Shepard ran through the hospital. She was given the room number on the way to the presidium.

Doctor Michele stood outside, tablet in hand, as she was speaking to two other doctors. "Oh, Shepard! He's in stable condition; I promise to look after him."

She didn't hear or care. All that mattered was being with him. Garrus lay unconscious when Charlotte ran in. coming to a halt at the sight of him; she couldn't help but burst into tears.

Putting a hand over her mouth to stifle it, and smother the upset from everyone else, Charlotte walked closer. Almost hesitantly, to Garrus.

His head was bandaged from the right angle, and his left leg was in a medi-cast. Half-naked, her lover and best friend lay asleep. His visor is set on the tray of a table. Upon observation, she found bits of dried spattered blood that belonged to him.

The mission to rescue Archangel came crashing into her mind all at once with how close she had come to losing him.

Charlotte leaned over Garrus, nuzzling his head to hers. Warm tears dropped on his plated forehead while she caressed his mandible. "I'm here.", she said with a sob. "I'm here, honey, and I won't leave again. I won't do anything stupid again."

She carefully wrapped her arms around him to her, "I'm so sorry for being selfish. You wanted to help; you had the answers. I just...", she sniffled wiping her nose and eyes. "I didn't want to listen because I'm a stubborn fool."

He didn't stir or move. Charlotte sat with Garrus, holding his taloned hand between both of hers. His quiet slumber of healing reminded her of the medibay on the Normandy.

She was recuperating from the blast attack by Harbinger and Archer's attempts to kill her off.

Please… I beg of you.

Satima's pained expression and those words brought back a full view of the crucible. Reaper unleashed control over the hybrid, giving her the direction to attack Archer. Shepard drifted off into a daydream, gazing out of the window to view the presidium below.

...…...…...…...…...

Kester stayed in the lobby with Khalee and Ronin. Marines had been posted at every station.

He plans to speak with Ruth and Grey at a more convenient time. The Chief of Command paced with his hands firmly behind his back, an irritated tone to his voice. "How many of the admiral's men did the hybrid kill?"

Cox stood there bringing up her omni-tool. "Sir, all of them."

Kester exchanged a look with Khalee. "And ours?"

Once again, Cox drew up the figures. "One. Eight injured. She had been stopped by Spectre Naramis before further damage."

Ronin stood to attention, feeling ridiculous. Kester looked him over. "I'm not a councilor, spectre, so I have no say so in your actions. I know in reality; spectres have no authority over them save for when the council calls in another to apprehend them. But I can say this soldier to soldier-you do a shit job protecting the Shepards from self-destructive qualities that are a danger to this galaxy."

The spectre raised a plated brow folding his arms in personal distaste. "With all due respect, sir..."

Kester dismissed him. "Spare me. I know you're a capable spectre. You just can't shake your past relationship with the hybrid. It clouds your judgment and the opinions of others. You should've apprehended the hybrid long before that display with Ruth's private court on earth."

That way, your spectre authority would've protected them both.

He looked to Khalee.

She cleared her throat and summoned a seal from her tool. "With the permission and joint agreement of the council. Spectre Naramis, you are relieved of your mission on the Shepards. However, it will do everyone good if I put this in the hands of another spectre."

Livid, Ronin changed stances uncomfortably. "Who?" He demanded.

Ashley came through the lift at the height of the argument. " They asked me, Spectre Naramis. I have no romantic ties to either of the family members, and my friendship has never compromised me from my duty to the alliance."

Although true, Ash felt terrible for tossing Ronin over the rails, but he looked tired of being the go-to guy to rein in the hybrid.

With a scoff, Ronin began to leave. Khalee stepped to him, a hand on his arm. "Spectre.", she began. "We would like your help to continue the search for Natalie Shepard. I'm sure the family will want your expertise."

He hated this. "Fine. After she's found, I'm done. I have more important matters to attend to."

Khalee watched him go with a long-exasperated sigh. "Don't we all."

...

