Shepard sighed a little bit as she gazed at the holding cell in front of her. They only had two thanks to being a stealth frigate, not a war ship or a cruiser. The one she stood in front of held a glaring General Oleg Petrovsky. The one next door held Erica Buckner. Both were by all accounts the enemy despite any promises Shepard had made to Erica back on Omega.
They were flying back to Citadel space where Shepard could better use her Spectre status to get more answers. She had only done a couple of interrogations in her life but she knew the basics of it. Preliminary interrogations were usually done by someone not the 'arresting officer'. But there was not a luxury for that. She liked to do things herself anyways.
"I know exactly who you are, Shepard. Don't think you can intimidate me just because you're a Spectre," Petrovsky said, folding his arms and glaring at her.
"Now what makes you think I am going to go that route? I don't really need to. I've got all the time in the galaxy to get what I want. You can consider yourself the Major Erwin König to my Vasily Grigoryevich Zaytsev," Shepard said, smiling.
"Do you think you can impress me with your knowledge of military history, Commander? Going to pretend to be my friend through similar interests? I know all the tricks when it comes to interrogations," Petrovsky sneered. Shepard's smile didn't even falter.
"That's not how I do things, General. Not even sure I should call you that, since you're not even a part of the military," Shepard said.
"I was and I earned my rank, Commander. Don't you doubt that."
"Never said you didn't earn it. Just said military ranks are usually reserved for, y'know, the military."
"Don't pretend you don't know the history behind Cerberus, Shepard."
"That doesn't mean you get to use military ranks!"
"It is how it is, Commander."
"Why did you capture Omega?"
"And now the questions start. That's privileged info, Commander. And you aren't on the need to know list."
"You had to know Aria wouldn't be exiled for long. She's too stubborn to just let such a place go."
"Of course we knew. Why do you think we dug in?"
"So why waste time there? You weren't doing anything but sitting pretty!"
"Privileged information no matter how you reword the question, Commander."
Shepard scowled then sighed and rubbed her temples.
"You are an enemy of the Alliance and every Council race out there, Petrovsky. I'm trying to make things a little easier on you. Give me information now and it'll save the both of us time and energy."
"Once again, Commander, I know how interrogations work. Out here? Your claws are cut. Just give it up."
"Fine. Then tell me about the Illusive Man. Where is he?"
Oleg smirked then went to sit down on the small bunk.
"How's your leg?" he asked.
"I ask the questions. Where is the Illusive Man?" Shepard ground out, hazel eyes almost glowing.
"You want a location? Pah. Might as well call him Elusive Man, with an 'E'," Petrovsky said, leaning back and regarding the Commander with a neutral look.
"And one 'L'. But, see the thing is... I already found him. The main base of operations anyhow. He got sloppy. He will get sloppy again," Shepard said, folding her arms then shrugging her shoulders.
"There is nothing to track. He used a secure line. Nobody is going to run off and visit him. You've lost, Commander," Petrovsky said, eyes firmly on her. She could see a hint of a smirk on his face, too.
"Uh-huh. Though I am curious to know how he survived the explosion. And why the hell he's gone back on the basic manifesto for Cerberus," Shepard said, quirking an eyebrow.
"Now you're getting into things I am not privy to, myself. I only had one mission. And it's never one cell's business to ask about what other cells are doing," Petrovsky remarked.
Shepard couldn't help but feel like that was a bit of a victory. She had managed to weasel out a weakness. She knew for a while that the cells were independent, but it had been regarded as a strength. To her, if you didn't know your allies from your enemies you could very well kill an ally as soon as an enemy. But that didn't matter, Petrovsky had given up information that by all accounts he should not have. It was curious, too, as they had to have had the same training when it came to being interrogated by the enemy.
"I'm a reasonable woman, Petrovsky. I'm sure you've noticed that by now. I just need a little more information from you and then I'll leave. Maybe even get you some chow," Shepard said, offering a scant smile.
"I gave you all I am going to give you, Shepard. Turn me over to the Council, I don't care. We've all been trained for such things," the man said, still stubborn.
Shepard didn't bother telling him that he had to be mistaken; she never would've given up anything more than her name, rank, and service number. Sometimes date of birth as well. It had been drilled into Shepard's skull, especially after the N7 training with the fake captures. If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
She also wasn't going to bother telling him there wasn't really a Council to turn him over to.
She idly spun Petrovsky's omni-tool around her index finger. Grey eyes locked onto hazel. The best way for a prisoner to keep faith with the Alliance, fellow prisoners and self is to provide the enemy with as little information as possible. A member of the armed forces who is captured has a continuing obligation to resist and to remain loyal to the Alliance, service, unit and fellow prisoners.
The Commander remembered idle chatter pertaining to the organization that had bothered her for three years... Cerberus started as an Alliance black op. Black ops always go bad. If you have to deny the action, it was a shitty action...
