AN: A mite bit sooner than the last one huh? Enjoy.

Half-Edit [Because I caught it before posting]: For some reason I can't put in any line breaks, and since I can't colour text [Probably for the benefit of everyone's eyes.], I can't put in a white line... Until I figure out how to fix that, enjoy the random lines that contain a single stop, and pretend they don't exist. Before you ask, yes I've tried shift+enter.

As a soldier of the Alliance and Knight of Cerberus, I was to do everything I can to support legal human enterprises over alien ones, even if they were of ill repute.

As a noble, I was to stay out of places of ill repute, mingle with my true peers, and gather prestige for my family.

As someone who views her nobility as a chore and knows it'd hardly be news, I wound up in Chora's den. Human owned, dim lights, cheap drinks, and if you trust rumours, infrequent brawls that were staged to show off a 'Ex-Military' Muton [Actually an ambassadorial guard according to the rumours.] taking on a Krogan, with bets being taken privately as to who would win. Looking around, the last wasn't too unreasonable, everything was both extremely reinforced and rather padded, with plenty of open space were people to stop dancing. All in all it was a nice place to drink in peace and read reports. A place where it was easy to see who wanted attention and who didn't, which in this case was an Alliance marine in full armour, bringing weapons, and beings marked a Knight, a Psion and a Biotic...

.

I suppose I probably scared the shit out of anyone who had any clue what the markings on my shoulder meant, though I wasn't likely as scary for those that recognised the ratings signified by my Psion and Biotic markers, assuming they could be bothered to take a close look.

Currently, I quietly sipped a cruiser [Confident I wouldn't run into any marines here, and needing to remain sober in theory, despite being on leave.], and grumbled to myself. Why in the world was I attached to those investigating Saren? I was a marine, not a member of the military police, and these were C-Sec reports I was getting forwarded… Sure, I'd likely have to do this if I became a Spectre, but it wasn't something I wanted to be doing now.

Then my right omni-tool began beeping for me to put on my helmet. Apparently I had a message from Anderson.

"Anderson this is Shepard."

"Shepard, I'm loading a map with a marker to your suit, it's to an alley near where you are, you're needed their ASAP, there's some intelligence that will be disappearing soon there and you're the only one nearby."

I glared through my helmet. "Understood sir, what's the- Why would he cut out like that. Voice command active, Show number and recall… Ok, that's his private extension."

I had already gotten most of the way out of the bar before Anderson responded, his voice much calmer, and a little tired.

"What is it Shepard?"

"You didn't just call me to tell me to go somewhere on your private phone did you?"

"… No. Why?"

"Someone's hacked your phone and used it to tell me to go somewhere. If you wouldn't mind I've got a trap to go spring, I'm forwarding everything I have to you."

"Shepard why are you planning on-"

"Because I'm nearby, armed and armoured, and knowing that the Remnant uses less savoury sources from time to time this may not be a trap but one of their investigators dropping information in my lap. Just send some people my way."

"If this is Remnant work then they're paying the bills. I'll get the balls rolling, be careful."

"You do realise who you're talking to?" I smiled, I must have been a little drunk if he was drawing one of those out of me.

"I said careful, not safe. I don't need C-Sec stumbling onto your body sans-head with evidence of laser damage."

With that he cut the call.

-XXXX-

I surveyed the scene from cover. A female Quarian, likely a pilgrim, stood waiting, leaning against a wall as if to give the illusion of ease… But almost all her weight was on one leg, and I had spotted at least the mines, each appearing flash forged, and scans showed they weren't emitting trip lasers. A collapsible weapon was on her hip, a shotgun by the looks of things, and she had some sort of ball in her hands.

A of Turians and a couple of Salarians entered my field of view, coming around the opposite of end of the alley, a quick check revealed they didn't have any backup coming through the other end, leaving me nice and cosy to watch. After a moment I decided they were gang-bangers, crappy gear, minimal armour.

.

"You got the package?" The Turian had arrived, standing really close to the Quarian, who had barely hid her limp.

"Where's Fist? Where's the broker?" Slowly her voice took on an angry tone, no confusion.

"Not here. The package?"

"We had a deal." She started backing off.

"Deals change, where is it?" The Turian repeated forcefully, he put his hand on the Quarian's shoulder.

I fired. It was a toned down kinetic shot, but it still blasted a hole in his crappy armour and sent the Turian back a pace as his shoulder armour crumpled as I put a round through it.

"The broker appreciates your assistance in finding the leak in the network. If you start running, he won't show you his appreciation personally."

