Chapter 4: You're under arrest
Dressing up was a fun little diversion for Shepard, after he woke up each day. The selection wasn't very broad, though. The casual outfit looked like something Jack would wear, if Jack were a guy. Which, considering how butch she acted most of the time, wasn't that far off. Why do I like her again? he thought to himself. He puffed. Next, was the Cerberus crewman uniform. It was undeniably comfortable and flexible, but Shepard hated that big, ugly Cerberus logo. Not today, he mused. The Cerberus officer uniform looked nice, but the collar was a real choker. Yeah ... no, he decided. Finally, he came up to the scientist uniform. Admittedly, Shepard wasn't a scientist, unless destroying private property was a science, and the uniform was rather tight, especially around the crotch area, but he really liked the gloves it came along with and the SR-2 patch on the sleeve. Perfect, he concluded.
There was a small chime, as Shepard finished his preparations and heard Joker's voice. Commander? it asked.
Go ahead, Joker, he replied.
Councilor Anderson is on the comm, says it's urgent, he stated bluntly.
Patch him through, Shepard ordered.
Aye aye, commander, he answered and went silent.
It took a moment before anything was heard again in Shepard's quarters. Shepard? Anderson's strong voice seemed to boom in the otherwise tranquil room.
Councilor Anderson. What can I do for you? he wondered.
I'm afraid I'm not here to chit-chat, Shepard. There's something important we need to discuss, Anderson added.
I take it this is about the manned YMIR mech I fought yesterday, Shepard proposed.
No, he dismissed him, but about that; we found no trace of it anywhere.
What? Shepard exclaimed, shocked.
C-sec ran a clean sweep of the area. There were traces of battle, they even found a corridor that seemed nuked, but not a single chassis or droid and certainly no mech the size of what you described, Anderson informed him. Shepard felt dizzy. He went to sit down on his desk and tried to collect himself. Who could have gotten there in the meantime? Who had the resources and the manpower to pull something like that in such a small amount of time? But like I said, that's not what I called you for. You've got more trouble heading your way, Anderson continued. There was a murder in one of the apartment buildings in Bachjret ward.
Shepard raised an eyebrow. Murders happened all the time, even in Bachjret. This didn't seem too out of place. Why did it concern him? I don't see how that has anything to do with me, he replied indifferently.
The victim had your name carved on his chest, Anderson concluded. A gear clicked in Shepard's head. He checked the messages on his private terminal. Now, i know this-
Son of a bitch, Shepard, interrupted him, outraged. Son of a bitch, he shouted again and again, jumping off his chair.
Anderson was quiet for a while, waiting for Shepard to calm down. Son, is there something you need to tell me? Anderson asked in a calm, almost fatherly tone.
He ran his hand over his face, trying to compose himself. After I got Jack out of purgatory, I got an email from some guy, calling himself Billy, Shepard elaborated. He said he got a stray bullet from me on his attempt to escape and that he was going to make me pay. He'd, he paused, taking in a deep breath to continue, carve my name on his next victim, then try to come after me.
This is important information, why didn't you relay this to me immediately? Anderson broke out, agitated.
I didn't think it'd matter. So I hit some convict with a stray bullet, then threatened to do something about it, big deal. I had the Collectors to stop and plans against a Reaper invasion. Billy would have to wait, he excused himself.
But I could have looked out for something like this. I would have tried to contain it. Damn it, Shepard, his voice was heard distantly, as if moving away from his com console.
Shepard settled himself down, back on his chair. What's done is done. Now what do we do? he turned Anderson for guidance.
Anderson could be heard shifting. C-Sec wants you brought in for questioning. Seeing as how 'Billy' wants you dead, I think it'd be best if you remained there. Nobody knows what he looks like or if he's even human. If he comes after you, C-Sec will take him down.
Shepard's face seemed to contort. Tali would probably complain about how loud the whirring from his brain was right now. We'll go with that, but I'm gonna work on something on my own as well. Joker, he called.
Yes, commander, his voice chimed in, somewhat disinterested.
Tell everyone to meet me in the communications room in 5', Shepard ordered.
Tali limped her way in the Comm room, assisted by Garrus and Jacob, who sat her down on one of the chairs. She looked awkwardly at the two men and just nodded her thanks. Kasumi, seated across from her, made a low growling noise at her, imitating a varren's love call. Tali then shifted and tried to hide behind Zaeed. Shepard was too busy to take notice, Thane seemed too preoccupied with some sort of flashback, judging by the way his eyes seemed to move sporadically and Samara was still staring at the door. Legion, on the other hand, took particular interest in Creator Zorah, his eye followed her around intently, Mordin started making notes on Quarian mating rituals and Kelly was just biting her nail while seemingly more interested in ms. Goto.
