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Port Hanshan's hospital was every bit as advanced as Parasini and Black promised it was. The doctors on staff - an Asari and a Human - patched Julia and her people up without a word of fuss. Meridina's head trauma was confirmed as a concussion and treated. She now sat on a biobed across from Julia. "It must be what I was sensing," she said upon the others explaining what happened. "There was a sudden darkness in the Flow of Life. A void I have never experienced before. This creature must have been the cause."

"We're lucky to be alive," said Angel. "I have to say I'm not happy we only survive these things because someone saves our asses."

"Had I not let my guard down, I might have been able to protect you. You have my apologies."

"None necessary, Meridina," Julia insisted.

"Indeed." Richmond shook her head. She was on the bed beside Meridina, across from Angel. Unlike the others she was still laying down due to the severity of her injuries and the process needed to heal them. "What I am more concerned with is this situation. You gave Qui'in his evidence?"

"He was happy to receive it," Julia said. Happier than she was to have carried it to him instead of getting the medical treatment she'd needed, but Julia didn't add that. "But I don't know what else is going on. I've heard nothing from the…"

Her omnitool activated at that moment. A bright blue light appeared over the back of her hand. "Anders to Andreys. Do we have clearance to complete our mission or not?"

Julia breathed a small sigh of relief. Anders' wording indicated that the strike into Peak 15 had succeeded in some fashion. Now Anders was asking permission to launch the Gonzalez and return to the Aurora. But until she knew for certain the defenses wouldn't open fire if they picked up the ship, Julia didn't dare give clearance. Instead she replied, "Standby on that, Major. Matters are still being determined here."

"Acknowledged. I'm going to have Dr. Gillam double check inoculations."

At that Julia winced. They'd taken casualties. She hoped not losses. "What's the status on Doctor T'Soni?" The last thing she needed was a dead civilian specialist.

"She'll live."

"Fine. I'll inform you when we get the all-clear. Andreys out."

"Good news, then," Richmond said, well aware of the true meaning. "Now all we have to do is find out what game we've been drawn into."

They didn't have to wait much longer. Confirmation of at least one of Julia's worries came with a new patient. The four watched in stunned bemusement as a wounded Anoleis was dragged in by Captain Matsuo and Gianna Parasini. Matsuo brought him to a private room while Parasini walked over to join them. "How are you?"

"Better," Julia replied. "Anoleis is under arrest?"

"I just made the collar. He tried to resist. But Captain Matsuo was quick to stop that." Parasini grinned with satisfaction. "The Captain was offended to hear that Anoleis was using her guards as private thugs."

"So what now? What about our investigation?"

"The Board's given me temporary authority here in Port Hanshan," Parasini explained. "I signed the approval as I left the office. With a slight backdating."

She knows. Julia smiled diplomatically. "Thank you. I'll make a note of your cooperation in my own report."

"Glad to hear it."

"So, what about Mister Black?" asked Angel. She crossed her arms. "What's his part in this?"

"Would you like to find out?" Parasini asked Julia.

With just a moment to consider, Julia nodded. "Yes."

"I'll ask." Parasini sent off a text message with her omnitool. Moments later a response came up. "This way, please. If you're cleared to leave the ward, that is."

Richmond and Meridina were not, so it was Julia and Angel who followed Parasini out. After walking through several corridors and taking a lift ride, they found themselves on a level dominated by conference rooms. "This is for meetings between our various clients," Parasini explained as she brought them to the largest room at the end of the central hall. She remained standing outside of the door as they stepped in.

Inside was the kind of opulence Julia would expect of the wealthy. The fine table of brass-colored wood was in-set with hard-light control projectors and a holotank in the middle. Beautiful paintings and sculptures lined every wall save the one to her right, beyond the head of the table, where a large holo-projector could create a 2D or 3D holo-image.

Black was seated quietly at the far side of the table from the entrance. He looked at them through his Ray-Bans. "Ah, Captain. Lieutenant. You are recovered?" He looked none the worse for wear. As if he hadn't just been in a fight with a vicious being he'd stabbed through the heart.

"We are."

"And Commanders Richmond and Meridina?"

"Recovering still. As soon as the doctors approve, we'll fly them back to the Aurora," Julia said. "But I have questions."

"Of course you do. Thankfully, I was just alerting my employer as to our success. He should be returning my call any moment… ah. Here." Black pressed a blinking key before him and turned toward the wall holo-viewer.

Julia and Angel did the same. Recognition showed across her face at the sight of Black's employer.

