Chapter 13: You Changed Me
Shepard removed her armor and left it with Jacob to repair before letting Dr. Chakwas fuss over the wound in her shoulder. The bullet had gone through and it hadn't hit anything vital so Shepard was content with the medi-gel she slapped on it in the terminal. Dr. Chakwas, however, insisted on examining the wound.
"Commander, you need to understand that with as quickly as you heal now you may not notice any fragments left behind until the wound is already completely healed. That means I'd have to perform surgery to get them back out instead of being able to remove them with hemostats," Dr. Chakwas said.
"Alright, just make it quick. I still have things to do on Illium," Shepard said settling onto the doctor's table.
Dr. Chakwas poked around near both sides of the bullet hole before running her scans. Finding nothing, she cleaned the wound and applied more medi-gel before taping gauze over the wound. She nodded to Shepard and Shepard slid down off the table. Shepard didn't mention the bruise she could feel on her back from the shot that took down her shields.
"Thanks, doc," Shepard said heading for the door.
"If you want to thank me you can come back without any more holes!" Dr. Chakwas called after Shepard as the door slid closed.
Shepard chuckled as she made her way back up to her cabin to change her blood soaked shirt and don new armor. She glanced at the empty fish tank and debated on picking some fish up on Illium. She thought better about it, fish always died on her. Apparently that was one of the few traits that carried over from life to life because Jane had said the same thing to her once before. Maybe she could drain the tank and turn it into a terrarium instead; maybe she could get a snake. They didn't have to eat very often.
"Hey, EDI?" Shepard called out and the blue hologram popped into view.
"Yes Shepard?" EDI asked.
"Will you see if Kelly is willing to drain this aquarium for me and set it up to hold a snake instead?" Shepard asked.
"I will ask Ms. Chambers right away," EDI said.
A few moments later and EDI spoke again, "Ms. Chambers said she would be happy to make the necessary adjustments and will find you a list of stores that sell snakes."
"Thanks, EDI. What is Lia doing?" Shepard asked.
"Ms. Vael is in the hangar practicing with her pistol. Legion is aiding her. They have assured me that they are not using live ammunition and will not cause damage to the ship," EDI said.
"Really? With Legion?" Shepard said snapping her armor into place.
"She's really taken to Legion, it's good that they're working together," Jane said.
"That is correct. Legion has logged 123 hours of training for Ms. Vael," EDI said.
"Huh. Tell Lia to get some real ammo and meet me at the airlock in fifteen minutes. Grunt as well," Shepard said.
"You think she's ready for the field?" Jane asked.
"Only one way to find out," Shepard thought.
"At once, Shepard," EDI said.
Shepard checked her clips before heading out of the cabin and taking the elevator down to the CIC. Kelly turned away from her console when the elevator doors slid open and smiled at Shepard.
"Commander, I've been able to compile a partial list for you already but unfortunately none of those stores are on Illium," Kelly said.
"That's alright, Kelly. Did you find any on the Citadel?" Shepard asked.
"There are two stores on the Citadel that are able to special order various small pets. If you'd like, I can place an order for you," Kelly said.
"Maybe later, I want to look at what's available and what they need to not die on me before I make that big of a commitment," Shepard said.
"I understand, just let me know if you'd like for me to place the order or anything else," Kelly said.
"Will do, thanks, Kelly," Shepard said.
"It's my pleasure," said Kelly.
Unsurprisingly, Grunt was already waiting for Shepard by the airlock.
"Hey Grunt, listen I don't think we'll be running into a lot of trouble on this one but this is Lia's first time out like this. She's still learning so I'm going to need you to help watch her six, alright?" Shepard said.
"He's not the most level-headed, are you sure he's the right choice?" Jane asked.
"But he's the toughest and can pull more than his fair share of the weight," Shepard thought.
"Fair enough," Jane said.
Grunt shrugged his shoulders and said, "As long as I get to shoot something."
Shepard grinned and said, "I'm sure there will be something to shoot."
"Good, this ship is boring," Grunt said.
The elevator opened again and a very nervous looking Lia made her way over to the airlock.
"Shepard, EDI said to bring live ammo… does that mean I'm going out on the field with you?" Lia asked.
"If you think you're up for it. This one shouldn't be too difficult but I'm bringing Grunt as your backup just in case," Shepard said.
Lia nodded her head and said, "I'm ready, Shepard. I've been practicing every day with Legion."
"So I've heard," Shepard said with a smile. "Alright, let's go."
The airlock opened and Shepard stepped through the second door and back out on Illium's dock. Careena glanced towards Shepard and plastered a fake smile on her face. She didn't bother offering another greeting as Shepard moved past her with Grunt and Lia.
"While we're here, you stick with me and if anyone asks you to, don't sign anything. I mean it, don't sign anything," Shepard said.
"Why not?" Lia asked.
"Illium is known to be full of conniving people who will get you locked into a contract that could be anything from agreeing to years of indentured servitude to selling them the rights to your property. So just don't," Shepard said.
"I won't," Lia said looking around Illium warily.
"So what are we doing here, Shepard?" Grunt asked.
"We're here to find and recruit an asari Justicar," Shepard said. "But first there are a few minor things I need to deal with."
Shepard made her way to where Gianna Parasini had been earlier. Her table was empty so Shepard browsed around at some of the merchant stalls while keeping an eye out for her. A few minutes later she spotted the woman coming down the stairs from Eternity. Shepard waited for her to get closer and then waved her over.
"Hey, Shepard! How'd your meeting go? It wouldn't happen to have anything to do with the pile of dead mercs I hear they're hauling out of the terminals, would it?" Gianna asked.
"Hehehehe," Grunt laughed.
"Ah, yeah, I guess that might have had something to do with us," Shepard said.
"I figured as much. That kind of thing happens a lot around you, doesn't it?" Gianna asked.
"All too often" Jane said.
"Not often enough," said Grunt.
Gianna chuckled at Grunts response before a concerned look pulled at her features.
"You have different people with you now; the others weren't hurt were they?" Gianna asked.
"Nothing too serious," Shepard said.
"Oh, well, that's good news. Why don't we go up to Eternity and grab that beer? There's someone up there I need to keep an eye on anyway," Gianna said.
"Sure," Shepard said.
They made their way upstairs to Eternity and grabbed a table while Gianna ordered drinks. Conrad was still milling about the bar and it didn't take him long to spot Shepard sitting at one of the tables. Shepard sighed as Conrad rushed over, nearly knocking Gianna over on his way.
"Commander Shepard?! I thought that was you!" Conrad said.
"Conrad, hey," Shepard said.
"I can't believe it's really you, and – and you're alive!" Conrad said sitting down at the table uninvited.
"Uh, Shepard, friend of yours?" Gianna asked.
"I'm Commander Shepard's biggest fan! Look, Shepard, I've even got armor like yours now. Well, it's just a replica but it really helps me get past locked doors while I'm on missions! Can you believe it?" Conrad said.
"Uh huh. So, Conrad, what are you doing here?" Shepard asked.
"I'm working a case, Shepard. Yeah, my sources tell me that this bar is really a cover for a red sand dealer," Conrad said.
"Red sand is legal on Illium," Gianna said.
"What? That can't be right. Are you sure? Because my source said that if I got the deed to this place she could help me take the dealers down. I'd be a hero," Conrad said.
"She's right, Conrad. Red sand is legal here; you just need a license to sell it. Sounds like your source was pulling one over on you," Shepard said. "I tell you what. Give me some time here with Gianna we have some things to discuss. When I'm done, I'll go with you to talk to this 'source' and then you can apologize to the pissed off owner of Eternity, OK?"
"You would do that for me Shepard? I'd be working a real case with Commander Shepard?" Conrad said.