The salarian doctor, Tintisi, finished with the bandages on Satima's leg and head. His hands were nervous but careful. "It will be several weeks of rehabilitation.", he stated, nearly dropping the tray. "I will recommend elevation." He injected medicine into her arm, noticing she did not flinch. "Something for the headache. A nasty side effect of Halex. Could be what caused the nosebleed."

Satima stared ahead. She didn't respond to him as he took a few steps back, right into a marine. "Oh, excuse me." Leaving as fast as his long thin legs would carry him. Tintisi passed by Michele, who glanced in the room concerningly.

Cox came in, along with Ashley. "Wait outside.", she alerted her squad.

After they were alone, the female spectre dragged a chair to sit next to the hybrid studying her closely.

Satima had bruised features, right leg medi-casted, and sutures on her right temple. How she stayed conscious both concerned and fascinated her.

Ashley glanced to Cox, then back to the hybrid. "I wanted to let you know that Garrus has been found, and he will make it. Shepard is with him right now."

Nothing.

"And I also want you to understand that spectre Ronin Naramis will not be frequenting your life as before. So that means there should be no more issues in the emotional manipulation department. Which I think is best all around."

Lieutenant Commander Cox cleared her throat. "Perhaps, ma'am.", she spoke in a thick southern accent from earth. "She's nervous that I'm in here. Since the whole incident and all. I'll be outside if you need anything."

Ashley nodded and returned her gaze to the girl. Satima was banged up pretty bad. Since the images from the vid, she can't imagine being subject to such physical and emotional torture. It's disgusting what those women did out of vengeance and fear.

Ash herself had felt similar months before, but now all she can see is Shepard's child. Lost, lonely, and confused.

Satima only did what she always knew. She thought Garrus was dead and retaliated against the ones that hurt them. No other casualties. Except for the alliance.

"Satima, we need to discuss..." Cut short by a teary stare, Ashley stopped speaking.

"Go away... please..." The hybrid begged.

Ashley sighed, lowering her gaze. "I think I should stay."

Satima shook her head gently while tears streamed one by one silently down her bruised features.

The human spectre took pity on this reaper-born and slowly got up. When the door behind Ash closed, Satima buried her head in her hands. The spectre watched, saddened.

...

Citadel Embassy

Human Councilor Offices

A round table was presented before them while Kester took the far end with Cox and Ashely. Ronin sat to the left on his own, with Khalee opposite. Shepard sat at the foremost end, staring down Kester. Liara came in, sitting two chairs from her. Goddess.

Shepard stood, hands to her side in a clenched fist with a fixed gaze on the small crowd. "I will speak.", she demanded.

Kester acquiesced to her.

She began. "I know what I did was wrong. I admit that. No excuses, however justifiable, will ever fix that. But my daughter did not deserve what was done to her, both on the Argos and now."

The captain laughed in sarcastic jest. "And Garrus Vakarian? Dragged into this by your admirals, Chief of Command." Her words were thick with mockery. "Do you think the turian hierarchy will forgive this slight? One of their highly regarded soldiers and reaper war veterans, and his child who shares his turian DNA?"

Khalee swallowed cool water from a glass as Ronin sat staring at the table. Kester equally stood. His narrowing gaze was full of sympathetic disappointment. "Captain. I take responsibility for Vakarian and the Admirals, and I take responsibility for the physical suffering of Satima Shepard."

It felt satisfying to hear that, but it wasn't enough. Shepard began to sit when Kester continued.

"But you must understand the consequences of not just your actions, but the retaliating manner in which your reaper child unleashed on this station." His tone began to get louder. " This multi-galactic station filled with enough power to bar humanity from ever reaching beyond the Sol system again! You must resign your duties and post. Renounce the rank and role of captain, or face dishonorable discharge, and the inability to financially and reputably take care of your family."

Shepard sat hard in her chair; a look of total shock stuck to her features. She knew it was coming, but to hear it out loud? Briefly closing her eyes, she opened them to a different crowd. One that no longer respected or loved her. "I agree."

A hasty response. Ashley stared her way.

"Good. Now we can focus on setting things right. The public will know that you are planning to retire due to ongoing stress from your days in the war. That Satima Shepard suffers from a prisoner of war trauma and the enthrallment of the reapers. We will admit to a rogue operation being handled by discharged Admirals."

