Chapter 2 – Misconnections

"Nos Astra space control. This is the Normandy requesting landing vectors and a berth. Please respond." In the forward viewport the Asari world of Ilium grew larger. Joker was maneuvering to descend to the planetary capital of Nos Astra, the city where Shepard would find Liara T'Soni. Shepard stood behind Joker's flight chair, watching the approach, worrying about what danger Liara could be facing.

Several seconds passed before there was a response. "Normandy, we have you on our scanners. You are not on our list of scheduled arrivals. Hold your current position. We will notify you when you may proceed to docking berth 327 on the assigned vector. Please note, you will be liable for appropriate docking fees upon your arrival."

Joker glanced up at Commander Shepard and gave a wry half-smile. "Thank you Nos Astra. We will approach on your signal." Joker flipped off the comm and turned fully to Shepard. "What? No fanfare this time? Last trip they rolled out the red carpet. Our fees were paid and everything. What gives, Commander?"

Shepard looked out the viewport in thought. If Liara had not alerted Nos Astra control of their arrival nor paid their docking fees as she had done previously then it likely meant she didn't want to tip anyone to their arrival prematurely. Not that they could conceal their arrival short of activating the stealth systems, which would ultimately cause more problems than it solved. "We're just tourists, Joker. No fanfare, no free rides. We follow the bureaucracy to the letter. Let me know when we're about to land. I need to make some preparations."

"Aye, aye, Commander."

Shepard walked from the cockpit, heading for the rear of the CIC. He didn't have much information, only Liara's vague statement that it was a life or death situation. Given that Liara did not want to prematurely reveal their arrival it made sense to take a small group to investigate what trouble she had found herself in. And there was one person Shepard immediately thought would be invaluable to have along.

Shepard entered the research laboratory of Mordin Solus. The Salarian was hard at work with one of the many projects he seemed to work on simultaneously. He glanced up as Shepard entered. "Shepard. Always good to see you. Is this a social call or related to our approach to Ilium?"

Shepard was not surprised that Mordin had noticed their destination. He seemed to track everything at once, processing problems and finding solutions at a speed the Geth might envy. It was one of the reasons Shepard wanted him along. With so little information he would need rapid analysis of what information they did get. Plus, as a skilled medical doctor, Mordin might be necessary should this life or death situation live up to its name.

"It's both, Mordin. I always enjoy talking with you, but I would like your help when we arrive at Nos Astra. Liara is having a bit of difficulty and your skills may be helpful in resolving it."

"Happy to help, Shepard. Which skills are you referring to? Medical? Analytical? Scientific? Social? Counseling? Musical? Combat? All are at your disposal."

Shepard knew Mordin was a multi-talented individual, though he didn't see himself going to him for relationship advice. Salarians processed emotions quite differently and much more rapidly than was typical for humans. Mordin always seemed somewhat nonplussed that other species needed longer than an elevator ride to work through their issues. Mordin knew this and likely included the counseling remark as a way to let Shepard know he understood there were personal issues going on as well. "Possibly most of the above, Mordin, wait…musical?"

"Have performed in a number of musicals for the community theater as well as some amateur work. Would be happy to demonstrate when time permits."

"I would be interested to see that, Mordin," Shepard stated with genuine sincerity. "When we land on Nos Astra I want you to be prepared to deal with a variety of medical possibilities as well as be prepared for combat. We should be landing soon."

"Am already prepared, Shepard. Signal when you are ready to disembark and I will meet you at the airlock. Will finish this experiment in the meantime. Curious as to evolutionary path leading to development of the four eyed configuration found in Protheans and Batarians. Advantages do not seem to outweigh the cost in energy and increased complexity as evidenced by the preponderance of evolved binocular vision across species and environments. Will let you know results of my research if you are interested."

"Yeah, Mordin, yeah. You do that. I'll see you at the airlock." Shepard was no scientist. He had followed some of what Mordin had said, but was also sure that Mordin had simplified his description as much as he was able. Shepard retreated from the room, shifting gears back to the problem at hand. He wanted to include one more person in his squad that would meet with Liara. He had always favored teams of three for mutual support, speed, and versatility.