"Sure, Conrad. We'll work the case together," Shepard said.
"Wow, I can't believe this. OK, I'll wait for you over by the bar!" Conrad said getting up from the table.
"We've never dealt with him this way before. You're changing things for no reason. This can't possibly effect what happens to us in the Crucible. Why are you doing this?" Jane asked.
"Jane, just because you and all of the others before me did things pretty much the same way every time doesn't mean that I have to. I'm not you, Jane, I'm not the others. Yeah, maybe I am on some level, and maybe I would have done things just the same if I wasn't able to hear you, but I can. You changed me, Jane. I'm different now because of you. I don't think the same, I don't act the same, and I obviously don't do things the same," Shepard thought.
Jane seemed to contemplate that in silence.
Gianna tilted her head back and laughed. Lia chuckled along with her.
"What was that?" Gianna finally asked.
"My biggest fan," Shepard said.
"He seems very… uh, very enthusiastic," Lia said.
"He seems like he's been hit in the head too many times. You humans have weak skulls," Grunt said.
"Yeah, Conrad is… he's something special but he means well," Shepard said. "So what's this job you're working, Gianna?"
Shepard took a sip from the glass of beer Gianna had set in front of her. Grunt had swallowed his in one gulp and sat looking at Shepard's full glass. Lia had declined Gianna's offer of a drink, even after being assured that Eternity was a dextro friendly place.
"You see the asari sitting at that table behind me?" Gianna asked.
Shepard nodded and then put a hand on Lia's arm when she started to turn her head to look. Shepard shook her head no.
"Sorry," Lia said.
"Not a big deal, Lia. We'll work on being discreet another time," Shepard said.
"New on the job, huh?" Gianna asked.
"Yeah, I guess I still have a lot to learn," Lia said.
"Don't worry, kid, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. You're working with one of the best, after all," Gianna said. "So, anyway, that asari we think she has been smuggling schematics off of Noveria. She's a merchant, works one of the stalls downstairs. I followed her up here on her break, nothing better to do."
"So why don't you just have her arrested?" Lia asked.
"Or shoot her?" Grunt asked.
"Not really within my jurisdiction. I have no power on Illium. But we leaked a faulty schematic hoping to catch her. If I can catch her trying to sell or use the schematic I'll have all the evidence I'll need to put her out of business," Gianna said.
"Anything I can do to help?" Shepard asked.
"Hmmm. Maybe. If you can get her to show you the schematic," Gianna said.
"Let me deal with this thing with Conrad and I'll see what I can do," Shepard said.
"Hey thanks, Shepard. I'll have to owe you another beer," Gianna said standing up from the table.
"No problem, Gianna," Shepard said.
Shepard watched as Gianna left the bar and slid the rest of her beer over to Grunt before waving Conrad over. Grunt downed the beer and stacked the empty glass inside of the first one. Shepard stood up from the table when Conrad rushed over.
"Alright, Conrad, who is this source of yours?" Shepard asked.
"She said she was an undercover cop, I'll take you to her," Conrad said.
Shepard let Conrad lead her out of the bar and down to the kiosks on the main floor. Conrad stopped Shepard, putting a hand on her shoulder and leaning his head uncomfortably close to hers while he pointed across the trade area towards an asari next to a weapons kiosk.
"Alright, go talk to her Conrad. I'm right behind you," Shepard said.
"What do I say?" Conrad asked.
"You tell her that you know she's not really a cop and you don't appreciate being lied to," Shepard said.
"Good, yeah, OK, I can do that," Conrad said strutting towards the asari.
"She's going to fling his ass across the trade floor," Jane said.
"Nah, I've got his six. He'll be alright," Shepard thought.
Shepard followed after him, glancing over her shoulder to make sure that Grunt and Lia were staying close. Conrad came to a stop in behind the asari and tapped her on the shoulder. They came to a stop a few feet behind Conrad.
"Oh, Conrad. Hi, how's the case coming? Did you get the deed? I really want to help you take down that red sand dealer," the asari said.
"You're not really a cop and I know red sand is legal on Illium. Listen lady, I don't know what you were trying to pull but I don't like being lied to! You see that woman over there? That's Commander Shepard. She's a Spectre and my friend. She doesn't like you lying to me either, OK? So you should apologize before you piss her off," Conrad said.
The asari looked over at Shepard and Shepard raised her eyebrow and crossed her arms. She glanced to the side and took in Grunt standing next to Shepard. Grunt gave her a toothy grin and cracked his knuckles. The color drained out of the asari's face. She looked back to Conrad and smiled.
"Right, I'm sorry Conrad. That was a very terrible thing that I did, it won't happen again," the asari said.
"Alright, good. I'm glad we cleared that up," Conrad said. "So, um, I'm going now. You stay out of trouble and don't lie anymore!"
Conrad turned back to Shepard with a silly grin plastered on his face.
"Did you hear that, Shepard? We did it; she apologized and said she wasn't going to do it again!" Conrad said.
Shepard patted Conrad on the shoulder and said, "Excellent work, Conrad. But you know, now that I'm back I can take care of these things from here, OK?"
"Yeah, sure but if you ever need any help you know you can count on me, Commander Shepard," Conrad said.
"I do, thanks, Conrad. Why don't you head on up to the bar. I'll meet you up there in a few minutes and we can apologize to the owner for the mistake, OK?" Shepard said.
"Sure, I'll buy you another beer!" Conrad said before walking back towards Eternity.
Shepard watched until Conrad disappeared up the flight of stairs before she moved over to the asari.
"Listen, I don't want any trouble. It was just a joke, really, I didn't expect him to take it so seriously," the asari said.
"No, you listen. You knew damn well what you were doing. It doesn't happen again. Ever. Am I clear? Because if I'm not perfectly clear I'm sure I know a couple of detectives on Illium that would be interested in knowing that you're impersonating a police officer," Shepard said.
"No, no don't do that. We're clear. I got it, really," the asari said.
"Good," Shepard said.
Shepard walked away and went to the next kiosk, taking her time flipping through the kiosks menu before moving over to the next. When she got to the kiosk with the asari Gianna pointed out she browsed the kiosk until the tipsy asari realized she was standing there. Jane supplied the asari's name, Hermia, and Shepard decided to just let Jane's memories drive the conversation.
"Hey there! You sure look like someone who uses the best equipment. If you see anything you like or have any questions, feel free to ask! My store has the best tech and biotic equipment on Illium," Hermia said.
"Is everything here so expensive? I'd planned to drop a lot of credits here today," Shepard said.
"Really?" Hermia asked.
"I'm outfitting a team for a dangerous mission. I need the best and I'm willing to pay for it, as long as you work with me," Shepard said.
"That's awesome, I can totally give you a preferred rate and when I get special items in I'll share them with you," Hermia said typing on the kiosks console.
"She isn't responding the same way as you remember," Shepard thought.
"She isn't usually drunk. I've never put off helping Gianna with this before, or met her up in the bar so, I don't know, just stick with it. She seems to be taking the bait," Jane said.
"What kind of special items are we talking about?" Shepard asked.
"Oh I get all kinds of things in, schematics, designs. It's all legal stuff. I'm supposed to have special licenses to sell them so I don't put them on the main kiosk," Hermia said.
"Do you have anything else? Anything not listed on your main merchandise kiosk?" Shepard asked.
"Shhh, yeah, I'll show you this one thing. It's very advanced, it's not even publicly available yet," Hermia said.
"And there you go," Jane said.
Gianna left the table she had been sitting at while listening in on the conversation and walked over.
"That's because it's still on development on Noveria and illegal for export. Hello, Hermia," Gianna said.
"Parasini? Wait what is this? You set me up? Ha, well the joke's on you, Parasini. This is Illium, you can't arrest me here," Hermia said.
