They started making their way towards C-Sec in order to talk with Captain Bailey. Shepard was hoping that he would help them to locate Thane's son.

"According to C-Sec reports, Harkin was taken into custody, and charges are pending," said EDI.

"That's the least that bastard deserves," Garrus grumbled.

"Hopefully there will to help us with locating Kolyat," said Shepard.

Before they approached the precinct Shepard helped a couple of Asari to get past customs. Apparently the new security protocols considered them a geth threat. Shepard managed to convince the traffic controller to let them board the next shuttle.

They then headed to the precinct and found Bailey at his desk and he looked up. "Anything I can do for you Shepard?"

"My associate is trying to find his son," said Shepard gesturing to Thane. "We think the local criminal may have hired him."

"Should be easy. We don't see many drell here," said Bailey. He then accessed his terminal and began looking through the reports from his men. "There we go. One of my men reported a drell recently. And he was talking to Mouse. Interesting."

"Mouse?" Thane blinked.

Bailey looked up at him. "A petty criminal. Probably not the guy who hired your boy, but a messenger. He is a former duct rat, runs errands for anyone who'll pays."

"What sort of trouble has Mouse been getting himself into?" Shepard asked.

"Odd jobs for shifty people. Duct rat take whatever's available to get by. Data running. Fencing stolen goods. Selling illegal VI personalities." He then looked at Shepard with amusement. "Actually, he was selling one of you."

Shepard blinked. "Me?"

"Yeah. When you erased a file, it would say, 'I delete data like you on the way to real errors.'"

Garrus smirked. "That's pretty extreme, Commander."

Shepard narrowed his eyes at him. "Laugh it up, Garrus."

Bailey shrugged. "Buggy, though. It crashed every half hour. The error message was about how the galaxy was at stake, and you should fix the problem yourself."

"I've heard enough," said Shepard.

"Mouse is usually upstairs, outside the Dark Star. He works out a public comm terminal. You should pick up a copy of the 'Shepard VI' when you talk to him." Bailey then looked at Thane. "It sounds like your boy's running with the wrong crowd."

Thane nodded. "Yes. I agree."

"If mouse can't get you in touch with your son directly, he'll know who can," said Bailey. "I'll help you if you need it."

"You don't know us, Captain. Why are you going so far to help?" Shepard asked.

"I've worked Zakera for two years," said Bailey. "Every day, kids turned to crime because they've got no other choice. Because their parents don't care." He looked up at Thane. "You're trying to save yours."

Thane closes eyes. "…He faces a dark path."

"We better hurry, then," said Shepard.

They walked out of the station and once they were out of earshot Thane looked at Shepard. "You didn't tell him that Kolyat plans to assassinate someone."

"He's a cop. He tried to stop Kolyat, and one of them could end up dead," said Shepard. "I don't want that."

Jacob stood there with his arms crossed looking at Thane. "I can't believe an assassin is looking after his son."

"You sound surprised?" Shepard asked.

"I don't know what's more surprising that he had a son or that he cares about?"

Shepard had a feeling there was more to it, but decided not to press the subject. "Either way we need to find Kolyat before make the biggest mistake of his life."

They made their way up the stairs and saw Mouse on the far end near a terminal. It appeared that he was actually speaking to someone as they approached and he had his backs to them.

"Yeah. Sure. I can get you two cases by the end of the day," he said pressing a few buttons on his datapad.

"You Mouse?" Shepard asked.

"What do you—" Mouse turned in his eyes widened. "Oh, shit! Krios? I thought you retired!" His eyes widened even further when he saw Shepard. "Commander Shepard? I thought you died! What you want with me?"

Thane patted the young man on the shoulder. "He still, Mouse. You can change your pants in a moment."

Shepard looked between them and then turned to Mouse. "How do you know Thane?"

Mouse blink. "Krios? He didn't—?" He looked at Thane then back to Shepard and folded his arms. "Uh. If he didn't say nothing, I ain't either."

