Well, this took long. And it ended up being quite long, too. I'm not entirely happy with the chapter, but well, the story needs to go on!

Spectre. Who would have thought?

Ashley still could not quite believe it. After years of being outspoken against the Council, after years of faithful service to the Alliance, she now was a Council Spectre after being dishonourably discharged from the Navy.

I always knew God had a wicked sense of humour...

She had witnessed Shepard's Spectre induction. It had been a sudden development, yet had ended up as a rather grand gesture with a large audience. Her own ceremony three days ago had been very much smaller: No audience, no official announcements, nothing. She was in the official Spectres list now, and everybody taking a closer look at it would notice. However, her appointment as Spectre was kept as low key as possible. The Council did not want her status to become widely known. After all, per unofficial agreement she would not report to all of them, but only to Chairwoman Goyle. And the Alliance had no desire to make her new status public, either. They were marginally glad that there was a human Spectre again, but that out of all people it was somebody who just had been dishonourably discharged from the Navy was a giant slap in the face for them. So of course they would not talk much about it.

She nervously paced in one of the Citadel's docking area, waited for the next ship to arrive and pondered what had happened. From convict to Spectre in a matter of days... The recent weeks had been crazy like that. In all that turmoil, what with the Alliance first detaining her and Goyle then working to get her free, she hardly had had the time to mourn for Shepard and all the others who had died. In his battles he had seemed almost like a force of nature, and in his (in)fame and fights with the Reapers and with the Alliance maybe even somewhat larger than life. It seemed almost surreal that he would die basically out of sudden in a single enemy ambush. That a single attack had been able to do where thousands of enemies before had failed.

Maybe she had not properly mourned him. But Ashley was determined to fight for his memory now. She was sure he would appreciate watching that much more anyway. Before meeting him, she had done her utmost to be good enough for the Alliance, despite knowing that she would never be, that they would never really accept her or her family. Now, she knew the Alliance was not good enough for her - but maybe, she could do her part, in his name, that one day it would be. That was what he had called true patriotism: Not being convinced that your country or your species is right, but making it right and making it better. And Ashley had always been a patriot, one way or the other.

Of course, not everybody agreed with that. After she had quit the Navy and before the Normandy's destruction, there had been a pretty tense exchange of mails with her mother. Her mother was a patriot of the old school, always supporting the state no matter what. She was aghast not so much that her daughter would want to end her military career - none of Ashley's sisters had joined up, after all, and that had never been a problem, despite the military traditions of family. But she was aghast that Ashley would, as she saw it, turn her back on the Alliance like that.

And eventually, all mail contact with her had ceased. She had simply stopped writing to Ashley at one point. With Admiral Hackett's tacit approval, Tali had hacked into the Normandy's communication system after the Battle of the Citadel and had enabled direct extranet contact, bypassing the military censorship authorities. So Ashley knew it could not have been that the mail had simply been withheld - there never had been any mail sent. And thus, for weeks Ashley had not talked with her mother, and that was something that troubled her greatly.

She looked up. The ship she was waiting for was just arriving in the dock. Fortunately not everybody in her family thought like her mother. And when the ship's doors she opened, she smiled when she saw Abby and Lynn emerging, her two next oldest sisters. A moment later, the two spotted her, laughed, and came walking toward her. Ashley was glad, but she was also not a little bit nervous about the news they would have from home.

"Hey, sis!" Abby shouted. They hugged when she arrived and she continued: "So is your new status a state secret, or can we should it aloud?"

"Considering the Alliance hasn't..." Lynn stated.

"She's right," Ashley said with a laugh and also hugged Lynn. "Better tell me about what's happening back home. That should be safer."

Abby said with a smirk: "You're not getting away that easily." The smirk vanished. "We need to talk, sis. Seriously. Mom..."

"Yeah, I know," Ashley answered. "Look, I got an inn room for you two, just get your stuff to there for now."

"And then let's find a good asari or salarian café where we can talk" Abby stated. "I mean, if we're on the Citadel anyway, might as well try some stuff."

Predictably, Lynn looked less enthusiastic about that prospect, and neither was Ashley. "I know just the place to go to," she said, though.

Ashley had selected this little café already long before her sisters had arrived, well knowing what the two would want. And it served that purpose perfectly: Outwardly, it simply was a normal asari café. However, in truth it was an asari café catering to human interest. Asari cuisine, but changed to accommodate human tastes, and also carrying human food. The establishment was prospering in this specialized market niche, which was also the merit of owners, who had proven to be adaptable and not a little bit cynical: Before the opening of the human embassy it had been an asari café catering to batarian interest.

So, about an hour later, Abby was happily devouring a large asari salad, while Lynn and Ashley had been able to order cappucinos. There was maybe something to be said for the cultural diversity on the Citadel, after all. Even if Ashley really wanted to leave as soon as possible.

"So..." Ashley began, "Mom. How is she?"

Her sisters both grimaced. "Still not quite over what has happened," Lynn answered.

