Chapter 9 - This Is The Shadow Broker

Citadel Newsnet - The Council is blaming a 'clerical error' for an embarrassing situation that resulted in it granting a permit to film a porn scene in its own chambers. The Council had previously announced it would allow 6th Dimension Vids to film scenes there for the company's upcoming blockbuster action vid 'Blasto: The Battle for the Citadel.' An apparent typo resulted in the permit being made out for 'Sex Dimension Vids,' which happens to be the name of elcor adult star Nor Rejemy's production company.

"Wryly humorous. We assumed that a mistake had been made but could not pass the opportunity up. We worked hard and fast to film the scene before the permit was revoked," Rejemy told us. "Snickering joke. After this, no one will ever look at the Council podium the same."

A Council spokesperson said it was examining its legal options to prevent the footage from being commercially released. Destinee Asscension, president of the Galactic Union of Liberated Performers, Inter-species Transgressives, Dominants, Orgy Workers and Nymphomaniacs, said her organization would fight any effort to suppress the footage. "It would be a gross violation of our members' artistic rights to allow the Council to revoke permits after the fact. If the permit was granted in error, then that's on them," Asscension said in a statement.

In related news, all Council business has been suspended for two weeks while the chambers are being fumigated. - Emily Wong reporting

Quet gulped hard as the com line opened and the caller appeared on his view screen. Not that there was much to see. The image was little more than a distorted grey blob against a dark background. Quet guessed the display was simply meant to spook whoever the caller was talking to. In his case, at least, it was quite effective.

"This is the Shadow Broker," announced a computerized and heavily distorted voice that rumbled through his monitor's speakers. "Operative Quetzal, report," it demanded.

"Yes, of course!" Quet replied. "Before we start, may I say again how truly grateful I am that you overlooked my previous transgression and granted me a second chance-"

The Shadow Broker, its voice now noticeably louder, abruptly cut him off. "Operative Quetzal, report!" it repeated.

Quet cringed and shifted in his seat. "Yes, absolutely! Right to it!" The salarian took a deep breath and began, "Citadel Security has expanded its investigation into the Blasto vid. It has tapped several communication lines used by the cast & crew and had plainclothes officers infiltrate the production by posing as scene extras and laborers. They have gathered quite a bit of information. For example, Blasto made his since-retracted announcement that all profits from the vid would be donated to the Enkindler faith without consulting anyone else at the studio beforehand. The director, the producer, and the other cast members were all completely blindsided. In addition, Blasto has demanded that some of his poems be set to music and used in the soundtrack. He also believes that this would also entitle him to a co-writer credit for the script. Finally, he wants either his trailer expanded or his co-stars' trailers shrunk. Blasto is quite particular that his trailer be noticeably larger than any other performer's."

There was a brief pause as the Shadow Broker mulled over the information. "What do you have regarding the Blasto vid that does not revolve around its star's eccentricities?" the broker asked, the voice returning to its regular volume but its rumbling bass now rising instead.

Quet gulped again. Clearly none of that information had impressed the Shadow Broker. "There's quite a bit more!" the salarian exclaimed. "Umm, the studio has paid off the elcor special effects director who was injured on the set other day to prevent any further bad PR from the incident. Uhhh... It's widely rumored that actor Tyruss Aklaysius has broken up for good with one of his mistresses, a turian who resides on Palaven. Let's see... The asari maiden who plays the Kada A'Lenko character is seeing a salarian who's doing contract work for the vid. They're in a 'relationship' - or whatever aliens term it. He's staying at the maiden's hotel room, in fact... The studio placed a story in Badass Weekly magazine about krogan actor Jorgal Dreed fighting some Eclipse mercs on Illium to help promote the vid. Umm, what else? ... Adria S'Voz insisted that her interview & photo shoot for Fornax magazine make no reference, even in passing, to her vid 'Vaenia' because-"

The broker again interrupted Quet, its impatience clearly apparent even the electronic distortion of its voice. "What has C-SEC learned regarding Aria T'Loak's involvement in the vid?"