The Chief of Command had planned a great deal out already. He played his hand well.

Liara was summoned to the table sitting next to Shepard. Khalee brought out her tablet. "Shepard. Kester has agreed that your 'retirement' from the alliance won't be made public until after Archer is found. You will continue as a spectre to apprehend him or destroy him. T'soni and Spectre Williams will accompany you on this mission." Khalee set her datapad down with a stern look. "Afterwards, you will no longer have the protection of this council as Spectre. All your authority will be revoked but without serving another sentence, like before on Earth. It must be done to save face and to show that we can continue to serve this galaxy with confident soldiers."

That hurt Shepard more than she thought it could. It felt as though they all lost hope in her abilities and loyalties. But, of course, maybe they're right.

"I have put together the odd correspondence he has given me. It's all quite cryptic, but we were hoping that Satima has told you specific information on him.", Liara spoke.

Shepard took a deep breath, putting aside her hate for the asari. Archer is indeed dangerous and every bit capable of doing more death and destruction than one person can think. It's for Satima's safety. "I don't know much. But I'll do my best."

"Your best has always been a cornerstone in the alliance. We won't bury your service or your methods, Shepard.", Kester stated.

With a nod, Shepard began to relay all she knew of the reaper droid.

...

Keeper Tunnel XC-9

Aroch Ward

It felt chilly in the pitch-black tunnel. Natalie barely made her way towards a more enormous hall while touching the sides of the cool hull walls, trekking onward, slowly, and carefully.

The keeper she followed disappeared somewhere between the entrance and another turn. Natalie couldn't keep up with the creature. Her shaky breath filled the quiet of the space as she took one more terrifying step.

In the large hall, small round red lights lit a path before her. Skittering sounds echoed around and behind her, but Natalie kept on. There's gotta be an exit somewhere?

A loud rumbling shook under her, followed by the monstrous sound of an engine. Several more similar engine sounds whined on, with a sudden noise that now drowned out her breaths.

Two keepers emerged from a sidewall; she could tell by their thin shadows of tripod legs. Natalie feared what they were doing as they quickly chittered by her.

She held her breath, hugging the wall closely when they passed her presence. Then, after the keepers disappeared once more, she let out a sigh of relief.

It was time to move on again.

The minutes dragged on as she could hear faint voices from beyond the station tunnel walls. Natalie called out a few times, but there were never any answers. Tears rolled silently down her cheeks while she stared at the grated floor.

Her hand rubbed against the surface and got dirtier by the second. At one point, she touched wetness on the wall letting out a small gasp of surprise as the cool dampness of the liquid shocked her flesh.

Natalie smelled it, but there was nothing out of the ordinary to her. She hesitated to lick it because her school taught her that there are different species, and there is a distinct risk for each one. No kissing, no sharing cups, utensils, or even food.

No matter how friendly the other kid is or if they're your best friend. No sharing!

She wiped her hand on her pants leg, then continued again. More noise resounded, but this time it was not like the rumbling from before. Instead, it had a sloshing sound to it.

Further ahead, Natalie realized the light was getting to be a brighter red. So bright, it was turning orange. Then yellow. Finally, she spotted a carved-out door frame with a few keepers stepping out.

Where did they come from?

There is a walkway surrounding a huge deep well. Curiously, Natalie picked up a little speed to see what it was. Her eyes squinting to adjust from the shock of the illumination.

The sloshing sound grew louder. Then a smell hit her. It was rank and putrid.

On the walkway, two smaller catwalks lined the deep well of muddy red liquid. She could hear three more sloshing wells. Natalie carefully stepped on the left catwalk. Remembering how close she came to falling earlier outside.

There were no keepers around to push her, but all the same, she held firm to the rails. They weren't as slender in footing, thankfully, so Natalie forged on. The yellow lights above were bright enough for her to see this vast reservoir room.

An expansive under-ward warehouse of sorts filled with many more reservoirs, all sloshing these different colored liquids. The smell was becoming unbearable. Natalie covered her nose as her eyes became watery from the fumes of this stuff. Is it sewage?