"We visited her on the way to here," Abby explained. "We... that is, she and I... we quarrelled. It wasn't pretty."

Of course. Abby had always been the outspoken and somewhat rebellious one. Lynn continued: "I don't think she's still mad at you. She was, definitely, but now... I think she just doesn't know what to say to you."

"That's something," Ashley answered. "No, that's good. But I don't know what to say, either. After all, I can hardly apologize. I won't."

"Stubbornness runs in the family," Abby commented with a sad grin.

"It's not just mom," Lynn added. "Our cousins, too. Some cheer for Shepard, some condemn him. The whole family is divided. Most families seem to be these days..."

"Your Shepard caused quite some chaos," Abby commented. She displayed a mischievous smirk, but it immediately made way for a stone hard face. "It's a good thing. I've watched those records. What happened at Gagarin Station. And the testimonies on how those people were dumped and left with their pain for all those years. For god's sake, because it's all classified they couldn't even go see psychologists about it! And Conatix' lies about biotics have destroyed some family relationships permanently. Have you read the suicide statistics? Dreadful. Between the sheer trauma, the fact that nobody believed them, the never ending L2 pains, the ruined relationships to family and everybody they've ever known, the inability to get any amount of justice and the continued marginalization of biotics in society..." She breathed out. "Nearly a fifth of all BAaT survivors have committed suicide since '69. Major social unrest seems quite appropriate given that."

"I... I tried to watch the records," Lynn said softly. "I just couldn't. And the protests at university... I fear some day it will end like it did in Chicago, or in Cairo..."

Ashley nodded. Due to their father's military career they all had had to move every two or three years, and everybody had had to make new friends over and over again. Abby had faced that problem by becoming extroverted and flamboyant. Lynn, on the other hand, had retreated to her books and her studies. Which at least had paved her the path to university, but still there had always been something odd about the child of a longstanding military family being so timid at times. It was probably one reason they both had always got along with Ashley so well: She had always gone easy on Abby's rebellious streak and on Lynn's timidity, much more so than their parents.

"Maybe I'll find something to say to Mom. Eventually," she said. "Now, what about Sarah? How is she reacting to this all? She still replies to me, at least, but her mails sound more like mission briefings these days."

"She's... a bit confused, I think," Abby answered after some hesitation. "What with her plans to enlist in the Navy... I think ideally she'd just wish for it all to go away, for matters to go back when she could simply be eager to serve the Alliance and the family tradition and so on and so on. Come to think of it, that describes a lot of people, who'd rather close their eyes than... nevermind. At least Sarah doesn't. So hence, now she's conflicted."

"Sounds like her," Ashley said. "Always a honest girl, even when she was being annoying. I feel almost sorry for her. I was the same before I told Udina where to stick it. Always troubled, always going back and forth. And now I did the same to her. I almost think I should feel guilty."

"Don't!" Abby exclaimed.

"You really shouldn't," even Lynn agreed. "Shepard has been right about a lot of things. What he said about corporations, for example, that's just what I study." Ashley remembered how she had been dumbfounded about learning of Lynn's major: Macroeconomics. These days, that really was a niche field. "Statistically, smaller business units lead to more robust economies, less corruption and a smaller social divide. So somebody had to say it. Of course, unfortunately there's no real way to transform an economy without greatly damaging it. We're already feeling the repercussions of ExoGeni's downfall for example."

Abby grinned. "Our little professor..."

That caused Ashley to slightly grin, too. If Abby wanted to tease Lynn, Lynn would hold trump: Abby had left home very early on, even before she had turned 18, but it had taken quite some time for her life to get on the tracks. However, Lynn held her tongue.

It became apparent that the two now tried to cheer Ashley up. And it was good talking to them again. Especially as it were exactly the two family members who seemed to agree with her about matters. But what with the news from home, and her anxiousness about her coming Spectre missions, some sorrows remained. Ashley was looking into the future with heavy concerns.

…...

The first thing Ashley had noticed about Terra Nova was the heightened security everywhere. Not only did there seem to be police patrols at every corner, they also seemed very well equipped. Considering the reports on how Terra Nova had just expanded its police forces very short-term, Ashley wondered where they got all the equipment from. Certainly there were no corporations that would be amiable to them.

It was a bit difficult to go explore every corner of Scott, Terra Nova's capital. Ashley had tried to come in undetected, and that had worked for the first day, but somebody apparently had snitched to the colonial government, and now she had a handler from them: Captain Larisa Nevzorova of the Terra Nova Special Police Force. Ashley had to admit she actually was a charming person. She managed to have both military precision and yet also a warm, open character. And she tried to be as helpful as possible, at least on the surface. However, it was a bit annoying how she seemed to follow the Spectre everywhere. And no doubt informs all her colleagues when I'm nearby. Luckily Ashley had found ways to lose her now and then.

