Chapter 25: Questions

Walking back on board the Normandy, Captain Jared Shepard couldn't be happier to be leaving the Arcturus Station. Hero of the Alliance, he wanted nothing more than to be alone on some quiet godforsaken rock. Maybe Wrex would know a place the Krogan lived before to suggest.

Walking beside him was Miranda who had not said a word since her encounter with Admiral Hackett. He was sure that would change. Behind him, Wrex and Grunt were coming along.

As they reached the ship, he heard Wrex say, "Shepard, I'm going to get my team aboard. We'll talk in a little bit."

"Okay, Wrex," Shepard said as they passed through the airlock and into the Normandy.

"Captain," Joker called as the party boarded, "they've been upgrading the Normandy's weapons, but EDI needs your authorization to have override capacity."

Stepping into view, Wrex said, "Your ship shoots its own guns, Shepard," and he laughed.

Seeing his former shipmate, Joker said, "Wrex, you keep turning up in all the worst places!"

The Krogan went forward to greet the pilot, saying, "You can't keep a good Krogan down. Or a bad Krogan, either."

As those two went to reminisce, Jared noticed a number of new crew members who were looking around. As promised, a new team had been delivered. What he did not see was where Miranda went, but he had duties to handle first.

During the next fifteen minutes, he stopped by every station to meet every new person aboard. Shepard would make it a point to review each person's dossier, to know their strength and weaknesses, but time didn't allow him the luxury of making his own selections.

To his own surprise, one person he found on the crew was Sergeant Vega. Shepard said, "I didn't expect to see you here, Sergeant."

Vega saluted and said, "I want to learn from the best sir, and that means you."

The captain wished it was as simple as that, but he said, "You'll learn a lot, but the first thing you'll see is real action is faster and requires more discretion than training teaches. But I have faith you'll learn."

Nodding, he said, "I better report back to Lieutenant Taylor."

As he heard all these titles being used, Shepard felt like he was in a time warp back to the days before Sovereign. It was more than he could deal with at this moment, so he went back to his quarters. He wanted to get a hot shower and a change of clothes into something more practical.

Opening the door, he walked in to find Miranda sitting there waiting.

Putting a hand up before she spoke, he walked over to the most comfortable chair in the room, took a seat, and then looked up at her. "Now, I'm ready," he said.

Any hope he had his maneuver would stem her fury quickly vanished, "Can you believe what that filthy old codger was saying about me? I've done things he wouldn't dream of, and he treats me like some training camp recruit." Lawson looked like she wanted to punch something, but in their intimacy, Jared learned one thing: It was better to let her vent.

"What he did was out of line," Shepard opened, "but don't take it seriously. Hackett isn't a bad man, but he's old school."

"He failed school is more like it," she said. "Jared, you know I'd do anything for you, but this uniform is not me. And if you think for one moment I am going to remedial training…"

Stepping forward, Shepard took her hands and said, "I think you will save the world. Then, you can take this uniform and you can stomp it, burn it, and space it, if it makes you happy." As he stood closer to her, he asked, "How does that sound?"

"I might have the Krogan take a piss on it also," she whined. She looked at him, and then pushed his chest, "Why won't you let me be angry?"

"We don't have time, Miranda," Shepard revealed. "Our orders have us moving out within the hour, and I don't think either of us wants to stay here a moment longer than necessary."

Wrapping her arms around him, she said, "I don't mind staying right here, actually."

Shepard looked into her eyes, and smiled as he pressed his lips forward to meet her own. Their kiss became passionate, stormy like their relationship, but a price both were willing to pay.

Miranda broke the embrace saying, "We'll finish this conversation later. Since I don't know anything about being an executive officer, I'm going to go and forget to make sure we have everything we need."

Throwing a pillow at her, Jared said, "You're impossible, woman."

With all the dignity she could muster, Miranda stood as if to salute and stuck her tongue out at Shepard instead. Then she left.