The two Salarians turned and bolted, the Turian reached for the Quarian, trying to take a hostage before she made some short of hand motion and her hidden mines exploded, peppering him with fragments while she dropped whatever was in her hands, which turned out to be a smoke grenade. A shotgun blast rang out as I switched to IR. The Quarian was kneeling against a wall, using the smoke as cover, the Turian was on the floor, likely cooling quite rapidly judging by his collapsed chest.

"Vas, please come out of the smoke, you will be taken to a safe location and have your injuries treated."

"… Who are you?"

"I'm Aleandrea Shepard of the Alliance Military, if you come with me I'll take you to the Human embassy. I'm not working with 'the broker'-" Who and whichever one he was "- but I did get a tip."

"… I'm coming out."

Slowly the Quarian began walking out of the cloud, hiding her limp as she came out.

"You're limping. How severe are your injuries?"

"I…-" They quarians eyes seemed to widen for a moment. "-Healing, I've a slight fever but everything has been treated."

"Good. Are you willing to come with me to the Alliance Embassy?"

"No, she is however willing to admit she's been a naive whelp." I almost jumped as I heard the voice over my shoulder, the deep voice of a Krogan.

"And you would be?" I spoke softly, not turning.

"Wrex. The one the Shadow Brooker sent to plug the leak. It isn't often I'm told to let someone else do my job human. You should see if he'll pay you for saving the test."

"I- I was a test?" The quarian began stepping back.

"Don't worry. You were safe from those gang bangers. If you'd like to acknowledge you were never actually going to see the broker, because no one does, I can take you to a safe house."

Whoever the Krogan was, he was being awfully polite, he even took a loud step back to let me know I could move… Immediately I noticed all the battle scaring, whoever this Krogan was, he was very old…

That was going to be a problem.

"What's the chance you've been authorised to violently obtain the information you believe Vas..?"

"Neema."

"Vas Neema is carrying?"

"… No. I am authorised to offer almost any incentive for Tali'Zora vas Nemah to come with me so the shadow broker can bargain for the information. I'm authorised to use force to prevent C-Sec from getting it though."

"I'm certain the Alliance will pay more to have it. Tali what information do you have on you, a brief summery…"

I shifted myself so that Tali remained in my peripheral vision while I stared at Wrex, getting a nice reminder on how hard it is to stare down an alien more than a foot taller than me.

"A-A geth memory. A recording of a conversation showing they were working with someone. Given Eden prime…"

Tali let the sentence hang, apparently noticing I had stiffened more out of any bargaining tactic by the tone, it was more uncertain then leading.

"Tali, I will offer you anything you want in addition to protection for that information. Some requests may take longer though."

"I-ah…" She stopped considering, likely realising this was an opportunity to try and wring a pilgrimage gift from the Alliance, or at least me… She was likely trying to deci-

"A ship. Anything larger than a shuttle that isn't an irreparable wreck."

.

-… That would eat through my pocket change for a good long while. Say, until I retired and then some.

"It seems she's going all in. I wonder how much you can promise in good faith?" Wrex smiled, it was a rather evil smile, one that made me want to strike before he tried to eat me.

"It's worth enough. You will want to record this." I paused, waiting for her to activate her omni-tool. "Tali'Zorah vas Neema, I Aleandrea Shepard of House Shepard promise you one functional space vessel larger than a shuttle in exchange for the information you retrieved in regards to a Geth-Organic alliance." I kept my voice as steady as possible as I stared Wrex down, not noticing how Tali's eyes widened in surprise and Wrex had the grace to blink.

"… Well then. A Human noble and Spectre prospect promising a Quarian pilgrim a ship. You might want to bless your fortunes little suit rat, I'm sure your ancestors are meddling in your fortunes." Wrex pulled himself a little taller, drawing height from somewhere as he looked around.

"I have a leak to plug." And with that, he turned, quickly walking down the alley.

"You- You're nobility? Wait? A human Spectre?!"

"That's what I'm told, and not yet but he is very well informed. Come on, I'm sure you'll want something more concrete than my word, and I need to get you to the embassy."

-XXXX-

Private Council Chambers

"If you'd hit play for us Vas Neema?"

Tali pressed the button on her omni-tool as Tevos frowned.

"Are you ok?" The voice of Benezia opened, it had taken a while to figure out who that was, but it would help now.

"I'll need a prosthetic for my leg… But we were successful, I received the vision. We are one step closer to the conduit." Saren's voice carried slight pain undertones.

"And one step closer to the return of the reapers." Benezia responded flatly. "Leave us."

"Saren-Prophet?" And there was the most damning part. The Geth's machine speak questioning and naming Saren.