The recent creation of the SPF out of some few existing special trained teams, and the general expansion of the police forces were troubling. Terra Forma was arming up, and that in a real, military sense. In fact, the SPF did not seem that different from a small military force. It were worries like that why Goyle had sent Ashley to the colonies. And the Spectre had found the mood on Terra Nova to be very tense. Not everybody agreed with the colony's total devotion to Shepard's ideals, and even among those who did there were many anxious about the price to pay for that. Most people seemed to expect some big strike against them any day now, either by the Alliance government or the corporations, either in legal terms or by more direct action. Nonetheless, a majority still supported the course of the planetary government.

And worryingly, such a mixture of steadfastness and anxiety would of course lead to self-radicalization. If people were convinced to be in the right, but saw themselves threatened by the forces they already blamed for everything anyway, they would get only more convinced to strike at them. People in the streets were openly talking about expropriating the corporations and even also their owners, and the vid channels were full of cheerful introspection of this 'social awakening'. Of course, all this talk achieved on the economical level was a massive capital flight. And a failing economy would probably only further heat up the tensions.

Or, at least, that was what Goyle had told her at their last extranet call. Ashley herself had little experience in such political and economical matters. Which was why her next schedule point made her a bit nervous, a meeting with parts of the Terra Nova cabinet. If they were to talk about anything else than the security situation Ashley feared they would end up lost. Maybe I should have hired Lynn as an assistant...

"Don't be so nervous." Ashley groaned inwardly. Of course Nevzorova was still at her side. They were in the backseats of a government limousine transporting them to the Ministry of Special Projects, Terra Nova's newest state agency. "They will trip over their feet to please you."

Ashley was a bit annoyed that her mood had apparently been so easy to read. That was not appropriate for a Spectre. Then again, Shepard basically always wore his heart on his sleeve. "That would be a sight to see. How do you figure?"

"They know Goyle sent you, and they know they'll go down without any support," Nevzorova explained. "They're desperate for allies, and they know Goyle sympathizes with them."

"Okay, point," Ashley admitted. "However, I'd rather not have them asking her for clarifications because her unofficial emissary was too stupid to follow even the most simple talks about politics."

Nevzorova chuckled. "If you don't understand a topic, evade it. If you're half as good as you've been at evading me, you'll get through just fine."

Ashley smirked. Once again, the Captain had a point there. Too bad she has been assigned to be my pain in the ass, otherwise I might have come to like her. "If only more military skills could be applied to politics." She paused. "That's more my forte. Stuff like close combat training or rifle specifics. Though, I've never seen any rifle like the one you're wearing. Or any of the other SPF guys."

It was not exactly a subtle approach, but Ashley's inquiries into where Terra Nova got so much mysterious equipment at once had not been successful in the slightest, so she thought she might as well try it with Nevzorova. Unfortunately, that seemed quite obvious to the Captain: "You must be getting desperate if you're asking even me." She chuckled again. "Sorry, can't tell without my superiors ripping my head off."

Ashley shrugged. Asking is free.

The car entered a wide courtyard and came to a halt at the far side from it. A pseudo-baroque building surrounded the courtyard, a true oddity on the colonies. Ashley knew it housed some of Terra Nova's ministries. On Earth, government agencies would occupy parts of the super-skyscrapers most of the time, but the colonies worlds had truly endless space to be used as development sites. There was no real use to use towers here. Copying historical Earth styles was still a bit odd, the spacious use of land was not.

Unsurprisingly, overt security was even higher than it was in the city. Guards were positioned at every door. Their modern weaponry provided a stark contrast to the pseudo-historical architecture around them. A liveried servant opened the car doors for Ashley. She noticed that even now, when she was entering the building, Nevzorova was following her. Apparently she was authorized; at least the guards did not stop her. I'll never get rid of her...

The servant, a graceful man showing first signs of ageing, led the two women through the building. Epic style ceiling paintings, overladen, garish stairs and way too much golden decor marked its interior design. Somebody must have paid for all this. Ashley remembered Goyle's briefing on how most of the colonial politicians agitating against the corporations now had been in their pockets before. And overblown self-representation had always been a desire of rulers and politicians ever since the first stone age tribe had called a meeting to decide what prey to hunt.

Finally, the servant opened a richly decorated door to let Ashley and Nevzorova enter a conference room. A table, just as richly decorated and just as garish, stood in the centre of the well illuminated room. Three people around it were raising from their seats to greet Ashley.

"Welcome, Spectre Williams," the woman at the opposite end of the table said. "We are glad you could make it."

Ashley recognized her: Miriam Miller, the Minister for Special Projects. Her newly founded ministry was a wild, hastily assembled mix of experts, competencies and resources. Basically, she was responsible for fighting Terra Nova's new political battles, against the corporations and if need be also against the Alliance government. Precisely the issues Ashley had been sent to investigate.

Miller, who apparently took it for granted to be recognized continued: "The gentlemen at my sides are Njabulo Mbangwa, State Secretary for the planetary police forces in the Ministry of Interior and Liao Guiying, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy. Please, be seated. You, too, Captain Nevzorova. There are, after all, also security concerns to be discussed."