Quet, who was now beginning to perspire heavily, tugged at the collar of his shirt. "Umm, well, we've learned that S'Voz and T'Loak are friends and that the actress visits T'Loak at her Presidium hotel periodically."

"It is already public knowledge that those two are friends," the broker retorted. "What has C-Sec learned regarding Khalisah al-Jilani's upcoming expose? Who are the human's sources inside the vid?"

The salarian squirmed in his seat. "C-Sec has not determined who in the production is providing information to al-Jilani. Nothing has turned up on the taps. Clearly, the human is extremely discreet with her contacts. There was a recent incident where al-Jilani managed to get inside the production briefly, but-"

Quet was cut off a third time. "Report, Operative Quetzal!" the Shadow Broker demanded, its voice once again rising in volume.

"Ahem, well, it's just that this-this... particular information involves another one of our- I mean, your other operatives," he stammered. "Perhaps-Perhaps I should let her relay it?"

Quet could just barely make out that the fingers on the broker's right hand were drumming across what was presumably a desk. They drummed for a few seconds before the Shadow Broker continued. "Need I remind you, Operative Quetzal, that you are on probation regarding your previous errors in judgment? If you do not cooperate fully from now on Commander Bailey will be provided irrefutable evidence that you have been selling classified C-Sec information. Certain other individuals will also be alerted that you have dealt in secret information regarding them, people far less forgiving than Bailey or even myself."

The salarian sank into his chair and weakly nodded. "I understand... Okay, it seems al-Jilani talked her way onto the Blasto set by getting the stunt coordinator to agree to an interview. It was just a ruse to gather information for her big expose. Jacana Aragem learned about this from one of the human's co-workers and, I guess, got scared that Khalisah would be harmed in an on-set accident arranged by Aria T'Loak," Quet explained, adding air quotes to word 'accident.' "So, Aragem - you already knew that she has or had a relationship with the human, right? - dashed to the set herself and bluffed her way in by claiming to be Adria S'Voz's stunt double. She interrupted al-Jilani's interview, created a huge scene and blew the human's cover in the process. S'Voz had them both ejected by security. The producer then sent an alert to the entire cast and crew warning them that talking to al-Jilani was grounds for immediate termination." Quet took a breath, then added, "By 'termination' they meant 'lose your job on the vid' not, you know, 'termination.' Pretty sure about that, anyway."

"Interesting," the broker replied, the tone of irritation fading from its modulated voice. "Anything further?"

Quet wiped the sweat from his brow. "One more thing. It might just be a coincidence but Commander Bailey believes the Special Tasks Group has an undercover operative inside the Blasto production. You know that bizarre incident where Eclipse founder Jona Sederis opened fire on a group of civilians on the Presidium and then crashed her skycar on the other side of the ward? Apparently, Sederis' target was STG agent Major Kirrahe, who was spotted by several other salarians at the spot where the shooting began. Exactly why she wanted him killed is unclear. Kirrahe was also found by C-Sec officers at Sederis' crash scene. How he managed to get across the ward that quickly is unclear too, but he was there. C-Sec believes he was the one who took Sederis down. Officers detained Kirrahe and a second salarian found at the crash scene. That other salarian, named Solik Vass, claimed to be a concerned passerby but he was carrying the kind of high-level gear used by STG agents: Carnifex pistol, shields, cloaking device, etc. Well, get this: It turns out Solik Vass is the same salarian who is doing the 'making of' vid for the Blasto production. Before Bailey could finish his interrogation, the salarian Specte agent Jondum Bau showed up and demanded Vass' release. Bailey complied. Councilor Tevos also contacted Bailey and demanded Sederis' release. That time, Bailey refused on the grounds that Sederis was so crazy that she'd try another attack. Tevos must have feared that too because she backed down regarding Sederis."

"I see..." rumbled the broker's voice. "Very well. From now on, you will provide daily reports regarding C-Sec's investigation into the Blasto vid, understood?" The salarian nodded vigorously. "Good. Shadow Broker out."

