Flight of the Phoenix

by Elizabeth Carter

Book two: Sovereign is dead, the citadel once ruins is beginning to rebuild, the Council is saved and now Shepard is faced with a new enemy, one held over from ancient days:The Collectors. She must race against time, Cerberus and the shadows of a war yet to come. This is part two of my Ashes world: a retelling of ME2. Many game elements are changed because Shepard wasn't spaced.

27. The Thief

Chapter 27: The Thief

*She's on the Citadel now.* Liara said. *There will be an advertisement terminal just outside the customs entrance to Zakera Ward. The code phrase to activate communication with Miss Goto is 'Silence is Golden'.* Liara smiled at her bondmate's puzzled face.

"Really? A spy pass phrase?"

*I believe Miss Goto has an affinity for nostalgia. She seems partial to real paper books and Earth's twentieth century Film Noir amongst other things. I secured the information she desires as have Cerberus. I however added bit more incentive.* Liara's blue lips curled into a smile. *As I said Miss Goto has many interests, her curiosity for example can be...stimulated.*

"You know you're sexy when you say that word." Sam flirted with her bondmate. "Still should I be worried about you stimulating our thief?"

*I should think not, Miss Goto is not exactly my type.*

"Oh, you have a type? Just what is your type?" Sam smirked playfully at her bondmate's image

*You.*

The smirk was now a very large smile. "I like the way you think, Angel Eyes. I miss you."

* I miss you too. So much. I love you Melethril. It is so strange now to wake up to an empty side of the bed.*

"Tell me about it. I got used to cuddling up to your beautiful naked body. Feeling your heartbeat under my hand."

Liara smiled softly. Since they shared a bed Samantha had always slept far better when she rested her hand upon Liara's breast to feel the soft beating rhythm of her heartbeat.

*How are you sleeping?*

"Ah you know. Restless chaotic dreams of death, monster machines tearing into people turning them into more monsters. Cities on fire. The usual."

Regret and sorrow filtered though the bond. Liara reached out and touched the screen of the monitor, her palm pressing flat against its surface as if to reach out across the stars to her bondmate. Sam touched her own screen. The cool flat surface was the best they could have until they might embrace the warmth of each others bodies once more.

*Samantha I wish to try something through our bond. Though I am unsure if it will even work.*

"Anything you want babe. Have to say I'm intrigued."

*Close your eyes.* Liara started the ritualistic words of the Joining. *Clear your mind of all distractions. Follow my voice Melethril. Follow our connection. Follow it to me.*

Sam felt the heartbeat of their bond pulsing. Since the day she woke from the comma nearly two years ago the connection was always playing in her soul. Though at first it was odd to always feel Liara there in the background noise of her heart and mind the presence now was a source of enjoyment and pleasure. Even this far apart the touch was still a constant; however it was not as brilliant as it was when in close proximity with one another.

There was more to Embracing Eternity then mind melds and Joinings. Asari could bring their bondmate into a deep realm of the mind. It was a place to share memories and to create daughters. Because of the uniqueness of the bond the lovers were able to do so much more. When Sam first woke from the medical comma she and Liara shared what the human called a 'non-kiss kiss.' It seemed even light years apart—whole star systems apart their connection allowed them to 'touch.' It was an added bonus that harkened back to Thessian myths and old stories. The same legends that spoke of the Demons and Blades of the Night Winds spoke of soul binding.

Each closed their eyes and reached out with the power of their connection. The dim light became a flare; the distant thuum became a steady soft rhythm as Liara's mind strengthened the bond. Sam took the cue and used all her own energy to strengthen the connection between them. It was not unlike gathering her strength for a biotic tsunami. Of course when she used that particular power she always used a reave to siphon the life force of enemy combatants to fuel her own reserves. However with no outward 'battery' to fuel her biotics the Commander's only recourse was to use her own essence to amplify the bond. Liara would need that precious energy to enhance the link when they were so very far apart.

The pulsing beat of quasars and pulsars, whole star systems surrounding them. Then the soft dark quiet of two lovers. The Great Void. Two heartbeats: the link...it worked!

'Samantha...' Liara's sweet voice trickled into the raven-haired woman's mind. It was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard.

Sam reached out and stroked the soft warm flesh of her bondmate's cheek before she pulled her in for a kiss. Liara deepened kiss, her hands holding tightly onto her waist as she pressed her lithe form into her bondmate's.