Mbangwa smiled at Ashley and said: "Our respective ministers would have come, but a meeting with three ministers at once would have drawn too much attention."

"Be assured that we will cooperate you in whatever manner possible to us," Liao added.

"All right," Ashley said and struggled with words. Basically, she would only act as Goyle's mouth piece here, but even so finding the right words was difficult for her. She definitely was no politician or diplomat. Finally she continued: "Look, Chairwoman Goyle is very glad that somebody is calling the Alliance government out on the stuff that needs to be done. But things seem very tense out there, so we're wondering if it's really good to further heat up matters."

"Those concerns are noted," Miller answered. "And we understand them, truly we do. However, we are in a bit of a dilemma: So to say, it is not enough to just sent some strongly worded letters to Arcturus Station. That would change nothing."

It also wouldn't be quite such a show to the voters. Nonetheless, Ashley knew Miller was right. "It's just that you're not really making her job on the Citadel any easier. There are also the alien powers to consider. They might use this instability as a chance to muscle their way in." Mbangwa and Miller exchanged looks at that. It was a barely notable, but Ashley caught it. She continued: "Besides, if she can't show any successes, her standing in Alliance politics will deteriorate."

"Right, I'm seeing what you're getting at," Mbangwa answered. "It's a problem. Goyle is probably our most important ally. But what would you or she have us do?"

"Ideally? Tone things down a bit," Ashley explained. "Calling the government out and restricting the corporations is fine and well, but you could do it with some less pressure and more gradual. Let it take some more time."

"Possible," Liao admitted, but his voice dripped with disdain at this idea. In an ironic tone he continued: "We could go about things a bit slower. Hell, maybe that way we'll win within just three or four years on purely political ways, with no further instability. It's true." His face darkened. "But would you really have us do that, Spectre Williams? Wait another five years, maybe another decade? Let the BAaT victims wait for so much longer after they have already without any hope of justice for fifteen years?" His flat hand hit the table. "Unacceptable! This isn't just about changing society. This about getting justice, now. Any further delay would be a further injustice."

Miller and Mbangwa looked at each other uncomfortable, obviously embarrassed by their colleague's rant. Ashley understood. She had few experience with politics, but she could read people. It was clear that Miller and Mbangwa were only in this for political gain. Liao, however, was fire and flame for his ideals, and that made him an embarrassment to some of his allies. And potentially, it made him a dangerous man. Still, despite his hostile tone, this made Liao immediately sympathetic to Ashley. He's honest, at least. And he was right, of course. People like Goyle and Miller always had 'political realities' and 'political necessities' in mind. As she served Goyle, Ashley would also keep that in mind, but purely emotionally she thought that they should just do what was right, as Liao apparently advocated. Shepard definitely would have agreed with him.

In the end, Miller was politician enough to keep up appearances: "Mr Liao is right, Spectre Williams. We have to do this now, go all the way, or it will just be forgotten again."

Just as you'll be forgotten by the voters if you can't keep this issue hot. However, again, even if it was probably not her first concern, Miller was right. "Yeah okay," Ashley admitted. "I knew one of the survivors. Yeah, they need justice now. I'm with you on that. But at least, can we make sure you don't drop any further bomb shells into Chairwoman Goyle's lap? So, if I may ask, what are your next planned steps?"

"In a way what you've said is true, Spectre Williams," Mbangwa answered. "We do need to slow down a bit. What we must do now is to secure our position. And I mean 'secure' literally. That is the reason for the heightened security everywhere."

"The Alliance government won't move against us," Liao explained. "It's still more concerned with its new pet Council, meaning no disrespect to its Chairwoman, it's under pressure over those issues from more sides than just us, and it really, really doesn't want a conflict with its own colonies. So the real problem are the corporations." The way he said that word he could as well speak about the legions of hell. "For them, it's either doing something or losing their most important colonial assets. Given that, we're very sure they're ready to consider extreme measures."

"And hence, so do you," Ashley stated. " 'Special Police Force', right. You're building up a colonial military and arming it up quite heavily. From still unknown sources, too."

"So?" Miller just asked.

"Your normal police forces should be quite to deal with everything the corporations have," Ashley explained her position. "Unless they bring Eclipse or Blue Suns in, and then the Alliance will get pissed, too. So there doesn't seem to be much of an external enemy for that military force. I have to wonder if it may not be used internally."

"I don't like your tone," Liao said.

And truth be told, my tone could have been better. Trying to correct herself, Ashley said: "I didn't say you're really doing anything sinister. Sorry for my tone, I probably didn't make myself clear. But if Chairwoman Goyle really is to support you, she has to be sure you are in fact better than the Alliance."

"Shouldn't be too difficult," Liao snarled.

However, Miller calmly answered: "We understand your concerns, Spectre Williams. However, they're entirely unfounded. Maybe a tour of the SPF could alleviate them? I'm sure Captain Nevzorova would be happy to act as your guide."

"Certainly, ma'am," Nevzorova confirmed. "I'm happy to be of assistance."