The volus financier sat down at his desk and announced, "VI, hold all calls until further notice," then opened the com line to take the incoming call. "Good evening, Shadow Broker. A pleasure as always," he declared.

"Operative Barla Von, report," the electronically modulated voice demanded.

"I am forwarding the analysis you requested of the budget for the Council fleet, along with some insights gained from an acquaintance of mine who is a defense subcontractor," the volus replied in-between the characteristic inhalations and exhalations regulated by his exo-suit. "I'm sending a second data packet regarding what is known about the personal finances of the attorneys pressing the class action suit against Commander Shepard for selling the same endorsement to multiple Citadel merchants. I can also confirm that Nor Rejemy's production company can produce a legitimate permit to film inside the Council Chambers. Some telltale details on the permit indicate it was meant for 6th Dimension Vids, but a single mistyped word caused it be made out to Rejemy's company instead and a VI program automatically forwarded it."

"Very good," rumbled the broker's voice. "What information do you have regarding 6th Dimension Vids' finances?"

The volus leaned forward in his chair and clasped his hands together. "That company is a client of mine and my clients count on me to protect their confidentiality. So, as you well know, Shadow Broker, I am legally prohibited from sharing any such privileged information. More importantly, professional ethics demand that I remain completely silent," the financier explained. "Besides, I am also a fan who is eagerly awaiting the release of Blasto: The Battle for the Citadel. I'd rather not forward any information that, however inadvertently, might disrupt the production were it to become public. By the way, have you seen the most recent trailer for the vid? Judging by the trailer alone, it is clear that the sequel will be far more lavish than any previous entry in the series, with a budget several times larger than usual. The footage in the trailer makes it abundantly clear that its battle scenes will be extremely realistic and feature a diverse cast drawn from all across the galaxy."

"Thank you, Operative Von. As always, you are the soul of discretion," the broker replied. "Anything else to report?"

"One item that may be of interest. You said to be alert for any new data regarding the human reporter Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani," Barla Von noted. "As it happens, Miss al-Jilani stopped by my office the other day. It appears she has grown concerned that Aria T'Loak may seek to have her byline permanently retired, shall we say. She sought my advice on who would provide the best personal protection regardless of cost. It is betraying no confidences to say that I gave her the same referral that I would give to anyone who made such an inquiry: Zaeed Massani, the co-founder of the Blue Suns and lately a member of Commander Shepard's crew. It is also not betraying any confidences to report I made an inquiry to Massani myself the following day and was told he had recently taken up a new contract and was not available." Von paused to pull up a local news report. "There was a major fire at a Presidium apartment complex last night. The officials believe it was arson. It started on the 39th floor. Miss al-Jilani is listed as one of the residents on that floor. Luckily for her, she was not home at the time. The obvious conclusion is that Miss al-Jilani's concern for her own safety was well-founded."

The broker made a droning noise that Von guessed was the voice modulator's approximation of "hmm..." then added, "Very good. Thank you, Operative Von. Shadow Broker out."

The image of the Shadow Broker broadcast over the com line was so dark and blurry that only a slight twitching of its hands and the pregnant pause before it spoke betrayed the fact that the mysterious underworld figure was surprised by who was joining it on the call.

"What are you doing in Jacana Aragem's apartment... Major Kirrahe of the Special Tasks Group?" the broker's electronically-distorted voice eventually asked.

The major chuckled in response. "Spying on her, of course!" he cheerfully announced. "And that was before I even knew that she was one of your operatives, Shadow Broker. Now that I do, I have a couple of questions for you..."

"You have just provided me with considerable information at no cost that the STG is conducting a secret mission on the Citadel," the broker retorted. "You are not in a position to make demands."

Kirrahe, still grinning, gave an exaggerated shrug. "Provided? I am not sure what you are talking about," he replied. "The STG is well-known to be an espionage agency. I have been publicly known as one its agents agent ever since the Systems Alliance declassified its report about the Assault on Virmire. Blasto played me, more or less, in a recent vid about the battle, a vid I helped to publicize. Just the other day several news outlets reporting on Jona Sederis' rampage said I was among those Sederis fired upon. So, I doubt there is much value in the information that a person known to be on the Citadel and known to be a spy was engaged in spying while on the Citadel."

