Huerta Memorial-Level 3

Citadel Presidium

Garrus stared out the square window as skycars passed by overhead. He counted four red ones and two green ones. The traffic for the presidium had lessened after the bombing of the Tower. Citadel security posted several checkpoints, so more citizens had to use cabs or other means of travel.

After he woke hours earlier, Garrus listened to the news through his visor. He heard the reporters discuss the devastation these mysterious soldiers in black armor caused. The attack on the council was no surprise. Anyone with a brain knew that a direct assault on a governing power cripples the local authorities; including any trust, its citizens would have had in safety.

Still stuck to his medi-leg cast and Michelle ordering him to wait for a final medical evaluation, Garrus couldn't do anything but stare out the window. His room door opened, startling him out of thought. Solanna came rushing in, falling on him with a tight hug.

"You're awake!" She continued to squeeze tightly.

Garrus laughed, reaching with one arm to hold her. " Sol, you're kinda hurting me."

Solanna let go to sit up and give him a turian smile. Her teal eyes rimmed in tears. " I missed you. So much has happened."

He looked away to the presidium. "I know." Garrus returned his gaze, noticing how much she resembled their mother.

Tiberius walked in, equally relieved to see his son awake and in good spirits. He stood apart from them, watching his children from some distance. "It's good to see you're awake."

Michelle stepped through with her medical datapad in hand and bright features that gave warmth to him. An old friend he could trust. "So, doctor, what's the verdict? "

She sighed with a smirk, responding in an accented flair. " You will recover in some time. The trauma dealt with your old injuries has caused some tissue damage, but nothing we cannot handle. However, we had to replace your shattered femur bone with a titanium mesh lattice and prosthetic implant." Michelle noticed the sudden silence in the room and continued. "I have made referrals for rehabilitation. In six weeks, you won't even notice the difference."

Garrus shook his head. "Whoa, whoa, doctor, I don't have that kind of time. Shepard and Satima need me." He looked around between his father and sister. "Speaking of which, where are they?" Now unsettling with the realization, "Where's Natalie?"

Doctor Michelle changed her gaze to Solanna and Tiberius, who cleared his throat to speak. " Son, they're gone." Garrus's heart pounded a little harder, but his father continued. " They left on the Normandy more than a day ago. A mission to stop the ones that destroyed the Tower." He walked closer to Garrus and reached out to touch his son's carapaced shoulder, shaking his head with a lowered gaze. " I had turned my back for one minute." He started. " Spirits, before I understood the gravity of what happened, Natalie had already left the station. I was on my way to alert Chief of Command Darwin Kester when Solanna called me about you."

Michelle closed her datapad and started to exit. " Oh my, uh- I will leave you three to discuss personal matters privately. In the meantime, Garrus, you should still rest longer. I will see about discharging you within the week." She left with a nod and smile.

Garrus became frustrated. " We need to go! She could be anywhere!"

Tiberius calmed his son. "You can't do anything until the doctor has discharged you. Until then, we need to contact Kester and relay what I know."

"What do you mean 'what you know?' Garrus asked.

His father backed away to lean on one leg, arms crossed. So much like his son does after him. "I tracked her down before coming here, Garrus. She's on the Normandy."


ICU Recovery Unit

Huerta Memorial

Hall 8

Kester waited while unit personnel conversed with each other on whether Councilor Khalee could speak to him. The fall should've killed her; furthermore, her injuries would've doomed her. But she had the strength to survive.

A tan-hued salarian doctor approached him wearing a white lab coat trimmed in blue. His large dark eyes blinked with uncertainty. "It has been touch and go for hours. She's awake but not in a stable state. I don't recommend you bothering her, but she requested to speak to you, herself."

Kester nodded. " I will be brief." The doctor led him to see Khalee hooked up to several monitors and a respiratory apparatus. The chief could see how badly injured the human councilor was; with bruised features and bandaged appendages.

A nurse removed her breather carefully. Khalee coughed but chose to speak, although in a weak tone. "I need to see Shepard."

Kester stood closer to hear her. " Shepard's on a mission, along with the hybrid." He leaned to the councilor. " Who did this to you?"