Ashley stifled a groan.

…...

If Ashley had still harboured any doubt about the SPF being a de facto military, it was swept away by the feeling of nostalgia she had while visiting their barracks. This was true military life, no doubt about that, with everything ranging from really boring routine service to repeated physical, marksman etc. training. A lot of training, in fact. The unit seemed really focused on achieving and maintaining a high standard of proficiency. Again, Ashley was stunned by the amount of high grade equipment she saw. The armour and weapons of the SPF were definitely military grade.

"I'm surprised that you would show me all this," she commented to Nevzorova, her inevitable shadow. "My respect to whoever built up the unit. However, this hardly calms my fears."

"Of course we'll show you everything," Nevzorova insisted. "I thought you'd understand it. It's a gesture: We have nothing to hide. If the colonial government really had any secret, ulterior designs they wouldn't be so open about the capacities of their security forces."

Ashley shrugged. She decided that she could as well test that theory. She abruptly stopped her brisk walk when she saw two 'policemen' hurrying by. She lightly grabbed one at the arm. Surprised, the two stopped.

"Sorry, ah, Corporals," Ashley apologized after a closer look at the men's uniforms. "Captain Nevzorova is leading me on an inspection tour through the SPF, and I thought you could answer some questions to me."

The man Ashley had grabbed looked unsurely to Nevzorova. "Ah... I... okay."

"Don't worry, Corporal Kumar," Nevzorova said. "Just answer her questions. Fully and truthfully. The same goes for you, Corporal Hernandez."

"Yes, ma'am," the two confirmed and turned their eyes to Ashley again. Kumar looked attentive, but Hernandez still looked nervous.

"Did you join up recently?" Ashley asked. Due to the rapid expansion of the "police" forces it was a good bet that both would have, and indeed both confirmed it. "So why did you do?" Ashley asked further.

Kumar shot a glance to Nevzorova, and when the Captain slightly nodded answered decisively: "Because of Shepard, ma'am. I mean, I used to be pretty supportive of the Alliance. I thought they could make us a great power. But in truth, they couldn't even protect their largest colony. And why? Because they had tried so damn hard to become a great power in fact, just as Shepard has said. It was him who saved us, and well... now he's dead. So this is the only way how Terra Nova can repay him."

Hernandez still hesitated, but finally spoke up: "My boyfriend's cousin. You should see him, ma'am. If not for modern medicine he couldn't even properly breath. As it is, he can hardly move and is often in pain." His face hardened. "Contaminated by eezo as fetus. The accident at the Phaeton refinery on Demeter in '66. Only that it never was an accident." He spat the word out.

Ashley nodded. She had more or less expected such answers. However, before she could answer, Hernandez angrily continued: "I was once a proud Alliance colonist, too. But all that despicable stuff they and the corporations do... it's here in the colonies. And it's time the colonies make them pay for it!"

That had Ashley be a bit taken aback. Not only well equipped, but also well motivated. Zealous. A dangerous combination. "Seeing as how you already cause so many troubles," she continued, "how do you think things will go from here?"

"If I knew I'd be in the government, ma'am, not here," Kumar answered with a smile. "I trust the government, the planetary government I mean, will make good use of us."

Hernandez shook his head. "It's not that simple, Jag. Things will escalate further. And then we must be ready. Political manoeuvres are good and well, but I think force will be necessary."

Ashley's eyes narrowed. "And would you welcome that, Corporal Hernandez?"

Hernandez hesitated. "Nobody sane wants an armed conflict, ma'am. So I'd rather not have one, no. However - if it happens, I'll relish the chance to strike at the corporations and their ilk. Damn straight I will. None of them is any better than Conatix was."

No. They really aren't. Still, Hernandez' zeal made Ashley uncomfortable. "All right," she simply answered, though. "What about your weapons? Never seen those models before."

At the periphery of her eyes, Ashley saw Nevzorova flash a smile. Kumar answered: "Us, either, until they were handed to us. They're a bit complicated to handle and maintain, but their firing power is incredible. And hey, better a complicated weapon than none."

"Yeah, if Jag doesn't know, then I surely don't either," Hernandez added. "I'm just glad Terra Nova could spare resources for all this."

And that's exactly what I doubt. Terra Nova was the Alliance's largest colony, and it was a centre for platinum mining of galactic importance, but it still was just a polity of a mere four million people. To set it in relation, most single Earth metropolises were several times larger. No colony should have been able to 'arm up' like this. However, of course the common soldiers would not be told any details about that.

"Very well, thank you for your time," Ashley said. "Proceed with... whatever you've done before."

The two men nodded, saluted Captain Nevzorova and left.

"Well, I hope this puts some of your fears to rest," Nevzorova said as the two women continued their walk.

"What?" Ashley exclaimed. "You've heard this Corporal Kumar. With his zeal..."