'Oh how I miss this.' Liara sighed. 'I mean for real.'

'I take this over nothing, Angle Eyes.' Sam purred. 'So how's the little one?' She touched the tiny swell in Liara's abdomen. If she didn't know Liara was pregnant it wouldn't have been perceptible.

'She is only a month old my love, but we are healthy. Doctors Volkhavaar and T'Shyn are keeping us healthy and sound. Did I not promise you monthly health reports? And did you not receive the report as well as the sonogram yesterday?'

'I just worry...'

'Says the Spectre gunning for the Collectors.'

'I know. I know. Kettle black.'

Liara smiled as she rested her forehead against her bondmate's. 'And you will keep me updated after each mission?'

'Of course. Don't I always?'

Liara grinned. 'Though it will not be the same as when you tour the Normandy speaking to each of your team-mates in turn. Generally saving me for last.'

'Well yeah... that way we could spend some quality alone time together.' Sam cooed seductively.

Liara chuckled softly. 'I did enjoy those times and I look forward to more.'

'So do I, but it's gonna be a while Angel Eyes.' Sam muttered.

"I know. And we can not do this often...not when we are so far apart. The Gift of Eternity was never meant to be so stretched. It is a wonder we could establish the link at all.'

'I know and I don't want to put any more strain on the bond.' the worry was thick in Sam's voice.

'And I do not wish to risk the CS returning.' Liara kissed her bondmate. "We can not go through that again Melethril."

"Yeah." she sighed. 'I should go.'

'You know there are times when I loath to hear you say that.'

Sam pulled away from her bondmate. 'As sometimes I am to say it.' She could only shrug. Then more softly, more seriously she said. 'I love you, Li. You mean everything to me.'

'Samantha...I'm yours.' Liara gave one last kiss.

Sam blinked her eyes and took in a steadying breath as did Liara as they pulled away from depths of the Eternity Link. They looked at one another silently, all that needed to be said had been said. In the quiet they dropped their hands from the screen as a symbolic motion to close the channel.

Shepard looked longingly through the display case of her model ships to the bed. It would have been so good to just curl up and take a nap. But that right now would be an extravagant luxury. She reached into the mini-fridge tucked in the corner of the office and pulled out a high energy juice bottle and a protein bar. It was a stop-gap measure but it'd work to replenish lost reserves.

She felt drained as if she had just exited a long battle. A sly smile slipped on the Spectre's lips-or a night of glorious passionate lovemaking with her wife. But it was so worth it. The connection allowed them to feel each other but at this distance it was difficult to communicate. It took all their strength to reach out as they had. They would not be able to do so regularly, they could only take comfort in the soft-distance of the bond. But it was more than most others had.

She drank deeply from the bottle before tearing the wrapper of the protein bar and biting into a good chuck of it. The asari had long ago perfected the culinary finesse of creating protein bars that were palatable where as the human variety still tasted like rubber wrapped in cardboard that pretended to taste of fruity whatever.

Chewing quickly the bite she had taken then swallowing, Shepard hit the ship's intercom. "Joker set a course for the Citadel best possible speed."

*Aye Aye Commander. New course set and laid. Given our current position ETA three hours.*

"Acknowledged." Shepard looked back over her shoulder; maybe there was time to take a nap after all. She had a very high suspicion that this Kasumi Goto was going to make things very very interesting. Shepard wanted and needed a very clear head in order to deal with the enigmatic thief.

ME~ME~ ME~ME~ ME~ME~ ME~ME

Joker's fingers danced over Normandy's amber hued haptic interface, activating the communication systems. "This is SSV Normandy to Citadel Control requesting a vector and a berth. Spectre Shepard requests one near Zakera Ward."

*This is Citadel Control. One moment please: confirming I.D." there was a two minute pause before the voice returned. * Welcome back Normandy.* a female voice responded. By the accent and cadence she sounded more asari than human. * Spectre request acknowledged. Proceed to Zakera Ward Docking Bay-D94. *

"Roger that, Zakera Ward Docking Bay-D94." Joker turned to Shepard who was leaning over his chair as she often did. "Nothing like jumping through hoops ehe Commander?"

*Normandy you are still on radio.* the space traffic controller said.

"Ah damn sorry about that Control, Normandy out." This time the pilot made sure to log out before he turned a sheepish look to his CO.