Khalee closed her discolored eyes in a pained grimace before opening them with a watery stare. He viewed her left hand covered in scraped skin, gripping the sheets of the bed beneath her. " He ripped through them like they were dolls, tossed about cruelly to his whim." Khalee grunted and moaned from the pain of her injuries but continued, "Red biotics flashed around us while security tried to defend the Tower." She turned her gaze to him warily. "His eyes were as red as hers."

Kester immediately envisioned Satima's stare from the footage of the warehouse district.

Khalee started struggling until the nurse reattached the respiratory device. She fell unconscious from the severity of her physical trauma. The nurse reviewed a medical datapad with the salarian doctor, who spoke to Kester. "We're doing everything we can for her. She'll be lucky to make it the next twenty-four hours with fractured ribs, spinal fracture, and a severe concussion. It was a good thing she landed on the garden level and not the floor below it."

Kester nodded solemnly. Khalee is barely alive, and with the grave information passed on to him, he can only relay what happened as a warning to Shepard. Whoever this person was that had attacked the presidium, is no simple soldier to trifle with.

Heurta Memorial

Level 3

Garrus bit down the pain while using crutches to get through the hospital room door. His father was close behind. " Where do you think you're going?"

"To get a ride off this station and find Shepard!" He nearly lost his balance, almost slamming into the wall close by the entrance.

Solanna rushed past Garrus and closed the door. She stood next to her brother to help him regain his footing. Instead, he pushed her aside while attempting to reach back to his bed. " I don't need any help; I need to contact Shepard. I need to get out there and find Harkin. I need..."

His sister pushed him down hard, taking away his crutches. "You need to heal. You're no good to them if you continue to act this way. Dad will take care of contacting Shepard."

Tiberius stood in front of his son. " She's safe on the Normandy. I'm sure Shepard has already found her and will bring her home when she can."

Garrus shook his head. "This isn't home and never will be." He lifted his avian gaze to them. " Palaven is home, and that's where I'm going to take my family."

Solanna nodded in agreement. " I will help you, brother, but you need to wait until you can move better. Let the doctor make sure you're healthy enough to go forward. Until then, the citadel will continue to be your home."

Garrus hated that. He loathed it more, knowing his sister was right. Of course, Shepard will keep Natalie safe on the Normandy, but there was a question in his mind that needed answering. "What happened to Satima? You said she's on the Normandy?"

Tiberius glanced at Solanna before replying. " A lot has happened while you were recovering. I think it's best if Chief of Command Kester stops by and explains it to you. But I can say that she is alive and healing."

His son settled uncomfortably on the medical bed while wincing and putting up his casted leg. "Anything on Harkin? Or Archer? He did something horrible to her." The blow he was dealt did not harm Garrus's memories, recalling the last few moments before the lights went out.

His father replied. "Nothing that we know of."

Garrus sighed. "Okay, Dad. See if you can contact this Kester. I want an audience with him."

Tiberius got up to leave when Solanna followed behind out the door. She waited for it to close and whispered to her father. "Are you sure it's a good idea to let him know everything? Satima killed people, dad! She attacked Citadel Security!"

He shook his head. " If we lie to him, he'll never forgive us. Kester will tell Garrus everything, and we'll let him decide for himself."

"Do you care about her? The reaper-born, I mean." Solanna asked.

Her father averted a gaze and continued to leave. "Make sure your brother follows doctors' orders while I'm away. "

...

Citadel Security Headquarters

Lobby

Kester has observed a higher influx of diplomats lately. Since the Tower and Embassies have been destroyed, most councils and bureaucrats have met here. C-sec demonstrated efficiency in providing separate offices for the many meetings newly held there.

Administrators cleared out older parking as traffic comms became flooded with unclear orders. Now things seem to have settled, although Kester did not know for how long. Earth summoned him again. He'd rather stay longer to see if Shepard is successful with her mission to Omega, but he understood how much duty takes precedence.

A turian c-sec officer steps to him from behind. " Sir. You have a comm call in the communications office."

