Return to the Citadel:
Now that Shepard and her team had finished off their business in the Artemis Tau Cluster, Shepard had decided to go back to the Citadel in order to confront this Nassana who had tricked them into killing her sister. Shepard knew that they had to try and hunt down Saren but they currently didn't have any more leads so they would also be going back to Arcturus in order to see if Colonel Yularen had discovered anything that could help them find Saren and they would also inform Admiral Kohoku about what happened to his missing marines.
The Normandy arrived at the Citadel and Shepard left with Garrus and Bau since Shepard thought they would be the most useful here on the Citadel. Tali wasn't welcome since she was a Quarian, Wrex could start a fight and Ashley and Kaidan were Republic soldiers and did not have access to areas like Bau did. Shepard wanted to handle things here fast but she had a few messages from people on the Citadel that were asking for help and Shepard decided to try and help these people out.
But before they did any of these favours, Shepard needed to go to the Embassies and confront Nassana so she along with Garrus and Bau hired a shuttle to take them to the Embassies. While in the Embassies, Shepard found more keepers and then scanned them. The three of them soon found Nassana sitting at one of the tables and Shepard walked over to them "Are you Nassana Dantius?" she asked
"I am" the Asari answered "And you must be Commander Shepard. Tell me, do you have any news on my sister?"
Shepard glared at her "Dahlia's dead and I know she was blackmailing you. I found the records at the base, she wasn't kidnapped at all, she was the leader of these slavers!"
Nassana sighed "So the truth comes out" she stated "I hope you're not angry, surely you understand why I lied to you. If people found out that my sister is a criminal then I would be considered a security risk. They'd revoke my clearance or place me under administration leave until she was apprehended."
"You know I would have helped if you had told me the truth" Shepard hissed "I don't like being tricked; it makes me look like a fool."
"I'll transfer some funds into your account as payment" Nassana added "I'm sure you'll find them satisfactory. It's been a pleasure doing business with you."
With their business at the Embassies finished, Shepard, Garrus and Bau left to see the next favour. There were two that needed handling near the markets. One was for Shepard's old friend Dr Michel who had called saying that she needed help and the other was from a woman named Rita who said that she needed help to protect her sister.
...
As Shepard and her team walked past the market in order to take the elevator to get to the wards, Shepard saw two humans arguing with each other.
"I don't care what you think Michael!" the woman shouted "It's my decision!"
The man known as Michael sighed "I know you're hurting Rebekah, but don't let your grief hurt your baby too." The man then saw Commander Shepard nearby "Hey, you're Commander Shepard, do you think you can talk some sense into my sister in law."
"I don't need anyone to talk sense into me!" Rebekah snapped "I'm not undergoing the treatments."
Shepard looked confused "What's going on, why are you two arguing?"
Michael sighed "Rebekah's husband Jacob died of a rare Heart condition a few months ago and there's a chance that the baby may develop the same heart condition but routine Gene Therapy can eliminate that."
"The chances of my baby developing the condition are very small Michael" Rebekah snapped "And there are reports that this Therapy could harm the child!"
"It's less dangerous than the genetic enhancements that the Republic soldiers receive!" Michael shouted back.
"I know that you're worried about your child but you may want to undergo this Therapy" Shepard responded "You should be careful what you ready about reports as you get people who write nonsense because they don't think that it should be done."
Rebekah started to breathe heavily "I just..." she struggled to find the words "I don't want my baby to be harmed. I was worried after reading these reports that having this therapy could end up killing my child. This child is all I have left to remind me of Jacob."
"Things like that would only really happen if it's done by someone who is not qualified." Shepard responded "If you are worried about this, make sure that you research the doctor before you book the Therapy. If your child does end up developing this heart condition, he will have a hard life, do you want that for your child."
Rebekah began to sniffle as a few tears started to form "No" she responded and looked at Michael "I'm sorry Michael for shouting, I'll undergo the therapy, just make sure we find a qualified professional."