Shepard had also asked for Mordin's help because Mordin was not a part of Cerberus. Until he knew what danger Liara was facing, he wanted to keep Cerberus and their leader as much as possible out of his and Liara's business. That meant Jacob and Miranda were off the table. It also meant that Zaeed wasn't an option. While he wasn't a member of Cerberus, he was getting paid by them. Plus, Shepard had been delaying helping Zaeed with his mission on Zorya. He might not appreciate that they were going out of their way to help Liara while he continued to wait for his promised assistance. Jack certainly wasn't Cerberus and she was a powerful ally given her biotic strength. But she was also a serious loose cannon. She would also likely laugh her ass off at Shepard's relationship issues, possibly right as he was trying to talk with Liara.

Shepard approached the elevator at the back of the CIC. He intended to go to the crew deck. Possibly to talk with Garrus. Garrus was absolutely reliable. It had been an enormous relief to have him on the ship, mostly alive and well after his ordeal on Omega. But Garrus and he strongly overlapped on skills. Shepard wanted to cover his bases in case any computer or mechanical skills were needed. He had one more non-Cerberus person currently aboard. The elevator door opened and it was as if his thoughts had summoned her into existence.

Tali'Zorah vas Normandy nearly ran into Shepard as she stepped from the newly arrived elevator. "Shepard. I was just coming to see you. I ran into Kelly down in the mess and she mentioned we were going to be landing on Ilium. She wouldn't give me any details, but it sounded like you might need some help. I'm happy to help with anything and it would give me a chance to pick up some new software and equipment for my suit. I certainly owe you after all you did to help me back on the migrant fleet."

Shepard smiled as he remembered shouting down the Quarian Admirals who had been willing to sacrifice Tali as a pawn in their political games. Worse, they had used her father's death as part of their maneuvering, heedless of the impact on her. Their betrayal of her had pissed him off spectacularly and he had used that anger to fuel a verbal assault that left them wallowing in their shame and embarrassment. She had been a part of his crew since he helped her with her mission on Haestrom. He had never doubted her loyalty, but his actions had cemented that loyalty. She was his friend, there for him when so many others had vanished or even turned against him.

"Are you okay, Shepard? I said I would be happy to help if you need me on Ilium."

Shepard shook his head, realizing his reminiscing had taken longer than he realized. "Sorry, Tali. I've got a lot on my mind. I'm not sure yet what we might be getting into on Ilium, but I'd appreciate your help. We're going to Nos Astra, so we can't go in full combat gear, but I'd recommend being discreetly prepared for trouble."

Tali cocked her head in what Shepard had learned was a smile. She gestured with her hand, encompassing her suit from head to toes. "I told you on the Alarei that you'd be surprised what we can fit in the pockets of these suits."

It made Shepard feel surprisingly good to see Tali joking about what she had said on the Alarei. It was the ship where her father had been killed. "You are always surprising to me, Tali. Get your equipment together and meet me at the airlock. We'll be landing shortly and we'll need to move out right away."

Less than a half hour later the Normandy was docked in the Nos Astra spaceport. Shepard led Tali and Mordin along the bustling walkways. They were eyed by the Nos Astra port authorities, but Shepard's Spectre status was known to them from their previous visit, so he would be permitted to discreetly carry his sidearm. As long as he didn't cause any difficulties, they would most likely not interfere with him. Besides, he was simply here to do some shopping with some of his crew. Nothing to see here.

Shepard made a few glances at the kiosks they were passing, but one thought was pushing its way more and more to the forefront of his mind. He was about to see Liara again. It had to go better this time. He would do better. It felt like his heart was skipping beats and his butterflies had become a swarm. He almost hoped assassins would leap out and attack him to give him a target for his nervous energy.

Shepard felt a touch on his arm. "Are you okay, Shepard? You're bouncing around more than Mordin."

Shepard realized she was right. His emotional agitation was affecting him physically. Worse, it was distracting for them. If those wished for assassins were to appear he might be too distracted to deal with it. "I'm okay, Tali. I'm just…it's just…well, I'm going to see Liara."