"Ahhh, Hermia. You had a little too much to drink there on your break, didn't you? That's OK, I'll speak really slow so you can understand. Fines, Hermia. More fines than your little blue ass can handle and still stay in business," Gianna said.
"I'm going to talk to my lawyer. I'm going to fight this, Parasini!" Hermia said walking off.
"Talk fast, Hermia. When the fines hit, you won't be able to afford him," Gianna called after Hermia.
Gianna turned back to Shepard and with a smile said, "Ah that was satisfying. Alright, I've got paperwork to do now. Thanks again, Shepard."
"Sure thing, Gianna," Shepard said with a wave.
Shepard left Gianna to her paperwork and made her way back up to Eternity to wrap things up with Conrad. She found him sitting at a table with a quarian and a turian. Shepard picked up on the annoyed expressions and vocal tones of the turian immediately. The quarian, however, seemed greatly amused by Conrad's stories about all of his exploits.
Shepard put her hand down on Conrad's shoulder and the man jumped, turning his head to look at Shepard. The turian looked at Shepard, fluttering his mandibles as he rolled the new scent around on his tongue. She wasn't sure if it was the smell of her wounded shoulder or Garrus on her that interested him.
"Conrad, why don't we leave this gentleman and his lady friend alone and go take care of that apology, hmm?" Shepard said.
"Oh, but Shepard, I was just telling them about the time that I saved the keeper on the Citadel from –," Conrad said.
"Conrad, these people are trying to enjoy their drinks in peace," Shepard said.
"Oh he's not bothering us, his stories are really funny," the quarian said.
Lia snickered behind Shepard, drawing the attention of the quarian who waved at her. Shepard glanced at the turian whose brow plates had furrowed and forced down a smile. It was really hard not to be amused by his attempts to win the affection of the quarian who so expertly shot down his every try. Her responses always made it seem like maybe she didn't understand what he was hinting at, but Shepard being a woman who had found herself in the same position more times than she could count knew better.
"Yeah, but we really should go. We've got something to take care of, don't we, Conrad?" Shepard said.
"Commander Shepard's right. Sorry you guys, but we have to wrap up a very important case," Conrad said standing from the table.
"Bye, Conrad," the quarian said.
"Yes. Bye, Conrad," the turian said.
Shepard threw a credit chit down on the table and said, "Have a round on me."
She led Conrad back over to the bar and waited for the asari bartender to acknowledge them.
"Hi, could you get the owner for us? Conrad here would like to apologize to her," Shepard said.
"Sure, give me just a second to get that table their drinks first," the asari said.
"Take your time," Shepard said watching the asari work.
A few minutes later and the owner came out of the back room and stopped in front of Conrad with her arms crossed and a pissed off glint to her eyes. Conrad rubbed at the back of his neck nervously. Shepard nudged him forward.
"Right. I wanted to apologize for the inconvenience, ma'am. It turns out that I was acting on false information. The situation has been handled and you won't have any further problems," Conrad said.
Shepard's lips twitched. That actually sounded rather professional. She was almost proud of Conrad. The asari wasn't as impressed.
"What false information could you have to make you act like a complete asshole?" the asari asked.
"Uh, well, she said she was an undercover cop and I – I thought I was helping. I'm sorry," Conrad said hanging his head.
Shepard moved to stand beside Conrad and said, "Conrad was misled into believing that Eternity was a front for a red sand dealer. He didn't know that red sand was legal on Illium. The asari convinced him that if he got the deed to this place, he'd be helping her to bring down criminals."
"So he's an asshole and stupid," the asari said.
"Alright. Conrad, you did your job, you apologized for your actions. You're done here. I'm going to have a conversation with the owner here and then I have to get back to work. Try to stay out of trouble, Conrad. I'll see you around," Shepard said shaking Conrad's hand.
"Thanks, Commander Shepard!" Conrad said his smile returning as he walked away.
"Listen, lady, I know that Conrad was making an ass out of himself and he's caused you a lot of stress but give the guy a break. Clearly he isn't the brightest but he's got a good heart and was unlucky enough to think that Illium was a good place to visit," Shepard said. "I don't have to tell you what Illium will do to a guy like that."
The asari sighed and said, "OK, OK, but anymore of his crap and I'll have him arrested."
"I understand, thank you," Shepard said.
"I guess that went well," Jane said.
The asari walked away and Shepard turned to Grunt and Lia.
"You guys ready to get to work?" Shepard asked.
"I'm always ready, Shepard," Grunt said.
"I think so," Lia said.
"Alright, let's go," she said.
Shepard led Grunt and Lia out of Eternity and back down to the main floor. She paused at the staircase that led up to the office Liara should be in before taking her team through the door next to the stairs. They made their way down a hall and through another door. Shepard stopped to glance around the area. Jane's memories filtering through showing her places, people, and conversations that took place there. Shepard walked down the stairs to her right and past the salarian talking to someone about the Kirosa family data that was left behind in the Dantius Towers when Nassana started throwing the workers out. Shepard new that meant Thane was where he was supposed to be. He was on Illium, preparing to make his move on Nassana. She would go to the towers after she found Samara. She needed to wait until after the shift workers cleared out of the second tower.
Shepard crossed the floor and up another staircase with blue letters informing her that it led to the transportation district. The door slid open and Shepard crossed the threshold, heading straight towards Shiala. She ran through Jane's memories and her own as she made her way to the green asari.
"Shiala," Shepard called out to her before the asari had spotted her.
Shiala looked up when she heard her name called and a smile spread across her face. She ended the call she was on and stood up; taking a few steps she met Shepard.
"Shepard, I didn't think you would remember me. It is good to see you again," Shiala said.
"Well, you don't see too many green asari, Shiala, but I wouldn't have forgotten you anyway. How could I have?" Shepard said.
Shiala looked down at her green hands and sighed before saying, "Yes, an unfortunate side effect… some of the colonists have been experiencing health problems. Residual effects from the thorian's control. Some colonists are having headaches and muscle spasms. At times they're sharing sensations similar to when they were under the thorian control."
"Is there anything that I can do to help?" Shepard asked.
Shiala glanced over her shoulder towards another asari working a kiosk. Shepard followed her gaze as Jane's memories filled in the blanks.
"Perhaps there is, it would be appreciated. We hired Baria Frontiers to perform medical scans and provide treatment. I'm here trying to renegotiate the terms of the contract, but am finding that my diplomatic abilities are not serving me well. There were clauses in the contract – the fine print that allows them to perform invasive procedures if they deem it necessary," Shiala said. "We didn't realize it when we signed the contract, we wouldn't have agreed to such procedures. But if we don't allow the procedures, we'll be held in breach of contract and everything we owe will be due at once. Zhu's Hope simply can't afford that."
"Let me try talking to her," Shepard said.
"Thank you, Shepard," Shiala said.
Shepard made her way over to the kiosk and the asari turned around.
"I saw your conversation, human. You're here to complain about the medical contracts those colonists from Feros signed. I suggest you leave. Your life is short enough. Don't waste what time you have bothering me," she said.
"We both know that these tests aren't necessary… we both know that this is something more, something personal," Shepard said.
"Don't pretend to understand me, human! You know nothing about the life I have lived. You could never hope to understand. You humans think that you are something special, that you have gained some great understanding of the universe in your meager, fleeting lifespans," the asari said. "You don't know what it is to truly love, to truly hate. You're all alike; humans, turians, salarians. The galaxy would be a better place if nobody but the asari had ever dragged themselves out of the primordial muck."
"What happened?" Shepard asked.
"What are you talking about, human?" the asari asked throwing her hands in the air.
"What happened to make you hate aliens so much? Who did you lose?" Shepard asked.