"We will Rebekah" Michael replied "I was just worried for my brother's child." He looked at Shepard "Thank you for the help Commander, I'm going to prepare my sister in law's Therapy when I find a professional." The two of them walked away while Shepard and her group went back to their mission to find Dr Michel and this woman called Rita.
...
Shepard, Bau and Garrus soon arrived at the Wards and at Dr Michel's clinic. They had been here before except for Bau when they had gone to find evidence against Saren. When they entered, they saw Dr Michel was talking with someone over a screen though they couldn't see who it was.
"I need those supplies for my clinic, I can't..." Dr Michel hissed at the screen.
The person on the other side growled back in a computer voice which was a way of avoiding voice recognition "You can and you will!" he growled "Or your story won't stay secret for long! Don't disappoint me Doctor."
Michel sighed and turned to see Shepard "Hey Shepard, I take it you got my message?"
"I did" Shepard stated "I see that someone is threatening you. Who was that?"
"It's someone from my past" Michel admitted "I was fired by my previous employer for giving out free medical supplies to clinics like this. They never filed any charges; they just wanted me gone without a fuss. But someone has found out and now they're blackmailing me. If the medical board finds out about my past then I could lose my licence and shut this clinic down."
"So what can I do to help?" Shepard asked
Michel looked at a bag of supplies "They want me to take these supplies to a merchant down at the markets. They expect delivery today."
"Tell me who to deliver these supplies to and I'll make sure that they don't threaten you again." Shepard responded
"But won't they relieve my past?" Michel asked
"No one gets away with blackmailing someone who wants to help people!" Shepard hissed "These people are exploiting you and they need to understand that no one exploits people who try to help."
"Well I guess I don't need to know anymore" Michel stated "They told me to take the supplies to a merchant called Morlan down in the markets. Thank you for helping me Commander."
Shepard packed the bag of supplies into her own bag and she along with Garrus and Bau left the clinic. But before they went down to the markets, there was something else they had to look at first.
...
Before going over to the markets, Shepard, Garrus and Bau decided to check out the other request which had been sent by a woman called Rita who worked in a place called Flux. Flux was a newly opened nightclub which had already become very popular. There were two floors to the place. The first floor had the bar and dance floor where people would drink and dance. But on the upper level was the games floor where the popular gambling game Quasar was played. Shepard and her team entered but before going to find Rita, Shepard scanned another Keeper that was around the casino games.
Afterwards, Shepard went down to the bar which was where Rita said she would be. As Shepard sat down and asked for a drink from the Volus bartender, a young woman approached her "So you're Commander Shepard?" she asked
"I am" Shepard replied as she was given her drink "So what is it you called me for?"
Rita sighed "I'm worried about my sister Jenna. She left here to go work at Chora's Den. The problem is, she's working as an informant for C-Sec, you know, spying on the people there. I'm worried that she's going to get found out and killed, Chora's den attracts the worst people on the Citadel."
Shepard looked at her "Working undercover is a dangerous job."
"That's what I've been telling her" Rita stated "I tried talking to C-sec about it but they told me to stay out of it for Jenna's safety."
"Maybe I can talk to her" Shepard offered "I know just how dangerous Chora's den is."
"Thanks Commander" Rita replied "Just don't tell her that I sent you." She then sighed "I better get back to work before I get in trouble."
...
To get to Chora's den, they would have to go through the markets first so Shepard decided to handle Michel's problem with the blackmailer as they went through the markets. Along the way, Shepard ran into Conrad Verner who asked for a picture which Shepard granted. Then she along with her team entered the market where there were several stalls selling goods to people. Shepard looked for the one that was owned by Morlan and saw the stand since it was Morlan's Famous Shop. Shepard walked over and the Salarian merchant looked at her.
"Hello" he greeted "Welcome to Morlan's famous shop. Do you want any of my good supplies?"
Shepard leaned on the stall and quickly looked around "You were expecting a delivery of medical supplies."
Morlan looked confused "But I was told the Doctor would be bringing them?" he stated
"Things have changed!" Shepard smirked
"Changed!" Morlan gasped "But this isn't right!"
Then a large Krogan stepped into view "Shut up Morlan!" he snapped "I told Banes that you'd screw this up." He then glared at Shepard "Now what's going on here? Who are you?"