Ahead on the same catwalk, Natalie spotted someone darting from one walkway to another, quickly retreating to a platform that had many computerized stations. Some of it looked like the ones at school. Is this person studying anything?

Why is the place so vast and full of nasty tanks filled with liquid? The keepers seemed interested enough, but only to keep it sloshing. They tinkered here and there on various terminals and panels.

The figure ignored them, and they it.

With enough lighting, Natalie was capable of making it to the platform the person was using. She eyed another reservoir tank with grey-blue liquid swirling in motion. Batting her eyes from the rank fumes, Natalie walked away hurriedly to the middle of the stations.

"Hey!"

She yelped, almost running back, but she knew there was no going back. Here, the evil men and women could not find her. And neither could that turian.

"I'm sorry. I'm lost." Natalie gulped. "People are trying to find me. I don't trust them."

The figure came out of the gloom holding a datapad. His crazed black-eyed stare startled her. It's a salarian with dark red and coal-colored skin. He studied the girl, twitching now and then. Then gave a sharp Hmmm, before speaking. "I don't care who's chasing you. You have no business down here! This is my important work."

Natalie watched him bypass her rudely, carefully cross the catwalks to a moving platform. She ran to catch him. He again twitched from her, shaking his head in irritation. "Human girl child, go away. I'm in the middle of significant finds."

She held onto the rails as he pressed a button to hover over another reservoir. This one had brown and purple swirls. "What is this?" She wondered.

He hummed and twitched, clearing his throat before typing something on his datapad. A panel opened across from them. She caught a long tube sliding out, right over the deep tank. Something came down fast, making an awful thumping and bumping against the tubing itself. Finally slipping out into the well with a loud splash.

Natalie loomed over with the salarian shaking his head. "You don't want to do that.", he warned in a shrill tone.

Peeking in trepidation, she caught a horrible sight. Almost losing the contents of her bladder, Natalie screamed briefly, holding herself back and shaking. "That's... that's... "

"A body? Yes. An asari one. These are the protein vats. This is what happens when you die on the citadel, and no one claims your person. Instead, the keepers scoop you up before anyone can notice and throw you down here."

Terrified, Natalie gulped. "I want to go home."

"I wish you would, but it seems you're lost.", the salarian pressed the button again after scanning the liquid. "I'll take you and get you out of my lab space. I can't have your DNA practically soiling my work! Look at you! Crying and sniffling over everything."

Natalie wiped her nose and eyes, trying to act brave. "What's your name?"

The salarian scoffed, crossing his arms. "Chorban."

...

"She went into where?!"

Shepard's vexed gaze stared down at Ronin. Her cheeks flushed in rage. How can this capable man lose a small child? Isn't he supposed to be Satima's on-again, off-again boyfriend? Doesn't he care?!

Ronin stood at attention, feeling more like a useless idiot by the minute. "Something was wrong. Natalie had been too terrified to trust anyone. Even me. She ran right into that keeper tunnel, and I have no clue where it leads. If Satima hadn't attacked C-Sec academy..."

The captain dismissed him rudely, "I don't want to hear about it. What's important is finding my daughter. She's ten, Ronin. Ten!"

He averted an irritated gaze, holding in his inner urge to respond to her critical remark, but instead, Ronin gave in. "Yes, ma'am. I understand. And you have my solemn promise I will find her."

Shepard stared him down, then relaxed her gaze, folding arms across the chest defensively; the captain accepted his word. "I'll join you shortly after you get some schematics of the tunnels from c-sec."

He nodded but hesitated to leave. "Shepard... Have you seen Satima yet?"

Being worried as a friend is no harm. He's only concerned. And... wishing badly to hold her again. Spirit's the sight of her, bloody and dangerous. If she never left, they would still be together. He could be her rock in all of this.

But now he's being a presumptuous fool.

Shepard sighed evasively, giving her attention to the window of the hospital lobby, out into the great skyline of the presidium. Watching those clouds whisk by in a false blue sky. It did cross her mind. She just didn't want to face it yet.

"When she's feeling better."

