.
"According to the last reports, their beacon is still active," Davidson answered, and his attention was drawn away from the monitor, and he relinquished his headset.
"Commander this is Lieutenant Velasquez," a husky human man sporting a thick mustache introduced, not even taking a seat. "The SSV Normandy is engaging in a training exercise. Once the parameters of the exercise are met, all communications will be restored."
"Training exercise?" Shepard asked. "Since when did any training exercises involve disruption of communication lines?"
"That is the exercise, Commander. I apologize, but any further details are classified," Velasquez replied.
"Don't give me that shit," Jack barked. "You know that I have the highest security clearance in the Alliance Navy."
"Not since your retirement, Commander," Velasquez informed. "Upon your completion of active duty, your security clearances were rescinded."
"I suppose my SPECTRE status has also been voided," Jack retorted.
"As so," Velasquez answered. "Once the Normandy completes the exercise, you'll be able to communicate with them. Until then, have a good evening, sir, and let me personally thank you for all that you've done for the Alliance and the rest of the galaxy. Goodbye," Velasquez said politely, and the hologram faded.
"That bastard hung up on me," Shepard spat.
"Shall I reconnect you, sir?" SIREN asked.
Shepard sighed. "No, I'll only get the same response, if they'll even accept a second call. The way that LT stepped in and took over the conversation… something is amiss. There's more going on than some bullshit training exercise, and I have a feeling he is somehow involved."
As the sun sank deeper into the Indian Ocean, its orange glow fading into the purple hues of twilight, Shepard leaned against the sandalwood banister of the overwater bungalow. "It's only been a few hours since their last transmission," he said as the female form of SIREN manifested beside him.
"I'm certain Commander Ashley is fine, Jack," the VI said. "She is a highly capable soldier, and an even better leader. Whether this communications blackout is a planned exercise or something more sinister, she will lead the crew through it."
"Agreed," Jack replied. "Still…something just doesn't feel right. SIREN, connect me back with Liara."
"As you wish, sir. Standby for connection," she said, her holographic form fading, and soon replaced with the bright blue of the Asari archeologist.
"Shepard?" Liara asked with an eyebrow lifted. "Was there something you forgot?"
"Nothing that I forgot," Jack began. "Tell me what you can find on a Lieutenant Velasquez, Alliance Fleet Forces Command. And find out how in the hell my SPECTRE security clearance has been rescinded."
"Even though you did retire," Liara said as she tapped icons on her screen, "your authorizations and security clearances should stay active. The only way that I could see… ah," she continued as the information passed across her monitor. "Per the council's order, your status has been revoked. Shepard that just happened in the last five minutes. Who did you piss off this time?"
"Apparently the right people," Shepard answered. "Anything on the Lieutenant? I don't need his service record, I need deeper information, anything that looks suspicious."
"Everything that I am finding so far looks to be in order," Liara replied, and then paused. "Wait… there have been large sums of credits transferred into his multiple accounts. The source comes from a non-profit organization on Eden Prime, set in place a few years after the Reapers were destroyed. The organization aids in the rebuilding of the colonies and assists in regaining economic stability."
"Is this his organization?" Shepard asked.
"No, he only became involved with them three months ago. Not long enough to justify the amounts that have been transferred multiple times through several dummy accounts."
"So, the organization is a front," Jack reasoned.
"I don't think so, not entirely," Liara countered. "Shepard there are so many benefactors that contribute to the relief organization… whatever this Lieutenant is involved with, it would be almost impossible to pinpoint which benefactor is his connection."
"Nothing is impossible for the Shadow Broker," Shepard said.
"I said 'almost impossible'; which means, it'll take some time to sift through the information and piece together enough for a lead," Liara defended. "Judging from your irritability… moreso than your typical grumpiness… there's more to this. Talk to me, Shepard," she continued in a soothing tone.
Shepard took a long drag from his cigar, and slowly allowed the smoke to roil from his mouth as he exhaled. "I can't get in contact with the Normandy," he answered. "I contacted Alliance Command, and this lieutenant barged in on my conversation with the petty officer that answered my call. That's when I was told that everything was classified, and basically to fuck off."
"For your security clearances to be revoked at such short notice, there's more going on than just a dirty Alliance officer," Liara said, still tapping her screen as she delved further into the information. "Oh this isn't good," she muttered.
"What isn't good? I don't like when you say 'this isn't good', Liara," Shepard said with an eyebrow cocked.
"You've been grounded indefinitely," she answered. "Confined to Earth until the council rescinds the order."
"Is there any order to take me into custody?" Jack asked, taking a final drag from his cigar and extinguishing it in the ashtray.
"Nothing yet, only your travel has been suspended. At this rate, I fear it won't be long before that order does come about," she answered. "Shepard you need to get out of there before things become infinitely more difficult. I'll reach out to a few contacts and arrange transport before the net becomes too tight. Give me a few hours and I'll get back to you."
"Thanks Liara," he said as he stood from the padded bamboo chair, the holographic image fading as the call was disconnected.
Jack made his way into the bungalow, as hundreds of thoughts and scenarios passed through his mind. He knew that he couldn't stay here; if an arrest order was issued, he would have half a platoon of Alliance marines invading his little corner of paradise and he would be trapped.
He knelt beside his desk, sliding his hand beneath it and holding against the hidden sensor. Within a few moments, the gentle sound of released pressure emerged from behind the fastened bookshelf on the opposite wall. With a heavy sigh, he made his way to stand in front of the collection of framed images that covered the middle shelf.
Several moments of happiness from different periods in time were captured and displayed on the small digital screens; many of Ashley thigh-deep in the warm clear waters of the Indian Ocean, her long brown hair fluttering in the tropical breeze. Others boasted moments in which her arms were wrapped around Shepard's neck as she cuddled in behind him during one of their romantic outings, or showing the two of them engaged in silliness together.
Jack paused as he considered the images, and then he slowly removed them one by one. He pressed his hand against the back panel of the bookshelf and pushed. The panel sunk in a few inches and slid open, revealing the deep compartment hidden behind.
Shepard reached in and took the handle of the large case that he'd never wanted to open, and he slid it from its four-year resting place. He sat the case on the bed, and then replaced the digital framed images back on the shelf as the false panel returned to its closed position.
"Shall I stay here, sir?" SIREN's voice cooed from behind him as he unlocked the large case.
"No," he answered, opening the lid. "You'll be going with me. I may encounter a lock that I can't get past, or an encryption that needs broken in a short amount of time," he continued as he gazed at the contents of the case.
"Forgive me, sir… but I'm programmed for protocol and system monitoring. I haven't the necessary tools to aid you in such matters," SIREN said.
"Nothing a little OJT can't fix," Shepard replied. "I happen to know an Asari that can overload you with programs that could hack planetary defense systems. You'll be fine, SIREN," he finished with a whisper, his eyes unblinking as his fingers lightly passed across the N7 emblazoned on the ablative ceramic chest plate.