Shepard shook her head. "You know one day that mouth of yours is going to get you burned." her voice intoned she was giving him a warning. She turned her attention to the large windows.

The Citadel. The sight of it never ceased to impress her.

Even after two years the Citadel was still recovering from Saren's attack. The rebuilding effort was monumental on many fronts: economic, labour, administration health and safety. After the humans had been granted a seat upon the council it seemed the other races were in a rush to help with the rebuild of only to be considered for a position as well.

The volus the financial gurus that they were handled the fiscal end of things insuring the correct amount of financing went into each construction endeavour with model proficiency and efficiency. Elcor with heavy manual labour. The hanar assisted the salarians with IT work as well as insuring the labour forces were working at peek efficiency. Even a handful of quarian pilgrims (who believed if they could bring back the Council favour and the granting of a reclaimed embassy it would make a marvellous Pilgrimage Gift to the Flotilla) lent their mechanical and engineering skills to the task. It shocked a few residents to see a group of krogan from the Clan Urdnot come and offer their humps to the labour force—quite literally building bridges.

Of Council races they offered their own experts in every area of the work force-be it admen or labour. How could they lead if not by example and expect others to follow? Each of the four: asari, human, turian and salarian made up the bulk (not counting the Keepers) of the rebuilding efforts if only to prove how committed the Council races were to the Citadel rebuild project. The Presidium had been the priority, with its completion construction crews moved onto the Ward arms. It would take another couple of years before everything was back to hundred prescient. Life as they say goes on.

In many areas you would never have known that the Citadel suffered an attack at all. People wanted their lives to go on as if nothing ever dark had ever touched them or their home. They filled their mundane lives with how to make their studio apartments seem bigger and more airy. Who was in the top ten of the music, game, sims and vid industry.

Shepard didn't begrudge the citizens of the Citadel their safe little illusions. Hell at times she quite envied them. Those on the reconstruction teams could see the progress of their efforts, where as a Spectre whose voice was struck dumb from the general populace as well as those with authority it was easy to succumb to melancholy of hopeless effort. Yet she fought on because so few were willing. Her team, both on the Normandy and those who by circumstance had to depart the team struggled to drag light into dark.

And it was nice to see some normalcy at play.

There was nothing normal however as to the meeting with her newest recruit. Everything about it was straight out of a spy vid. Just outside the customs office was the advertisement kiosk Liara spoke about. Swallowing down feelings of seeming foolish in front of others Shepard approached the terminal.

"Commander Shepard." a black hooded hologram on the kiosk spoke. "Enter the password and receive a free gift."

Shepard looked around her and frowned. In order to tap so directly into the kiosk Goto had to be close by, at least in a twelve foot visual range to avoid the CCTV and the near by security details on patrol. There was also a monitoring Keeper close to the kiosk; it didn't seem particularly concerned that someone had hijacked the radio signals of the advertisement terminal.

"Got problems with Collectors? Try Kasumi's credit services." the 'advertisement' said as if to levitate the Spectre's issues with talking to a billboard. "Please enter your password Commander."

"Silence is golden." Shepard muttered sourly.

There was a soft sound coming from directly above them, not truly noticeable unless of course you had military genetic upgrades to improve audio reception within the ear drum. It was the soft electrical shift of a personal cloaking device. Illegal outside Police and Special Forces or the Spectres. It came directly above them on the cat walks.

"Good to finally meet you, Commander Shepard. I'm Kasumi Goto. I'm a fan."

"Have you been briefed?" Shepard asked folding her arms over her chest as she spoke to the kiosk. What she was hiding was the activation of her ONMI tool's scanners. Something special she had Tali install back when they were hunting geth as a means to penetrate their damned cloaking fields. Custom-made Shepard had doubts that Goto would have the tech to block the scanning right away.

"By whom? Dr. T'Soni or Cerberus? Frankly I'm shocked neither of them came for me sooner. My fault for being hard to find I guess."

"Guess so. Look as fun cloak and daggers are I don't need this kind of attention." Shepard scowled she turned away from the kiosk and looked directly above her head to the telltale shimmering outline of a person in a cloaking device on the cat walk. The scans of her ONMI tool sent the transmission directly to the ocular implant in her left eye. The one she had to have replaced with cybernetics do all the shrapnel damage of a grenade going off so close by during the Skyllian Blitz.

