MASS EFFECT: CHASM

CHAPTER 2

"You should have let me shoot that bitch," Wrex grumbled beside Shepard as the trio maneuvered through Port Hanshan's lobby to the security check-in. The yellow-skinned krogan was referring to Stirling, the blonde ERCS officer, that was part of the welcoming party on Noveria. Unlike her superior, she didn't trust Shepard's arrival and hesitated on the order to lower weapons. Her attitude obviously rubbed Wrex the wrong way and her snarky comment about them being trouble just added fuel to the fire. His voice was a bit louder than Shepard liked and she slightly winced as they marched up the steps to the check-in.

As if he could read her mind, Kaidan spoke up. "Easy, Wrex. This is their turf and we are here to find Saren. "

"I agree," Zalena nodded her head. "Let's not cause a spectacle right here."

"As you wish," The krogan huffed. "Never did trust corpos." He pivoted his head slightly to glance over at the armed guards that stood at their posts outside the desk. "They will shoot you in the back quicker than a merc will on Omega."

"You been to Omega?" Shepard picked up on this interesting fact, hoping to lighten the reptilian alien's spirits. She changed her mind on bringing Garrus and felt like perhaps more brawn was needed to get through all the red tape on the snowy planet. Then again, maybe she was wrong on her selection. She could have brought Vakarian instead of Kaidan, but she liked the idea of familiarity with her. Like her, he was part of the Alliance, despite her current acquisition and a fellow human. She was never a xenophobe, but she felt calmer when Alenko was around. He had a level head to him. That's what she needed.

"Once or twice," Wrex admitted with a shrug.

They were stopped by a woman who identified herself as Gianna Parasini. She was the secretary to Administrator Bel Anoleis. After a few questions, Shepard was given the task to speak with the administrator about the nature of their mission. Wrex wasted no time in voicing his opinion when they were a mere twenty feet away from where they stopped at. "Another damn salarian." Alenko tried his best to stifle the chuckle.

"Lighten up, Wrex," Shepard gently coaxed him. Krogan did have quick tempers, so it was best not to be too stern with him. As they entered the vast open area of the port, she eyed a merchant shop to her right along with a variety of species' patrons. They were closely grouped and chattering amongst one another, taking stock of the newcomers. After all, the armed group definitely stood out. A hanar vendor stood by the shop's entrance and raised two of its tentacles to motion the group inside. "Let's head in here."

The sudden deviation of their course heightened Alenko's alertness. He quenched the first reaction to channel dark energy for a potential biotic defense. "What is it, Commander?"

"I think we need to talk to someone outside the corporative ladder like Wrex said," Zalena smiled, playing off the krogan's remark earlier. There may been some truth in his complaint. After all, they were outsiders and not on the Citadel. Jurisdictions and lines blurred when you left the Council Space. Despite Wrex's griping, he was right. He had been around as one would expect with a bounty hunter. Maybe, it was a smart move to bring him along. "See what we are up against."

"Roger that," Kaidan whispered beside her, keeping his voice low as they entered the shop. "On toes…I don't like this place. Period. Everyone could be against us."

Despite his low remark, Wrex picked up on it as he moved in behind them. "Smart move."

Four datapads were strewn across like a spread of cards on Bel's desk that day. Each contained licenses applications or general requests from various corporations that held offices at Hanshan. Per the management hierarchy, there was a hired volus processor who reviewed each to make sure they adhered to the structured guidelines and then would recommend approval or rejection. The volus was very thorough in his dissection and normally, it wouldn't take someone in the salarian's position to spend more than a few minutes on each one. He had the final say. Many slipped through the cracks of his predecessors' who simply didn't see the necessity in this task. That was where Anoleis felt they made their mistake. He held the position of administrator for the longest tenure at the frigid port and there was a cold calculation behind that feat that he proudly boasted. He trusted no one. Things could easily slip through the net on a blind eye. Things that he could levy heavy fees on…. creds that he would miss out on. The week started out mundane until earlier when there was an unscheduled visit by one of his biggest financial backers: Saren Arterius. The turian had a large amount of investment with Binary Helix and their project that was housed on Peak 15. The nature of the project was unknown and he allowed it. Only because the spectre gave him a substantial tip to overlook the procedural paperwork. Saren was one of the elite few that received this special privilege from him. After all, creds were creds to him. Despite the turian's status as a Spectre for the Council, he was not worried about the arrival. Saren made it very clear to him that he was not there on behalf of the Council. It was a personal matter and he was simply there to check in on his investment. Besides him, there was Matriarch Benezia. She remained silent and eyed the salarian with suspicion while Saren spoke with him in his office. Her coldness made him uncomfortable and he spoke quicker than normal to move away from her judging eyes. Saren stated that he had several crates that he needed to take up the mountain with him and Anoleis supplied several rovers to assist him with his compliments of his generous donation. With that, Saren departed with Benezia in-tow, but not after leaving a credit chit on his desk.

He squirmed in his seat as he thought back to his secretary's call earlier that day. ERCS notified her that a ship was docking and was flagged as a Council vessel. Another one? When addressed, the pilot notified them that he had a Council Spectre onboard. Saren didn't mention of a compatriot that would be late in arriving. It wasn't like Saren ever worked with anyone really. Normally, he was alone and even Benezia's presence was a bit of a shock. This time it was a human. The first one ever. Definitely not Saren's style. Bel knew of Saren's disdain for the newer species of the galactic community. It wasn't his MO to beckon one to help him out. This new guest was here for something else….

Standing up, he stepped quickly over to a small hidden wall safe. Glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was peeping in through the glass office doors, he returned to his task and used his right hand to touch the glossy gray tile next to the fake one. Seconds later, the fake tile lifted up and revealed the safe itself. Using his fingerprint on the scanner, a chime sounded off before the door unlocked. Inside, nestled safely was an orb glowing in a majestic green silver hue. A soft smile spread across the salarian's lips as his large oculi steadied upon the sphere. The artifact was found years ago by an exploration team on the mountain pass after an avalanche. He took the find for himself and simply denied its existence. No one could have it….no one. Only him. Humbled by its sheer appearance. A wave of peace washed over him briefly. Steadying his focus. It was if a small voice whispered to him in his ear from the orb. "Get the Spectre away." The voice was right. He had to get the human out of Port Hanshan swiftly. The longer that the human remained, the more likely he would discover the artifact. He would not let that happen. Even if he had to shoot the first human spectre himself. Murderous intent overtook him. Possessive, dark intent. A low hum gently soothed into his ears as he stood there, rocking him like a newborn. Easing his tension.

"Mr. Anoleis?" Parasini called out to him over the office speaker that broke his fix.

Her announcement startled him and he slammed the door to the safe, setting the fake tile in place. "Yes, what? What?!" He snapped back, perturbed by the intrusion.

"The human Spectre is here to see you."

Rushing to his seat, Anoleis grabbed one of the pads and took a breath. He had to act natural. "Fine. Let her in."