We make our way to the hotel. It doesn't take us very long to get there with all the obstacles out of the way for the moment. Outside the hotel, Kachi goes on his search, sneaking in after another guest has entered. Although I am slightly nervous about him being on his own, I know he can take care of himself. I turn my attention to my own job, activating my aura vision. My eyes sting immediately at the bombardment of various colors. It takes a few minutes for my eyes to settle down. Looking around the hotel, I honestly can't tell how it is a hotel. It seems to match the monotony that can be found everywhere else in this place. Looking around I don't really see anything else but the same dull color on the walls, and no decorations. Despite that however, I turn my attention back to what we are really here for. Shepard is the first to spot Parasini and leads us over to her. I take one last look around and spot Kachi sniffing about, his dark purple aura flickering differently among everyone else. He's keeping out of sight as he sniffs around the place going unnoticed. Shepard doesn't take long to find Parasini. She sips nonchalantly on a drink, legs crossed casually and an air about her as if she knows she has all the cards in her hand. I personally bristle at the calm smile on her face as we approach her. She doesn't look smug but at the same time I watch her aura closely. She stands after finishing her glass of her preferred choice of poison.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. Parasini, Noveria Internal Affairs." She says with a smirk,
"Why is an Internal Affairs agent here?" Shepard asks. Seeming suspicious. I watch Parasini like a hawk as her aura remains alight. Out of the corner of my eye I catch just slightest glimpse of Kachi still doing his patrol, his violet aura slowly making its way around a crowd of people.
"The Executive Board knows about Anoleis' corruption. I have been undercover for six months." In my head I can't help but roll my eyes so hard thinking sarcastically: aw…poor you. Without missing a beat Parasini continues, " I want you to convince Qui'in to testify before the Board. With his evidence, this planet can run profitably again." I watch carefully for any signs of a lie in her aura. However there's none. She's being as straight forward as possible with her request. Before answering, Shepard looks back at me, eyeing me for any sort of confirmation. I can't think of a subtle way to tell her so,
"She's telling the truth." She nods turning her attention back to Parasini, who is currently giving me a raised eyebrow. She wants to ask how I know but let's it go. Shepard continues the conversation,
"You work for Anoleis. Can't you just take his records?" I almost lean over to ask Liara the same question but Parasini answers it for both of us, scoffing first,
"He's a CROOK not a moron." She says it so exasperated like it should be the most obvious thing ever. Clearly she's been trying to get information for a while, "He doesn't keep logs on his computer saying 'This month I stole three million credits.'" Sheesh touchy much. But I guess I'd be a little salty too if I were in her shoes, having to play the role of Anoleis' secretary. "Qui'in's testimony and records are everything I need to prove Anoleis' guilt in ONE package." My train of thought continues silently in my head as the fake secretary continues to explain. A question pops into my head that Shepard seems to think of as well,
"Why don't you ask Qui'in directly?" I can't help but notice the slight suspicious undertone to the question while also agreeing with Shepard as well. We really had nothing to do with it. So why involve an outsider in a secret investigation to begin with? Parasini gives us a look like she can't believe Shepard even asked that question, like the answer is so obvious,
"I'm Anoleis' secretary. You think he'd believe me? That he'd meet me in some dark alley with his evidence?" Ok fair enough I guess.
"I thought corruption was the rule on Noveria." It seemed to be a sort of jab as Shepard says this; however, Parasini shakes her head at this,
"The rule is 'don't rock the boat.' Self-interest is tolerated if it doesn't interfere with business. Anoleis is driving customers away." And if he's doing that then that means no income for the planet itself. It could also raise other flags and get unwanted attention. There's a few long tense moments as Shepard seems to contemplate this for now. She turns looking at me and in response I nod my confirmation of her telling the truth. Shepard turns back to Parasini, folding her arms in front of her,
"I need Qu'in's garage pass to complete my mission."
"You help my investigation, I'll provide whatever you need. Favor for a favor." I internally bristle at that comment but bite my tongue to make sure I say nothing. Something pads at my leg and when I look down Kachi is here safe and sound, which can only mean that there was nothing suspicious going on. We say nothing but Liara and I exchange glances with one another.
"Look," Parasini says, "I don't like this either. You Spectres play fast and loose with the law. That's bad for business." Even I can feel the irritation radiating from Shepard from that one. However she seems to let it go as she asks another question,
"What's happening up on Peak 15?" At that question, Parasini gets even more serious,
"Before the weather closed in, Hanshan received a Code Omega signal from them. Code Omega means a terminal breach of safety protocols. No one goes up until the crew sends an all-clear."
"That doesn't sound good…" I mumble quietly.
"That doesn't tell me much." Shepard says,
"That's all I've got. No one knows what's going on up there."
"And if the crew never sends an all-clear?" The two carry on their conversation like Liara and I don't exist.
"The executive Board votes whether or not to destroy the facility. One antimatter warhead from the battle stations vaporizes all contaminants." Parasini crosses her arms, "The shuttles are down, so you'd have to drive up. If you get Qui'in to testify, I'll get you into the garage."
"Do you know why the Matriarch is here?" Now comes the big question. I watch closely for any change in Parasini's aura, for any possibility that could indicate if she knows something or if she might be a part of it.