"Yeah you look pretty silly talking to an advertisement." Kasumi decloaked. She stood with one hand resting cockily on her hip. "I'll see you on the ship Shepard. Don't worry I travel light." With that she disappeared behind her cloak once more and was gone.

"Won't she need codes to get into the ship?" Garrus asked his friend still looking at the spot where Kasumi had been standing.

"She should." The Spectre nodded. "Let's see if she is as good as she's made out to be."

"And what if she makes it onboard?" Tali asked.

"Then you, EDI and Garrus make sure she can't a second time or anyone else for that matter. Oh and use her help to do it."

"The ol' use a thief to stop a thief?" Garrus asked.

The Spectre nodded. "Took a Spectre to stop a Spectre. Why not a thief for a thief?"

"I don't need her tech skills to do that." Tali sounded almost affronted having been ordered to include Goto on any security upgrades for her ship. "Just use your biometrics and Spectre security code clearance. Anyone stealing the Normandy will have to be you. We sink it in with the Spectre system on the Citadel. Only Spectres can get into those archives anyway."

"But isn't the Normandy already sinked up?" Garrus asked.

"No. That was the Victory." The quarian shook her head. "This Normandy: the one we took from Cerberus isn't in the Citadel System yet so Shepard's biometrics aren't installed into the security system. Well outside that damned AI and that isn't much of a security system if you ask me. Anyone with the right tech skills can take it off-line."

Shepard nodded. "That's a very good point. As much as I like being a free agent, Cerberus can put a real monkey wrench into the works if TIMmy gets into his head to make claims I have no allegiance to the Council. Linking the Normandy to the Spectre office should take care of that." Shepard agreed. "And locking the Normandy with my biometrics is a good idea. And the thing about a palm print is that life gives it its shape not DNA." she turned her attention to the man beside her. "While I'm taking care of that Garrus I need you to do something."

"Name it."

"Back on Illium when Li and I were at the um...when we were taking care of the CS you and Wrex took the crew out and whipped them into shape. I need you to do an express version of that here. Take the flagship team to Armax Arsenal Arena and have them go through a few matches together. Get them used to working as a team where it won't cost them their lives if they frack up."

The turian nodded "Excellent idea, Shepard. And we'll see that this thief brings to the table that our own expert doesn't."

"Just another expendable loner." Tali grumbled. "For the record I'm just as good at hacking as she is." barely audible she added. "And I look better in a hood."

"You jest." Shepard looked to the younger woman. "But that's what worries me. TIMmy filled my team with 'expendable' loners. I need to ensure every single one of them knows they are not. TIMmy needs to know that to." she put her hand upon Tali's shoulder.

Right now there was someone else that needed affirmation. "Tali, Kasumi isn't your tech replacement. But she was tapped for a very specific reason. She's a thief, apparently the best in the business. If I need someone to figure out how to fly a Collector ship or take it apart I'm calling on you. If I need someone to break into it or hack its systems then why not use someone who specializes in that exact thing?"

"Right tool—right job. I get it." Tali sighed Shepard had a point. While the young engineer was good at hacking AI's and she could get into most computers but she was not a specialist. Guess this Goto woman might have some merits after all. Of course if she couldn't get into the Normandy then she wasn't as good as she lay came to, maybe she'd be left behind. Win-win in Tali's book. "I doubt she can be any more of a bosh'tet bitch than Miranda is. For you and the mission I'll give her a chance."

Shepard grinned. As Tali turned back to the sky car the Spectre gave a knowing look to her XO. Both knew just who needed to be paired up first in the arena matches: the two hoodies, the loyalist and the convict. What a deadly combination if they managed to corporate.

The team were even more formidable with the talents of an ex-STG agent, an assassin and old merc boss and then adding the skill sets of a former C-Sec detective, Justicar and Spectre and you had a very formidable unit. But only if they all operated as one. That was the tricky part.

They'd all listen to Shepard but the Commander knew as any competent CO knew that duties had to be delegated. There were going to be times when Garrus would need to lead. Besides Garrus needed the exercise in giving those orders and issuing directives to an openly stubborn if not belligerent crew. He and Wrex had done well with the Victory's crew, especially in getting the military and scientists to work together. Now was an equally arduous task.

"I'll join you at the arena as soon as time allows." Shepard said. "I'll need to meet up with Anderson and the Council give them a SitRep and go from there. After of course I have a nice chat with Miss Goto. What do you think of her?"