"Ah, Captain Andreys. So good to see you again," said Sidney Hank, President and Founder of Pan-Empyrean Holdings. The Solarian tycoon had one hand holding a tumbler of what Julia guessed was the same Parthegon brandy he'd once plied her, Robert, and the others with in their visit to Solaris the prior year. His sky blue eyes glinted with amusement. There was no denying he had a handsome face, one that seemed crafted to be photogenic and memorable. Dark hair cut in a business style topped his head. He looked like the epitome of economic power… which, Julia knew for a fact, he was. "Mister Black, I assume the Captain played a role in your dealings on Noveria?"

"A critical one, sir," Black replied. "She helped recover the evidence that allowed Miss Parasini to arrest Anoleis."

"Ah. Thank you kindly, Captain. Administrator Anoleis was something of a pain."

"Wait." Angel shook her head. "What's all of this about?"

Julia thought back to what she'd heard while on Noveria. Specifically, a complaint from Anoleis she'd overheard when they entered the Salarian's office. The facts came together. "You… you're buying Noveria, aren't you Mister Hank?"

"Just about," he replied. "More accurately, Pan-Empyrean Holdings just bought a majority share in the Noveria Development Corporation."

"And Anoleis was stopping you?"

"He was making the sale… difficult. He was trying to shake me down and abusing his power to punish companies that voted in my favor when I didn't pay the bribe." Hank shook his head and twirled his tumbler full of expensive brandy. "I can appreciate a little bit of corruption. It greases the wheels and gears in many economic machines. But he was greedy and he was sloppy, so I take great pleasure in destroying him. Thank you again for your role in this affair. This outcome was everything I could hope for."

"You couldn't have known I was coming," Julia said.

"I expected Commander Shepard, true. But I've been aware of Binary Helix's connections to Saren Arterius for months. Someone was bound to show up, and Anoleis was bound to interfere."

"And that monster thing that attacked us? Did you anticipate that?" Angel asked directly.

Hank frowned and glanced toward Black. "A Pretender, sir. An old one," Black replied. "I put it down."

The frown deepened. "Tracking them or you?"

"Me. My apologies, sir. I must have gotten sloppy." Black showed genuine remorse and shame at that.

"See that it doesn't happen again," Hank said coldly.

"Just what the hell is a Pretender?" Angel demanded. "It's what Jarod's called himself before, but this…"

"Mister Jarod is a far more benign kind of being than they are. Pretenders are… well, I'm afraid I haven't the time to spell it out too greatly, Lieutenant Delgado, but in brief: they're old, they're powerful, they're scary as hell, and they want to kill you. Especially you."

"Because of Swenya's prophecy?" asked Julia.

"Got it in one, Captain. Go ahead and file that report with Admiral Maran, and you can tell him I said it. Some things have to be spoken of." Hank rested his glass down. "Why Swenya wrote that blasted prophecy down I'll never know… she was always so stubborn."

Julia caught that and blinked. "You're trying to tell me you knew Swenya three thousand years ago, during the last interuniversal era? That you've been around that long?"

To that Hank grinned. "In a manner of speaking, Captain. In a manner of speaking. But that's a matter for another time. I suspect you have your own business to tend to on Noveria, so please, don't let me keep you from it. Saren Arterius is a threat to the Multiverse and needs to be taken down. As the majority shareholder of Noveria Development Corporation, you have my full approval to investigate Peak 15. Retroactive approval. Now, if you'll excuse me, Mister Black and I have private corporate matters to discuss."

"Of course," Julia said. She rose from her chair. Angel did the same. She frowned as she followed Julia out of the room. Parasini was waiting. "We're in the clear, then."

"You are." Parasini smiled at her. "I'll escort you back to the hospital now. Make any calls you feel necessary."

Julia tapped her omnitool's comm key. "Andreys to Anders."

"Anders here."

"You are clear to complete your mission."

"Understood. Anders out."

As they approached the lift, another call came to Julia. She tapped the blue light and answered, "Andreys here."

"Captain, we just received a signal from the Koenig," Jarod replied. "Virmire was a success. The Koenig and Normandy are en route. And they've got a lot to share with us."

"We'll meet them at the Relay then," Julia replied. "Prepare to break orbit once the Irrawaddy returns. And have Leo prepare spaces in medbay, Commanders Meridina and Richmond will need some follow-up care."

"I see," Jarod replied. "Consider it done."

Once the call was over, they stepped into the lift. Parasini activated it with her security clearance. "Do you need anything else, Captain?"