The bigger crisis solved, Shepard could get back to the business of saving the universe. Taking a brief look at his messages, he reviewed the information Liara had sent. As the Normandy was scheduled to make an advanced sweep of the Artemis Tau systems before major forces went into action, they would be engaging the stealth drive and seeing what could be found.

Shepard returned to the bridge and looked around to see his ship fully staffed. Whatever anger she had before, Miranda hid it beneath a calm and stony exterior. Jacob had also come down to the bridge, and the uniform looked good on him. Some days, the captain couldn't believe he had ever left service.

"Taylor, what do you think of the new crew?" Shepard asked loud enough for those around to here.

"They look good, Captain," he said. "We'll see if they fight good too." Jacob smiled at his last remark, knowing they were playing a game with them.

A redhead at the communications panel called out, "Captain, we have an incoming message from a Turian vessel that just passed through the relay."

"Pass it through, Ensign…" said Shepard as he looked at the new recruit. Another redhead, he thought, remembering how Chambers had served in that role before her duplicity was revealed. "O'Connor, sir." He would remember the name. The freckles were another difference.

The audio transmission carried the unmistakable voice of Garrus Vakarian. "Shepard, we need to talk. We'll dock and then meet you on station."

"Negative," responded the captain. "We're about to ship out. We'll pick you up near the gate and you can come through the locks." The last thing Shepard wanted was another alien dealing with the scrutiny of Alliance Headquarters.

"Two will be coming over in fifteen. We'll meet you at your coordinates. Vakarian out."

Garrus seemed a little more stressed than usual, leading Shepard to wonder what results the mission he and Samara undertook had with the Asari and the Turians. If he did half as well as Solus and Grunt had done with the Krogan, it would make a huge difference for the upcoming battle. Even through all the myriad distractions, Shepard recognized the real enemy lay in waiting.

The Normandy pulled out from its docking and began moving toward the mass relay. The ship moved from the primary transport lane to rendezvous with the Turian vessel. As it docked, he watched as two figures climbed between the ships. He recognized Garrus who entered first, but did not recognize the Turian female who followed him.

"Garrus," Shepard said, "Good to have you back." Wondering the obvious he asked, "Where's Samara and who is this?"

"Yes," the Turian paused, "We need to talk about that. As for my companion, her name is Nehria Vendarius. She saved our lives on Palaven, and she wanted to accompany us on this voyage."

Nehria offered her hand and said, "A pleasure to meet you, Commander."

"Captain now," Shepard responded, "And likewise."

It was clear from the tone of his voice and the expression on his face there were many things Garrus wasn't saying, but the bridge wouldn't be the place to have this conversation.

"Joker," Shepard said, "Bring us to the relay and set a course for the Knossos System." Looking for his senior officers, he said, "Lawson, Taylor, you're with me."

He considered asking Wrex to come also, but he was down in the cargo bay dealing with his own soldiers, so he would talk to the Krogan leader later.

The five of them entered the secure communications room, and took their seats.

Garrus explained all that had happened on Palaven, including the attack by the Blue Suns, the condition of Samara, how Nehria had helped, and that his mission to Thessia was essentially blocked.

After explaining that, Vakarian said, "This is where Nehria comes in. She's here as a attaché from the Turian Military, representing General Balisarian who is both a Primarch and Commander of the Home Fleet." Garrus said more directly. "She's a spy, but sympathetic to our cause."

Nehria said, "I am no spy, but I am here to help. The General gave me instructions to follow your orders as if they were his own, and only asked I be allowed to observe and participate."

Shepard held up his hands and said, "What is this really all about?"

"The Primarchs fear this whole Batarian episode is a landgrab by your Alliance, and have decided to sit back and make their own preparations for the Reapers. They've already convinced the Asari to do likewise, and may be working on the Salarians as well," said the marksman.

"How did that happen?" asked Shepard.