The major paused for a moment to allow the Shadow Broker to respond. Hearing nothing, he continued, "As for the information that the person I am spying on is Jacana Aragem, I'm not sure how much value there is in that either. Selling the information to others would raise the question, 'Well, why is the STG spying on Jacana Aragem?' If those customers are really intrepid or have good resources, trying to answer that question might lead them to discover that Aragem is an operative of yours. I am betting that you would rather not have your resource compromised."

Kirrahe paused again and this time the Shadow Broker took advantage of the break. "You conceded you did not know she was my operative until you took the call. What was the STG's reason for spying on her before that?"

The major rubbed his chin like he was actor hamming it up. "I'll have to check with headquarters on Sur'Kesh before I answer. I do not know if I am authorized to de-classify such information."

"There is no need to involve your superiors on Sur'Kesh," replied the Shadow Broker. "Providing that information could also be quite lucrative for you."

Kirrahe folded his arms and narrowed his eyes. "No deal. As I have told you on several occasions previously, Shadow Broker, I will not betray my oath to the Special Tasks Group."

After a slight pause, the broker replied, "Yes, you have always been a stubborn one, Major Kirrahe."

The major beamed. "I pride myself on it! I must confess to being a little hurt that you thought I would have changed my mind on the matter," he remarked, then slapped his hands together and began rubbing them. "However, I am authorized to purchase information. So perhaps we can conduct some business after all? I'll even throw in a bonus: agree to provide the STG with some fresh and exclusive intel, and I won't let the fact that Jacana Aragem is one of your operatives accidentally leak out. What do you say?"

A long pause followed. "Yes, what do you want to know?" the broker eventually replied.

Kirrahe shook his head. "Let's hold off on that for the time being. I've already bent protocol by talking to you in this manner. I need to confer with my superiors before we go any further. When I'm ready to talk again, I will send a message to you through Barla Von."

"Very well. Shadow Broker out." The communication line clicked off.

Liara T'Soni turned off the monitor, pushed her chair back and stared up at the ceiling. "Well, that could have gone better," she told herself. The young asari began mulling over her conversation with Kirrahe and winced when a thought suddenly struck her.

"Glyph," she called out. "Pull all data from the files regarding Major Kirrahe of the Special Tasks Group."

A shimmering holographic ball hovered up next to her. "Yes, Shadow Broker, at once," the virtual intelligence program replied. It whirled around for a moment, then declared, "Done. Is there any information in particular you require?"

T'Soni rested her chin on her hand. "Glyph, refresh my memory: have I ever had any direct contact with Major Kirrahe? Spoken to him, exchanged extranet messages, anything like that?"

"No, Shadow Broker," the VI replied. "There is no record in the files of the major trading information with you or any other contact between the two of you."

The asari sighed. "Is there any record of any contact between us through intermediaries? Do a wide parameter search."

"No, Shadow Broker. I can find nothing in the files that would indicate that," the VI replied.

T'Soni let out a loud groan and cradled her head in her hands. The noise alerted her drell assistant, Feron, who had been working in the adjacent room. "What is wrong?" his gravelly voice croaked as he strode into the Shadow Broker's communications center.

The asari swung her chair around to face Feron. "I just tipped off the Special Tasks Group that someone new has taken over as the Shadow Broker."

The drell took a chair opposite her. "How did you do that?"

T'Soni got out of her chair, walked over to a refreshment tray and began pouring herself a cup of tea. "I was doing the rounds with my Citadel sources and called to get Operative Jacana Aragem's report. When the line opened it wasn't Aragem! It was one of the Special Task Group's top agents, a fellow named Major Kirrahe."

Feron mulled over the news. "Is there a glitch in the system? Was the call routed to the wrong place?"