"Who didn't I lose because of you aliens? My bondmate died when the geth rebelled against the quarians and here you bring a quarian with you to try to sway me! I lost my daughters when the geth attacked the Citadel. Problems caused by aliens but asari paid for in blood!" she said.
Lia began wringing her hands and took a step closer to Shepard.
"Why was your bondmate on Rannoch?" Shepard asked.
The asari hesitated before answering, "Studying the quarians. Not their technology, but their music. She loved all their art. Said they had old souls. I think that's where my daughters got it from. Both of them loved talking with people, exploring new cultures."
"I'm sorry," Lia said quietly.
Everyone looked to Lia as the young quarian stepped forward.
"I'm sorry that you lost your family, and I'm terribly sorry that my people played a part in that. A lot of lives were lost because of our choices, and those consequences still trouble us today. You should know, though, the quarians have not forgotten," Lia said. "Our records may have been lost with the homeworld, but we remember. We know that what we did reached beyond us, beyond the quarians and has impacted the entire galaxy. We honor those lost because of us in the stories that parents teach their children, and the warnings that every generation passes to the next."
The asari sighed and tears spilled down her cheeks as she spoke, "You are but a child. What have you to apologize for, you weren't responsible, and you weren't even alive yet. You weren't there."
"And neither were the colonists of Zhu's Hope," Shepard said gently. "Would your bondmate, your daughters… would they want you to do this?"
She swiped the tears off of her cheeks and leaned against the low wall. A moment later she shook her head.
"No, no they wouldn't. I'll amend the contracts," she said before opening her omni-tool. "Here, child, I think she would want you to have this."
Lia opened her omni-tool and prepared it to accept whatever the asari was giving to her. The asari waved her omin-tool over Lia's and a song began to play. A warbling male quarian's voice, unfiltered by the mask of an enviro-suit began to fill the air. The asari smiled before walking around Lia and over to Shiala.
"Oh, Shepard… this is… I don't think a single quarian has heard this since Rannoch," Lia said.
"It's beautiful, Lia. I'm sure they will be delighted to hear it when you return to the Migrant Fleet," Shepard said. "That was brave of you, Lia. To say those things to her."
"Tali would love to hear that," Jane said.
"It needed to be said," Lia said before saving the file and closing her omni-tool.
Shepard patted Lia's shoulder before turning them around and heading to the cab stand. She didn't need to talk to Officer Dara, Jane's memories told her all she needed to find Samara. Lia and Grunt would have no reason to question how Shepard knew to go to the spaceport. Shepard hailed the taxi and they climbed inside, taking the taxi to the commercial spaceport.
When the taxi landed, Shepard opened the doors and stepped out of the cab. She glanced around the area, recognizing the volus named Pitne For. She didn't need to talk to him either, not yet. There was only one person she needed to talk to here, Detective Anaya, and she would be in the police station. Shepard made her way over to the building, glancing down the way to the police line set up in front of the crime scene where Pitne For's partner was murdered. Samara would be in there, but first, she had to get permission to enter.
Shepard walked into the police station and around to Detective Anaya's desk.
"Spectre, you're still on Illium? What can I do for you?" Anaya said.
"Were you at the terminals today, too?" Shepard asked.
"I was, you left behind quite a mess. They're still over there cleaning it up," Anaya said.
"Sorry about that," Shepard said.
"Don't be. You didn't start the fight and from what I saw, things would have been a lot worse if you weren't there to finish it. So, what brings you to my station?" Anaya asked.
"I'm looking for the Justicar, Samara. I need her help on my mission. I was hoping you can tell me where to find her," Shepard said.
"Have you ever worked with a Justicar, Spectre?" Anaya asked.
"No, but I've done my homework. I know what to expect," Shepard said.
"Hmmm. Well, if your plan is to get her out of my district, I'll help however I can. She's at the crime scene around the corner. I'll send word for them to let you in," Anaya said.
"Thanks, Detective," Shepard said.
"Anaya. It's I who should be thanking you, Shepard," Anaya said.
Shepard smiled and said, "Well, in that case, you're welcome, Anaya."
They made their way back out of the police station and around the corner to where the blue police tape marked the entrance to the crime scene. The two asari officers guarding the scene stepped aside to let Shepard past. Shepard recognized one of them as being the asari who helped her with the civilians at the terminal shootout.
"Commander Shepard, hello again," the asari said.
"Hey, how's that salarian doing?" Shepard asked.
"He's got a bit of a headache but he'll live. He whined about it for a while and threatened to press charges against you until I told him who you were. That shut him up real quick," she said.
Shepard chuckled and said, "Thanks for that."
"Anytime, Shepard. Keep your guard up in there, there are still Eclipse roaming around," she said.
"Will do," Shepard said walking past the guards.
She stopped at a console just inside the door to download a copy of an incriminating message sent between two of the shipping company's employees. She knew it wasn't really important, not in the grand scheme of things, and it definitely wasn't any of her business but Shepard liked the idea of scaring the shit out of that loud mouth, rude asari over by the taxi stands.
"Alright, guns out," Shepard said turning away from the console.
Grunt drew his assault rifle and nodded to Shepard while Lia fumbled with her pistol making sure the thermal clip was in place properly. Shepard gave her a minute to figure it out on her own. It was important that she learn the ins and outs of her weapon with live rounds in her hand. Lia looked up and nodded so Shepard moved them forward through another police line and down a hall way. Jane's memories showed Shepard that the stairs leading up lead to Eclipse, the stairs leading down lead to salvage. Shepard took Lia down the stairs and pointed to the broken piece of machinery.
"Go ahead, Lia. See what you can find," Shepard said.
"That one's easy," Lia said moving to the machine and digging around inside of it for parts and stuffing her finds in the pockets of her suit.
Shepard took them up to the next area and put a finger to her mouth telling her team to be quiet. She crept forward until the sounds of the Eclipse giving orders to her squad floated down the hall to her. Shepard pressed her back against the wall and peered around the corner. Lia stayed behind the wall and out of sight, watching Shepard nervously. Shepard glanced back and Lia and Lia nodded her head. Shepard crouched down and scuttled to take cover behind the nearby crate. Lia pressed her back to the wall Shepard left and held her pistol tightly in her grip pointed towards the floor.
Shepard lifted her head up and fired the first shot. The Eclipse and their LOKI mechs responded immediately sending a spray of bullets flying back Shepard's way. Grunt moved forward to another crate and returned fire. Lia still hadn't moved to fire yet when Shepard shot off a few more rounds. Shepard crouched back down and looked towards Lia's location. She tapped her mic.
"You OK, Lia?" Shepard asked.
"There's um, there's a lot of them," Lia said.
"It's OK, listen Lia, just look around the edge, just a little bit and choose a target. Maybe one of the mechs to start," Shepard said.
She waited until she saw the edge of Lia's mask peer around the wall.
"OK, do you have a target" Shepard asked.
"Yes," Lia said.
"OK, point your gun, shoot, and then duck back behind the wall," Shepard said.
"Right. OK. I can do this," Lia said.
Shepard smiled as the young quarian stepped away from the wall and fired once at a mech before jumping back into cover. Shepard fired off a few more rounds before talking to Lia again.
"Good, Lia, that's good. You hit it. Just keep doing that for now," Shepard said.
"Got it," Lia said and peered back around the corner.
"Look at her, she's like a startled rabbit. This is going to be too much for her, Dawn. You should have started her with something smaller," Jane said.
"You do realize that I've gone through the exact same training as you, right? I earned the N7 on my armor; I earned the title Spectre without you. I am completely capable of helping to train Lia. You don't even know, Lia. You had the same two conversations with her and that was it," Shepard thought.