Thane looked at Shepard. "When we heard the name, I didn't think could be the same Mouse. He was a contact on the Citadel when I was active. He and some other children would gather information on my targets."

Shepard stared at him. "You put children in danger to spy for you?"

"Children. The poor. My people's word for their kind his 'drala'fa': the ignored. They're everywhere, see everything. Yet they are never seen."

Thane then promptly grabbed the helm of Mouse's shirt and pulled him towards him. "You gave another drell instructions for an assassination. Who's the target?"

"I… I don't know. I didn't ask. 'Cause the people I work for? They can make me disappear." Thane released him and Mouse looked at him sympathetically. "I'd like to help you, Krios. You always done right by us. But I ain't gonna die for you."

"Look. You know Thane," said Shepard placing a hand on his shoulder. "He wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. Do it for him."

"I want to. He was always nice to us." He then looked at Thane. "But these people ain't nice, Krios."

"Nobody's going to know you talk to us," Shepard assured.

"Mouse. I swear that you won't be named," Thane promised.

"All right… all right," said Mouse. "He came with that holo you took of me. Said he wanted a job. I ran thought your old contacts to see who might give him a shot. The guy who offered was Elias Kelham."

"Tell me about Kelham," said Shepard folding his arms.

"Human. Moved to the Citadel about ten years ago." He looked at Thane. "He was little people when you were still here, Krios. He got big after the geth attack. Lots of the big guys from before got cacked. All in them big fancy apartment up on the Presidium. Now he runs the rackets on the lower end of the Ward. Shin Akiba. He's seriously bad news."

"One other thing," said Shepard. "That Shepard VI you're selling?"

Mouse looked at him fearfully. "Oh, shit. You hear—Look, you were dead! It was totally legal to make a VI of you."

"Give me a copy, we'll call it even," said Shepard.

"What?" Mouse stared. Mouse then handed him a data drive. "I mean, sure. Yeah, absolutely! Sorry about the whole… Just so you know, there's three volus who are patching it all the time."

Shepard placed the data drive in his pocket. "You did good, Mouse."

"Yeah." Mouse rubbed his arm nervously. "Hope I live long enough to pat myself on the back."

"Kelham will never know," Thane assured.

"I hope not. I'm out of here, Krios. Next time you're in town—" Mouse paused. "Just don't bring the family."

Mouse then walked off and Shepard looked at Thane. "That couldn't have been easy," he said.

"Mouse knew more about my life and Kolyat ever did," said Thane. His eyes then went out of focus. "He smiled up at me, broken teeth and scabby knees. Bare feet black. A dead-end future looking up at me. Worshipping the petty gifts I offer." Thane's eyes then came back into focus. "I was the only thing he had, back then. But I left him, as I left Kolyat."

"Don't blame yourself."

"If I don't, who will?" Thane asked. "We must carry the weight of our decisions, Shepard. You of all people, know this."

Shepard couldn't disagree with him, the decision of leaving Kaidan behind still haunted him. He'd always used his good judgement to prevent such decisions, but it was those rare decisions that always throw him for a loop.

They then headed down the stairs back towards C-Sec.

Jacob's eyes were still on Thane and Shepard backed off to join him. "You still don't trust him?"

"I just don't like assassins," said Jacob. "There just mercs with better training."

"And this one hasn't back stabbed us in the back, literally," Shepard pointed out. "Perhaps if you just give them a chance."

Jacob didn't say anything as they walked down the steps.

"Can we talk about my associate's son?" Shepard asked as they walked up to Bailey.

"You talk to Mouse?" he asked. "Did you get the name of the guy he's working with?"

"Elias Kelham."

"Kelham. Shit." Bailey looked annoyed and troubled at the same time. "Ah, look. This is awkward. Kelham and I have a—an arrangement. He doesn't caused too much trouble, and 'buys tickets to the C-Sec Charity Ball' from me. In return, I ignore him."