"That's just it," Nevzorova interrupted her with a warm laugh. "Few us are here for money or due to the government or anything. It's either all about ideals or all about Shepard. If the government were to abandon either, those people would not follow it anymore. Hardly the best material for an internal coup, or whatever it is you feared."

"Okay, point," Ashley admitted. "But if the SPF is full of people like him, then this won't help ease tensions at all."

"You said it yourself, this is a military unit, all pretences aside," Nevzorova countered. "Aggressiveness in the military? Unheard of!" She grinned.

"I don't..." Ashley began, however she was interrupted by a loud mechanical howling suddenly sounding all over the base.

"Combat alert!" Nevzorova hissed. Her friendly nature seemed to immediately disappear, as her face became sterner and her eyes focused. She typed something on her omni-tool. "Seems like a patrol discovered something out in the Ansuf Desert. Something big. Lots of weapons, lots of people looking like mercs." She smirked at Ashley, half-smugly and half-aggressively. "Still think the SPF is unnecessary?"

Ashley grimaced. "We'll see. In fact that is something I should observe, so let's go."

Nevzorova looked at her surprised, but then shrugged. "Right. Gear's in the car."

The two women joined the stream of 'policemen' leaving their quarters and proceeded towards their own aircar. It was a sturdy vehicle and much too large for just two people. That served its purpose, though: It held their gear, and it would be no problem to use it to travel all the way out to the desert. And the SPF aircars were the same model. In fact, with the armour and arms they had, they were like miniature light tanks. And to add to that, a small armada of heavily armed SPF copters were accompanying them. It was a true military strike force.

While Nevzorova steered the vehicle, Ashley quickly changed in her armour, which had been stored here in wise foresight. By the impatient glances Nevzorova shot to her, Ashley figured she was eager to get into her gear as well. Finally the two changed roles. Ashley steered the car over a hot, lonely, alien desert. The terrain below her was monotone grey and yellow rock, with stones and pebbles scattered everywhere, scorched by Asgard, Terra Nova's sun. Not even cactus equivalents grew here.

Nevzorova was at the steering wheel again when they reached the target area. Ashley first saw the gunfire and explosions before they noticed the facility at the centre of it. It was certainly big. A huge fenced in area with several prelab buildings and much equipment being stored there. All around it, SPF and regular police forces tried to force their way toward it, but they were repelled with heavy fire and even rockets. What the fuck? The facility even seemed to have quite much in the way of anti-air defences.

"Get us closer," Ashley ordered Nevzorova. "I need to make some records."

The aircar made a wide curve downward, and Ashley began recording what she saw. The Terranovans were moving around the facility, trying to get into good tactical positions. Frontline combat was fierce. The Terranovans used rocks as cover for their advance, while the enemy, whoever it was, was bunkered in in its facility. The Spectre had her omni-tool display a tactical overview of the situation. It was disheartening to see how the Terranovans just could not get their superior numbers to bear. Ashley noticed that for all their good equipment and zeal, their tactics were rather unrefined. They probably simply lack the experience.

However, another part of the problem certainly was the enemy's equipment. Military grade weapons and equipment... this just shouldn't be possible! "What's going on there?" she asked.

"Our command post down there is near 100% sure we're dealing with mercenaries here," Nevzorova reported. "Nearly all humans, by the looks of it. All captured enemy equipment so far has been human in origin and brand new. You ask me, this stinks of corporate support."

"There's only one reason why anybody would store so much heavy equipment out here in the desert," Ashley said. "And I worried the SPF might be used for a coup!"

Nevzorova smirked smugly. Again. However, at least she had the good grace not to openly make any comment.

"You know, in my official job description as Spectre it says part of my job is to uphold public safety and order and all that," Ashley continued. "So to hell with just observation. I will not have a private army running amok here! As soon as the copters fly their next attack we're using that to go down and join the fight."

Nevzorova's smirk turned into a predatory grin, and a fire gleamed in her eyes. "Joining the fight, aye, ma'am."

The car flew right between the copters and then took a hard turn downward. Several rockets passed it, but between Nevzorova's incredible steering skills and the cover provided by the copters, none hit it during the downward flight. She slowed down for the landing - and an explosion tore away the back of the car. What remained of it crashed hard on the ground.

Ashley's belt strained hard, and something came flying to hit her on the helmet. Her senses dulled for a bit and then she was shaken again - the wreckage had hit the ground. Despite growing headaches, Ashley immediately freed herself from the belt and checked on Nevzorova. The Captain looked a bit groggy. Ashley opened her belt, too, and dragged her out of the wreckage. Slowly, she rose from it, looking around for enemies.

Around her was stone desert, debris from some lucky SPF hits in the area and an unbelievable amount of crates and other equipment. This was surrounded by several prefab buildings. Most notable was a sort of tower, from whose top rockets and anti-air missiles were being fired. A moment later, Ashley saw armed people approaching her position. She used the aircar's wreck as cover and began firing.

"Urgh..." Nevzorova muttered at her side, grabbed her own gun and joined Ashley. "As they say: They'll all come down eventually."