"Nothing here," Julia replied. "It's been a pleasure working with you, Miss Parasini, but I just want to get back to my ship now."

"Of course," she said cheerfully. "I'll make the arrangements to have your wounded officers transferred to your runabout immediately."

"Thank you." With that, Julia sighed. She'd have a lengthy and very delicate report to write when she got back, and all she really wanted was a hot shower and some me-time in her quarters with a warm cup of tea.

But at least we're done with this damn planet, she mused to herself.

That evening Cat walked into the Lookout with her sister in tow. "A good meal will make you feel better," she insisted.

"Alright, but not a big one. I'm…"

Before Angel could finish her protest, the two spotted Liara sitting at a table in the far corner. Hargert was standing nearby. He noticed them and quietly gestured to Liara. As they drew nearer they could see the tears rolling down her face. Her blue eyes seemed distant and unfocused.

There was a part of Cat that didn't want to be near her. Not after her near death at the hands of Morinth. But she fought that down. The entire ship knew something of what happened on Noveria. She in particular knew that Matriarch Benezia was dead, and that Liara was the one who killed her. Fully aware of the raw pain Liara had to be in, Cat walked up to her, Angela beside her. "Doctor," she said softly. "I… I'm sorry. I know what you're going through…"

Tear-filled blue eyes briefly looked toward Cat. But nothing was said.

Indeed, Cat realized nothing could be said. And maybe she couldn't speak of Liara's pain as much as she thought. She hadn't been forced to kill her mother.

No. Not directly. We just made her work herself to death to take care of us was the thought in Cat's mind. Normally she tried to ignore that guilt. But right now she grabbed it, held it, and while doing so set a hand on Liara's. Again their eyes met, and then Liara's and Angela's. The sisters said nothing this time, however.

They received no verbal reply either. Just a small nod of appreciation.

Ahead of them, through the viewing transtanium windows of the Lookout, the Mass Relay loomed large. They watched, in quiet mourning, as the Aurora pulled up to the Relay. Blue light crackled and the Aurora surged forward. When the effect ended, the distant forms of the Normandy and Koenig appeared.

Liara sighed and stood. "I need to get ready," she said. "The meeting will be soon."

"Yeah," Angel agreed. "It will."

The Normandy team beamed aboard over the course of several minutes. Wrex went first with Shepard's permission. Once aboard the Aurora he made an inquiry with the ship's computer.

Said inquiry led him to the ship's science labs. At least one of them - he was somewhat familiar with the fact there were multiple labs. Inside were a couple of officers in uniforms with dark blue trim, science officers overseeing experimental data and simulations.

One of those present stood out due to being in operations beige. She was also the first to notice Wrex enter the science lab. Tra'dur approached him quietly. "Mister Urdnot, Wrex, I see you are well. What can I do for you?"

Wrex considered the Dilgar woman for a moment and then glanced around. The other present officers were more interested in whatever they were doing. Tra'dur noticed his caution and she narrowed her eyes. "I need a little help," he said. "Something I can't have done back on Tuchanka, and that I can't trust anyone else to do."

"Oh?" Tra'dur's curiosity was piqued. "What does it involve?"

"It's a science project, you might say. You wouldn't happen to know any Dilgar who can handle genetic testing, would you?"

At that, Tra'dur grinned. "As a matter of fact, my younger sister Nah'dur is not just a Surgeon-Commander, she is a skilled geneticist and well-versed in many biological matters. I can introduce you, if that's what you'd like."

Wrex smiled. "Well then, that's good to hear. I need to send something to her…"

Shepard entered the Conference Room with Kaidan and Pressly. Not everyone was present yet and currently many of the various crew from their ships were off in groups, carrying on conversation.

All except Lucy, whom Shepard found seated already and by herself. She seemed thoughtful and, Shepard though, a little angry. Leaving Kaidan and Pressly to do as they wanted for the moment, Shepard went over and slipped into a seat. Her blue service uniform was a contrast to the black with beige trim worn by Lucy. "You look angry at the world," Shepard observed. "Everything alright?"

Lucy smiled and sighed. "Yeah. Just a… misunderstanding, I guess. Or maybe I'm just a pig-headed, stubborn girl who forgets how this whole 'military' thing works."

"Oh?"

"Anders and I haven't been seeing eye to eye," Lucy admitted. "He says I do too many things on my own without consulting him. That I don't obey orders like I should."

"Huh." Shepard considered that. "Does this have something to do with the Rachni Queen?"