Shepard couldn't believe he was hearing this. "He pays you off," said Shepard folding his arms. "You were eager to help us before. What about now? Is it too 'inconvenient'?"

"I said I'd help," Bailey assured. "It's just—There'll be repercussions if I don't handle it right. He and I… give each other space. It keeps the peace. I'll get some of my people to bring him in and set him up in a private room. You can interrogate yourself. I'll stay out of sight. If I'm lucky, Kelham will believe that I had nothing to do with it."

Shepard nodded. "Bring him in. We might not have much time."

"I'll make it happen," said Bailey getting to his feet. "Wait here."

Shepard and Thane waited at the station and then saw two C-Sec is dragging a man, who Shepard assumed to be Kelham. They watched as they dragged him into the interrogation room.

Shepard then turned to another officer. "We've got Kelham. Tell Bailey we're ready."

The officer saluted and walked off.

A few seconds later Bailey showed up. "He'll expect me to get him out of this."

"Not today, I think," said Thane.

Suddenly they saw a man approaching the station and two officers blocked his path.

"Captain," said a turian officer over the radio. "His lawyer is here. Bet Elias has his VI set to page him if C-Sec get within ten metres."

Bailey looked at Shepard and Thane. "I'll stall him. Get in there. And work fast."

Bailey then headed towards the lawyer and Thane turned to Shepard. "We should question them together. Keep the pressure on. Thoughts on how we approach it?"

The old good cop bad cop routine was the most ideal method in interrogations. "You talk to him. Appeals to his self-interest. I'll put the screws on him if he needs it."

Thane nodded. "Very well. I'll pretend to be on his side. But if we waste too much time negotiating, Bailey won't be able to stall Kelham's advocate."

Kelham was strapped to an interrogation table and he was doing his best to break free of the restraints.

"Get me out of these restraints, Bailey," he said. "Pretty funny, bringing me down here like this—" He then saw Shepard and Thane enter the room. "Who the hell are you two?"

Shepard and Thane placed their hands behind their backs and walked around Kelham. Shepard placed himself behind Kelham and Thane stood in front of him.

"My name's Shepard. I'm a Spectre," Shepard began.

"Prove it," said Kelham.

Shepard pulled out his pistol and aimed at his head. "I don't have to prove anything. Spectres are above the law. We clear?"

"Crystal."

"Good," said Shepard pulling the pistol away. "Now, fortunately. I'm not after you. You contract an assassin. Who's the target?"

"Joram Talid. A turian. He's running for office. He lives in the 800 blocks."

"Thanks. You won't see us again," said Shepard as they walked off. "No offence, but your problem below my pay grade."

Thane looked at Shepard impressed. "That may go down in history as the shortest interrogation ever."

Shepard shrugged as they walked out of the interrogation room and saw Kelham's lawyer walking past them into the room. They then made their way over to Bailey, who was waiting for them.

"What's the story?" he asked. "Why did Kelham hire the boy?"

"Assassination," said Shepard, knowing he couldn't hide the truth any more. "A turian named Joram Talid. You know him?"

Bailey stared at them. "Joram? Yeah. You might have seen his posters around. He's promising to end organised crime on the wards. Thing is, his messages is all mixed up in race politics. He's anti-human."

Shepard was surprised by that, he knew that there were people that still believe that humans are aggressive upstarts, but these days are usually kept it to themselves. Especially after the Battle the Citadel.

"Are things so bad that people can openly campaign as anti-human?"

"Before the Battle the Citadel, the alien population thought we were violent upstarts. Look what's happened then," said Bailey watching out several human C-Sec officers walked past. "A human fleet guarding the station for months. C-Sec filled with humans. Anderson does what he can, but some people have lived on the station since before humans had starships. They see it as a coup."

Shepard could only imagine how bad it would look if word got out that the human hired an assassin to take out a turian politic. "We need to stop this assassination. Can you get to the 800 blocks?"