"Go…"

Tali closed her omni-tool, gazing down as Montilyet smiled.

"I'm sure you recognise that first voice, that of Matriach Benezia."

"… What proof do you have this isn't doctored?"

Udina smiled. "Our experts tested it, but we're sure you'll want to. We've also called out for white-hats from the Geth Uprising war to take a look at it, we've a copy being looked at by one now, it's surprising the sort of people living on the Citadel. Of course, we expect you'll want time to verify it, as the Shadow Broker would have before trying to sell it to us… I can say we're very lucky he suspected his network had been compromised by Saren."

"So I've heard, Spectre's are currently coming through what's left of Chora's Den right now, not the sort of place I frequent, but it's a shame when any establishment is closed. I take it now is when you request things of us?"

"We'd like to start a mission to begin disrupting Saren and Benezia immediately, led by us, or more specifically Shepard, with Spectre support. Going quite until Saren is late, when he runs late, he's to be declared an enemy of the Citadel and stripped of all resources and status. Similarly, we request Benezia to be recalled, and to be stripped shortly after Saren is. Also, we want Spectre support on the mission, be it because you fast track Shepard, or you attach a Specture, perhaps one of the ones currently looking over the wreckage of Chora's den."

Valern smiled thinly.

"It's nice when we receive reasonable requests."

"Yes, it was nice of them to not ask the council to remove them from the council, and list of council races, given how the Turians are showing a propensity for genocide. How many planets have they wiped clean now? Of course, such seems to be a habit of those uplifted for war, however far."

It was as rehearsed as hell, but I smiled internally as my words hit Tevos, as she struggled to ignore me and re-evaluated the requests, finding them much more reasonable, the fact that the words fit my profile made even Valern overlook the signs that the words weren't my own, however he seemed to have learned since he didn't try to call me out on how Humanity had been 'uplifted' by the Ethereals for what was believed to be combat.

"We'll take your requests… Under consideration. I wish that the rest of your day may be more comfortable, but before we can answer we must ascertain that these records are true."

With soft smiles and empty platitudes, we made our way out of the room, the Councilers looking every bit like they were waiting for us to disappear so they could talk.

.

"Valern, who's the Spectre evaluating Candidate Vakerian?"

"Jodum Bau, he's currently doing so to take a break from chasing Remnant shadows. I believe he took on the role to small step back from investigating various plots to work in the shallows."

"Shepard needs to be reminded that she needs to interact with Turians, besides, Vakerian can provide the investigative muscle… How long had it been since we've had a provisional Spectre?"

"28 years. Planning on giving Shepard the status so she can be the public head?"

"Yes, Jodum can watch and correct as needed… If Shepard proves acceptable, Vakarian and Shepard will likely begin filling the gaps in each other's knowledge… Find out who's responding to the Remnant's call and give the recording to the STG, I'll let Bau know he's being reassigned."

-XXXX-

"I just think it strange that they haven't been keeping up with developments. I'd of thought shortly after lasers were developed they'd have a better version rolling out, unless they're just running through old platforms."

I turned my head slightly, wondering what the Krogan was doing in the embassy as we walked past, before he suddenly called out.

"Udina, the girl's not faking it, she's good. If their pilgrims are this good it's a wonder they've got a scrap fleet and not a bunch of 'reassigned' Turian ships."

"Thank you Guuba. The other thing?"

"See what she thinks first." Guuba shook his head dismissively, before turning back to whoever he was speaking to, having a rather animated discussion.

"A Krogan Geth Uprising veteran and programmer?"

"If you believe him, he's 'The Krogan Programmer', and is a Rebellion veteran."

"… He doesn't have enough scars."

"To which he'll say 'History books keep things too simple.'."

"A turncoat?"

"His side won the war, so wouldn't be considered so in the books. Oh, Tali, I'm sure that Guuba would like to talk to you after he's finished his discussion"

I didn't see Montilyet's smile as I continued to follow her, leaving Tali behind. I could however, sense Montilyet's smile, if I didn't know better I could have sworn the two head ambassadors were having discreet liaisons.

.

Eventually, we entered Montileyet's private office, a quiet affair with none of the show she'd put on for others, the two ambassadors quickly took seats.

"I presume you want to talk to me in more detail given my lack of dismissal."

"Ah, she has eyes. There's some paperwork to do, but you'll be the CO of the Normandy shortly. The Normandy has space for 10 more comfortably, 20 if you wish to sleep on the floor and possibly stress the environementals, we already have 5, or 6 for the purpose of environmentals, that will be joining you. And you'll likely have one more in the form of a tutoring Spectre."