Kester nodded, making his way in case it was Shepard calling. Inside, he viewed several c-sec agents dealing with various emergencies. Some would have to wait longer than others. Since the Reapers came, this station has been a damn mess for everyone. The turian led on until they reached a station in the corner.

The comms were active while isolated pixels clustered and formed an image.

"This is Chief of Command Kester of the Alliance." He stated.

A turian woman became the new image. "Chief of Command Kester. This is Agripenex Metalla, of Turian Command. I have a personal request if you wouldn't mind attending to it."

"Agripenex, it's been some time since we last spoke." He started.

Her flanged voice was clear and concise. "The debacle of the hybrid and Argos. I am glad you came to Shepard's aid."

Kester pulled a seat and sat in his comfort. "After securing my command, I had to do something before things got out of control. Humanity cannot appear to be loose with morals or with duty. Despite Shepard's intentions as Spectre, she had lost her way."

"Agreed. I do not dislike the hybrid; however, she cannot be left unattended for long without causing some grief. Something I hope Shepard will come to understand in her retirement." Agripenex revealed.

"So, your informants have relayed to you?" He wondered. A c-sec guard walked by to use the water cooler behind him. Kester hoped she would take a moment to pause before continuing. "Were they accurate at least?" He spoke while the guard casually wandered off.

"Nerris and Latellia know their work well. They are waiting for leave to visit their commander." She spoke.

"Garrus Vakarian, I presume?" Kester asked.

"Speaking of which, his father has asked if you would come by Huerta Memorial. His son has recovered from his injuries. He has asked to speak with you. I hope you will humor them regarding the fact he is mated to Captain Shepard." She informed.

Kester acknowledged. "Tell Tiberius Vakarian that I will be around shortly before my departure back to command on Earth."

Agripenex ended the call. "The Turian Hierarchy thanks you and the Alliance. Metalla, out."

The Chief of Command knows the upcoming conversation will not bring any relief to Vakarian, but it's the least he can do for Shepard.

...

Garrus used the tray table attached to his bed to calibrate his visor. After wiping off the blood-stained metal frame from his assault, he intended to make use of the last recordings of the torture they endured. Solanna brought the tools he requested without question and let him work in private while she made some inquiries about a new home on Palaven.

It's hard for humans to settle there, even for boot camp contracted by the Alliance to complete N7 training. Moreover, the radiation makes them sick, so they must wear special kinetic devices to provide low-grade shielding.

It may be safer than living on the citadel regarding recent events, but would they be happy? Would Natalie hate virtual school? Maybe he's being paranoid about it all and should think of something more locally, like Earth. But unfortunately, the Alliance is on Earth, and Shepard would never get any peace from them.

After some tinkering, Garrus managed to get the video running. He put on his visor to view the footage. The volume wasn't working but he remembers well what Harkin's voice sounded like. His father stepped in along with a young human male dressed in Alliance uniform. He held decorated medals on his chest and had a confident posture. His copper gaze scanned the room to settle on Garrus, who quickly put away his visor.

Tiberius began introductions. "Garrus, this is Chief of Command Darwin Kester of the Alliance on Earth."

Kester approached Garrus and offered a handshake. The turian obliged, immediately asking questions. "I don't think we've been acquainted before, but I've heard of you."

Chief Kester took a seat across from him. "No. You were here recovering from your injuries while my team and the council were handling the aftermath of the hybrid. Your daughter."

"The aftermath? What do you mean?" Garrus asked.

Kester gave him a grave expression. " Satima attacked Chief Admiral Ruth and Grey after your assault by an unknown agent. She killed several rogue alliance marines and charged into Citadel Security, injuring dozens."

Garrus couldn't believe what Kester told him. Why would Satima do that? He knows she struggles with the instability of her surfacing reaper biotics and past trauma, but to directly take an aggressive action towards c-sec when they had nothing to do with the alliance.

"The agent's name is Harkin. He used to be c-sec years ago." Unsettled, he shook his head in upset. " There's got to be an explanation." Garrus lifted a gaze to Kester. " Where was Shepard in all of this?"