The asari blew on her tea to cool it, then shook her head. "No, it was Aragem's apartment. Apparently, Kirrahe had snuck in and was searching it when the Shadow Broker called. Kirrahe admitted to it, in fact."

Feron shook his head in bafflement. "But... why take a call for meant for Aragem while searching her apartment? Wouldn't that be a surefire way to reveal that he had broken in there? Could he have been expecting a call there? Maybe your call?"

T'Soni took a long sip from her tea cup and savored it. "Mmmm... Nevos purple leaf mint. So soothing. Hard to get ever since Cerberus took over Omega and threw trade in the Terminus Systems into complete chaos. Luckily, Glyph found a place on the Citadel that had it and bought up their remaining supply." The asari took another sip and then returned to her chair. "I can only guess why Kirrahe took the call. By the Goddess, I was so startled I didn't know what to say at first, especially after he admitted to spying on Aragem. Then I made the very same point that you just did: Kirrahe was revealing to a third party - the Shadow Broker, no less - that the STG was spying on the Citadel. To which he basically replied, 'So?' and proceeded to point out that since the STG spies on everyone that information had little value. He added that I cannot sell the information that the STG is spying on Aragem without potentially compromising her as a Shadow Broker source. He then threatened to expose Aragem himself if the broker did not provide his organization with fresh intel."

The drell made a low whistle. "What did you give?"

"Nothing yet. Kirrahe was basically taking an IOU," T'Soni replied as she swirled the tea around with a spoon. "Hmm... Whatever information he would request would be an acknowledgment that the STG has a special interest in that subject. Maybe he felt he couldn't tip his hand on that yet."

Feron shrugged. "Possibly. But how did any of this tip off Kirrahe that there has been a 'change in management' at our end?"

T'Soni looked down and shook her head. "I tried to buy information from Kirrahe. Not that I expected him to sell any. He's very upright. But I had to play the part, you know? Sure enough, he turned me down. He talked about it as if we had done this routine many times. I played along so I wouldn't reveal that I didn't know any of that but..."

"He was bluffing," the drell interjected.

"Yes, he was," T'Soni replied, then took another sip from her cup. "Now the entire STG knows that there is a different Shadow Broker. Goddess! Another reminder that I'm still climbing the learning curve for this job."

Feron got up, walked over to T'Soni and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Surely, it's not that bad. The salarians aren't the bad guys and the Special Tasks Group is certain to keep this information to itself, right? We hardly get any intel out of them. And this Kirrahe, you describe him as 'very upright.' Had you known him before?"

"Oh, yes," T'Soni replied, her demeanor perking up a bit after Ferron's comment. "We fought together on Virmire. He lead the STG forces there. Very gallant. We even caught up not that long ago on Illium. He was advising on the last Blasto vid and..." T'Soni's voice trailed off as she finished off her tea and became lost in thought. After a few seconds she snapped her fingers. "Glyph! Pull up the recording of Operative Quetzal from today."

The luminous orb swung over to the asari. "Done, Shadow Broker. Was there a particular part you wanted replayed?"

"Yes. Replay all references to 'Kada A'Lenko' with surrounding context," she demanded.

"Of course, Shadow Broker," Glyph replied, "There is one. Playing the reference." A second later Quetzal's voice declared, "...The asari maiden who plays the Kada A'Lenko character is seeing a salarian who's doing contract work for the vid. They're in a 'relationship' - or whatever aliens term it. He's staying at the maiden's hotel room, in fact."

T'Soni nodded along as she listened to the recording, then asked, "Glyph, what is the name of the actress who plays Kada A'Lenko?"

The VI flashed a few times, then replied, "The part of Kada A'Lenko in the recent vid Blasto: The Hunt for Saren was played by Linia T'Pala. She is scheduled to reprise the role in the vid Blasto: The Battle for the Citadel, which is currently being made on the Citadel."

"Now play any other reference to salarians besides Kirrahe from Operative Quetzal's report with surrounding context," T'Soni requested.