Udina lent back in his chair, watching me, while Montilyet leaned forward, motioning for me to sit.

"I still object to taking Tali aboard given the Normandy's contents, even if you have her word and a large confidentiality agreement involved, and I want to know what you're giving the commiserant for the approval."

"Nothing. Any guesses as to the other two?"

I sat, thinking for a moment.

"Guuba, as an additional Geth expert and presumably a good fighter. I've no clue on the other two."

"Urdnot Wrex. He was one of the operatives assigned to Fist, you met him when you helped Tali."

"… You want me… To take a spy aboard?" I spoke quietly, taking measured breaths to try and hide my surprise and anger.

"He's more honest than a brick, is giving us nice information, is a great fighter if a third of the stories are true, and you are a psion."

"Is the Commissar assigned to us ranked higher than Alpha and trained in forced-melds?" It was the only possible way I could think of so many unknown aliens being allowed on board.

"Yes. One of the others is Ashley Williams."

I thought on that one a moment. "That saves on paperwork. I'm surprised that she'd be allowed near me though given her name... Not that I care myself."

"Nice save." Udina smiled. "Lastly, you'll be taking on an X-Com operative assuming such isn't blocked, I'll send you his dossier later. He's not a Second contact veteran, just Third and Landing."

"I don't think I could allow an AI through customs-"

"That's the one thing he won't be bringing with him. We've also limited his Art-Psi pack, so he'll be weaker psionically than the commissars on your vessel."

"Understood." I wondered for a moment if I should defend Anderson's command of the Normandy, since it sounded like they were going to hand it over to me, but then I thought of how he threw Sing under a bus… I'll offer the fake platitudes to his face, not behind his back.

"I presume my assigned commissars are trained in investigation?"

"Yes, it'd be foolish to leave you without any trusted experience in that regard, if just to train you. Unless you've secretly undergone the military police courses?"

"I prefer to spend the free time I do on work keeping up to date on info-war and tactics outside of those I was originally trained in."

That actually got a chuckle from Udina, proving once again he had a dark sense of humour.

"Smart of you. You may go, though you'll probably want to cut your free time short to get a leg up on the dossiers."

I took a short look at Udina in case he had anything he wanted to add, he just shook his head.

"Milady, sir, may we meet outside of contact."

"Outside of contact."

I bowed slightly before taking my leave… And to think I was planning on enjoying my leave for once…

AN: The next chapter is likely going to be a bunch of trimmed down relevant OC dossiers and little else, unless I get a couple of reviewers telling me to stash them elsewhere.

.

Before I noted Aleandrea having a bunch of symbols on her arm, since I doubt I could get anyone to draw my Aleandrea I'm going to give you a mini-codex-entry on them, and I may move it late.

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'Modern day' Alliance Armour, unlike that of most other governments, marks it's soldiers visually as well as through IFFs. In addition to a standard colour scheme, left shoulder pauldrons are a light pale blue, with markers being present denoting:

Rank [Uses a variation on Brazilian Epaulettes. Aleandrea is two thick lines with a thin one between, under an Alliance flag.].

Unit Name and number, and motto. [Shepard's currently marked '63rd Scout Flotilla, 'Thanatos erat preanimis resonus.' Or 'Thanatos was too loud.']

Knight and/or Noble Heraldry. [Cerberus being a dog in front of flames, with details on the dog denoting rank. Shepard's dog is wearing golden armour. The Shepard family crest is a shepherds crook, Aleandrea's personal one having a 'Biotic Boulder' at the top [See bellow], with her motto below, being 'Gravitas est Libitum' or 'Gravity is Optional'.]

Biotic Status [Floating boulders with different markings. Aleandrea's has an alpha in the centre.]

Psionic Status [Violet glowing brain with different markings. Aleandrea's has an alpha on the frontal lobe section.

Cybernetic Status. [A stereotypical MEC at different developmental stages. Aleandrea lacks this marking.]

Genetic augmentation status. [A Double helix, with one helix being green. Aleandrea lacks this marking, and it's only officially on Muton's who've joined the military, as the Alliance considers them being modified to improve them, despite publicly stating they are merely returning them to normal and regressed their abilities.]

N status. [N-#, Aleandrea being N7.]

The only full sized marking is that of Rank and Unit Number, as these two are the most important for quickly identifying individual soldiers. The rest need some level of magnification to read beyond a few meters. However, biotic and psionic status are also shown as bands down the left arm, with Biotics receiving a Dark Blue band and Psions receiving a violet band, in order for soldiers to quickly identify people from which they can request biotic and/or psionic support.