Ronin observed curiously. "But she needs you now... "

The captain served him a cold scowl, frowning away at his words. "I said, I'll wait until she feels better, Ronin!"

He backed off the subject and away from the woman. Anger seems to be a deep vein of hidden issues with these Shepards. But then again, he doesn't blame them, and that thought brought him to Janie. She had something important to say, but it'd have to wait. Natalie is lost somewhere very dangerous. He wouldn't expect forgiveness if anything fatal happened to her.

He could not even forgive himself.

...

Kester stared out from the balcony of the embassy office. Khalee obliged his request for some time alone. That and giving a message to Lieutenant Cox and Lieutenant Commander Williams.

Changes will have to be made soon.

His only regret is letting Shepard down, but all she and her hybrid child have done, both the good and the bad, have made a lasting imprint on this galaxy.

"Sir?"

Cox stood to attention behind him. Her thick southern earth accent called his attention. "We're waiting on Williams."

The Shepards were being treated in one fashion or another. He read the files from Hackett, who stated clearly how much Kelly had been a help and asset to the hybrid.

He ordered Captain Shepard for a new psych eval. It will quiet the alliance's concerns and maybe help the galaxy's hero from all the damage the reapers inflicted.

Williams stepped through briskly, aligning herself side by side with Cox. A short salute began the conversation. "Sir. Ready to report."

Kester stood at ease, signaling them both to follow. He studied the women before making his decisions in mind. "Changes are coming. Big ones. The alliance has put me in charge since the day the reapers were defeated. We owe our futures to Captain Shepard."

Neither woman disagreed with this.

"But, somehow, their lasting effects of indoctrination and the continuous efforts of foes unacknowledged have laid low our hero. And her unexpected child." He almost hesitated at the word. Was it right to state it so?

"This is why I am relieving her of her duties. Giving the captain an honorable discharge, allowing Shepard a chance at redeeming her core values, the morals that made this woman the spearhead against the will of the reapers."

Ashley trembled inside at his words. He sounded so much like Anderson. She felt more foolish and colder-hearted by the minute at how she went against Shepard. "What can we do, sir, to keep the hybrid and Shepard safe?"

He pondered this for hours before and now still, folding one arm over his chest, with the other hand to his chin in contemplation. "All that we can without overstepping the boundaries. They need to know they can come to the alliance for help. To not take matters into their own hands again."

The blonde-haired Cox nodded with a concerned gaze. "But sir. The hybrid has displayed dangerous biotics. How can we contain any situation involving her?"

Williams snapped a look of confused upset.

Kester crossed both arms, changing stance. "Leave the rest of that to me. I will be speaking with her soon. Alone." He gave a reserved glance to Williams. She lowered hers in response.

"With that aside. I have new assignments and orders to give out. Williams, you are now promoted to the rank of Commander. Serving on the Normandy alongside Captain Shepard until Archer is found."

She stared in surprise. Commander?

"Cox. You are staying on my fleet until Archer is located. Once this mess is finally ended, you will relieve Shepard of her duties and assume command of Normandy and her crew. Is this understood?"

Holy Shit. Cox became highly unsure. "Sir... with all due respect... I don't think Shepard will like this... "

"It does not matter what Shepard likes. She will acquiesce and relive her command. Williams will assume command of a fleet I have been putting together, jointly, with the turian hierarchy."

Williams blinked, then cleared her head. "Sir? The turians? Exactly what is going to happen?"

Kester turned around, hands behind his back, gazing back out from the balcony. "Our outposts in deep space have been getting strange signals. They've spotted a lone shuttle using relay after relay. Barely staying long enough for scans or apprehension. Our asari friend has given me the warning the prothean found."

He faced them in concern. "It comes from the Omega relay."

Aroch Ward

Level four

Shepard scanned the local area with her gaze. Fortunately, not many people were paying attention.

Ronin continued to read the tunnel schematics using his omni-tool. "She ran into C, but it turns into a one-way right at the protein vats. Then to tunnel A. That's the fans."

The captain sighed in upset, "We need to step it up. Reach the wall you saw her go into." She pushed her way through crowds and single walkers alike. Rudely, efficiently, and with plenty of personal distaste.