"Among other things. He was there. And maybe I should have brought it up with him first, but..." Lucy sighed. "Biotics is one thing, but what I've got, this Flow of Life stuff… a lot of it is based on certainty and instinct. You can't just try to do a thing, or you can fail. You must be certain that yes, you will do it."

Shepard nodded. "Well, I can see things from Anders' perspective. He's the responsible officer for the op. Having one of his people make a decision without consulting him while he's standing right there… yeah, I think it'd irritate me too. If you ask me, you need to talk to him about it. One on one. Lay out how this works and see if he's comfortable with it. If he isn't… well, that's something you and Captain Andreys will have to deal with."

"I understand."

"Glad to hear it," Shepard said. She clapped a hand on Lucy's shoulder. "Between you and me, I think you did the same thing I would on Noveria. Letting the diplomats and the Citadel decide the Queen's fate would have been a nightmare. I wouldn't be surprised if Sparatus insisted we euthanize her."

"That would be genocide," Lucy said, frowning.

"Yeah. But the Rachni scared the crap out of the species of our galaxy, and people do stupid things when they're afraid." Shepard thought of what they'd learned on Virmire, and how much that statement applied to Saren. "I'm glad you made the call you did. It makes me proud to consider you a comrade."

Lucy smiled quietly at that. "Thank you, Shepard."

The door swished open again and Julia stepped in, followed by Richmond, Meridina, and Leo. She looked around and nodded. "So everyone's here. Let's get started." She walked over to her seat.

"What happened on Noveria?" Shepard asked. "Your preliminary report only mentioned Benezia was dead."

"Yes." Julia glanced briefly to Liara with sympathy. "Major?"

Anders nodded. "We've learned Benezia came to extract the location of a missing Mass Relay, the Mu Relay, from a Rachni Queen. Apparently the Relay leads to the Citadel."

"A what?" Wrex looked incredulous. "They're extinct."

"Apparently not," said Julia.

"Binary Helix found a Rachni ship with an intact egg in cryogenic suspension," Anders explained. "They hatched it and found it was a Queen."

"The Mu Relay is in what used to be Rachni space," Garrus observed. "And they were supposed to have genetic memory. It makes sense that a Queen would know."

"Did she get it? Did she send it to Saren?" Shepard asked.

"Apparently so, given the communication logs from Peak 15." This information was from Liara. "But we found an OSD on her… remains." At that, Jarod slid said object into a data reader. The central holotank in the room lit up with a galactic starmap. It zoomed in on one area of space. "So we know where it is as well."

"That's a primary Relay," Locarno said. "It must link to dozens of systems."

"And it's in the Terminus Systems, so getting there will be difficult," Robert added. "At least, getting there with enough ships to confront Sovereign."

"Sovereign? You mean Saren's ship?"

"No." Shepard shook her head. "That's what we learned on Virmire. Sovereign's not just a ship. It's a Reaper."

Surprised showed on the faces of the others. "You're fraking kidding me," Barnes said.

"Not all, Tom," Robert sighed. "We spoke to it. I've felt it. It's… dark. Malevolent."

"The Reapers destroyed the Protheans, and the Adranians before them, as part of what they call the Cycles," Shepard explained. "Sovereign wouldn't say why. It insists we wouldn't understand. The damn thing has a massive superiority complex."

"And the firepower to back it up." Magda activated her omnitool. Her fingers moved over the blue light until another display replaced the starchart in the central holotank, showing a beam of ruby energy being fired from the tentacle of the cephalopod-shaped monster ship. "Its weapons are based on an advanced magnetohydrodynamic system. It accelerates metal to cee-fractional speed. That's why it looks like an energy weapon."

Scotty shook his head. "Deflectors willnae hold off that kind o' weapon for long," he observed. "Dependin' on the material used an' th' mass, even our deflectors cannae take much."

"Can you think of a way to adapt our shields?" Julia asked.

"A few tricks, maybe, but it's a matter o' power, Captain. If it's usin' a heavier metal with a lot of mass, it'll simply overpower our shields, an' faster than th' usual weapons we deal with."

"Do what you can, and we'll relay this information to Command." Julia looked from Shepard to Robert. "What else did you learn?"

"Saren was experimenting with indoctrination," Robert replied. "He's scared of it. It's Sovereign's weapon, not his, and he's afraid he's becoming indoctrinated. Deep down, he knows he is, but he won't let himself believe it."

"Or Sovereign won't let him."

"This indoctrination. Can we sense it?" Meridina asked Robert.