"Ah. I thought it might be that. I heard she was here on Ilium. Hordes of mercenaries? No problem. Dozens of Geth troops and a Colossus? Pffft." Tali stepped in front of Shepard. "This," she gently placed her hand over his heart, "is the only thing I've ever seen cause you hesitation. You're the same good man you were when you helped me finish my pilgrimage. I know that. She'll see that too. And we're here for you, no matter what." Tali had turned to gesture at Mordin, but he was not where she expected. The two of them scanned the area and realized he had fallen behind and was now serenading a group of children and parents. As they approached they heard Mordin call out, "And now the post-transition metals!"

Shepard stepped in and interrupted. "Sorry folks, the science show is over for now. Mister Wizard has another engagement he has to get to. Have a good day everyone." Shepard hustled Mordin along the walkway toward their destination. He heard real cries of disappointment in their wake suggesting Mordin had been accurate about his entertainment skills.

Shepard shook his head as they walked away, as bemused as ever by Mordin. "I'm surprised that people would find the elements so entertaining."

"There is a great deal of amusement and diversion to be found in science, Shepard. Perhaps you just need to find the right group of people with whom to enjoy it."

Shepard found it very unlikely that he would ever find himself in a group enjoying a discussion of the periodic table, but the universe had surprised him before. Plenty of times in fact. He conceded the point to Mordin with a nod and a smile. If nothing else, Tali and Mordin had helped distract him from his nervousness, each in their own way. They had reached the door to Liara's office. There was no secretary to greet them. Perhaps Liara had not replaced her previous secretary whom she terminated, in every sense of the word, when she learned she was spying for the Shadow Broker.

"Everybody ready." They were no longer on the walkway and were concealed from any casual observation. Shepard had drawn his Carnifex pistol. He knew they were unlikely to run into synthetics on Ilium, other than the ubiquitous and nearly useless Loki security mechs, so he had prepared incendiary rounds. Tali activated a defense drone and Mordin prepared his own various technical devices. Shepard activated the door, his heart thumping in his ears not due to any possible dangers, but because he expected to find Liara on the other side of the door. What he found was an empty room.

The three of them entered the room cautiously. The office looked unchanged from Shepard's last visit. He quickly pushed away those thoughts and focused on what was before him now. There was a portable computer closed on the desk. Shepard crossed the room and, finding nothing else amiss, approached the computer. He flipped it open and found that it appeared to be powered down. "I don't see any sign of her and this computer doesn't appear to be on. Could you give me a hand here, Tali?"

Moments after speaking those words, Shepard saw a panel at the top of the screen begin flashing green. "Tali, what is going on with this computer? It just activated something."

Tali stepped over to the computer and examined the hardware. "The main system is off for the moment. This appears to be some sort of optical scanner. I think it's a retina scanner. We don't really use them on the Migrant Fleet, for obvious reasons, but I've seen them before. It seems like it activated after you spoke, so maybe it was triggered by voice recognition. I think you need to look into the light here, Shepard."

Shepard's brow furrowed in suspicion. "How would Liara have a template of my retina to use for a scan?" Tali just shrugged. Shepard leaned down and looked into the scanner with his right eye. After a few seconds there was an audible beep. The screen activated and a question appeared. A flashing cursor waited for Shepard's reply.

"How much security do we have to go through to activate this?" Shepard exclaimed in frustration. He read the question to himself. "This is getting personal. This seems like a question only Liara would know to ask, but can we be sure this computer isn't collecting information for someone else?"

Tali leaned over the computer to see if she could determine who might be able to access the information. She looked at the question, which read, "Who interrupted our first kiss?" Tali cleared her throat and turned her head away for a moment. She turned back and examined the computer in more detail, working to access its functions through her omni-tool.

"I'm sorry, Shepard. The security on this computer is extensive. It would take me time to hack it without damaging the data. Do you want me to try?"

"No. Given how much security there is here I have to assume the situation is serious. Given the question, I'm going to trust that this came from Liara and isn't some effort by a third party to gather information." Shepard leaned over the haptic keypad and entered 'Joker'. A second question appeared. Shepard slammed his fist on the desk. "Dammit. I feel like I'm just jumping through hoops here." Again, he thought before taking a deep breath. He read the question silently. "What nickname did my mother call me as she was dying?"