Shepard glared at the Krogan "I'm a friend of Dr Michel and I don't take kindly to people who threaten those who try to help people."
The Krogan grumbled "You better hand me those supplies or I'll start telling people about the Doctor's little secret."
Before anyone could react, Shepard pulled out her pistol "That secret stays buried with you or I'll bury you!"
To her surprise, the Krogan started waving his hands around. Most Krogan would have pulled out a shotgun and fired at her but this one didn't "Hey hold on, I'm just the middleman here. This is way more that I bargained for." He then turned around "Tell the Doctor that I won't tell anyone about her secret. Now I'll have to find another way to get those supplies without getting myself killed." The Krogan walked away and Morlan who had ducked behind his desk stood up.
"Thank you human for getting him to go away" he stated "He was always a bit of a bully."
Shepard looked at him "That Krogan was working for someone called Banes. What do you know of him?"
Morlan looked at Shepard "I've never met him. I've only worked with the one who spoke with the doctor. Maybe she'll know."
"We can ask Dr Michel later" Bau stated "But right now, we should head on to Chora's den to see Jenna."
...
Shepard, Garrus and Bau soon made it into Chora's den. Despite the fight that they had here while looking for Fist, the bar was now busy again. They found Jenna by the bar but she wasn't in a talking mood but then as they left, a Turian bumped into Shepard. As Shepard looked at the Turian, he leaned over to him "If you have questions about Jena, meet me at C-Sec Academy." Shepard looked at him before nodding and then the Turian started to act like Shepard had been responsible "Push off, I never did anything to you! Damn newcomers, they think they know the place."
Shepard then left and looked at Garrus and Bau. Garrus spoke first "I know that Turian, that's detective Chellick, he's one of the C-Sec Officers I worked with back in my days at C-Sec. I guess he must be Jena's superior here. I guess we better go and see him."
...
C-Sec Academy was located on the lower levels of the Wards. To get there, Shepard and her team had to go back through the markets and down a set of stairs before taking another lift down. This was the same place where they had met Wrex during their hunt for the evidence. Bau also mentioned that the Spectre offices were located here as well including the supply of weapons. Bau quickly went to check them out while Shepard found and scanned a few more Keepers which meant that they had scanned all of the Keepers. After Bau finished getting his supplies, they went over to C-Sec offices where Chellick had said to meet him. They found Chellick in one of the offices as the desk had his name on. He was no longer dressed like a man going for a drink and now he was dressed in his C-Sec Uniform.
"Commander Shepard" he greeted "I've heard quite a bit about you and your hunt for Saren. No offence but what were you thinking, you could have blown Jenna's cover."
"Jena's sister Rita is worried about her and wants her to get out of there." Shepard answered
"I gathered that" Chellick stated "I understand Rita's concerns but Jenna volunteered for this. It might seem cold letting her take all of the risk but we've been keeping a close eye on her."
"Do you really need to risk her like that?" Shepard asked "To get the information you want."
"This job isn't easy and it's usually unpleasant" Chellick answered and looked at Garrus "You know just how bad some criminals are Garrus?"
"And I hate seeing them go unpunished" Garrus answered
"I do as well" Chellick answered "But in order to get them convicted we need to get evidence and we need to make sure that civilians are not at risk while apprehending them" Shepard noticed Chellick eyeing Garrus when he said that. Then Chellick looked at Shepard again "Since you're so concerned about Jena, maybe you can help me out. If you help me then I can get Jena posted somewhere safer."
"I'll help you out" Shepard answered "But I'm going to need some details."
"I've been trying to track down an illegal arms producer here on the Citadel." Chellick replied "He's been producing weapons using banned technology and arming some of the criminal gangs. I just need some of their product to use as evidence. Thanks to Jena, I know that there is a seller here on the Citadel. I need you to meet our man called Jax, pick up the mods and bring them back here. That should give me everything I need."
Shepard agreed "Where can I find this Jax?" she asked
"He should be down near the lower levels of the markets" Chellick answered "I'll send word through that you're the buyer. Good luck Commander."