Glyph whirled around, then announced, "There is one further reference. Playing reference number two," and Quetzal's voice continued, "Officers detained Kirrahe and a second salarian found at the crash scene. That other salarian, named Solik Vass, claimed to be a concerned passerby but he was carrying the kind of high-level gear used by STG agents: Carnifex pistol, shields, cloaking device, etc. Well, get this: It turns out Solik Vass is the same salarian who is doing the 'making of' vid for the Blasto production. Before Bailey could finish his interrogation, the salarian Specte agent Jondum Bau showed up and demanded Vass' release."

"Thank you, Glyph. That will be all," T'Soni declared. She turned to Feron with a triumphant grin on her face. "My eyes were glazing over when Quetzal was providing that bit of information about the maiden because I thought it was tabloid tripe. But it could actually be useful because I just remembered something: I've met both Linia T'Pala and Solik Vass. They came to my Illium office together a few months ago. They were both working on the previous Blasto vid and wanted my eyewitness account of the battle on Virmire for research purposes. Rather adorable couple, actually. Solik Vass, the salarian, was working as Kirrahe's personal assistant at the time. I'm dead certain Vass wasn't with the STG when we met, but Kirrahe must have recruited him into the agency sometime after that because now they're working together on the Citadel. I'm also certain that Vass is the same salarian that T'Pala is involved with."

Feron shrugged. "Okay, but how does that information help us?"

Liara, still beaming, sat forward in her chair. "I may not be able to sell the information that Kirrahe was searching Aragem's room, but I can use it for my own purposes. Why was he searching, especially if he didn't know until tonight that Aragem is a Shadow Broker operative? It has to be because he knows that Aragem is Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani's lover. Their relationship is not widely known but not a secret either. And we know that Operative Quetzal sold the information that al-Jilani is preparing a major expose tying Aria T'Loak to the Blasto production to several others besides us. One of them was the STG. So the salarians must be trying to figure out what al-Jilani knows. That has to be why Kirrahe was searching Aragem's room."

The drell shook his head. "But Aragem doesn't know anything. She and al-Jilani are estranged..." Feron began, then caught himself. "But, of course, Kirrahe may not know that."

"Right. Or even if he did, he might still think searching her room was worthwhile," T'Soni continued, scooting her chair over to her desk. She started to pull up numerous view screens. "Meanwhile, his fellow agent Vass is embedded in the Blasto production in two ways, doing his documentary during the day and spending his nights with T'Pala. Keeping tabs on Aria T'Loak is one thing, but doesn't it strike you as odd that the STG is displaying this extraordinary level of interest in her and how she might be connected to this Blasto vid? We need to know more about what's going on. After all, somebody did firebomb al-Jilani's apartment last night. Whatever she has on T'Loak, it must be explosive. We have scant resources inside the STG, which has always guarded its secrets well. But there might be another way..."

T'Soni began pulling up various clips from the extranet, vid industry trade journals and gossip magazines, all featuring Linia T'Pala. Feron's gaze went from one to another, eventually lingering on a clip that showed T'Pala naked and splashing around under a waterfall with several other, similarly naked asari actresses. He jumped slightly when he turned and saw that T'Soni was smirking at him, then cleared this throat and asked, "So, you think T'Pala is how we get information on what the STG is up to?"

"Precisely," T'Soni declared. "Having met her, I can confidently say that she is not the type who would be recruited by a serious espionage operation. Sweet, but just... not cut out for that line of work. She also clearly had a terrible crush on Vass, the young salarian. So the reason why they're staying together is probably just young love." Liara froze one clip of T'Pala gazing into a sunset on Virmire. "She's our source for what Solik Vass and by extension, Kirrahe and the Special Tasks Group, are doing."

Feron, his gaze once again lingering on the clip of T'Pala running naked through the waterfall, replied, "You think she can be recruited? Seems risky. There's a high probability she'd tell the STG about any recruitment effort by us, especially if she's genuinely in love with one of their agents."

"I agree," T'Soni announced. "I'm thinking we try another approach. Glyph, open a communications line to Operative Goto. I have an assignment for her."