"We're in! Inside the fenced area, behind enemy lines," Ashley reported. "No use lamenting the crash."

The mercenaries returned fire, but their aim appeared weak and ineffectual to Ashley. Then again, so did Nevzrova's. After fighting geth, krogan and countless other enemies, some random mercenaries seemed an almost pitful opposition. When the last of them fell, Ashley's shields had barely been touched. "So much for them. Now we need to get to that tower. Shut down the rocket launchers."

"With all two of us?" Nevzorova asked.

Ashely hesitated. It only now occurred to her how crazy this was. I guess that's Jon's influence on me. If you're watching up there, make sure we come out of this all right! "We have to try. Trying to get out of here would be just as crazy. And if we're caught maybe I can still try to use my Spectre status to weasel us out."

"Ah, should've known," Nevzorova said. "Keeping you observed was fun, but of course there had to be a downside to it!"

Ashley shrugged. "Now, unless you have some expertise with the sniper rifle, I suggest you advance and I give you cover."

Nevzorova nodded and raised her weapon. She ran towards the nearest wall, pressed herself against it and slowly walked along it. Ashley kept her in sight of her scope, and also watched the Captain's surroundings for hostiles. Every now and then Nevzorova would stop and allow Ashley to catch up. For all her usual humorous demeanour, the Terranovan seemed to be sufficiently professional in what she did.

They reached the entrance to the building the rockets had been fired from. "This can't be that easy..." Ashley muttered. She stood next to Nevzorova, scouting the surroundings for enemies, while the Captain worked on opening the door.

It was pure instinct. As soon as Ashley saw somebody coming around the corner, she fired. She did not even notice it until the first shots had already been released. Immediately afterward, her mind kicked in. She saw half a dozen people approaching her and Nevzorova. I need to draw them away from her. It was a stray thought, but she desperately wished for some biotic support. Who am I kidding? I wished Wrex or Jon were here. Even without biotic vanguards present, though, there was really one option: Attacking. If they pin me down with superior numbers, I'm lost.

She charged toward the oncoming enemies. Using the debris, crates and pieces of equipment lying or standing around, she began to circle them. She ran from cover to cover, constantly firing. That got their attention, and just as planned diverted it from Nevzorova. On the downside, it meant Ashley now had to deal with them. Several shots depleted her shields. I knew I'm not good at this dancing around the enemy crap. She shifted her cover position again, and began to threw nearly all the grenades she had brought with , the mercenaries showed slow and uncoordinated reaction. Rookies, most likely. The veterans are at the front, firing at the SPF.

She kept firing. When she looked up again, her face darkened. Shit! A further dozen or so hostiles were coming from afar. No way I can hold out against them. Nonetheless, she positioned herself behind some barrels, determined to fight as best as she could.

"Williams, come! Quick! Door's open!"

She did not need to be told twice. She ran towards Nevzorova and into the tower. Once inside, the Captain closed and sealed the door. Both women breathed out in relief.

"If they haven't any explosives on them that door should stop them for a while," Nevzorova commented.

Ashley nodded. She had not even known the Captain would be so proficient with electronics, but she was glad it was the case. "We need to get upstairs. Quickly. Somebody on this base will have explosives!"

Resistance on the way up was sporadic. Simple metallic stairs went up round and round the inside of the tower, and only some single mercenaries now and then appeared to oppose them. In truth, it was more exhausting walking all the stairs upwards at a fast pace than to fight the mercenaries. Ashley and Nevzorova took turns covering each other, and advanced rapidly upward. At the top of the stairs, Nevzorova immediately began working on the electronic lock of the door leading outside.

"You know they will just mow us down when we come charging through that door?" she muttered. However, despite that she kept working.

"Which is why we won't do so," Ashley replied. "Let them come. We'll provoke them."

"Door's ready," Nevzorova reported.

The two took up positions besides it, and the Captain had it opened. Both managed to land some lucky shots at the surprised mercenaries up here. Those had either been too busy firing rockets, or too fascinated by the battle below them to pay any attention to the door behind them. However, resistance was soon forming up.

Pinned down yet again by enemy fire, Ashley looked for a way to alleviate her odds. At her side, Nevzorova's shots began to get a bit hectic, but the Spectre managed to remain calm. Let's see the quality of their products. She threw her last grenade in a high curve toward near one of the rocket launcher. It landed exactly where she had wanted it, right next to sloppily stored ammunition besides it.

The ensuing explosion did not take out all the launchers, but it threw the enemy into confusion. Heavy smoke suddenly was everywhere and the mercenaries hesitated. Or at least that was what Ashley assumed, as their fire rate lessened. The smoke began pouring inside the building, and she herself could hardly see her gun in front of her anymore.

Suddenly, in a rapid movement she stood up. There was something in the smoke. In the last moment she held up her gun with both hands to counter a savage blow against her. She heard a crunching sound as what appeared like a steel pipe or something came crushing down on it. Immediately, she began the counterattack, using the now useless gun to stab at the enemy's chest. She heard a satisfying "Oomph", took a step back and swung the gun like a club, sidewards. As she had hoped, it hit something heavy. The smoke cleared just enough for Ashley to see a female figure falling sideways. Ashley stepped forward to continue her attack, but the mercenary stumbled in haste down the stairs, fleeing.