...
Shepard, Garrus and Bau soon made it to the markets where they had confronted the Blackmailer while helping Dr Michel. They found the person that Chellick had sent them to speak with, the Krogan known as Jax and he had two Turian bodyguards with him.
As Shepard approached, Jax pointed at them "Hold, that's close enough army" he hissed "Have you got my payment?"
Shepard nodded "Do you have the mods?" she asked
Jax looked at one of his bodyguards "Show her the mods" he ordered
One of the Turian bodyguards opened a crate that held in the weapon upgrades that Chellick had asked for. There were five of them in the crate.
"That looks right" Garrus stated
"Dam straight it is!" Jax shouted "These mods are the best in the market. Now hand over my credits!"
Shepard nodded "Here you go" she stated and handed over the bag of credits which Chellick had given her in order to pay for these mods.
Jax took the credits had ordered his bodyguard to hand over the mods "Here are your mods. It's been good doing business with you. Come on boys, we're done here." Jax then left with his bodyguards and Shepard now knew that she needed to take the mods back to Chellick.
...
Shepard stopped off at Dr Michel's clinic before she went back to C-Sec Academy in order to tell Dr Michel that she had dealt with her blackmailer.
Michel was waiting for her "Commander Shepard" she greeted as Shepard entered "How did things go?"
"The blackmailer won't be bothering you anymore" Shepard stated
"Thank you Commander" Michel replied "Sadly I don't have anything to pay you but I can offer you a discount on my supplies, you may need them for your non-Republic crew members."
"Thanks Dr Michel" Shepard stated "But there is one more thing, the Thug said that he worked for someone named Banes, does that name sound familiar."
"Banes?" Michel questioned "I wonder if he meant Armistan Banes. We worked together a long time ago. The last time I heard from him, he was helping the Republic Military with some research out in the Traverse."
Shepard thought "Colonel Yularen might know more" she stated "I'll ask him when we get back to Arcturus. I should go; I have one more thing to deal with before I have to go back to the Normandy."
"Anyway, thanks again for your help Commander Shepard." Michel stated "You will always be welcome at my clinic."
...
Soon, Shepard and her team were back at C-Sec offices in order to deliver the mods to Chellick. They arrived and found Chellick waiting in his office "Commander" he greeted "I hear you have something for me?"
Shepard nodded and place the mods that she had received from Jax on Chellick's desk "Here's your shipment Chellick" she stated
Chellick smiled "Excellent." He stated "This is everything I need. Well maybe a bit more than what I need but this should help me track down where these mods are made. Thank you Commander, here take this, I won't need it anymore." He handed Shepard a specially made blade made for a gun "I know that your people use different weapons but this blade will help you in case your enemies get too close to you. Consider it payment for your work and also, if there is ever a time when you need my help, don't be hesitant to ask. As for Jenna, I'll make sure that we get her out of Chora's den immediately. Now I need to get these mods into evidence, thanks again Shepard."
Now that there business here at the Citadel was finished, Shepard looked at Bau and Garrus when they left Chellick's office "Now that we're done here, I think it's time we head back to the Normandy in order to get back to Arcturus where we can see if Colonel Yularen has uncovered anything else about where Saren is."
...
Soon enough, Shepard, Garrus and Bau had returned to the Normandy and Shepard entered the bridge where Joker and Luke were waiting for him. Joker turned around in his seat and looked at her "So Commander, have you finished your errands on the Citadel."
"For now Joker" Shepard answered "Now get us back to Arcturus, I have to get the next part of our mission to hunt down Saren from Colonel Yularen."
"Aye Commander" Joker stated and within minutes, the Normandy was leaving the Citadel and then after Luke put the coordinates into the Navi-computer, they were on their way back to the Citadel.
Chapter end:
Notes: This chapter was meant to have more in it as I was going to include the Arcturus part but then I decided to split the chapter in two. I have also rewritten chapter 7 as I decided for Shepard to get the main missions at different times so that I can do some of the side missions so Shepard doesn't know about Noveria and Feros right now.
