Earth October 27, 2170
It was only a matter of time before the Alliance tracked her down for breaking into their network. Lila was banking on finding them first. Or rather, she was banking on finding Commander David Anderson before that.
The man had connections, and even with the scandal of failure to join the spectres, that he'd been considered meant he had influence. Spectre candidates tended to play loose and fast with the rules. There was a chance that things could play out in her favour.
Given her options and Reds trying to hunt her down, David Anderson was her best chance at getting off Earth. She'd bet her life that the Reds would find her within a week.
Lila had considered doing things the legal way. She'd considered becoming a witness, but Reds were owed favours by cops in high places. Even if the cops on their case were clean, the Reds could find her.
Even if it wasn't a factor, Lila couldn't live the lie required to keep them safe. Erasing herself, living as a new person… Darrius and her had already done that once. She'd lived as Lila Shepard for almost seven years. She couldn't take another name.
No. Leaving Earth was the only option. It would be easier. She wouldn't have to see the echo of the planet burning or taste the salt in the air. She could finally leave the shore.
Commander David Anderson had touched down five days ago. The VI she'd planted in the Alliance's systems had pinged her when it happened. It hadn't told her how long she'd have to wait, though. He spent most of his time in Vancouver's main offices, and when he did leave, it was surrounded by a gaggle of soldiers. His gaggle of soldiers. The ones he commanded. His friends. Normal people had friends. Lila was the weird one for keeping to herself.
She tapped at the table she was sitting at as if it would ease her annoyance. The cafe across the street had been weirdly patient with her despite her appearance. She didn't look like a soldier or a businesswoman. She looked like a child playing dress-up. She was swimming in a coat three sizes too large with tattered shoes, bags beneath her eyes that were darker then they had any right to be. She didn't belong there. Not now or ever. Not even with the coffee, she'd been nursing for the past four hours.
She sighed, refusing to take a break from her watch. It was the screech of the chair across from her that broke it. Her green eyes took in the soldier in front of her as he sat down.
"You've been following me," He cleared his throat. "And not very well."
Lila chuckled softly. "I wasn't trying to hide from you. I wanted you to find me."
His brows knit together as he watched her grip her coffee cup. "And why is that?"
"I don't exactly have many options," she admitted. She offered a rueful smile. "You're the only option I have actually." she hesitated. "Apart from death anyway."
"Not many teenagers stalk alliance officers for help, kid."
"It's Shepard, Lila Shepard, and not many teenagers are in my position. At least… I hope they're not. I- I don't really know a lot of people my age. Not well…" She massaged the bridge of her nose. "Look, Commander Anderson, I know you don't have any reason to believe me, but I wanted to make a deal with you."
Anderson leaned back. "And why would I want to make a deal with some random kid, Shepard?"
"You're leaving tomorrow, right? At noon." She pulled her coffee cup closer. "That's what the schedule for the spaceport says anyway. I… May have hacked the office a few times. It's a specialty of mine. Getting into places, I'm not supposed to be. To be fair, the Alliance should have been more secure… That's getting away from the point, though."
"Which is?" His voice had dropped dangerously.
"I…" she took a breath, looking away from him. "I want to help the Alliance. In exchange for my life. Being on Earth is a death sentence for me. I don't have the money to outrun the people who want me dead, and it's not like the cops are an option. The only way off Earth is the Alliance, and I'm two years too young to enlist."
Anderson didn't say anything for a moment, letting an uncomfortable silence fill the space between them. "I'm still not sure why you'd come to me. Surely there's a more suitable option."
"You were a spectre candidate. You have connections that most people don't." she hesitated. "I'm also more familiar with your service history and how the spectres work… just to be clear, this isn't a one-sided deal. I know the Alliance has used contractors in the past. I'm capable of being one."
"You're a kid."
"A kid that can hold her own!" she snapped. "Usually." She added much softer.
She fumbled with her cup. "There's a gang war coming. A big one. The Reds and Ouroboros. It's been brewing for a while, and the Reds were supposed to be the first big casualty."
"But, they weren't." Anderson supposed.
"They… I managed to disarm one. The idiots actually came inside. You don't… They were glass windows. If you want casualties, you don't have to go inside." She pushed her cup away in favour of gripping her arms. "I killed them... All twelve of them. Then I… Called the cops. There wasn't- My brother needed medical help. So, both really want me dead."
"Ah." Anderson nodded. "I'm sorry."
"I got us into this mess. So, it's on me to get us out. He can join the Alliance anytime, but he won't unless I'm going with him."
"What exactly are you offering the Alliance, Shepard?"