"Ruth had Shepard taken against her will and my orders. She locked her inside an unnamed freighter at the warehouse docks. Your other daughter was found in the keeper tunnels after Ruth also had taken her into custody." Kester revealed.

Garrus stared off into thought. The Alliance caused this chaos with their fractured government and allowed people in positions of power like Ruth and Grey to do whatever they felt was correct. " Was she okay?" He said weakly. Tired and frustrated simultaneously from the information he could do nothing about.

Kester looked down briefly. " From the reports of Spectre Ronin, Natalie Shepard was found unharmed. Shepard helped in the search for your daughter."

A short laugh escaped from the turian's mandibled mouth. He stopped himself with a cleared throat. " Sorry, I uh, just can't believe this family's luck. Thank you for telling me all of this and humoring an old man." Garrus nodded toward his father. Tiberius chuckled to himself.

"Shepard is on a mission after finding the reaper droid," Kester informed.

Garrus sat up more alert. " Tell me what you know, sir."

...

"Tell me what you know, sir."

It echoed a few times in his mind. Kester did not hesitate to reveal their plans and the message sent by refugee Sentarians. But that means Shepard and Satima are heading to Omega alone. It's been a few years since they last dealt with Aria. His reaper division back on Palaven "procured" the reports on adjutants remaining in a few districts on that station.

Shepard had dispatched Alliance help, but that was then, and this is now. Is the Alliance still dealing with that threat? Opening his visor, Garrus started going over older files he downloaded some time ago. Ones from his division and others with information that he formulated himself.

Since Garrus is stuck in the hospital for a few more days, he might as well start an investigation into his files. He could brush up on the Reapers and their indoctrination or investigate the adjutants again. Reread the reports on the better way the Asari have combated indoctrination. It could help him with Satima.

The whine of skycar engines caught his attention. His room contained an irritating quiet he couldn't stand. Garrus missed the noise of the main gun battery and eavesdropped on the muffled conversations of crewmates aboard the Normandy. Something Kasumi often did herself when she was there.

Looking down to his healing leg, Garrus rubbed the medigel cast. An aching pain shot up, but he ignored it. They caught him off guard too easily. He should've prepared somehow, knew that it wasn't safe on the citadel anymore. That humans were deceitful and cunning to commit such evil—all of this for power and control. For revenge.

As soon as he's out of this place, Garrus will return to intensive training. Prepare himself for the fight ahead. Michelle is an excellent doctor, so he knows he'll heal quickly. If time can be on his side, just this once, that is.

His room door opened suddenly to a familiar human face. "How's my boy?!" James quickly stepped to Garrus's bed, reaching to grab his taloned hand firmly in a friendly grip.

"James?" Garrus spoke, surprised. "I thought you'd be with Shepard on the Normandy?"

James let go of the handshake, walking away to lean on the blue steel wall with arms folded. "Nah. Kester has me on official N7 work. I'm one of the only candidates left from the Reaper war." His tone became solemn before he perked up again. "I thought I come by and check in on you before heading out. "

Garrus smirked. "Looking to take all the glory? You got a long way, Vega."

James chuckled, looking away out the large window to the presidium sky. The rays of artificial sun sparkled on the lake below. " If I knew where you were, man-I would've killed that son of bitch myself. No one messes with family." He stared resolutely at Garrus. "I mean that."

Garrus nodded. "I know you do. Now get out there and make Shepard proud you're an N7."

James saluted. "When you get back on the Normandy, don't forget how to duck, Officer Vakarian." He finished his salute, promptly leaving through the door. It closed quietly behind him.

Garrus slumped further into the medical bed, stuck in place while everyone he knew was out there fighting. His family needs him, but Harkin saw to this current predicament. Sighing in defeat, the turian returns to his thoughts and calibrates his visor.


Fathar System-Terminus

Lorek

Alliance intel had established the location of the unknown attackers from the citadel. The recon ship James and his team procured crept through the shadow of the planet Lorek following in orbit to the beacon signals position. Watching the vids, James feared the chaotic strength of the antagonist who slaughtered civilians and c-sec alike.

