Ch. 19

Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.

David Star Jordan, The Philosophy of Despair

I sit in the conference room for a few hours thinking, weighing the pros and cons. I decide the best time to tell Shepard will be when we head through the Mu Relay. I'm going to miss Virmire too I think to myself. I can't tell Shepard until then no matter what.

My will power nearly fades when we dock in Noveria, "Later guys," I say sadly to the away team made up of Liara, Tali, and Shepard. I see this affects their mood. "Tali," I say to get her attention.

"Yes Will," She answers.

"Stay safe out there," I say trying to be upbeat, "you don't have me and my super powers there to protect you."

"We'll be alright Will," Shepard says, noting my concern.

I stand there and wave until the airlock door closes, "Please be safe..."

I decide to go take a nap, I mean it's not as if I have anything better to do.

Liana finds me before I find someplace to sleep, "Will the owner has sent a special bonus to you," she says holding some kind of package.

"What is it," I ask.

She brings her credit chit and transfers funds into mine, 210,000 credits I notice. Then she hands me the package. I shake it like a kid at Christmas. She grins at me. I rip it open.

"What's with the new duds," I ask when I notice an outfit that seemed like a EVA version of my uniform.

"The Owner realized you would need to go out into space so he decided to let you do it in style," She answers, "this suit is at the cutting edge of environmental controls, 3 days of oxygen, you'd die of starvation before you ran out of air, and the thermal system, you could be in the middle of a blizzard and feel as comfortable as if you were standing by a bonfire."

"Well it's nice to know he cares about my well being," I say, "I'm going for a nap wake me if anything happens."

The Mako rolls along Shepard's losing blood fast, 'hold on commander' Liara shouts as she speeds along the outer paths, Tali is trying to bandage the wound. 'We might not make it this time' Shepard says to them...

I wake with a start my heart hammering in my chest, "That's new," I say to myself, my dreams usually have me there with them, why is it different this time. Because I'm not there with them this time. They need my help.

I dress in my EVA armor, Liana walks in, "Going somewhere," she asks.

"Shepard needs my help," I say picking up several things I'd need, I head to the med bay.

"I haven't heard anything," Liana says running to keep up.

"I know just trust me I do," I say to her as the door opens. "Doctor I need as much medi gel as needed to bandage up a critically wounded person," I say.

"Why who's hurt," she asks.

"Someone's about to be," I say, "please I wouldn't do this without a reason."

"I don't know why, but here," she says loading me up with medi gel.

"I'm going with you," Liana says stepping in front of me.

"You wont be able to keep up," I say, "and this will be all about speed."

"Then we drive," she says.

"Fine we need to get off the Normandy," I say heading towards the airlock.

"What are you going to do," Liana asks.

"Everything short of killing someone," I answer.

A soldier is stationed by the door, "Mr. Doe the Commander has left orders you are not allowed to leave this ship."

I don't acknowledge him, I continue towards the door.

"Sir stop the Commander has ordered..." his orders are interrupted as I knock him unconscious.

"Joker let me out," I say in a cold tone.

"The Commander gave specific orders..." he begins.

"NOW," I shout, "or else you'll have one seriously pissed off super soldier trapped in a tin can."

"Don't expect me to let you back on," Joker says, unlocking the airlock.

"Equalizing interior pressure with exterior atmosphere," the Normandy's VI says.

"Shepard might kick us off the Normandy for this," Liana says.

"Too late to turn back now," I say. The door opens and I feel no change in temperature. Guess this suit works well.

We head through till we reach security, "Shepard did not tell us of a second team," the security chief says.

Liana steps forward, "We are not here for Shepard," she says, "our employer has sent us to check on the situation at the Peak 15 facility."

"Just who is your employer," the security chief asks.

"Alexander Granz," Liana answers. I give her a look then realize my helmet covers my emotions. We wait a short while during which they confirm our story.

"So sorry ma'am please go on through and check your weapons in with security," She says letting us by.

"Alexander Granz," I ask as we enter the building.

"The Owner's alias for his various scientific investments, Binary Helix being amongst them," She answers. We reach the check in counter, I off load my SMGs my Sniper rifle and my pistol. Liana gives them her pistol.

"Guess you've got an advantage," I say, "biotic abilities can't be confiscated."

"Neither can muscle mods," She says back with a grin.

"You'll need a helmet," I say to her, "it'll be chilly."

"Got it covered," she says.

"Please talk to administrator Anoleis," a woman who is unmistakably Gianna Parasinni says. After we pass the check in counter.

"We'll go see him," I say to her. We'll need some way to get there maybe we can get a garage pass.

We get a royal welcome, at least that's what I think the three security officers that traveled with us were supposed to be. We finally reach his secretary's desk, how in the world did Gianna beat us here. "I'm here to see Anoleis," I say to her.

"One moment please," She says in one of those fake nice voices, "Mr. Anoleis."

"Yes what," he says like someone who was interrupted from doing something bad. "What," he shouts out impatiently.

"Mr. Granz's agents are here to see you sir," She answers.

"Right, find, come in," talking in the way most of the salarians I had me so far did.

We enter the room and he gives us full attention, "How may I help you," he asks.

He was much more of an ass in the game I think to myself.

"We wish to check Peak 15," Liana says, "Mr. Granz sent us to investigate."

"I am afraid only the land route is open," he says, "you are welcome to wait until the other systems come back online."

"We are going now," Liana says, "give us a vehicle and I will drive us there."

"Ma'am I could not let an agent of one of our most influential backers go out in the cold like this," He says, I swear he's going to pop a vein talking nice to us.

"Return our weapons at the entrance to your garage, and we want an assault vehicle," She says, in a demanding tone.

"But ma'am," he tries to argue.

"Send a security team with us if you are that worried," She says leaving no room to negotiate.

"Yes ma'am," he says defeated.

"Go Liana," I say when we leave the room. Now we have to save the Commander.