Shepard turned her attention back to the mechs and mercs slowly pushing their way down towards Shepard's team. She fired a few shots at the feet of one of the Eclipse to push the merc back. She wanted to make sure Lia had plenty of opportunity to fire her gun. Lia turned the corner and shot another mech in the chest. The mech kept moving forward so Shepard shot its legs, making it drop to the ground where it continued to use its hands to pull itself forward. Lia turned and shot at it twice before squealing when the mech exploded.
Grunt got impatient, as Shepard anticipated and mowed down three more mechs with his assault rifle. The Eclipse threw a Warp at Grunt but it only made him laugh. Shepard fired several rounds at the Eclipse, pushing her back again. Lia turned the corner and fired at the merc, catching her in her shoulder but the mercs shields kept the shot from doing damage.
"OK, Lia, the mercs have shields and some might have barriers up, too. Single shots like that while their barriers and shields are in place won't do much. Their shields will be back up before you fire the next shot and they won't be fazed at all. You have to get their shields down first. That takes several shots. Grunt, drop the mercs shields for Lia," Shepard said. "Lia when Grunt says 'go', you shoot the merc again, OK?"
"Got it," Grunt said.
"OK," said Lia.
Grunt fired a spray of bullets at the merc before saying, "Go."
Lia ducked back out and shot her pistol at the merc ducking back behind the wall.
"Did I hit her?" Lia asked.
"You did, but she's still standing. Look at her again, Lia, what's she doing?" Shepard asked.
"She's pulling biotic energy around her," Lia said.
"OK, wait a second and look again," Shepard said.
"Oh!" Lia said ducking back behind the wall.
Shepard chuckled even as the biotic distortion flew over her head and towards Lia's location. Shepard shot the merc once to keep her shields from rising again. Lia peeked back around the corner before firing at the merc herself. Lia's shot ripped through the Eclipse' armor and into her shoulder.
"Again," Shepard said.
Lia ducked out and fired twice more. The Eclipse fell to the ground unmoving.
"This is very different from practicing with Legion," Lia said.
"Yes, but you're doing great. OK, Grunt, fire at will. Let's clear this area and keep moving," Shepard said.
"Finally," Grunt said before filling the air with bullets.
With the area clear, Shepard moved her team forward past the dead mercs and mechs and to the next police tape lined door. The door slid open as a mercenary was thrown across the room to slam into the door next to Lia. Lia raised her pistol and Shepard threw her arm out and shook her head. Another merc stood facing off with the Justicar on the platform above. Blue biotic energy swirled around Samara's body from crest to red-leather boot clad toes.
"Those were my best troops," the merc said.
"Tell me what I need to know, and I will be gone from here," Samara said slowly, casually circling the scared merc. "Where did you send her?"
"You think I would betray her? She would hurt me in ways you can't imagine," the merc said moving to keep the distance between herself and the Justicar.
"The name of the ship. Your life hangs on the answer, Lieutenant," said Samara.
The merc said, "You can kill me, but one of us will take you down, Justicar!"
The merc raised her gun, pointing it at Samara. That was a terrible mistake on her part. Samara lashed out with her biotics, wrapping the merc up with blue energy and lifting her off the platform before flinging her through the glass to fall to the ground below. Lia looked to Shepard who still held her arm out across Lia and Shepard shook her head. A moment later, Samara ran and jumped, biotic energy flared up around her form as she took a swan dive off the platform. The energy slowed her decent and she brought her legs down to land gracefully on the floor before stalking towards the terrified merc. The merc scuttled backwards, trying to escape the Justicar to no avail. Samara caught her prey, pinning her by the throat beneath the heel of her boot.
"What was the name of the ship she left on?" Samara asked again.
"Go to hell," the merc choked out, her hand grabbing Samara's ankle.
"Find peace in the embrace of the goddess," Samara said before twisting her leg and snapping the merc's neck.
Samara glanced at Shepard before looking back down at the dead merc. Shepard put her gun away and walked into the room. Samara's head lifted again and she stepped away from the body to move slowly towards Shepard and her team.
"My name is Samara, a servant of the Justicar Code. My quarrel is with these Eclipse sisters, but I see three well-armed people before me," Samara said.
Shepard held up her empty hands, showing the Justicar that she had put her gun away.
"I've come to find you, Samara, but I have no quarrel with you," Shepard said.
"What would bring a human, a krogan, and a quarian to seek out an asari Justicar?" Samara asked.
"My name is Commander Shepard and I'm here to ask for your help. Collectors have been attacking human colonies, abducting the colonists and leaving with little to no trace. I'm gathering a team to take them down, and you are one of the best this galaxy has to offer," Shepard said.
Samara watched Shepard in silence for a moment, something she had never done before. Shepard had the uncomfortable idea that Samara was seeing something in her that no one else had seen before.
"What is she looking at?" Shepard thought.
"I don't know… maybe she can tell you're different," Jane said.
"How could she possibly tell that?" Shepard thought.
"How should I know? I'm not a damn Justicar," Jane said.
"I sense the truth in what you say, and it humbles me. But I seek an incredibly dangerous fugitive," Samara said turning and taking a few steps back towards the dead merc.
"I cornered her here, but the Eclipse sisters smuggled her off world. I must find the name of the ship she left on before the trail goes cold," Samara said.
Detective Anaya walked in and towards the group gathered around the merc.
"I wish you wish you were willing to go with the human, Justicar. I've been ordered to take you into custody if you won't leave," Anaya said.
"I'll help," Shepard said.
Samara and Detective Anaya turned to look at Shepard.
"You will find the name of the ship for me? It is the only way that you can help," Samara said.
"I will. Just go with the detective peacefully and I'll find the name of the ship," Shepard said.
"My code obligates me to cooperate with the authorities for one day. After that, I must return to my investigation," Samara said.
"I won't be able to release her that soon unless she's leaving Nos Astra," Anaya said.
"I know, and I know what will happen if you try to stop her. I'll have the name before then," Shepard said.
"How can you be so certain?" Anaya asked.
"It's what I do," Shepard said.
"Find me the name of that ship and I will join you, the code will be satisfied and I will not be forced to take the life of the detective," Samara said.
Anaya cast a pleading glance at Shepard before leading the Justicar back towards the police station. Shepard followed them out and made her way to the volus pacing around the area with his turian guards. The guards stepped forward when Shepard approached their boss. Pitne For spun around and looked up at Shepard.
"You were in the crime scene. Did they find anything? Is the Justicar leaving now?" Pitne For asked.
"Oh no, the mercs are still after you Pitne For but I can stop them. I need into their base and I think you're the man who can get me in there. You get me in there, and I get the mercs off your back and the Justicar leaves with me. How does that sound?" Shepard said.
"What makes you think I can get you in there?" Pitne For asked, his words punctuated by the hissing sound of his ventilator.
Shepard crouched down, putting herself on the volus' level and said, "Do you really want me to air out your dirty laundry right here where all of these people can hear it, Pitne For?"
"No. I guess I don't. What do you get out of this?" Pitne For asked.
"I need the name of a ship that the Eclipse used to smuggle someone off world. With it, I can convince the Justicar to come with me and help me on my mission," Shepard said.
"That's it? That's all you want?" Pitne For asked.
"That's all I want," Shepard said.
"Here, take the pass card. I made a copy. You should know, though, that the Eclipse sisters are all dangerous. Each one commits a murder to earn her uniform. I guess you look like you can handle it, you have a krogan with you," Pitne For said.
"Smart volus," Grunt said.
Shepard took the pass card and made her way over to the locked elevator next to the crime scene entrance. Shepard pulled out her assault rifle and checked the thermal clip while the elevator took them into the Eclipse base. They were attacked by a mech as soon as the door opened but Grunt wasted no time charging the LOKI and ripping its head from its shoulders. He looked around the room disappointed that there weren't others.