"Some, yes," Robert said. "The experiments had a bad case, and I could feel it. It's like a… cancer on their beings, in their minds. It distorts who and what they are." Quietly he projected those memories, allowing Meridina and Lucy to know what he meant.

"Swenya's Light," Meridina gasped. "Monstrous."

"Yeah," Shepard agreed. "But Saren's not running the show. Sovereign is. And the Conduit is the key to bringing back all of the Reapers."

"If just one Reaper has that much firepower…" Julia swallowed. "We've got to stop this. We've got to find the Conduit first."

"But there's dozens of systems on the other end of the Relay. It'll take weeks to examine them all," Locarno said.

"Maybe, maybe not." Shepard looked at Liara. "Saren had another beacon. An intact one. I received more visions from it, complete ones, from some world."

Liara nodded and stood. "Then let me see." There was a cold resolution in her voice. She approached Shepard, who stood to meet her. "Quiet your thoughts… embrace eternity."

For several moments the two remained locked together where they stood. When it ended Liara slumped backward and nearly fell. "Those images are so intense," she said.

"Tell me about it," Shepard sighed.

Liara waved away Leo and Allen-Epstein. "I will be fine. I'm just considering what I saw. I know I've seen…" Her eyes widened. "Of course! Ilos! The images are of Ilos!"

"Ilos?" asked Julia.

"It's a world we've found trace records of," said Liara. "A research planet of the Protheans. But we've never found it. It must be one of the systems beyond the Mu Relay."

"That must be where the Conduit is," Kaidan said with some excitement.

"Then that's where we need to go."

At Robert's remark, Tali replied, "But it's in the Terminus Systems. If the governments there detect you, it could start a war."

"And if we don't go, and Saren and Sovereign use the Conduit, the Terminus Systems will be the least of our problems," Robert said. "And the Geth fleet will be heading there now that Saren has the coordinates."

Shepard nodded in agreement. "We'll need fleet backup for certain. Especially if Sovereign is there."

Julia breathed out a little sigh. She knew they were right. She also knew that the Council, and the Alliance government, were not likely to agree so easily. Before she could speak on this her omnitool spawned a blue light over the back of her left hand. "Bridge to Andreys," said Lieutenant Takawira.

She tapped the light. "I'm here, Lieutenant. Report."

"We have received an urgent message from the Citadel. Ambassador Atama requires our immediate presence."

"Did he say why?"

"Only that you and Captain Dale are requested to join him for a meeting with the Citadel Council and Ambassador Udina."

"Alright. Let him know we'll be underway shortly." Julia looked to the others. "It looks like our reports have been read."

Robert shook his head. "I have a bad feeling about this. Something's up."

As if on cue, Shepard's omnitool flashed to life. "Normandy to Shepard," said a female voice, one of her junior officers Robert thought. "Ma'am, priority message from the Citadel Council waiting for you."

"What do you want to bet it's a recall order?" Shepard asked Robert.

"That is a sucker's bet," Robert replied. "And I still don't like it."

"Still, we'll need fleet support to reach Ilos. So let's go get it." Shepard stood up. "I'll head back to the Normandy and get her underway."

"The same here, Commander," Julia said, standing as well. "Everyone is dismissed."

The assembled left the room.

In the heart of a machine he had no choice but to trust, Saren looked over the star map, the last communication he received from Benezia before she went silent. "We've found it," he said.

"You and your agents have performed well on this task," Sovereign answered. "Order the Geth fleet to make preparations for the assault."

Saren did so with his console. "I shall take a few ships to Ilos. More than enough for whatever paltry force the Council agrees to send into the Terminus Systems. By the time they realize what we're doing, it will be too late."

"Before you go, Saren, you must be made stronger," Sovereign said. "I witnessed your battle with Shepard and Dale. They are each powerful in their own way, as are their allies. If you face them again, you must prevail."

"I will," insisted Saren. "It was a fluke."

"I will not take that chance. You will be given further augmentation. Your organic weakness will be reduced by machine strength."

Fear built inside of Saren. "I do not think it is necessary, Sovereign."

Sovereign's reply was blunt. "I do. You will obey, or your use to me is at an end. I will find another to serve."

The fear grew, and with it the horrible realization for Saren; he'd given Sovereign what he needed, with his contacts, his knowledge. All Sovereign needed now was for someone to go through the Conduit. If he felt Saren was no longer reliable, he'd simply find another being to do it. Maybe even the Geth by themselves. And all of his works, all that he'd done these past decades, would be for nothing.

"I still serve," Saren replied, his voice quiet with hopeless despair.