Disturbingly, something was missing from the whole picture between this new villain and the hybrid. A familiarity that couldn't be pinpointed just yet. Regarding the intel, James welcomed a Spectre onboard not too long before departing the citadel. A salarian named Narana.

He had dark green skin with patches of brown over the visible flesh James could make out from the armor. The salarian's eyes were great blue ovals, piercing his surroundings with a hmm and mmhm. Narana came with a pistol and wearing the typical STG armor of his unit. A ruddy-colored dinged and roughed-up piece of suit that James figured hadn't been discarded for either sentimental reasons or heavier burdens.

The salarian stood beside James inside the shuttle as it departed from the freighter above the planet. "We are entering the atmosphere soon. Dangerous foes wait for us." He blinked his oval eyes while taking a quick breath to exhale. "I am not a biotic but can certainly fend one off on my own." He looked James up and down. "Can you lead without me?"

With a curt smirk, James folded his arms. "I wasn't made N7 for my looks." His expression relaxed, returning a concerned gaze to the planet ahead. "I know what we're facing won't be a picnic."

Narana nodded. "Good. I would hate to report to your alliance the demise of a worthy soldier." Placing a three-fingered hand on James's shoulder briefly before taking a seat to meditate.

He raised a brow and took a seat next to the Spectre. Holding his helmet between his hands, fumbling and inspecting; James lifted his stare to Narana. " I didn't know you guys meditated like the Asari?"

Narana didn't seem disturbed and continued focusing. "From my earlier studies as a student years ago, I learned that all species of this galaxy practice some form of mindfulness and awareness. Although, it can be different for everyone. Individuals choose what to focus on."

Intrigued, James pressed. "A soldier and a philosopher? I've never heard of a spectre like that before."

Narana continued. "It wouldn't be surprising to learn that not all spectres are shoot first ask questions later brain-addled testosterone-charged bullies."

James put on his helmet with a smile. "You're right." He stood to ready his team. "Your drop-off is coming up. Let's see what that meditation does on the battlefield."

The salarian got up quickly, ready to make the jump as the shuttle hatch door opened six feet above the ground. Narana held onto the rail above his head, glancing around the snow-covered mountainside. "You'll see, N7." Within a blink, Spectre Narana disappeared out of the shuttle amidst stormy flakes of snow and ice.

Six kilometers ahead, James and his team touched down on an icy landing platform outside a base. This place once belonged to a group of mercs that were kicked out by a Cerberus cell.

James peered ahead through the brewing snowstorm, noticing the hatch door to the old base had been parted open. He immediately commed the Spectre. "Narana. You knocked first?"

At first, there was static silence then the comms opened with a hmm before the Spectre answered. "If you mean 'did I infiltrate the base already', then no, I did not."

James cursed under his breath. "Well, that means one thing." He wondered aloud.

Narana's comms reopened. "I'm already in the ventilation shaft. Proceed with caution, N7."

James led a small team cautiously through the doors, taking point as they spread into a scouting formation. It was dark enough for anyone or anything to hide effectively except for a faint purple glow coming from a far corner. Sounds of computer bleeps echoed quietly towards them. Adjusting his comms, he began to speak. "Kennedy. Search for a power junction. It could lead to helping us turn on the lights. Young. Check the lower levels for any company." He ordered.

Kennedy made her way ahead, scanning the hull walls and floors with an omni-tool, while Young disappeared beyond what looked like a mess hall. James continued to check the local scans while comming to Narana. "Hey, Spectre. I don't see anything that could be hazardous to our health here."

Narana proceeded to reply. "That's because you're not looking hard enough, N7."

The lights came on quickly. Blinding James briefly while Kennedy emerged from an electrical grid room. Vega surveyed his surroundings, nodding to Kennedy as they made their way to the machine stand washed over with a blue-violet glow. Upon closer inspection, James used his omni-tool to scan the computer construct. "Hey, Kennedy? What does this look like to you?"

She scanned the machine and used her tool's database to find answers for her commander. "I would say it looks like Reaper tech, only?"

"Only what?" James asked.