"Something to do with peak 15. She arrived after after we received their Code Omega-automated warning of a containment breach. She came with an escort of asari commandos. They took the last shuttle up to Peak 15 with a load of crates." So basically the same information that Anoleis gave us earlier. There's no change there- and she tells the truth. So what did they take up with them in those crates? What exactly is going on up there?
"Ru?" Liara calls and I snap out of my train of thought seeing Shepard looking at me,
"She's telling the truth. Same as Anoleis did." She turns back to Parasini.
"All right. I'll talk to Qui'in and see if I can convince him."
The undercover secretary nods her appreciation,
"Thank you. You know where I work. Come talk to me once you know if he'll play ball." With that she walks away. We wait a few moments before exiting the hotel ourselves. It takes us a moment to find a secluded area. There I am the first to let out their frustration.
"Ok am I the only one who's getting tired of being people's errand girl around here? Like what is this? First Lorik, now Parasini. Who's it going to be next?" In response, Kachi gives and affirming growl as he grumpily sits next to me, "I know I'm not used to this, but is this usually how this goes?"
"Unfortunately, this does happen sometimes in this line of work. It was much easier when I was just a soldier." Shepard says, "from my experience, finishing it is the quickest way to get out of it." Liara sighs,
"We were going to report to Qui'in regardless. But I wonder how he will take it."
"At this point," Shepard interjects, "we've wasted enough time with this. The longer we sit here debating the lower our chances are to catch up to Benezia. And honestly," the commander turns to us, "I'm thinking it's about time Anoleis got knocked down a few pegs, and the people here deserve better. We'll talk to Qui'in and make it quick."
"If anything I would guess Qui'in would like to stick it to Anoleis." I say, "all the shit he's been pulling…" Shepard nods at my comment,
"At this point I think anyone would." She smirks before leading us back to where we left the Turian. Thankfully it doesn't take us long, and no one else tries to have us go do their errands, to my amazement. In my head I can't help but ask how much time we've wasted with this. As we enter the place we left Lorik at, it's easy to find him as he hasn't moved at all, which for some reason just irks me even more. For someone who seemingly is about to lose his company and possibly go to jail, he sure has a lot of time on his hands. We approach the turian, who nods when he sees us,
"Always a pleasure, Spectre. Any news on that matter I asked you to look into?"
"I finished the job. But an Internal Affairs investigator contacted me. She wants you to testify against Anoleis." I don't think Lorik was expecting for Shepard to to be so direct, or even have the balls to bring something like that up. It's clear to see even on a Turian when someone is starting to feel tense and cornered,
"Now that you have my property, you want to dictate how I use it? I have no interest in a public spectacle." He replies with venom in his two toned voice. But the commander isn't having it,
"Everyone on this station is chafing under Anoleis' extortion. You might end up a hero." He sighs before he responds, almost as if he has a massive headache coming on,
"My employers rely on the goodwill of the Executive Board to work here." I lean over and raise my hand to get his attention,
"Um…with all due respect sir. The board will be more pissed at Anoleis than you. They're the ones looking into him right now to be honest."
"It's the truth." Liara confirms. He stares at us all, looking between the trio of ladies before him as if trying to gauge us.
"All right!"he said with a sigh, "it's obvious that I cannot dissuade you. Very well. I will testify. Make whatever arrangements you need with your contact. I will wait here."
"Well that was pretty painless." I say as we exit and make our way back to Parasini. Once there it's easy to see she has been waiting impatiently for our update. She sits at her desk tapping a finger as she watches us come in. She stands as we approach,
"Spectre. Have you given any more consideration to my offer?"
"It took some persuasion, but Qui'in has agreed to testify." Shepard says. Parasini sighs in relief,
"That's a world of stress off my back. I'll take the evidence for safe transport." After another sigh, Parasini looks over at us and studying Shepard a little more closely, " I didn't think you would help me. Being a Spectre and all. I guess some of you can be all right."
We all three seem to ignore the slight backhanded compliment she gave as Shepard continues,
"So how about getting me into the garage?" Parasini smirks,
"While you were working on Qui'in, I got you a garage pass. Be careful up there." She continues, "I have an arrest to make. Wish I had time to change into something easy to move in…I hate skirts." Without exchanging words Shepard, Liara and I take a moment to watch as the Salarian is arrested. In his office you can hear him causing a fuss and moaning about how no one has any proof. Then as Parasini brings him out in cuffs he really starts up. As he moves closer to us, he flings Parasini off,
"You! Shepard! I demand you place this bitch under arrest!" The three of us just smirk as Parasini continues,
"You have the right to remain silent. I wish to God you exercise it." She then pushes him forward forcing him to move on, "See you around the galaxy, Commander. I owe you a beer." As they leave I can't help but smile in satisfaction,
"Ok, I admit it. That was worth all the hassle and fetch quest. That moment. Was. Priceless." Kachi gives an affirming chuff and in return the commander and Liara laugh. We waste no time in making our way to the garage.
…
Sorry for the long wait and for the shorter chapter. I haven't really had much time to write but I'm
Hoping to still keep up with this story in the further. RxR please.