The Spectre looked around. In a corner near the door, Nevzrova knelt and tried to keep up her fire, but she was caught in several coughing fits from the smoke. When Ashley came to her she said, under further coughs: "Take this." She offered her rifle. "You're better with it than I. I'll take my side arm."

Of course Ashley had a pistol with her, too, but the Captain was most likely right: She was a better shooter than her, so giving the rifle to her made sense. Besides, she would not look a gift horse in the mouth.

The rifle was... strange. It was one of the SPF standard rifles, one of those mysteries Ashley had so far been unable to solve. It looked like no gun she had ever seen, and it was still an enigma where Terra Nova could have acquired so many of them. And as she found out, what had been said about the gun was true: The accuracy and the handling were terrible, but the gun's punch and its firing rate were quite good.

Still, Ashley and Nevzorova were now not only outnumbered but also severely outgunned. A hard fight ensued. It was the SPF captain who shot the last remaining mercenary with her pistol. By that time, Ashley cowered against a wall, weakened by wounds in at least three different places. Her omni-tool had been shot, too, so she could not apply medi-gel the usual way. Nevzorova came to her to do so manually.

"Easy now," she said, "we managed it. Didn't think we would, but we pulled it off. Hell, whom am I kidding, you did." She worked her hands most carefully on Ashley's wounds.

"Next time I propose something as insane... knock me out and keep me down until I come to my senses again," Ashley managed to say.

"It's almost a pity there won't be a next time," Nevzorova answered, and it sounded almost more genuinely wistful than ironic. "I suppose you'll have a lot to report to Council Chairwoman Goyle now."

"I do," Ashley confirmed. She noticed how the medi-gel began to work. The pain lessened. She could straighten up a bit again, and her mind began to work properly again. She took a look at the gun in her hands, Nevzorova's gun. After a while she spoke up again: "No wonder this thing is so difficult to handle. What with all the cosmetic changes to it."

Nevzorova paused. "It... is kinda unwieldy built, isn't it?" But she did not sound genuine anymore. She realized the cat was out of the bag. And that of course only confirmed Ashley's suspicions.

"Poor accuracy, but good punch and firing rate..." Ashley mused. "I've seen many guns in my service with Shepard, and I know that profile. Strip away all the electronics and hooks on the outside, and this is a Haliat Volcano assault rifle. It's a cosmetically changed Haliat rifle, isn't it?"

Nevzorova hesitated. She stood up from Ashley's side and looked over the mercenaries' base. With the rocket fire gone, the SPF was rapidly winning superiority. She turned back again and faced Ashley with an icy glare. "Yes," she just said.

"So that's the secret," Ashley concluded angrily. "The turians are supplying Terra Nova. Perfect way for them to destabilize the Alliance. You bet I have much to report to Goyle!"

"And what exactly would that be?" Nevzorova shot back. "Oh yes, we accept turian help, and yes, the turians have ulterior motives for offering it. But look - " Her arms made a wide gesture spanning "- look at this. None of those facts matter. What matters is that we need this help."

"And in return, the turians get what they want," Ashley argued, "a destabilized Alliance. Just as I've said: Aliens using this conflict to muscle their way into human space. And you've decided to become part of this!"

"So, what's the alternative?" Nevzorova demanded to know. "Should we let mercs run amok here? Maybe have them initiate a coup?"

"So you exchange one threat for a bigger one," Ashley said sarcastically. "And worst of all, a threat to all of humanity. An encouragement for humans to fight humans, which you accepted. For your safety!"

"The turians are no threat!" Nevzorova argued forcefully. "They were nearly twenty years ago. And even then it was a misunderstanding." When Ashley snarled at that expression, Nevzorova backed off slightly. "Well, ah... anyway - do you really think this would happen again? What's the likelihood of another turian attack? Meanwhile, what's the likelihood of an attack by corporate forces or mercenaries or maybe even Navy elements? Oh wait, you know the likelihood, you've just seen it!"

Ashley's stature slumped together. This was much to take at once. "I left the Alliance and joined Goyle to make it a better place. But there's no time to clean house while outside enemies are on the prowl!"

"And what, pray tell, is that prowl?" Nevzorova asked. "Gifting us weapons? Yeah, how damaging to humanity... no, wait, not really. Meanwhile, Feros, Noveria, all the shit the corporations pull with Alliance support or without it - hell, you've just seen it here. That is far more damaging to humanity! That's what really hurts and harms humans! So I'd worry more about inside enemies!"

Ashley rubbed her forehead. She had to admit, Nevzorova had a point. So, this is where it has come to. The turians supporting internal human conflicts with weapons, and that's not even the less bad alternative. And now this battle... an outright battle... what will happen next?