Kennedy stepped closer while letting her rifle hang down with one free hand. The Lieutenant carefully pressed a series of commands on the computer terminal. "There are unknown codes, could be Sentarian or something else. I've scanned a few human-constructed ones too. There are a few tweaks here and there. This type of friend code is what they utilized before their disappearance."

James cocked his head in surprise. " Kennedy, what division were you in before being assigned to this mission?"

Kennedy saluted, " Sentarian diplomatic training and engineering, sir!"

James saluted back in respect. "Alright, Kennedy. Tackle this thing and tell me what we're dealing with."

She immediately began pouring through the data in the hybrid computer when James's comms came on suddenly. "Sir! I got a hostile heading your way! Taking heavy fire!" It was Young.

James and Kennedy hustled to the lower level. "Take cover, Young." Peering around the corner, N7 Vega led the way to the basement area as Young fired back into the far side of the room. James couldn't discern who was attacking but offered to suppress fire for Kennedy to flip a table over. They leaned down behind the metal surface, thankful for some cover.

"Sir, my scanner picks up only one target," Kennedy revealed.

Vega wondered why there was a lone hostile without a squad or team to back it up? Was it left behind on purpose? He lifted his head slightly to get a glimpse before quickly ducking from rifle fire. "Whoever it is, they're backed into a corner. We need to flank them and take'em down." He commed to his team.

Kennedy nodded as Young supplied a response. Together, they fired on the individual while James advanced to apprehend the target without killing it.

He had gotten close enough before the bullets ran out. "Lower your weapon and get down on your knees, now!" He shouted.

The hostile dropped its gun but did not kneel.

James shouted again, this time with a threat. "Drop to your knees with your hands behind your head, or I will shoot!"

"C'mon." He thought. "Just give up nice and easy," James spoke calmly.

An uneasy stance took over the hostile as an unsettling feeling enveloped the team. James noticed a distortion with a blue flicker encircling the target. Before he could react, strong biotics hit the team knocking body and limb backward in a fury of raw power. "Sir! Sir!" Young shouted over them. Helping Vega and Kennedy back to their feet. "What the hell was that?!" He yelled. "Narana! We got a hostile making its way towards the upper-level doors!" He and his squad ran with lightning speed up the stairs, turning the corner, rifles primed and aimed. James was ready to put down whatever this unknown was. He couldn't take a risk.

The hostile, clad in an abrasive faded black armor, had almost reached the door when Narana fell with precision through a ceiling shaft right on top of the assailant. He wrestled the offender before effectively rendering it unconscious. Now standing to the side, ready with anti-biotic cuffs, Narana caught James and the team catching up. "It is good I am here. The biotic would've escaped."

James eyed him but put personal feelings aside. "Thanks, Spectre."

Narana nodded. "She caught you off guard. If you are to be an effective N7, you need more than physical brawn and charm." The Spectre alerted their team back on the ship. "However, you kept your team safe and did not abandon them for the chase. An N7 cannot always do this alone. And sometimes, neither can a Spectre." He held out his three-fingered hand.

James took it slowly with understanding. He glimpsed the unknown as a frown covered his expression. This thing helped destroy the Tower on the citadel. It could also give them valuable information as to who or what is plaguing this galaxy. James was fearful of the outcome. An eerie chill danced up his spine and straight into his mind. And it all came down to one dominating thought.

Could this be the biotic that brutally attacked the Tower and killed so many without a thought? Or is she just a grunt, left behind to die while the real villain is still free?

Sahrabarik-Omega

The spatial rift opened with a violent tear of cosmic static and dark energy. A small freighter appeared struggling to safely exit. Barely escaping the pull of the rift, the freighter's thrusters flicked on and off while it hovered above a relay station. Whoever was piloting the thing had been able to quickly navigate the ship away towards Omega.

Two more spatial rifts opened as more ships appeared. One, navigating off to the relay, and the other following close behind.

These strange events did not go unnoticed or unrecorded by the Quarian scouts that often stayed around the Terminus during these troubled times. As the Zaemon made its way through the relay, the Normandy soon appeared after a time. Her crew unaware of the danger lurking in the deep dark depths of the station.