The Commander observes the exterior through the large windows of the terminal. The spaceport of Armali is bustling again, full of movement more than a month and a half after the victory over the reapers. Ships of all types and sizes land and take-off under the protection of Parnitha. With repairs almost concluded the fleets which participated in the battle of Earth prepare to deploy all over the galaxy. Reconstruction has just begun.
Shepard: It's overwhelming.
Liara: Yes… -She smiles- I'm going to miss these last days, just you and me… It has been wonderful. -Shepard hugs her and they kiss-.
The door of the terminal opens and an Alliance soldier appears. He approaches them.
Officer: -He makes a military salute- I'm Lieutenant Rick MacNamara. Your ship is ready to leave, I'll take you there.
Shepard nods and they follow him to the shuttle. Before reaching their destination they fly over much of the area reserved for the Alliance, many Everest-class cruisers stand by for Admiral Hackett's orders. Finally, in one of the docks he sees it, the Normandy, awaiting the return of its Commander. After landing Shepard and Liara go to the main airlock. EDI welcomes them.
EDI: Commander, Doctor T'Soni, it's a pleasure to see you again.
Shepard: Hello, EDI.
EDI: We need to talk about that thing of the Broker before the others arrive. There is a problem.
Liara: -Worried- What happens?
EDI: I've detected an intruder in the network. Somebody has accessed from a terminal of one of your hidden bases, in Terra Nova.
Liara: That's not possible… I made sure that something like this couldn't happen.
Shepard: Has her identity been compromised?
EDI: I don't know… I'm sorry.
Liara: Shepard, I can't ignore this. I have to go there. From the computers of that facility I will be able to find out what information they've got, and I will close that vulnerable point too.
Shepard: I'll go with you.
Liara: No, the Normandy already has its mission. This is my problem.
Shepard: You're part of my crew, my wife. It's dangerous and you're not going alone.
EDI: Don't worry about us, we can handle it on our own. This is a priority.
Liara: -She sighs- The truth is that I could use the help.
SID: Don't waste more time. I'll tell the others you can't come.
Shepard: Thank you, EDI.
EDI returns to the Normandy. Shepard contacts with Hackett to explain what happens and in a few minutes the shuttle that took them to the frigate comes back.
Rick: At your orders, Commander. -They get in and the Kodiak takes off- Admiral Hackett put me under your command. It's an honor to be part of your team, sir.
Several hours later, in the Normandy's communications room…
Hackett: In these lasts weeks some refugee spaceships have disappeared in very specific areas of Alliance Space. Pirates, mercenaries… Whoever they are the know how to elude us, each time we send a fleet to the zone we found nothing, we just make them move their activities to other system. Although they've only attacked secondary routes they're getting closer to the one we use to supply our territories, including Earth. As I explained to Shepard we can't let them reach that main route, the Normandy is the only option to find those raiders without alerting them of our presence. Intelligence believes they are in Hades Gamma, once you locate them the fleet will handle them. -He makes a pause- Given that the Commander had to go I put Lieutenant Commander Williams in charge.
Ashley: I won't let you down, sir.
Hackett: Without Shepard, Liara and Javik, will your ground squad be enough? I don't have biotic reinforcements, but a group of marines is available if you need more members for the team.
Ashley: Thank you, but we have all the specialists needed. We can accomplish the mission.
Hackett: Good. Hackett out.
Joker: I don't like that Shepard and Liara have gone alone…
EDI: Jeff, they couldn't postpone it…
Garrus: Don't worry, Joker. Those two always succeed.