Bailey nodded and looked at one of the C-Sec officers' close by. "Sergeant! Get a patrol car. These two need to get to the 800 blocks."

"Yes, sir!" the sergeant saluted.

A few hours later they reached the 800 blocks and found Talid talking to a few aliens and selling that there was a krogan bodyguard.

"There he is?" said Shepard. "How do you want to play this?"

"Follow Talid on the maintenance catwalks," said Thane pointing to the catwalks above them. "Tell me what he's doing. The krogan bodyguard will make him easier to follow."

"Where will you be?"

"The darkest corner with the best view."

Shepard nodded and made his way over to catwalks.

Thane just stood there and began to pray. "Amonkira. Lord of Hunters. Grand that my hands be steady, my aim be true, and my feet sweat. And should the worst come to pass, grant me forgiveness."

A human then walked in front of him and the moment she passed Thane had vanished.

Shepard listened to Talid as he spoke to several voters and he will clearly anti-human. Shepard wondered if he would feel the same and the Reapers had invaded. Though Shepard had to admit that he did had his fair points.

Shepard then saw Talid standing outside of the human store. His bodyguard had entered and looked as if he was roughing the clerk. Then the moment be exited the store they ran.

Shepard had the run after them and had a tense moment with the stock boy. He managed to follow them to a bar and a shakedown with the bartender. They then join up with more krogan from the same gang as his bodyguard.

Talid was starting to get nervous either he saw Shepard or Kolyat. Sheppard then encountered a stock boy, but he managed to talk his way out of trespassing and carried on to follow Talid.

Talid was walking down the street and he passed a drell, who he guessed was Kolyat. He watched as he began to follow Talid and reached for his pistol.

"Kolyat!" Shepard yelled.

Talid and the krogan bodyguard turned and saw Kolyat looking up at Shepard. Kolyat quickly pointed his pistol at Talid, but the bodyguard placed himself between him and Talid.

"Call C-Se—argh!" Kolyat then shot the bodyguard.

Talid round the block of flats and Kolyat followed him.

"Thane?" Shepard yelled.

"I saw," said Thane, who appeared out of nowhere.

"He's heading to Talid's apartment!" said Shepard as he jumped off the catwalk.

They entered into Talid's apartment and found the turian on his knees with his hands behind his head as Kolyat aimed his pistol at the back of his head. Kolyat then saw Shepard and Thane entering into the apartment.

Shepard pulled his pistol and aimed it at him, but his eyes were on his father.

"Kolyat," said Thane.

"This—This is a joke," said Kolyat with anger in his eyes. "Now? Now you show up?"

"Help me, drell. I'll do whatever you want," said Talid.

Bailey and his men then appeared for them aiming pistols at Koylat. "C-Sec. Put the gun down, son."

"Get out of my way," said Kolyat. "I'm walking out. He's coming with me."

Thane took a step forward. "They'll have snipers outside."

"I don't need your help!" Kolyat glared.

Shepard then fired a shot at the lamp next to Kolyat. This caught him by surprise lowering his guard.

"What the hell!"

Shepard then punched him in the face and knocked the pistol out of his hand.

"Talid, get the hell out of here."

Talid got onto his feet and began to walk out of his apartment. "Yeah. Yeah! I will."

Bailey looked at his men. "Take the boy into custody."

"You son of a bitch!" Koylat yelled furiously.

"Your father doesn't have much time left, Koylat," said Shepard. "He's trying to make up for his mistakes."

Koylat looked at his father with disdain. "What, so you can come and get my forgiveness? So you can die in peace or something?"

Thane walked up to Koylat. "I came to grant you peace." He stood there in silence for a few seconds before speaking again. "You're angry because I wasn't there when your mother died."

Koylat glared at him. "You weren't even there when she was alive. Why should you be there when she died?"

"Your mother—" Thane sighed. "They killed her to get to me. It was my fault."