Shepard pressed her back to the wall next to the door and motioned for Lia to do the same on the other side. Grunt moved out of direct line of the door before Shepard slapped her fist against the door's release. It opened into a room filled with crates and Eclipse mercs. One of the mercs grabbed a nearby crate with her biotics and flung it towards the door. The crate hit the edge of the door and burst, sending a red cloud into the air. Shepard's suit readings began to jump, warning her that there was a toxic substance present. Shepard pulled back away from the door and motioned for Lia to do the same.
"Shepard, scans of the chemical compound indicate that exposure to the substance will temporarily boost biotic powers. However, concentrated exposure will cause severe tissue damage. I recommend limited exposure," EDI said her voice breaking through Shepard's radio.
"Yep, thanks EDI," Shepard said before turning to fire at the nearest merc.
"Shoot as many of those crates as you can but keep out of the clouds. I want those crates to blow on my terms, not theirs and not while we're standing next to one," Shepard said.
Lia began shooting the crates that she could see from her vantage point, sending out more clouds of the toxic drug. The dense cloud was nearly impossible to see though, and the mercs had pulled back away from the clouds of Minagen X3 as well. The mechs, however, did not. Shepard heard the LOKI mechs moving in on their little room calling out their programmed warnings.
Shepard waited for them to step past the thinning cloud before firing a spray of bullets across the mechs' chests. Lia backed up but kept her cool and shot one of the mechs in the chest twice before it exploded. Grunt fired his gun and the second mech fell. Shepard moved back to the edge of the door, the cloud having receded enough to be safe. She could see the blue flare of biotics across the room through the red haze and pulled her trigger. The pained screams that echoed back to her let her know she hit her target. Her eyes tracked the biotic energy as she fired bursts from her gun.
The cloud cleared enough so that she could now clearly see the Eclipse sisters across the room throwing biotics at her team. Shepard rushed into the room and through the thin haze to close the distance and get to cover. She took a couple of shots in the process, and her shields dropped just as she ducked behind a crate.
"Lost shields," Shepard said into her mic.
Grunt took that as his cue to move into the room, gun blazing; keeping the mercs back from Shepard while she regained her shields. Lia crouched low to the ground and ran into the room, taking up cover near Shepard. Shepard's shields recharged and she stood up, locking on to a target she used her biotic Charge to close the distance and slam into the Eclipse. As soon as Shepard had recovered and moved around the Eclipse, Lia and Grunt fired on the second one keeping her from closing in on Shepard while Shepard finished off the first one.
With the room cleared they went through the next door, stopping to pick up the Scimitar Assault Shotgun lying on a desk. Shepard moved through the office to the next door just before the stairs leading up. The door opened and she stepped inside, her gun already pointing towards the desk she knew Elnora was hiding behind.
"Show yourself," Shepard said.
Elnora stayed behind the kiosk.
"Gods… you're a damn merc, where's your fucking courage?" Shepard asked.
"Wait, don't shoot, I'm coming out," Elnora said.
The asari in Eclipse armor stood up and moved from behind the desk, showing Shepard her empty hands.
"I didn't shoot, not once, I swear! Listen, I'm new I'm not really one of them. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I thought being Elnora –," she said.
"Liar. I hate liars," Jane said in unison with Shepard.
"Liar. I hate liars," Shepard said cutting the merc off.
"I'm not lying, I swear! I only pretended to shoot!" Elnora protested.
"Whatever. Pretend to keep breathing," Grunt said.
"Yes. You are. I know what you did to earn that armor, don't bullshit me Elnora," Shepard said.
Elnora reached for her gun and said, "Screw that bastard and screw you!"
Shepard fired her rifle, the sound immediately followed up by shots from Grunt and Lia. Elnora's body jerked as each shot hit her before she fell to the ground in a pool of her own blood. Shepard turned to Lia and raised an eyebrow. The quarian shrugged her shoulders.
"What? She was going to shoot you," Lia said.
"Glad to see you're gaining your confidence, Lia. Check out that terminal over there for me," Shepard said.
Lia skirted around the dead body and accessed the terminal at the far side of the room. She downloaded the research on biotics and forwarded it to Shepard before stopping to get the power cells that were hidden behind the desk. They left the room and headed up the stairs to another door.
The door opened up into a small room with a few barrels and crates; modicum sources of cover from the mercs just through the opened doorway to the left. Shepard ordered Lia to take cover by the crates edging the doorway while she moved behind the barrels out in the open. Mercs and mechs took notice and began firing, moving in towards Shepard's location. She didn't give them the chance to get very close. Shepard threw out a Shockwave, knocking a mech and one of the mercs over the railing to fall to the ground below. Lia and Grunt open fired on the next merc as a red cloud filled the air.
Shepard moved into the room and past the cloud, following the walkway as it circled the perimeter of the room. Lia was feeling confident enough that she was starting to take more shots and supplement her firepower by overloading enemies in her path. Shepard continued to push through the Eclipse base, stopping to let Lia expand her hacking skills at every terminal they found. Grunt wasn't too pleased but Shepard knew he'd be happy enough once they encountered the gunship.
Shepard stopped at a console to play the recording of Elnora's confession. Elnora clearly sounded delighted in having been the one to kill Pitne For's partner, Dakni Kur. She sounded so proud to have earned her right to be a part of the Eclipse sisters. And now, she was dead. Lia shook her head in disgust as the recording played.
"Keelah se'lai, Shepard! I thought you said this wouldn't be too difficult? This place is swarming with the Eclipse as crazy as Elnora… and those mechs!" Lia said.
"This isn't difficult, hehehehehe," Grunt said.
"Well, not compared to what we're use to but she's new to all of this, Grunt. Give her a break, she wasn't tank grown with everything she would need to know about how to fight and kill already programed into her," Shepard said. "You're doing great, Lia, really."
"Gunships, Shepard. I saw gunships back there! Please tell me we aren't going to have to fight against gunships," Lia said.
"OK, we're not going to have to fight against gunships," Shepard said.
"Good… Wait. You're lying to me aren't you? Didn't you just tell that mercenary that you hate liars?" Lia asked.
Shepard grinned and turned away throwing back over her shoulder, "I'm a complex woman full of contradictions. But yeah, we'll probably have to fight a gunship. Don't worry, that's why I have heavy weapons. And a Grunt."
"Hehehehe," Grunt laughed.
Shepard had Lia download the recording to deliver to Detective Anaya before pushing forward again. They moved through the rooms fighting off more Eclipse and LOKIs until they reached the area that Shepard knew meant a gunship was just around the corner. She moved across the platform and grabbed some more power cells lying at the other end. A set of stairs in the center of the platform went down a ways before leveling off; more stairs led back up to another platform across the way.
"Lia, take cover here and stay down. I've got a feeling we're about to meet that gunship," Shepard said.
Lia groaned and took cover. Shepard and Grunt made their way down the stairs. Half way across the level surface between stairs, the gunship rose up from behind the platform. Shepard ran up the next flight switching to her grenade launcher as she went. She wanted to keep the gunship on this side, back away from Lia who only had a pistol and a couple of weak tech skills. As soon as she had her grenade launcher out she started firing at the gunship, forcing it to back away from the platform out into open air. Shepard dove for the meager cover available knowing that the ship could still get shots in on her if it moved around.
Grunt bellowed loudly as he peppered the gunship with his assault rifle. Shepard kept up the pressure shooting it with grenade after grenade. She took a hard hit to the chest, taking her shields down completely and knocking her back a few steps. It felt like she had been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer. She dove for cover again and continued to fire even as she fought to get her breathing right. The gunship exploded over her head, showering her with bits of burning metal and debris. She ducked her head and threw her left arm up to help soften the blows.