"The Krogan didn't help," inserted Nehria. "Turians still are uncomfortable with their presence after the last war, and the closeness between your governments empowered the opposition."

"She's right," said Garrus. "Balisarian saw we needed every ally we could get, but there were some system administrators who couldn't see the bigger picture. For now, the Turians are out."

"And Samara?" asked Shepard.

"She's going to need time to recover. The attack was brutal," said Garrus. For him to describe it that way, Shepard knew it must have been something awful.

"How is her recovery?"

"The doctors are optimistic, but they don't know. Drugs were used."

Miranda stepped in, asking, "Which drugs were used?"

Garrus said, "I can't remember their names, but she was given a heavy dosage of some experimental drug to suppress biotic abilities."

Supplying the answer, Lawson said, "Omega-Enkaphalin. I worked on the team that designed it for Cerberus."

"That's it."

Looking at her, Shepard sometimes forgot his executive officer was not only deadly in a fight, but a trained doctor who knew many secrets. "Will Samara be okay?"

Tilting her head somewhat, Lawson said, "A single dosage, no matter how high the amount, won't remove her abilities. But there could be psychological issues. It depends."

Shepard was worried about Samara, but in her state, the best thing he could do was leave her far from the action and give her the opportunity to recover. The justicar was a woman of many talents, and he had no doubt she would return of her own volition once capable.

"Okay," Shepard said, "we aren't going to solve that issue, but I'll bring you up to speed on what is happening. We are going to begin this trip by conducting basic scouting maneuvers, but the real reason we are here is to deposit a Krogan strike team against Batarian targets."

"Isn't that an act of war?" asked Nehria.

Everyone looking at Shepard, and he said, "It will be a stealth operation, and the reason it is being undertaken by the Krogan is because everyone knows they are crazed to get into whatever battle they can find." Shepard spat out the next sentence, "It was a political decision."

Sensing the general distaste for what he had said, Jared was very honest with his shipmates. "Nehria, we don't know each other, but if Garrus vouches for you, I'll trust you." Looking at Vakarian, he saw the single nod given without hesitation.

"The Alliance is going to get ready for this fight, and we're prepared to destroy more systems if that is what it takes to keep the Reapers from getting too close. The whole reason for the Batarian conflict is to create a defensive front that is actually defensible."

Shepard continued, "It means a lot of people are going to die. We want to begin evacuating worlds where possible, and it was thought a war zone might be more effective of a deterrent than simply asking people to leave. There are still so many people who doubt the Reaper threat, but they will learn when it is already too late."

"I don't like playing politics, but I'll do whatever it takes to stop this, and work with anyone I can. Tell your general that next time you speak to him."

EDI chimed in, "ETA to the relay, two minutes,"

Getting up from the room, Shepard walked away with Miranda right behind him and Taylor following them. With the Humans gone, only Garrus and Nehria remained in the room.

Nehria said, "Thanks for speaking up for me. I thought…"

Vakarian turned on her, "That I hate you. That I think you are incompetent. Nothing could be further from the truth, but do you know what danger you are walking into?"

Vendarius replied, "I am not afraid."

"But you should be," said Garrus. "You should be. Shepard is the best there is, but how many times can we beat the odds. You would have been safer on Palaven."

"Is that what you really wanted?" she asked.

Garrus said nothing, not sure what the answer was. He liked having her around, and suspected she knew it. But to be on this ship was to dance with death, and it was something he accepted as he had lived on the edge for a long time. Nehria was different.

"I don't want you getting hurt," he said.

"I will protect myself," she replied with pride. "You watch yourself too." She walked out the room after her declaration leaving Garrus to wonder how he blundered away yet another opportunity.

While that scene was playing out, Shepard reached the bridge just in time to pass through the relay. Upon passing through, the sensors picked up a distress call coming from the Sparta System on an encrypted Alliance military channel.

This is Lieutenant Commander Grayson of the SA Prowler. If you hear this message, we have been set adrift in an escape pod. We have severely wounded men, and need immediate pickup.