Miranda had her gaze fixed on Shepard who was pacing around uncomfortably. I'm sorry, but I don't think she's coming. Can't we start without her? she prompted.
He sighed in response. We can't. She's an integral part of my plan.
What exactly is the problem, commander? Jacob asked impatiently.
I'll tell you all as soon ... Shepard was interrupted by the door. Everyone turned to look at Jack.
What? I needed to take a piss, she explained. And mascara takes time to apply. Just ask the cheerleader.
Oh, that reminds me, Tali interrupted, then fell silent for a moment. I'm ready, go ahead, Shepard.
Jacob looked at her with a look of clear disgust, Mordin made another note, on quarian envirosuits this time. Shepard just put a hand on his face. Jack, please take a seat so we can get this over with, he proposed.
She took a look around the room, but the only available spot was between Mordin and Miranda. I think I'd rather stand, she retorted with a sneer.
Fine, Shepard started. Alright, there's no beating about the bush for this one, he huffed. C-Sec has issued a warrant for my arrest.
What? Garrus jumped. That's preposterous, he added, shaking his head in denial.
How could this happen? Is this about the relay? Jacob questioned.
No, Jacob. This isn't about the relay. Shepard activated his omnitool and the monitors in front of the seated crew members came to life. A C-Sec report appeared.
This morning, at approximately 0700 hours, EDI's voice explained, a Turian diplomat was found dead in his apartment, at Citadel's Bachjret ward.
I know this place. It's close where I live, Jacob interjected.
Apparent cause of death, multiple stabbing wounds to the abdominal area. Mutilation of the bodily extremities followed postmortem. The name Shepard was carved on the chest, in all capital letters, while the victim was still alive, EDI continued.
What kind of sick mind would do such a thing? Jacob wondered.
All I know is that his name is Billy, Shepard added.
Miranda's eyebrows contorted. That isn't anywhere in the report, she turned to Shepard. How do we know this? she asked, but he didn't seem to respond, just stare at her. Then, her face seemed to light up, as if the answer presented itself in front of her and, in fact, it did. Billy from the email, she concluded.
Very good, Miranda! You have been reading my emails, Shepard noted in a mostly playful manner. Miranda shifted in response.
That gives us very little to work with, Garrus contributed. I'll see if my father can-
There is no need for that, Garrus. There is one among us that already knows Billy. The crew exchanged glances between them, except Miranda. Miranda knew who Shepard meant. And she hated having to rely on that person for a solution.
Performed many experiments, Beeor, Bernis, Bertramp. Never a Billy, Mordin defended himself.
Knew a Billy once. Strange kid. He was supposed to be our scout in a mission to hunt this Krogan warlord. He drove us right into an ambush. It was a goddamn massacre. Billy died first. Zaeed lowerd his head. I was the only one to make it out alive, that day.
Has anyone ever survived meeting you, Zaeed? Jacob asked.
You're still alive, Taylor, Zaeed replied with a smile. This didn't help Jacob feel any more reassured.
Jack! It's Jack, exclaimed an unsuitably jovial Tali. Jack was looking mostly disinterested, laying against the wall of the comm room, trying not to fall asleep and gradually losing, till the moment Tali shouted her name.
Wh-what? a verily stunned Jack asked. She looked around the room, waiting for Shepard, someone, anyone to disprove Tali's claim. I don't know anyone called Milly. And stop staring at me like that, you fuckers.
It's Billy and yes, you do. Billy is an escaped prisoner from Purgatory, the Blue Suns' maximum security prison, Shepard corrected her.
Shit, Shepard. There were hundreds of people there. How the fuck do you expect me to remember one insignificant guy? she defended herself.
You don't, but your mind does, he started.
Very intriguing, exclaimed Mordin happily. Stimulation of the memory lobe through open brain surgery. Have just the thing. Results like Drell eidetic memory. Jack took a couple of steps back, ready to run straight out of the room and take the first shuttle to the Perseus Veil. Shepard sighed, pinching the ridge of his nose.
Nobody, he stressed, is going to do open brain surgery on anyone. This helped Jack take a deep breath and relax.
Ah, Mordin slouched, most disappointing.
Shepard turned to Jack, a very serious look on his face. There's a way to surface the memory without the use of machines. Liara showed it to me once before. And it can only be performed by an Asari.