"I think she likes to play." Garrus shook his head. "Might want check in with what the Spectre records have on her."

"Yeah I thought of that too. I want to know just who I'm dealing with."

"Liara didn't give you anything on her." he sounded surprised.

Shepard shook her head. "Very little. Cerberus even less."

"Should I be worried?" the former C-Sec officer asked sounding more and more unsure by the moment. Shepard gave a minuscule shrug giving a slight hint that perhaps being worried was a prudent response.

"I'd say yes but the rest of the team were more or less unknown qualities. Take Zaeed. Aleena and Wrex pressed-gained him because of his hard-core reputation. And as it turned out he was tagged by Cerberus as well. Then Thane and Sumara. We don't know much about them personally only what they have done."

"Didn't the Asari High Command give you any details on Samara as part of interdepartmental corporation?"

Shepard nodded. "Yeah they did. I think it intrigued them that a Justicar and a Spectre have united forces. I have a deep seated feeling it has more to do with the Oath of Subsumation Samara swore to me rather than any other reason or motive. The Home Office of the STG however wasn't as forthcoming about Mordin. Karrahe however was. He respects the good Professor but isn't a fan."

"I get the feeling it's mutual between them." Garrus noted. "They might respect each other but they detest each other."

Shepard had a soft grin. "A bit like a turian and krogan I know. "

Garrus made a grunting noise of disgruntled agreement with Shepard's statement. Over time he and Wrex had butted heads often enough but they covered each other in battle well enough. It gave hope to the Spectre the same could happen for the new team. The hard part was getting to know this team.

Garrus worried for his friend. She was looking a little frayed around the edges. Tired and drawn out and their battle with the Collectors hadn't even started. He knew she was battling other fronts. Fronts no other Spectre had have faced. No N7 encountered. Stonewalled at every corner by the Systems Alliance Brass, the Council, add to all of that Cerberus gumming up the works. Garrus vowed to do all he could for his friend. He was her unnamed Trusted.

"Since we're in Zukara we could check in with Captain Bailey. He runs the precinct here. He may have something on our enigmatic thief, might be worth checking out." Garrus prompted

She turned back to wards the docking bay windows to the Normandy. "Good idea. Right now I want to see just how this thief gets on my ship. I'll talk to him later."

ME~ME~ ME~ME~ ME~ME~ ME~ME

Shepard walked off the lift onto the crew deck. She found it rather amusing that here she had the prefect juxtaposition of Law. Law enforcer and law breaker at opposite ends of the observation bays. There was a comedy of errors just waiting to be played-out, she just knew it.

And apparently the thief had gone unhindered as she infiltrated the Normandy. Instead of being insulted by Kasumi Goto's ability to do so she was intrigued and strangely encouraged. If the Japanese thief was able to slip onto highly secure warship such as the Normandy, then she could do so aboard a Collector vessel or base. It was encouraging as a testament of Kasumi's skills it also displayed the woefully inept security systems of the ship. Something Shepard was going to make the thief remedy.

Like its mirror room across the corridor the starboard observation lounge had three long couches as well as a vid lounge chair. There were also bookshelves and a bar. Previously the bookshelves had offered a modest collection of vids and sims, now one of them was in the process of being refilled with real books.

The newest addition to the room was a twin bed and an accompanying nightstand with an elbow lamp.

Shepard watched with a steady eye the process of Goto's unpacking methods. She didn't bother asking how Kasumi not only snuck onboard but brought with her not one but two footlockers.

"What's with the password and sneaking around? Are you in trouble or something?" Shepard started the conversation.

Kasumi didn't even look up from her task. "I'm the best thief in the business, not the most famous. I have to watch my step if I intend to keep it that way. I also had to make sure all this was legit. I don't need the attention of another Spectre on my trail. A bidding competition between Cerberus and an asari information broker...both wanting me for exactly the same job, to join the exact same crew—your crew. That got me very interested. And there are no doubts now."

"What makes you so sure?" Shepard challenged.

"There is a certain aura about you. Like you've seen things no one else has." This time the thief did look up. Watching the Commander with a near mystic eye.

Again with the auras. This time however it was from a Japanese kleptomaniac rather than asari Shepard had grown accustomed to hearing it from. It was still a little unnerving. Something perhaps Samara could enlighten the Commander upon. Sam would have preferred her bondmate but the matron was closer to hand. Distancing herself from the distracting thought the Spectre returned her full attention, something she knew she'd have to give this thief if she wanted to get any kind of accurate read on her. Problem was Kasumi was as enigmatic as Aleena was upon first meeting. That put Shepard on high alert.