When no more debris fell, Shepard rolled over sat with her back against the crates. She activated the medi-gel dispense and called out to Lia. The quarian stood hesitantly and looked around before crossing over to the stairs. Grunt sauntered over to Shepard and offered her a hand. She took his hand and he helped pull her to her feet again. Shepard was brushing ash off of her armor when Lia rejoined them.
They made their way across the platform. Shepard let Lia hack her way through the locked door on the other side. The girl was shaken so it took her a couple of tries but she got it opened. They moved inside and Lia pointed at a datapad sitting on the edge of a crate. Shepard nodded her head and Lia moved to the datapad.
"It says that Pitne For sold two-thousand units of Minagen X3 and six-hundred of red sand to the Eclipse," Lia said. "Should we keep this for Detective Anaya?"
"Yeah, keep it," Shepard said. "There's another terminal for you, Lia."
Lia tucked the datapad away and crossed the room to the terminal. Shepard and Grunt waited by the next door until Lia rejoined them. At the end of the hall a volus stood with his back to Shepard. Images from Jane's memories flitted across Shepard's mind. Shepard lowered her assault rifle knowing that the volus was high out of his mind but not a threat. She walked into the hall and cleared her throat. The volus slowly turned around and seeing Shepard started his drug crazed speech.
"I am a biotic god! I think things – and they happen! Fear me, lesser creatures, for I am biotics made flesh!" the volus said moving towards Shepard and making his biotics flare for show.
Grunt turned his head to look at Shepard and asked, "Can I shoot him?"
"No," Shepard said.
Lia started giggling behind Shepard.
"You will regret your scandalous words! I am a great wind that will sweep all before me like a… great wind. A great biotic wind!" the volus said.
"Can I please shoot him?" Grunt asked.
"No, Grunt," Shepard said. "What happened to you?"
"The asari, they injected me with so many drugs, and yes it was terrifying. But then I began to smell my greatness!" the volus said.
Lia lost it there and her giggles turned into laughs accompanied by the occasional snort. Shepard sometimes forgot that Lia was really still just a teenager. Her laughter was infectious, though and soon Shepard found herself chuckling before clearing her throat.
"You laugh now, mortal as they laugh when I fall over, but you don't know what I know in my head – that I know that I am amazingly powerful. Fear me!" the volus said.
"Listen, Pitne For is outside. Why don't you go meet him? I'm sure he's worried sick about you," Shepard said.
"Poor Pitne For. I will, I will find Pitne For and show him my greatness. He shall worship me like the biotic god that I am. But first, I must seek vengeance on Wasea and feast on her biotic-rich blood. I will show her the true power of a biotic god!" the volus said.
"Oh no, why bother with Wasea? She's unworthy of your time. Really, she's nothing but a mere mortal mercenary. Let us take care of Wasea. You should go to Pitne For and show him your greatness," Shepard said.
"Yes. Yes, you're right. I will not waste my time on the likes of Wasea. Not when I have followers waiting for me to share my wisdom with them. You will take care of Wasea in service to your biotic god, and you shall be justly rewarded," the volus said.
"Oh gods…," Jane said.
"Right, OK then. Pitne For is right outside waiting by the police station last I saw him. You'd better hurry, I'm sure he's worried sick," Shepard said.
The volus started to wander towards the door and said, "Yes, I'll hurry to Pitne For."
Shepard shook her head as the volus walked through the door.
"I still think you should have let me shoot him," Grunt said.
"Come on, let's go take care of this Wasea so we can get our just reward," Shepard said.
Lia snorted with laughter once more before regaining control of herself as they moved through the next room. Shepard stopped to replenish her medi-gel supply from the medical station on the wall before opening the next door.
The dark blue asari with tangerine markings all over her face stood across the expansive warehouse floor. As with Enyala, she didn't wear the yellow armor of the other Eclipse but was clad in blue. Shepard supposed they saved the ugly stuff for their underlings. Wasea casually drained her glass and read from a datapad. She lifted the glass up and glanced inside before setting it down on a crate. Wasea glanced at Shepard before returning her gaze to the datapad. Shepard continued to lead her team forward, closing as much of the distance between the Eclipse leader and herself as she could before the bullets started flying.
"Everything's gone to hell since we smuggled that filthy creature off world," Wasea said. "First a Justicar shows up, now you."
Wasea moved around the crates as she spoke. She tossed the datapad down on a crate. Shepard hated how sure of herself the merc was. Powerful biotic capabilities or not, Shepard and her team were nothing to shake a stick at.
"At least I can take pleasure in turning your head into a pulpy mass," Wasea said, her voice rising to a snarl as she pulled up biotic energy to grab a crate and fling it at Shepard.
Shepard stepped to the side and the crate crashed into the wall behind her releasing a cloud of red. Wasea stalked towards Shepard, her biotics swirling around her body. Lia dove for cover and started shooting at the merc leader. Shepard and Grunt both peppered her with gunfire while moving forward. Shepard ducked down behind a crate and Grunt took the next one up from her. More mercs started to pour into the room from doors at the back of the warehouse. Shepard sent Grunt down one side while she took center. Lia stayed close to Shepard moving from cover to cover.
Shepard used her rifle to wear down Wasea's barrier and shields as the biotic threw the crates of Minagen X3 around. She was trying to herd Shepard, control the battle field. Shepard had little choice but to change her position to escape the clouds. Once Wasea's shield was down, Shepard grinned and used her biotic Charge to slam into the merc. Wasea was knocked back into a stack of crates. Shepard lifted her assault rifle and filled her full of holes before she could recover. Wasea slumped to the floor, dead.
Shepard was about to turn her attention to the other mercs when she heard Lia's scream. She whipped around and scanned the area quickly, spotting the quarian clutching her arm while firing her pistol at close range. Two mercs had slipped past and closed in on Lia. Shepard raised her gun and fired off a few shots at the mercs' feet, keeping them low so as to not hit Lia. The mercs danced back and dove for cover. Shepard ran to Lia and pulled her down behind some crates.
"I told you this was too much for her," Jane said.
"We've all taken bullets, she'll live," Shepard thought.
"Your suit would have closed that section off, Lia I need you to check if the bullet went all the way through," Shepard said.
She kept one eye on the crates the mercs dove behind while Lia worked with trembling, blood soaked fingers to feel the back of her arm.
"It did, it went all the way through, Keelah," Lia said with a shaky voice.
"That's good, it'll make the healing easier and we won't have to dig a bullet out of you. I've got medi-gel, use your antibiotics," Shepard said activating the medi-gel dispense.
One of the mercs stuck her head out of cover and Shepard rewarded her courage with a few bursts from her gun. Shepard looked back down at Lia who was still trembling but her bleeding had stopped.
"OK, stay here Lia. This is almost over," Shepard said.
"No, I wanted to come with you I'm not going to hide," Lia said.
"Are you sure?" Shepard asked.
Lia wiped her bloody hands off on her thighs and picked up her pistol. She turned over into a crouch and peeked over the edge of the crates.
"Alright then. I'm going to go straight at them, draw their attention to me. You stay low and move over to those crates over there. When you see a shot, take it," Shepard said.
Lia nodded her head. Shepard vaulted over the crates and ran forward firing her assault rifle just to keep the mercs pinned down.
"I AM KROGAN!" Grunt's voice boomed off of the warehouse walls.
Shepard reached the crates the mercs were hiding behind and glanced over to see that Lia was in place. Shepard moved around the side of the crate keeping her back to it until she could peek around the edge. Shepard flushed the mercs out of cover and right into the path of Lia's pistol. One of them fell under Shepard's fire just before Shepard heard Lia's pistol ring out twice and the second merc dropped dead.
