"So just to recap, not only are you friends with the Shadow Broker but she's an Asari Maiden, the daughter of Matriarch Bennezia, was once one of the crewmembers of the original Normandy and to top it all off you chose Ashley over her?" Andrea said as she, Shepard and Drakus left the Elevator, Shepard had stopped by the crews quarters to pick up Andrea for the mission and she was clearly not believing what she had heard on the way up. "Anything else you want to tell us?" She asked.
"I've told you enough already, if you want the full story I'll tell you later." Shepard told her and Andrea folded her arms, a look of annoyance on her face.
"Shepard, I'd ask how you managed to pull this off but considering you came back from the dead, defeated a Reaper and punched some reporter, twice, and got away with it I am passed the point of asking you how you pull off the impossible." Drakus pointed out as Andrea started tying her hair up in a ponytail, before Shepard could answer EDI'S avatar popped up.
"Shepard, I have detected an abnormally on the Shadow Broker's ship." EDI chimed in, Shepard turned to the AI.
"What do you mean by abnormally?" Shepard, Andrea and Drakus asked almost simultaneously.
"There is a ship already docked on the ship, it's security protocols match those used by Cerberus." Shepard frowned at this.
"How many Cerberus operatives are on board?" Shepard asked though he had a feeling that he already knew the answer.
"There are around 200 operatives in total." Shepard frowned at this and turned to Andrea and Drakus.
"Change of plans, EDI I need everyone to meet us at the hanger, we'll have a better chance at surviving the battle that way." Shepard instructed EDI whose avatar disappeared soon afterwards, Shepard turned to Andrea and Drakus. "Andrea, Drakus, I'm sorry that this mission won't be as easy as originally hoped." Shepard apologized but Drakus shook his head.
"Are you kidding? I've been working undercover for two weeks; it's about time I got to kick some ass!" Drakus said with a grin. "The fact that it's Cerberus agents that we'll be killing makes it that much better."
"Yeah but just as long as you remember to kick the asses of people who are currently serving as Cerberus Agents and not ex Cerberus Agents, like me, Shepard and Miranda." Jacob said joining them followed shortly by Mordin. "What does Cerberus want with the Shadow Broker anyway?" Jacob asked.
"Hmm, plenty of information on important individuals around galaxy could be used for extortion or blackmail. Assuming Shadow Broker identity could also give Cerberus almost unlimited resources. *Inward breath* Implications unfortunate." Mordin said in his typically fast style, Andrea blinked.
"Err, yeah what he said." Andrea said just as the elevator doors opened and the rest of the ground team came out. "I'd hate to imagine how cramped that elevator was." Andrea said glancing towards the rest of the crew.
"Speak for yourself, you didn't end up squashed behind Grunt." Jenny muttered as she approached them followed by Grunt and Samara.
"All right people, Liara TSoni AKA the shadow broker's base has been attacked by Cerberus personal, I think it's clear that they want to install a Cerberus operative as the new Shadow Broker and I don't need to tell you that that's the last thing that needs to happen." Shepard said folding his arms. "We'll split into two teams, Team 1 will be in charge of backing up any surviving Shadow Broker agents and will be entering from the exterior of the ship, that team will be led by Miranda, Team 2 will be lead by me and they will be in charge of making sure the Shadow Broker herself makes it out alive along with any data that we can salvage." Shepard said turning to EDI. "EDI, give me damage report on the Shadow Broker base."
"The ship has suffered superficial damage so far but I have detected several explosives planted along the interior and exterior of the ship, if they were to be detonated simultaneously the blast would be more than enough to destroy the ship." EDI said and Shepard frowned.
"Team 1, you'll be entering from the exterior of the ship so you take care of the explosives there, Team 2 will take care of the explosives on the inside of the ship, any volunteers to take out the explosives?" Shepard asked.
"Shepard Commander, this unit volunteers to take out the exterior explosives." Legion said stepping forward, Shepard looked towards Miranda.
"Do you have any objections Miranda?" Shepard asked his XO who shook her head. "Then Legion will join Team 1, any volunteers for my team?" Tali stepped forward but Andrea spoke up first.
"Shepard, quick question, I know this planet that the Broker's ship hangs around in is about as safe as a Krogan after a few thousand drinks but wouldn't the lightning fry Legion's, and by extension the explosives', electronics?" Andrea asked and Shepard shook his head.
"When I was last on the exterior there was massive lightning rods dotted along the exterior of the ship, somehow I doubt Liara was dumb enough to get rid of them." Shepard said before turning to Tali. "Your volunteering I take it?"
"No offense to the other crew members but I don't think they could disarm it as fast as I could." Tali said with a nod.
"Okay, here's who will come with me, the others will go with Miranda: Urdnot Drakus, Andrea McKenzie, Zaeed Masani, Jack, Kasumi, Ashley, Tali off course and Garrus." Everyone that was named by Shepard, save for Drakus, Tali and Andrea who were already standing near him, joined Shepard whilst the others joined Miranda. "Keep in radio contact as often as you can and don't be afraid to ask for backup if you can, I'm sure Liara will have some Shadow Broker agents in that case which reminds me, EDI." Shepard said turning to the AI. "Any info you can find on the Cerberus Cell that's attacking Liara?"
"None so far Shepard, I am searching Cerberus Databases for the appropriate information." EDI said and Shepard frowned.
"It looks like we're going in blind." Andrea muttered shaking her head. "It should be fun." She added with sarcasm clear in her voice.
"Those are pretty much my thoughts exactly Andrea." Shepard agreed before turning to Team 2. "Once we're done meet us at the control centre, I'll radio you directions Miranda." Shepard told her and Miranda nodded.
"Anything else Commander or will we finally get to kick some Cerberus ass?" Drakus asked, Shepard smiled at the Krogan and drew his mattock.
"Let's move out." Shepard ordered as he led his team in the airlock which was connected to the Shadow Broker's ship and Miranda led her team into the other not knowing what would await him on the Shadow Broker's base.
(OOC: Short I know but this is so I can dedicate two chapters to the two teams)