Ch. 7

It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this.

Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

Anderson stops in front of Liana's bed. "Mr. Doe was it," Anderson says.

"Yes sir," I say realizing I had never introduced her, "this is Liana."

"My XO has told me you are willing to assist in the matter on Eden Prime," Anderson states, "how would you help."

I begin thinking, "As I informed the commander we are a information business albeit a small one," I say, "if we cannot assist with information I could always offer my own services."

"Being," Anderson says examining me.

"As I also informed the Commander I was a mercenary for a while and," I pause for a moment, "I have certain modifications that allow me to perform beyond the human norm."

"He would be a welcome edition to the squad," Shepard says.

"And what of our patient here," he asks, "Miss Liana,,," he leaves it open inquiring on her last name.

"Just Liana," she answer, "I would rather not be separated from Will."

I'm getting a bit more used to it, but I still feel a slight blush. "She can help gather info."

"I have several contacts on multiple worlds," she says, "I could gather information for you in return I stay with Will."

"We can't make any promises yet," Anderson says, "but if you can help to convict Saren you'll be well compensated."

I did say I was a mercenary. "We'll get off at the Citadel and look up some contacts," Liana says, "and we'll give you what information we can in the time before the trial."

Something dawns on me, "How will I get through," I say to the three gathered, "if your med bay discovered my mods, wouldn't C-Sec."

"You could be traveling as a mercenary liaison acting with the Alliance," Shepard suggests.

"Very good," Anderson says "I'll get the paper work out of the way."

"We'll come through for you sir," I say, "I promise."

Accepting what I've said Anderson leaves the room, leaving me Shepard and Liana. I sit in the uncomfortable silence, okay joke to break the mood, "So uh come here often."

Shepard grins says her farewells and leaves.

"Attention we will soon be docking with the Citadel," Joker says over the intercom.

I sit there torn I want to see, but I can't leave Liana alone. She reads my emotions, "Go," she says.

I smile and squeeze her hand I get up and head to the cockpit. I'm stopped by a very rude military man, who was saying something about, not open to civilians, sir. Ash walks by and I wave her over.

"What's wrong," she asks the soldier.

He repeats the whole no civilians thing. "Why are you headed through here," she asks.

"We are docking with the Citadel and I really want to see it," I say acting a little like a child.

This gets a smile out of her she tells the man to let me by and the moment he does I'm headed down towards the cockpit. Resisting the urge to run, but walking at a quick pace. "Thanks," I say as I move past Ash. I arrive at the cockpit. I'm too stunned to speak as I look out the window, my eyes go wide as dinner plates. Its one thing to see the Citadel through a TV the real thing takes your breath away, I almost forget it's a mass relay designed to bring the reapers in from dark space to wipe out all life in the galaxy. "Who's the tourist," Joker asks Shepard which makes me realize I am not alone. I'm very aware at how my mouth is open in awe. I shut it.

"Will Doe," I hear Shepard say. I stop listening as we came closer we could see the Citadel fleet. Where is it I think then I see it the Destiny Ascension sure enough a few moments later.

"Look at the size of that ship," Ashley says in awe.

"The ascension flagship of the citadel fleet," Kaiden points out.

"Size isn't everything," Joker says.

"Why so touchy Joker," Ashley teases.

Joker answers, "I'm just saying you need fire power too."

"Look at that monster its main gun could rip through the barriers of any ship in the alliance fleet," Ashley exclaims.

"Good thing its on our side," Kaiden says.

"Its amazing," I say finally finding words. Joker talks to Citadel Control getting us cleared to land at the station.

"Time to suit up," Shepard says to Ashley and Kaiden as they move off, "the captain has your papers."

I head off towards the captain's quarters just to run into him near the airlock, "Sir you have my papers," I ask.

"Yes here they are," He hands me a datapad, he notices my look, "you didn't expect real paper did you."

"No," I say. Yes, I think.

He smirks, "Just show this to the customs official.""They'll let you through without any problem," He finishes.

"Thank you sir," I say, I walk down to the med bay. After entering through the doors I see Chakwas talking to Liana.

"...could treate-," Chakwas was saying.

"Will," Liana says cutting off whatever Chakwas was about to say.

"Doc, is Liana allowed to leave the bay," I ask.

"Yes, but..." Chakwas was interrupted.

"Thanks Doctor," Liana says as she jumps up tugging me along towards the airlock.

I manage to hear Chakwas say, "Young love." True to myself I blush. I get dragged all the way to C-Sec customs office.

I walk to the a front desk where a Turian was sitting, seemingly engrossed in whatever he was doing. "Reason for visit," he says without looking up with a tone of boredom.

"Business," I say. He sits and waits for me to elaborate. "End of story," I say, "the Alliance captain gave me this to give to customs." I hand over the datapad, he checks it, seems satisfied and waves me through.

I step up to an officer standing behind a control panel, "Sorry for the inconvenience sir," He says as a he scans me. They musta put something very illegal and powerful in me cause the officer pulls a side arm. "Sir put your hands behind your head," He orders I comply.

"I have a datapad that assures my passage," I say calmly.

He starts speaking into his communicator, I only hear parts of what he's saying, "back up... muscle mods... no he's not violent right now."

"I assure you I have no intention of harming anyone on this station," I say hands still up. He takes a good look at me. Luckily Commander Shepard fought her way to the front of the line.

"You there," Shepard says to the officer, "this man is on official Alliance business he has been cleared to pass drop your weapon."

"He has multiple illegal mods in his body," the officer with a gun on me says, "He's barely even human."

I'm stunned I knew what they had done, but just how much did I have left, how much was taken away. "You think this was my choice," I say growing angry, "I had all those horrible modification done to me without my consent and I'm still paying for it." I put my hands down and walk forward which in a sane mind was a bad idea, but I'm getting annoyed and the realization of how little of me was human snapped something in me. I'm standing right in front of him, I pull my hood down, I stand before him, he backs down.

"Sorry for the inconvenience sir." The door opens and I walk right by him as I pass I pull my hood back up. '...barley even human...' and at that moment the officer's backup arrives I'm staring down the barrels of half a dozen pistols. I raise my hands resignedly in the air with a sigh.