They're not the problem but treating these sheep like a waste of time made her feel more in control. A personality trait she had hoped was long buried in the alleys on earth. Years ago.

Her spectre companion didn't speak while they made their way to the observation balconies leading to the walkway. Good. Shepard wasn't up to his constant requests for her to see Satima. She misses her hybrid daughter but is equally vexed over the whole situation. Satima stated she'll answer to her own mistakes from now on, alone.

Shepard has already followed that plan. Natalie mattered more right now.

The spectre led them right to the wall, scanning it. "The entrance is here, but we need a keeper to open it."

The captain stared at the surface. "Or blast our way through."

She rubbed the smooth metallic wall with a gloved hand. Her black N7 armor had a nice sheen to it from the neon signs in the background. "I can use my biotics. Rusty as they are." It had been more than a few years since tapping into her biotic abilities. Even on Earth, down in the seedy alleys and savage districts, she never entirely relied on it. But after joining the Alliance, she trained equally in biotics and hand-to-hand. Marksmanship as well.

"Shepard…" Ronin began. " Are you sure the council won't get pissed off at damaging property?"

Lifting her left hand out, feeling the sudden rush of energy course through her body, Shepard replied in a loud voice. "Spectre Ronin Naramis, do I have your permission to demolish this wall and continue our mission?"

She winked. Interesting. Ronin chuckled to himself. Work seems to put this woman at ease. "Yes, Ma'am. But I would also like to point out…", he continued in a loud voice, as well. "That you are still a spectre. If you need to break a few walls. By all means…."

Shepard narrowed her mind into a single thought. Break. Her biotics flared and pulled, then pushed at the surface. A loud crack fractured up the middle of the wall.

She strained, a single vein throbbing on her temple, but still, the captain held, demanding, and willing this surface to crumble. Break this wall.

Shepard pulled with all her strength with a shout, and the metal wall came out to them. She blocked the debris with her right hand. Ronin flinches from the scene.

Breathing heavily, Shepard put her hands on her hips, leaning over slightly to catch her breath. Sweat lightly glistened on her forehead. "Whew. It's been a while." Slapping his arm. "Let's go!"

Ronin shook his head. Like mother-like daughter.

….

Tunnel A

The large fans sucked the air out of the room. Debris, loose fragments of trash, and other things were spaced.

A small ship comes by to scoop it all up.

Natalie made a note of it as they waited for the room to clear. Chorban reads the data on a terminal screen. "Can't go in until the fans stop. That's how many rats die. They don't time it well."

She cringed from the thought. Finally, the salarian explained who the rats were. Other children, like herself.

"Why don't you call them kids?"

"Because they don't have families, and they destroy everything in their paths like vermin. Data collections, touching other keepers to watch them melt into acidic goo. Stealing food!"

Chorban got a little bothered by these memories. She also found out that these 'rats' were not solely human children. But a diverse group of turians, some asari and more than a few drell. Although he stated, that the Drell kids are left on purpose for training. Training for what?

"We can go now. The fans have stopped."

Natalie waited as the glass door slid open automatically. Two keepers went ahead, with Chorban following behind. "Come along, human girl-child!"

She stepped through the frame, hastily keeping up with them. At last, on the other side, the alarm sounded before the glass doors shut again. Natalie held herself to stop the shaking.

"That would've been a disaster. I haven't even finished my scientific journal!"

Natalie ignored him, continuing to follow the mad salarian. Tunnel A became Tunnel D. He scanned another keeper, then used a local computer station. "We may get turned around. It could be a day or two before we reach the Zakera ward. At least someone there might notice you."

"What? A day or two?" Natalie yelled. "I'm tired… I haven't had anything to eat for hours. I want my mom!"

Chorban closed his hands over the sides of his head, humming to himself. Her shouting bothered him. So, Natalie tugged at him, yelling louder. "I want to go home! HOME! I want MOM!"

Unfair, but effective. The girl managed to ultimately push Chorban to the point of leaving her, but he somehow found the best way out in a pinch. "Fine! I'll study the decaying process of keeper waste… ON MY OWN!"