Shepard folded her arms over her chest and leaned her weight against the back of the sofa watching as the petite thief began aligning the shelving by her bed with old fashioned real paper books-all of them hardback. Now that was some serious money. They were very hard to come by. Hell some of the books were probably worth more than some of the things the thief had been hired to steal. That intrigued the Spectre. Knowing Liara as she did, her lover probably baited Goto with a few very very rare and very old first editions. She'd have to ask next time they spoke. 'Stimulation' indeed.

"Real books huh?"

"Don't laugh." Kasumi said in a sing-song voice. "I like these old things. Romance novels, crime novels, the classics! There is something about the feel of actual paper in your hands and musty smell. It's relaxing. Keiji used to find books for me while on the job. Some of these are more valuable than objects he was hired to steal." She said the last confirming Shepard initial thoughts.

They were trophies, the Commander suddenly realized. Each book no doubt was a highlight of some high scale heist. Speaking of which: "Humm. So what made you agree to this job?"

"That's a bit of a story. Short version. Curiosity. I needed to know why both Cerberus and T'Soni were looking for me. So I trailed them to find out why. Both were looking for someone to join you on an important mission. Each offered serious signing bounces. T'Soni seemed to have less strings. Besides I've dealt with her people before. I have a thing I needed help with so I made her a deal and here we are."

"Funny, Liara never mentioned this deal."

"Maybe it slipped her mind?" Kasumi looked over her shoulder to the scowling Spectre. With a playful shrug she dipped back into her footlocker and pulled out a long narrow case about a foot long and three inches wide.

Not likely. And what do you mean you've dealt with her people before? The asari in general or Liara?

"I'm looking for my old partner's graybox. A man named Donavan Hock took it and I'm planning to get it back." she put the slim box on top of the desk opposite the book shelf. Seeing the Spectre's questioning look the thief answered the unasked query. "The red rose. That used to be my calling card when I first started out. In place of whatever I took I left a single red rose. It wasn't until I met Keiji that I realized how silly it was."

Shepard looked back to some of the crime novels on the shelf. No doubt Kasumi garnished the idea from those pages. Probably some high end jewel thief named the Gray Fox, Black Wolf or Pink Panther or some such left a tiny replica of whatever animal they iconicized in place of whatever it was they stole as a calling card.

"He had a way of making you realize when you were just being sentimental." Kasumi continued to explain as she pulled out a bust of someone that history said was important enough to immortalize in stone. "I stole that on a dare believe it or not. There was a big museum show coming to Illium. Artifacts from all over Earth going on tour. Very high security. Keiji dared me to steal it." As nonchalantly as you please Kasumi continued her narrative. "So I broke in, tapped the security, put a few guards to sleep and replaced that with a worthless duplicate. They never knew the difference." there was a very self satisfied grin on the thief's face. "My first museum job. Nowhere near the last."

It occurred to Shepard this wasn't just an explanation of the thief's trophies, it was a resume of her accomplishments. A showing of what she brought to the table. Another dip into the footlocker had Kasumi pulling out a hermetically sealed leather tube case. Commonly used back in the day to transport blue prints or paintings that were taken out of their frames. Today it was the latter.

Kasumi delicately began the process of unrolling the painting and slipping it onto a prefab frame. Shepard had not seen the subject matter as it was face down on the bed. "This is my favourite piece. Painted for me by a child protégée from Elysium. She was the cutest thing." Goto began to hang the painting over the bed. To Shepard it was like a child rendition of a quasar or was it pulsar? It sorta looked like a wonky-bull's-eye as well or some Great Eye overlooking a dark realm like Mordor. Lots of reds and yellows and oranges. "She was kidnapped by some slavers who hoped to sell her on Omega. I wasn't about to let that happen! I set up an ID as a buyer's rep to get a special tour of the slavers' vessel. Once aboard I freed the girl and smuggled her off the ship." Kasumi now satisfied with it is hanging took a step back from it and admired it. "She painted that for me on the way home. I'll never forget how it felt to watch her work."