Samara, who had her eyes fixed on Jack so far, snapped her neck toward Shepard. You ... wish me to mind meld. With Jack.
Yes, Shepard stated bluntly. It will store the memory in her subconscious. If she ever sees Billy, she will instantly know who he is.
No way you're getting in my head, battletits, Jack protested.
Jack, Shepard pleaded, I can't do this without you. It all hinges on this.
She took a long minute, her gaze fixed on him. Everyone was tense. Jack was flushed with rage over this whole ordeal. She didn't want Samara fucking with her head, but on the other hand, Shepard making her such an important part of his plan meant a lot. It showed how much he counted on her. It eventually won her over. Fuck, Shepard, she shook her head, alright. Let's get this over with quick. Before I change my mind.
Samara, just the purgatory memories, Shepard noted.
Understood, she acknowledged, then turned her attention to Jack, slowly moving closer, her body swaying almost like a concentrated, living fluid. Clear your mind, Jack, her pupils seemed to dilate and contract at the sound of Jack's name, think of a large open space, a clear stream of water running through it. Everything you wish to know is within that stream, let me see it in your mind's eye, her hands resting on Jack's ears, she closed her eyes.
If you fuck with my mind, I'll k-
Jack's threat was cut short as Samara's cry of Embrace Eternity echoed through the room, her eyes opening wide, marred by a color as dark as coal.
Thank the Maker, she shut up, an all too happy Miranda exclaimed.
Samara's eyes closed again and opened up back to their original colors.
-ill you, Jack finished, as the justicar withdrew her hands. What, that was it?, she rubbed the back of her neck. I guess it wasn't that bad.
Oh, trust me, it was beautiful, Miranda mocked. Jack gave her the finger in return.
Alright, now that's over with, I'll give you your assignments. Garrus, Samara, the two of you will cover Jack. Go to Bachjret ward and investigate. Start with the Turian diplomat's apartment.
Wouldn't Jacob be a better suit? It's in his neighborhood, after all, Miranda cut in.
Negative. Garrus has been in C-Sec for years. He knows the Citadel as well as anybody. Samara is a skilled bounty hunter, that should be explanation enough as to why I chose her. Add any more to the investigation group and it gets too crowded. Besides, I have another assignment for you two.
I'm all ears, Shepard, Jacob nodded.
I want you to go to Omega. Take the Normandy and get Aria to talk. She will know about our serial killer. If he left Purgatory he'd have to buy a new identity. Omega is the closest place he could go for it and there's no way Aria was unaware of this. We need that information to trace his steps. Tali, I need you to create a bug for the C-Sec mainframe. Anything that goes through their files, I want it processed and fed to us.
I'm on it, Shepard, she promised.
Kasumi, you'll have to infiltrate C-Sec and plant Tali's bug. Her leg injury doesn't allow for strenuous work. Make sure it stays undetected.
They won't even know I was there, Shep, and with that she disappeared from her chair.
Legion. I need you to get access to one of the Citadel terminals. Any news feed about Billy is just as useful as a C-Sec report. I want you to pass any processed results to Garrus when possible. Stay near Tali.
If Shepard Commander reached the consensus, we will comply, the Geth chimed.
Thane, make sure nobody blows Legion to bits and Tali is just as safe. We don't know Billy, but Billy knows us.
My distractions will keep them safe, Shepard, the assassin swore.
Mordin, I need you to work on my defense.
Defense? Defense for what? Jack demanded.
Shepard's eyebrows contorted. I thought that was fairly obvious. I'm turning myself in.
The hell you are, dumbass, she slammed her first on the briefing room table. How about this; we take this fucking ship, turn it around and get the hell out of here.
That's not an option, Jack, Shepard reprimanded her.
Of course it's not. You have to go play king of the fucking boy scouts again, Jack snorted. I need to get fucking drunk, she excused herself and stormed out of the comm room. It was silent for a while after she left. Even Miranda didn't feel like saying something mean about her.
Alright, the rest of you go with Jacob and Miranda, Shepard scanned the room. Wait, where's Grunt?
He left right before Garrus and Jacob brought Tali, EDI informed them.
Where is he now? Shepard wondered.
Shepard, a voice barked from the comm.
Gardner? he asked. The sound of crockery being smashed was audible in the background.
Come get your damn Krogan out of my kitchen! He's eaten through my monthly supplies, he chewed him out. In the distance, Grunt could be heard laughing and letting out a cheerful squeal of ketchup.
Shepard looked around, awkwardly. I should go, he realized.