Koylat looked at him in surprise. "What?"

"After her body was given to the deep, I went to find them. The trigger man. The ringleaders. I hurt them. Eventually killed them. When I went back to see you, you were—older." He closed his eyes. "I should have stayed with you."

Koylat narrowed his eyes. "I guess it's too bad for me you waited so long, huh?"

Thane looked at his son. "Koylat. I've taken many bad things out of the world. You're the only good thing I ever added in."

Tears poured down across Koylat's face.

Bailey then walked up to him. "This isn't a conversation you should have in front of strangers." He then looked at his men. "Boys, take Koylat and his father back to the precinct. Give them a room and as much time as they need."

Shepard looked at Bailey. "I'm surprised you're letting him do that."

Bailey looked at Thane and Koylat. "You think he's the only one who ever screwed up raising a son?" He then turned to Shepard. "I have to get back to the precinct. Come on. I'll give you a lift."

An hour later, Shepard was waiting at the precinct with Bailey. Thane and Koylat were talking in another room for a while now.

"They've been in there for a while," Shepard noted.

"Kid's been through a lot," said Bailey looking over his terminal. "I ran some searches in the C-Sec archive. About ten years back, a bunch of real bad people were killed. Like someone was cleaning house. The prime suspect was a drell. We never caught him."

Shepard had a feeling that Bailey knew that it was Thane that did the killing, the last thing he needed was his crewmate to be locked up in prison. "Ten years in a long time," said Shepard. "Whoever was responsible for that probably doesn't exist anymore."

Bailey nodded." Yeah. I guess you're right about that."

The door opened and Thane walked out.

"How'd it go?" Shepard asked.

Thane shrugged. "Our problems—they aren't something I can fix with a few words. We'll keep talking, see what happens."

Bailey looked up at Thane. "Your boy shot some people. No I feel sympathy for, but there it is."

It was a good thing that Koylat never actually killed anyone or else he would have been in more trouble. However, the charges against him were quite grim and Shepard really had to help Thane out.

"I watched those guys shaking down businesses and threatening humans," said Shepard.

"But he can't just get away with it."

"The kid wants to make a difference. Given community service."

Bailey stared at him. "Community service for attempted murder? What jury would agree to that?"

"None that I've seen," Shepard admitted. "This will have to stay out of the judiciary. Strictly within C-Sec."

Bailey got to his feet. "Interesting. I'll think about it."

"Thank you, Captain," said Thane shaking hands with Bailey.

Rick was taking some shore leave and sitting down at a nice cafe on the Presidium. He just took a drink of Diet Coke when he saw Ashley approaching him.

"Permission to set, sir?" she asked.

Rick roared his eyes. "Ash, were on shore leave no need to go in with formalities."

Ashley sat down opposite him and she ordered a drink and some food.

"Have you heard about the mess that went down in the wards?" she asked.

"Yeah, I saw on the news," said Rick shaking his head. "A turian politician nearly getting assassinated by a drell. Fortunately for him, C-Sec arrived in time and stop the assassination attempt."

"Shepard is partnered up with a drell, isn't he?" Ashley asked. "And the turian was speaking against humans."

Rick raised an eyebrow. "You think that Cerberus was the one that hired the attack?"

"Well, I wouldn't put it past them."

"Ash, Shepard was the one that stopped the assassination attempt apparently the assassin was his crewmate's son," said Rick. "Or at least that's what my contacts in C-Sec say at least."

Ashley looked taken aback. "Oh."

"Ash, Shepard would never do such a thing and if he did the man just proves that he's not really Shepard. Besides I think Cerberus is sincere about stopping the Collectors, the Alliance has run into them for quite some time now."

Ashley sighed. "I suppose. It just doesn't seem right that they're the ones that are saving innocent lives."

Rick was quite amused by the notion. "Yes were been saved by a terrorist organisation, you'd a thunk."