Together, Shepard and Lia moved towards the back of the warehouse where the continued battle cries resounded from Grunt. He had taken care of all but two of them and they were currently playing cat and mouse. Grunt charged one and they ran away while the shot at him from behind. Shepard raised her assault rifle and returned fire on the merc at Grunt's six. Grunt, either tiring of the game, or realizing that Shepard was watching him, stopped chasing after the asari and shot her instead.
They checked to make sure the area was clear before moving into Wasea's office. Shepard sent Lia to hack the terminals and to look for anything else of value while she headed to Wasea's desk. Shepard found the datapad with the name of the ship that Samara was looking for. If not for the field experience it gave Lia, Shepard would have a major headache from the waste of time. Things would be so much easier if she could have just told Samara that Morinth, her Ardat-Yakshi daughter was smuggled away from Illium on a ship called the AML Demeter and that she was hiding out on Omega now. Of course, the datapad didn't say anything about Omega, or call Morinth by name. It didn't even call her an Ardat-Yakshi but Shepard new all of this just the same. Sure, her coming in here did a favor for the Illium Police by cleaning out the mercs and collecting evidence on Pitne For and Elnora but they would have eventually found all of it on their own.
Lia returned and they made their way back through the Eclipse base, stepping over dead mercs and busted up mechs as they went. Shepard spotted the great biotic wind standing next to Pitne For in front of the police station. The drugged volus sounded like he was coming to his senses. Pitne For tried to stop Shepard on her way through to the station, but she pretended not to notice him. She wasn't going to be bribed into giving him the shipping manifest, especially not right in front of a police station while trying to recruit a Justicar. She knew that some of the others had given into that temptation in other lives, and Shepard thought it was idiotic of them. They were lucky it didn't cause problems with the police or Samara.
Samara was sitting perched on the ledge of a low wall behind Detective Anaya's desk. They both looked up as Shepard and her team walked in, Shepard handed the datapad with the AML Demeter's name on it to Samara and waited while she read the information.
"Shepard, you impress me. You fulfilled your end of the bargain, and I will fulfill mine," Samara said stepping down from the wall and turning to the detective. "I am ready to leave immediately, if that will satisfy your superiors, Detective?"
"You're free to go, Justicar. It has been an honor having you in my station. And it's nice you didn't kill me, too," Anaya said.
"We won't be leaving right away; I have some other business to attend to on Illium. We'll go back to the Normandy first, though, Lia was injured and needs to see the doctor," Shepard said.
"I must be sworn to your service, so that I am never forced to choose between your orders and the Code," Samara said.
The irises of Samara's eyes flared with a white light and the Justicar knelt before Shepard. This part made Shepard uncomfortable. It was awkward having someone swear themselves into her service, but even more awkward when it was someone as severe and absolute as Samara. Shepard fought the urge to tell Samara to stand up, knowing that it would be the greatest insult to the ways of the Justicar. Detective Anaya stood up from her desk to watch the spectacle with awe.
"By the Code, I will serve you, Shepard. Your choices are my choices; your morals are my morals. Your wishes are my code," Samara said.
Her biotics flared out all around her body as she knelt before pulling in close, a mere sheen across her as she stood to face Shepard. The light faded from her eyes and the biotic glow faded.
"I never thought I'd see a Justicar swear an oath like that," Anaya said.
"If you make me do anything extremely dishonorable, I may need to kill you when I am released from my oath," Samara said.
"I'll keep that in mind, thank you, Samara. I know that this is a sacred act and I won't dishonor you or your Code," Shepard said.
"Thank you, Shepard. Truly, the life of a Justicar can get lonely. I admit, I am looking forward to serving with a company of honorable heroes," Samara said. "I am ready to leave when you are."
"I look forward to having you aboard," Shepard said before turning to Lia. "I believe Lia has some information for the detective before we go."
"What's that, you brought me back presents?" Anaya said.
Lia opened her omni-tool and played the recording of Elnora's confession for the detective as well as handed her the datapads containing the information found with Elnora's personal log and Pitne For's shipping manifest.
"Hmmm. Interesting, but it would be inadmissible. I don't have any way to verify this," Anaya said.
"But Shepard is a Spectre, doesn't that give credence to her evidence?" Lia asked.
"If it were up to me alone, but officially we're not under Council jurisdiction here," Anaya said.
"Yet the word of a Justicar does. I vouch for Shepard and any evidence she brings forward," Samara said.
"I accept the judgement of the Justicar," Anaya said.
"Great, I'm ready, Samara," Shepard said heading towards the door.
Samara followed Shepard out of the police station and to the cab stand. While they waited for the taxi, Shepard turned to the Justicar.
"Samara, are you familiar with Cerberus?" Shepard asked.
"I am not," Samara said.
Shepard nodded and said, "I didn't think you would be. I need to brief you on a few things before we get back to the Normandy."
"We usually just give her the basics. You don't need to tell her everything," Jane said.
"No, I want her to understand who they are. Who I am," Shepard thought.
Samara stood at parade rest and said, "Very well, Shepard."
"Cerberus is a private human organization. Once a part of the Alliance, they were officially disbanded and disavowed by the Alliance when the nature of their activities came to light. Since then, Cerberus has remained as a secretive organization focused, so they claim, on advancing humanities interests," Shepard said. "It really isn't that simple, though, many of their goals are to place humans above other species and in many cases at any cost. Their methods, on most things, are utterly deplorable. You would likely feel compelled to kill them all. Hell, I feel compelled to kill a lot of them."
"I see," Samara said.
"Wait, there is more to this," Shepard said. "A couple of years ago, I was an Alliance Commander and Council Spectre. I assume that you at least heard of the attacks that happened on the Citadel during that time?"
"I am aware, as I am aware of your role in defeating those responsible for those attacks," Samara said. "As a Justicar, I approve of your actions."
Shepard smiled and said, "Thanks. Well, after the attacks on the Citadel my crew was helping to clear out pockets of heretic – sorry, geth activity. I'll explain that later. The Normandy was attacked by a collector ship and the majority of the crew was forced to flee in escape pods as the ship was torn apart. I died, technically, during that attack and when my body was recovered it was given to Cerberus."
"I see, and yet you stand before me alive," Samara said.
"Cerberus used experimental technology to bring me back to life. They are working towards stopping these collector attacks on human colonies in the Terminus Systems. When I was – revived, I sought out the Council and the Alliance but because these attacks are happening in the Terminus Systems they are unable to take action without inciting a war," Shepard said. "I refuse to ignore the collector threat, which left me with little option other than to agree to temporarily work with Cerberus to take down the collectors."
"You are working with an organization whose methods you detest in order to take down a larger threat. This must have been a difficult decision for you," Samara said.
"It was, it still is but it is what needs to be done. That being said, I do not and never will consider myself to be a part of Cerberus. I have made myself clear to Cerberus on this matter," Shepard said. "I have also made it my personal mission to disabuse the Cerberus operatives that are aboard the Normandy of the notion that Cerberus is a respectable organization. Many of them have no real understanding of what the organization they work for really does."
"You hope to save them from their folly, guide them towards redemption?" Samara asked.
"I do. But I know enough about people to know that not all of them can be saved. If you are still willing to work with me knowing all of this, then I must advise you to keep in mind that some of these people may not be as trustworthy as they would make themselves seem," Shepard said.
"If we are able to stop these attacks, what will you do?" Samara asked.
"Then I return to the Alliance with every drop of information on Cerberus that I have obtained," Shepard said
"You have said nothing to dissuade me from working with you, Shepard. It is you that I am sworn to follow, and not Cerberus. I will take these things under advisement," Samara said.
"Good," Shepard said opening the taxi door.