Not knowing what to expect, Shepard said, "Engage the stealth system and let's set a course for the signal. Crew to battle stations."

The ship exploded into a flurry of activity as men and women in uniform moved throughout the vessel. On the bridge, sensor and weapons panels were all manned. In engineering, Donnelly and Daniels directed the men to their places. Joker and EDI made jokes with one another, and the Krogan began boasting to one another as Wrex worked his way to the bridge. He took a position at the back, content to watch and listen.

As they moved toward the signal, sensors indicated there was a life raft adrift with nine people aboard. Shepard faced a dilemma about how to approach as he didn't want anyone knowing the ship was there, but he didn't want them detecting the stealth capabilities also. If someone was watching, they would be clearly seen, but it was a risk he had to take.

Operating under radio silence, the Normandy came close to the life raft and aligned the front door with the hatch of the panel. Extending a walkway, Shepard ordered Taylor to lead a team to secure the personnel.

With four armed guards behind him, Jacob opened the door, and saw a group of tired Alliance soldiers sitting in the pod, two of whom were laying there and suffering from clear injuries. As Taylor looked, he saw the lieutenant commander, and said, "Sir, are you okay?"

Almost hysterical, he said, "No, we're not okay! The bitch took my ship!"

A long career in the military had taught Jacob the lesson of not dealing with hysterical officers who outranked him. Let Shepard deal with this he thought as he said, "You better inform Captain Shepard of all the details, sir."

Pushing by Taylor, the officer went across the gap first followed by some of the guards. The last two men were carried through by the Normandy staff. Once on board, Taylor said, "Take these two to Dr. Chakwas."

While he was doing that, Shepard and Lawson were listening to Grayson's version of the incident where the Prowler was lost. It involved a squad of Batarian forces, a team of mercenaries, and some woman named Captain Linn.

Not wanting to stay in the open more than necessary, Shepard told the crew to set the lifeboat back adrift, and the Normandy took a position just outside the system while the story was untangled.

"So you're saying this team infiltrated and stole your ship," asked Shepard.

"Yes, I was responding to a distress signal from a freighter from Omega, and was conducting a routine evacuation from a plasma leak."

Grayson said, "This bald headed woman comes on the screen, calling herself Captain Jack Normandy, begging us to help. They claimed to be attacked by Batarians, so I decided to jump in there."

"When we opened the hatch, she came aboard acting innocent. They left my guards to the mercy of a horde of Batarians, and she came in here and held a gun to my head and to my ensign."

Lawson asked him, "Why weren't your men able to stop her?"

"She was some biotic freak and she had this green skinned alien with her who was helping."

Shepard and Lawson looked at each other at the same time, thinking they might know who this was.

"Did she say anything?" asked Shepard.

"Oh yes. The little foul mouthed cretin wouldn't shut up. She talked about how this was a strike for the Blue Suns, and it would be the first of many."

The lieutenant commander continued, "To think someone would sell out their own species. How could you live with yourself?"

As Jared listened to the story, he knew the woman in question had done much worse, but what he didn't know is why she was leaving so many clues. It was as if Jack wanted to be found, but he wasn't going to tell this wreck of an officer more than he needed to know.

Shepard said, "The way I see it, it's a miracle you survived. Your men fought off an entire Batarian division, and suffered no casualties. When you get back to Arcturus, you'll all be in line for medals."

Grayson's eyes lifted as he heard that, saying, "We gave back more than we took, sir. We're good fighting men."

"I can see that," lied Shepard. "To survive what you did says a lot. We will see to your men and drop you all off at Therum."

Thinking about what he had heard earlier, the Blue Suns were involved in the attack on Palaven, and now here again just outside Edolas. Jack and Thane were involved also. But for all the clues, it was not at all clear what was going on when Shepard tried to put it all together.

Author's Note: Two chapters today and I'm a tired writer. I hope you're enjoying the story, as always.