Ewe. Natalie was glad she wouldn't be present for that. He seemed lonely, though. But keeper waste was not an excellent way to spend a day on the citadel.

…..

Shepard followed the DNA scans of Natalie right into the protein vats hub. "Natalie!" She screamed, running on the walkways, nearly slipping herself.

Ronin came around with her, finding the computer station. Noodle cups and personal trash littered the area. As well as a cot in the corner. "Someone lives here."

The captain investigated one of the vats. "Red. Human?" She asked.

He peeked, turning away his gaze. "Maybe. I don't think she's down there. We should look around first."

Rummaging through the trash, Shepard spotted an old datapad. She picked it up, dusting off the screen. Then, tapping it, the captain read familiar data.

"Well. Look at this.", she handed the datapad to Ronin. He scanned its contents.

"Keeper data? From… 2183?"

Shepard nodded satisfactorily. "Uh-huh." Ronin handed it back as she continued to pour over the data. "All of this was uploaded from a personal omni-tool. Before it got destroyed along with my body from the collectors."

The spectre's curiosity was peaked. "Really? Why?"

She turned it off. "An amateur salarian scientist named Chorban asked me to, that's why."

Natalie watched a keeper stare at her. Its large black eyes seemed to swallow her figure whole. A reflection of her curious stare led Natalie to almost touch it.

"Don't!", Chorban screeched. "I swear you children just want nothing more than to touch, touch, TOUCH!"

He pulled her along. Natalie gazed at him. "Why are you so angry all the time? It's weirding me out."

He stopped in front of another hall. "The keepers are all that means anything to me. It's all I have." Chorban sounded sad.

"I'm sorry. Maybe my mom can help you with your research? She's a captain.", Natalie stated.

Twitching from her, he cleared his throat. "Well… maybe that might help with a little donation. Some funding. I eat with the rats, you know." She didn't know but felt awful for him all the same.

Tunnel D was long. Echoes of their footsteps filled her with a tense panic while they trekked forward. Dark areas threw ominous shapes, causing the girl to flinch away. When they happened into a well-lit corner, Natalie hugged the wall. "Are we almost there?"

Chorban scanned the hall, then turned himself to face the way they came. "There's something following us."

Her heart picked up a few beats. "Oh, no! They're coming!"

"Who again?"

Natalie started to pull him by the hand. "The bad marines… we need to go!"

He didn't need any more convincing. Having met with plenty of authority figures who have beaten and humiliated him since the Reaper war and those green-skinned giants. Chorban began leading the run to the final tunnel.

….

Shepard jogged down the hall as her omni-tool opened and sends an orange glow to the hull ceiling. "I have a trace of her DNA. She's been here."

"Let's hurry!" Ronin started running down the hall past keepers and tech.

They happened to figure out the fans' systems. Almost getting left in the room, but Shepard used her biotics again to jam the panel commands, giving them more time.

"Tunnel D.", she alerted.

They stopped to hear footsteps echoing toward them. "Could it be Natalie?" Shepard wondered.

"Only one way to find out.", he said.

…..

Chorban hurried the command to the entrance of the ward. A keeper tried to block him. "No, NO! You stupid yet dangerous bug! We need out."

The keeper kept blocking the command.

"They're getting closer!" Natalie urged.

His heart racing, Chorban knew there was only one choice. "I have to.", he spoke in a shrill voice.

Natalie had no clue what he meant until he started reaching out to the keeper. She wanted out but didn't want his research to be ruined. "Wait! Maybe we can find another entrance along this wall?"

Chorban gulped, shaking his head. "I appreciate the concern, human girl-child. But I must touch it."

Resolved, the salarian nearly tapped the keeper's arm with the tips of his amphibian fingers before a shout startled them.

"Natalie!"

The girl snapped her gaze in the direction of the voice. "Mom?"

Shepard barely walked forward as her legs felt weak and useless. Natalie ran to her, with Chorban looking on puzzled. She slammed into Shepard's arms, holding on tightly.

"Oh, sweetie.", the captain exclaimed. "Are you okay?" She pulled the child back, wiping away dirt from her cheeks, pushing loose strands of hair back. "Are you hurt?"