"Shit," Shepard thought to himself. That was an intensely personal memory to pull out for a security check. Maybe it showed how desperate Liara was about protecting herself. Or maybe it showed just how much she had changed in the past two years. Or maybe both. Shepard thought back through the painful aftermath of the battle on Noveria. After several seconds he leaned over and entered 'Little Wing'.

Finally, Liara's face appeared in the computer screen. Shepard's frustration vanished and he felt his heart skip and the familiar butterflies in his stomach. "Shepard. Thank the goddess you made it."

"Liara. That was a crazy amount of security to reach you. What is going on? Why aren't you here?"

"I don't have a lot of time, Shepard. I've masked this signal as best I can, but it's likely there are trace programs running right now. I'm in deep trouble, Shepard. After I killed the Shadow Broker's spy, Nyxeris, I stepped up my efforts to locate the Shadow Broker and reach my friend. I must have gotten a bit too close, because my sources indicated one of his operatives has arrived on planet to…deal with me."

"Can you tell me who this operative is, Liara?"

"When you were helping me before you no doubt noticed how the Shadow Broker prefers to designate his operatives by what their primary task is. 'The Trader', 'The Smuggler', 'The Observer'. This operative is known as 'The Exterminator'. He or she has a reputation for subtlety and efficiency. For using a myriad of methods to take out targets. Weapons, explosives, and toxins to name a few. The moment the Exterminator landed most of my contacts and sources dried up. The casinos immediately began posting odds on how long I might survive, not if I would, but how long I would. Everyone in Nos Astra expects me to be dead very soon. I had to move fast just to get to a safe location to wait for you. Ilium is an information planet. Too many people are afraid of upsetting the Shadow Broker. I won't be safe now until I take him down. I can't show myself though until you deal with his agent. That should convince a few people I have resources of my own and maybe even get me closer to the Shadow Broker."

Was that all this was? Liara had pushed things right up to and over the edge and now she was calling on him to clean things up, to be her 'Exterminator'. Having him on call gave her credibility and clout. If he took down a feared operative then it proved Liara had resources of her own, like on Omega when he had served as Krantt to the Patriarch. Shepard suppressed a rising sense of resentment. He hoped he was misinterpreting the situation. "Can you tell me where this Exterminator is or give me any idea what he or she looks like?"

"I don't have those details, Shepard. No one was certain which arrival was the Exterminator and as I said, most of my sources dried up when word of his or her arrival spread. I was able to get one piece of information. The Exterminator is reportedly using a safe house well outside the city, lying low as well until I can be located, and avoiding antagonizing the local authorities. I need you to go there and take him out, or her out. Do that and I can seize the upper hand; go from being hunted back to being the hunter. Can you do that for me, Shepard?"

Shepard frowned again. "I had hoped to see you face to face, Liara. I had hoped we could talk about where things are at. Are you going to come with me to take out the Exterminator? It'll be just like old times when you were being hunted by the Geth." Part of Shepard hoped that reminding Liara of when he rescued her on Therum would remind her of the feelings that she had developed for him.

"I can't do that, Shepard. The moment I show myself someone is going to alert this assassin and then I'll just be a target. You need to get this person while we know where to look. If he's on the move, we might not see it coming. I'm sorry, Shepard, but I need you to do this without me."

Like everything else since he came back, Shepard thought to himself. He knew that wasn't fair, but he couldn't shake the feeling that things really had changed between them. That however much she still cared, or claimed to, that he was no longer a priority in her life. Two years had been a blink of an eye for him, but it had been a long time for her. He was finally starting to truly realize that and didn't care at all for the realization.

"Of course, Liara. I am here for you. I'll do what I can to take the Exterminator out. Give me the coordinates and we can take a shuttle out to the location and do what has to be done."

"Be careful, Shepard. You won't be able to take out a shuttle without filing a flight plan and I guarantee that someone will be ready to sell that information. I've told you all I can. You won't be able to reach me, but I'll be monitoring what sources of information I can still trust. I'll know if you're successful. If that happens then we can take time to talk if you want."