Translation of the story: I don't just sneak in to steal, I twist things, manipulate positions and slip out when I get what I want. Shadows of a ghost. The story was just apart of the thief's self appointed interview to prove her value to Shepard. The story also imparted that Kasumi wasn't the sort to sacrifice innocence if she could put a stop to it. High marks in Shepard's books.

"And what of this heist that Liara offered my help with?"

"I still need time to nail down the details." the black hood shook a little, causing the fabric to rustle ever so slightly. "But I took the liberty of ordering you some nice evening wear though. You'll want to look presentable."

"This job you're planning has me getting all dolled up?" Shepard scoffed. "I can do black tie, but you should know me and dresses and high heels are not on speaking terms. Miranda is more comfortable that sort of get-up."

"Good thing it won't be you going then will it?" Kasumi grinned under the hood. "It's part of being in a disguise. Besides if I wanted Cerberus...trusted them I'd be talking to Miranda not you Shep."

Shepard just groaned. Disguise and subtlety were defiantly not her strengths. "Tell me what you know about Donavan Hock."

"Mr. Hock is a well respected business man. Arms dealer, murderer, smuggling. Generally not a great guy. His mansion is famous for being hard to crack but I have a way in. And I think you're going to love it."

Shepard chucked dryly and shook her head. "I doubt Hock's the kind of guy that takes kindly someone braking into his house."

"I always expect trouble. That's why you're here."

Shepard grinned a little. Kasumi was defiantly warming up to her. "I assume a graybox is some kind of hardware."

"It's a neuro implant." a holographic band went across the thief's face as she tapped the side of a cybernetic connection at her temple. No doubt tapping into her own graybox. "Illegal in most places. Stores memories, thoughts, secrete codes, licit information." She tapped the side of her temple once more. "This one in particular belonged to my partner. Keiji Okuda. We worked together for a long time..." she looked down in reverence and perhaps sorrow though her voice did not waver, "before Hock killed him..."

Shepard took in the body language. Keiji was important to Kasumi that much was very clear. Her stories about the museum dare, the books...he was more than just her partner in crime. He was her lover. "Tell me of this former partner of yours." Shepard's voice took on a more gentle tone.

"Keiji was the best hacker and entry man I have ever known." again she looked away a subtle hint there was something more there. "Unfortunately he slipped up and made himself infamous. He stole something he shouldn't. He warned me it was bad. Something that could spark interstellar war if it got out. That information...got him killed."

Interstellar war? Shepard frowned in hearing that. "What could he have found that was so bad that could have such consequences?" Shepard's eyes narrowed at the very notion of Cerberus laying claim to something so dire. If TIMmy got his meaty paws on this Intel 'very bad' was an understatement. No way he was getting anywhere near it. The Spectre was suddenly very grateful that Kasumi had taken Liara's offer rather then Mr. Illusive's. Still it wouldn't stop the bastard from trying to get a hold of whatever was in that graybox.

"He wouldn't say what it was." Kasumi pulled Shepard out of her own mind. "Just that it was dangerous if it got out. Humanity would be in trouble. He encrypted it, wrapped it up in his own memories. To decode the information you'd have sift though all the time we spent together. Now all those memories are all that are left of him"

Ah now there is its heart. "I can see why you'd want it back." Shepard keenly stated. "If that's what Liara promised you then we'll get it back." What she didn't say was and away from Hock who was likely going to sell it to the highest bidder once he unlocked the encryption. There was no doubt in Shepard's mind that TIMmy had an undercover agent at this fancy party to do just that, if not keep an eye on Kasumi should she be spotted. Though given the thief's predilection for disguises and cloaking devices getting a beat on her is far easier said than done.

"It'll be fun." the thief was smirking behind her hood. "And if we're lucky you won't even have to draw your gun."

"That will not be a luxury you will have on the mission against the Collectors. And I doubt setting up false IDs will be of any use. However their own 'house' will be a tough nut if not near impossible to 'crack'. But that's why you're here. You have any questions about the mission?"

The thief shook her head. "No. Not really. I may if I run into one of their systems I can't break. Don't worry Shep I'll not let you down. Like you said isn't that why I'm here? A lot of somebodies want me to help you out. How can a girl resist that kind of attention?"

Shepard smirked. "How can they, indeed?" As with the last two additions Shepard laid out the ground rules and what was to be expected of the thief now that she was part of the team. Unlike the other two new members, Kasumi didn't quite complain about having to eat or train with the others. More like she saw it as an opportunity. An opportunity for what, begged the question.