Natalie shook her head with a smile. "I'm alright, mommy. I missed you!" Embracing again.

Ronin felt significant relief, watching in personal pride. He was glad nothing more serious came of this. Although the salarain at the end was looking pretty shady.

"Excuse me.", he made his way to the man. "Do I know you?"

Chorban instantly recognized the spectre scoffing aloud, "You should. We worked together when those green people came, and I ended up down here."

"Ah.", Ronin said. "You're Chorban. The guy who knows an awful lot about keepers."

The salarian twitched, folding his arms over his chest. "Well? Are you going to arrest me?"

"I could, but…", the spectre opened his omni-tool. "Something tells me you're more valuable at c-sec than hiding down here."

…..

Huertas Hospital

Kester stood outside the glass door. He stared in as the hybrid sat up, gazing out the window to the presidium around them. There was veritable loneliness to her. A dark shadow that covered every part of this young woman's life. Stepping through the frame, Kester stood at the foot of her medical bed. The hybrid made no inclination to address him. Fair.

"You don't know who I am…." He began.

"Good. Now leave." She forced back a wince from moving her leg. Satima stared out the window.

Kester raised a brow, smirking to himself. Then, pacing around the bed to block her view. "But… I'm Chief of Command Darwin Kester. Of the Alliance on Earth."

She averted his gaze, looking off into the room, staring at anything other than him. "Is this your command?" She pointed to her leg.

Kester put his hands behind his back, standing to perfect attention. "No."

Recovery for the hybrid will be weeks. Her father? It could be a little while. No matter how strong he is, in reality… another blunt trauma to the head did not help. Their files filled his data stores in the office terminal back on earth. Every injury, every mission, every problem… all downloaded, courtesy of the Broker.

"I know you're angry about what happened. I am grateful that you left the Admirals and my men alive. However, killing alliance marines is not an improvement to the situation."

Satima glared at him. "They tried to kill us!"

Kester nodded, "Yes, they did. But a Shepard does not go around murdering all those who've wronged her."

She felt confused. "A Shepard?"

He paced again, giving her back the view. "You're not just a hybrid or the reality of how you were brought here. You are a Shepard too. Accept that acknowledgment. Few will give it to you."

Satima sat up straighter, "You want to tell me something, is that it? How everyone wants me dead or buried alive in some cell. I've heard it all, Chief of Command.", she said mockingly. "I'm not meant to exist, yet here I am."

Her tone sounded grieved. The hybrid stared down, feeling the soreness of her leg with four-fingered hands. "Why are you here?"

Kester sat in the chair occupied earlier by Ashley. "I wanted to speak with you. About your capabilities, your ties with Archer, and how you can help stop him."

She eventually met his stare, reading him closely. "He made it all worse by taking the implant. I'm not myself."

The Chief nodded, leaning out of the chair to contemplate. "Look, I know you've been through hell and back more times than any person could handle. But, unfortunately, you have a special knack for falling into trouble, and you've misplaced trust in people that betrayed you."

He sat up, giving her a defined stare. "This galaxy is looking to blame someone for the reapers. For the deaths of billions, the pain and suffering that shadows every step each living soul has made. We survived our extinction, not because we were better equipped or had more leverage on the field. We survived because… Shepard found out she had a lot more to fight and live for. You."

Satima sighed aloud, emotions strangling her senses. Tears welled up in her eyes, "I've done nothing but bring shame and hurt to her. I don't belong here."

Kester lowered his gaze, "No one belongs anywhere."

The hybrid leaned back on the large pillow, staring up to the ceiling. "I'll help find Archer, bring him back to be locked away. But how can I?", she pulled off the covers to reveal her damaged leg.

"When I can barely walk?"

Kester stared at the gel cast, the parts of flesh on a slender leg that were covered in yellow and purple blotches, trailing up to the bruised features of her hybrid face.

"Shepard and Spectre Williams will worry about the footwork. You just need to provide the intimate details of who this man is tactfully. I believe turians are naturals at that.", he tried to compliment her with a smile.

It did not do anything but cause Satima to frown.