If I want? Shepard's gut churned. If I want? Don't you want to talk? Don't you want to figure this out? Or have you've already figured this out and you're just waiting for me to get the hint? Shepard knew he couldn't ask the questions spinning through his mind. Not now. Maybe not ever. But he was there for her. He would be her assassin, her weapon, pointed and fired to obliterate her enemies. Maybe they were friends, but they certainly weren't in love. His brain had grasped that even as his heart kicked and screamed like an angry toddler. Shepard buried his hurt feelings and his pride. Nearby, Mordin fiddled with Liara's knick-knacks while Tali focused on tapping something into her omni-tool. "I will be careful, Liara. Keep yourself safe and hopefully I can deal with this quickly. Afterward you can buy me a drink and we'll…"

"I have to go, Shepard. I've stayed on as long as I can afford. Good luck."

"…celebrate." Liara had severed the connection. Severed it clearly, if not cleanly. Shepard stood stiffly before the blank screen for several seconds, drawn inward, thinking to himself how much trying to be noble truly sucked. He turned his head at the gentle touch on his shoulder.

Tali stood close. He looked down into the glowing spots that he could see through her helmet. "That was…difficult, Shepard. I won't pretend to know how you're feeling. I just want you to know I am here for you."

Shepard reached up and took her hand in his own. "Thank you, Tali. And thank you for not pretending you didn't just see all that. I'd really rather deal with honesty right now than lying for politeness' sake." Shepard took a deep breath and willed his walls to come up. Willed himself to focus his anger and frustration on an acceptable target. He let go of Tali's hand. "Okay. We're going back to the ship to gear up. Mordin, I want you with me in case of any injuries or toxin exposure. Tali, I still may need your hacking skills and tech knowledge. I still don't want to bring any of the Cerberus personnel in on this. I don't know how The Illusive Man might try to make use of this situation. I'll send Garrus out to make a few purchases for the mission. We'll need to file a flight plan for the shuttle. We won't help Liara if we get in trouble with the law, especially if they've been paid off. They'll think twice before interfering with a Council Spectre, unless we give them an excuse."

Tali spoke up "Shepard, you heard what Liara said. If you file a flight plan for the shuttle then you'll tip off the Exterminator that we're coming."

"I don't think there's any way to avoid that, Tali. If what Liara said is true then the Exterminator has plenty of eyes in Nos Astra. I intend to give them plenty to look at."

Tali wasn't sure exactly what Shepard meant by that, but she had learned to trust his talent for finding a weak spot in a defense. She had seen him do it with the Geth many times. She had seen him do it with the Quarian admirals during her trial. She would trust him and she would stand by him whatever he was planning.

As they left the office to return to the Normandy, Shepard was stopped by Mordin. "I just wanted to say, Commander, in the interests of honesty, that I too witnessed the implosion of your relationship. Or perhaps it was an explosion. Difficult to apply terms correctly when describing emotions rather than detonations. In any event, combat will likely prove therapeutic. Hope my medical skills will not be required, but they will be available if needed. Hope my words provide reassurance and assistance in processing your emotional upheaval." Mordin smiled and passed through the office door. Shepard was never certain when Mordin was genuinely tone deaf regarding human social and emotional functioning and when he was exaggerating this as a way to help. He decided it was probably the latter since he couldn't help genuinely chuckling at Mordin's words.

Less than an hour later the Normandy briefly departed Nos Astra and flew north. Per their flight plan they launched a shuttle for the purpose of 'sight seeing' before the Normandy returned to the spaceport. The planet was hot and only sparsely populated outside the major cities. In the hills various wealthy individuals maintained estates, safe houses, and hideaways. The shuttle flew a pattern, as if exploring the area, before it eventually approached a small, blocky structure at the base of a large rock outcropping. The shuttle circled, as if sizing up the building. The structure remained silent. No response to the shuttle's presence was noted. Finally, the shuttle descended to a landing pad on the roof of the structure. The side door of the shuttle opened and Commander Shepard jumped stiffly onto the roof of the building, which was promptly obliterated in a powerful explosion. The shuttle was tossed skyward, its maneuvering thrusters torn apart by the blast. It veered out of control and crashed into the outcropping, bursting into flames before careening into the ground to lay shattered and burning among the rocks. The body of Commander Shepard was hurled away from the building to crash to the rocky ground nearly two hundred feet away.