Citadel January 23, 2172
The Citadel was exactly how Shepard remembered it. She'd long given up on trying to determine if it had been a dream or not. Trying was a headache and a half. It was also futile. Memories were weird and fickle. The only thing she could do was listen when a bout of deja vu reared its head. Her path had strayed from the other Shepard's, and with that divergence, there were less parallels. At least for now.
The one thing she knew that hadn't changed was C-Sec. It followed the same cycle that the wards did. It was brighter during the 'day' and dimmed in the 'evening', not quite mimicking day and night.
There was a constant bustle in C-Sec. There was always a report to take, a ship to process, a diplomat complaining… Everything went through C-Sec, and Shepard was a regular within its blue-lit walls.
One office, in particular, was a regular haunt. Though, it wasn't usually by any will of her own. It was an unintended side effect of working for a security firm. Working for Asteris Security meant testing high-end systems and more often than not breaking into them. It was all legal, but their clients didn't usually advertise a teenager was testing their home alarm system. It had meant getting to know C-Sec and the office of one Castis Vakarian.
Shapard didn't know he'd chosen to take her case or if he'd been stiffed with it. What she did know was that he showed up the moment her name was mentioned. Her name was one every officer in the district knew by now. It was synonymous with "diplomatic nightmare" and the words "I have a permit."
Castis's desk was littered with photos. Some were of his service with c-Sec and the turian military. Others were of his family, his wife and daughter, and his son. It was the thing that had first endeared her to him. He cared deeply. Though his demeanour would have tried to convince her otherwise. If she'd met him before leaving Earth, she might have been a little intimidated. Nowadays, her clients were more intimidating.
"Is it that difficult for you to follow the rules, Shepard?" Castis glared at his report. "Do you think I enjoy having you in my office?"
"You don't have to bring me back here every time."
He turned his gaze on her. "You were caught trespassing at a shooting range with smuggled weapons."
"Obviously, this time was necessary."
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I am well aware that the human embassies are covering for you, but this is the third time this month. What were you thinking?"
Shepard reached for one of his photos, turning it over in her hands. "I was thinking that I only have four months left to get more practice in."
"For your life of organized crime?" he drawled.
"For my service with the Alliance." she corrected. "Soon enough, I'll be out of your office and joining my brother in training. It's just the stupid human laws in the way."
"Right, human laws. I'll be sure to add that excuse in your file, right next to 'bills don't pay themselves'. That doesn't explain the weapons you were caught with." He flicked through her file. "Or how you got them."
"Honestly, I would think you'd know how I got them. You're the cop." Shepard flipped the picture over in her hand. "I know M-97's aren't really standard issue, but… I was at a range, and I knew what I was doing with it. I know working for the Alliance won't be rainbows and kittens. It's pirates, slavers, and death. "
"You're underage, without a permit, and with illegal weapons." He pulled the picture from her hands. "I'm still trying to figure out how you got past the V.I."
"It's my job to get past security systems. Is it even a surprise? Where else was I supposed to go?" She crossed her arms. "Was I supposed to endanger civilians with military-grade weaponry?"
"How about waiting four months?"
She snorted. "Like you won't train your kids to shoot before they enter service." He twitched. "I don't have anyone looking out for me like that. I have to do it myself."
He mulled over her words for a moment before letting out a breath. "Spirits, you're as stubborn as my son. Fine." He tapped at his terminal. "I'm giving you access. So long as you have an escort." He motioned for her to leave.
She hesitated at the door. "Thank you, Castis."
"Just get out of my office Shepard."
Citadel April 11, 2172
She knew the turian waiting for her as she exited the elevator to the presidium. She hadn't expected him to see her to the Alliance office, but maybe she should have. He'd been a constant presence in her life since she'd arrived on the Citadel, and she'd been a constant pain in his ass.
She didn't have the words to adequately thank him for everything he'd done for her. He'd been her escort to the range a ridiculous amount of times. While he'd mostly watched and done paperwork, he had given her a few tips.
She shifted her bag on her shoulder as he uncrossed his arms and fell into step beside her. "Lila." He greeted.
"Officer Vakarian." She looked up at him.
"I hope this means I'm done putting up with you. It's been a long two years." He was frowning. Or rather, it was the turian equivalent.
"You gonna miss the paperwork, Castis? I can always drop by if you get bored." It wasn't a long walk to the Alliance offices, but it felt different. It wasn't as lonely this time.
He let out a laugh. "I won't miss the headache."
"You know I doubt it's the last time I'll end up in C-sec." He twitched. She grinned, "C-sec runs customs. I have to pass through it to get home."
"Hilarious." He drawled, stopping at the entrance. "Just don't end up in my office again."