So why in Goddess's name is Petrovsky proving time and again that he didn't gain the same training I did? Is it on purpose? What game is he playing at? Shepard thought to herself. The omni-tool continued to spin around her finger. Eye contact did not break.
"Shepard," EDI's voice pierced the silence that had settled in the small room.
"Javohl?" Shepard called out. She had no idea why she said it.
"We will be arriving in Citadel Space in five hours. I have dispatched a message to have a security detail meet us when we arrive," EDI explained, not giving away the fact they would actually be in position near Earth since that is where the Systems Alliance was holding for rebuilding efforts.
"Thanks, EDI. Have Traynor, Miranda, and Liara meet me in the war room," Shepard said. The omni-tool stopped spinning. She tossed it in the air then caught it easily before tucking it into one of the pouches on her belt. She turned away from Petrovsky. She started towards the door.
"Exitus acta probat. You should know that better than anyone," Petrovsky spoke to Shepard's back. The Spectre paused but did not turn around.
"Just because I'm a Spectre doesn't mean I will use any means. There is always a better way," Shepard said slowly, keeping her back to the Cerberus General.
"Indeed, that's why General Williams' granddaughter is alive whereas your Lieutenant Alenko is dead," Petrovsky said. Shepard knew damn well what he was trying to pull now: get under her skin and make her snap. He didn't accomplish it. Rather, he accomplished getting Shepard curious as to how he knew General Williams much less that Ash was under her command (they had after all been wearing helmets and how the heck would he know what Ashley looked like?). But Shepard would never admit her curiosities to him. She slowly turned to face the man with the black goatee.
"General Petrovsky, you would not be alive to say such things if it had not been for Alenko's sacrifice. There could have been a better way, sure. But I didn't have the luxury of getting a sitrep and then discussing with my soldiers what our next move should be. Alenko made the decision to stay so he did. He died a hero," Shepard said calmly. "In this case, however, you and Cerberus have quite the luxury of devising what to do next. You could look for a better way but you don't. You use illegal and dangerous methods of experimentation, you assassinate people who won't march to your fife, you sabotage legitimate ventures, and let's not even get to the part where you're domestic terrorists. I have seen the work of multiple Cerberus cells. Your so-called rogue science cells have done some of the sickest things I have ever seen to humans and otherwise. Don't try to give me a bullshit excuse."
"You would not be alive if we did not do the things you and the Alliance accuse us of doing."
"So you say. I have no proof of that and neither do you."
"Stop trying to take the moral high ground with me, Commander. You and I both know that, Alenko's death aside, you have done quite a few shifty things to achieve your ends."
Shepard perked an eyebrow at the man. The scar that cut through said eyebrow was starting to itch again like usual. But she resisted in rubbing the spot or all out scratching.
"You don't get to play this game, Petrovsky. Good bye. I'll have someone bring you and Miss Buckner some chow," Shepard said at last, her tone neutral. She was not going to let him get under her skin. She had done quite a few things she regretted of course. But at least she had repented and felt guilt over it. She turned then headed out of the door, closing it behind her.
She took the elevator up to the CIC, went through the scanners, then entered the war room where Liara, Miranda, and Traynor were all waiting. Shepard removed Petrovsky's omni-tool from her pocket then tossed it to Traynor under-hand. To her credit, Traynor actually caught it despite not expecting the act.
"I want you and Liara working to hack that thing and getting me any information I can use. If you can find anything pertaining to getting into contact with the Illusive Man and tracking him down I will give you the biggest bonus in the galaxy," Shepard said. She rested her hands on the edge of the war map in front of her.
"Of course, sir. We'll get on it right away," Traynor said eagerly. She was ready to do something interesting for once. She hadn't been able to do much in the aftermath of the Reaper War.
"Petrovsky is even more gung-ho about Cerberus than you were, Miranda. It's even more annoying now. He is also extremely arrogant. Which makes him twice as frustrating. I want you to take dinner down to him and Erica," Shepard said.
"I... what? Why? I'm not a waitress!" Miranda argued.
"You're right, you're not. You're room service and former Cerberus. He'll probably try to talk to you, ask why you betrayed the Illusive Man, maybe even wonder if you're deep undercover and just pretending to help me. If he does that, just play along. Maybe he'll open his trap about something. Clear?"
"Crystal."
"Good. EDI?"
"Yes, Shepard?"
"I want you to sanction off a bit of storage for Liara and Traynor to put the data they gather from Petrovsky's omni-tool. I also need you on standby to scrub the data so we don't have a nasty surprise like with the IFF. Finally, track down Williams and have her meet me in the loft."
"Acknowledged."
"Thanks. All right, everyone. Get to work. We arrive in Earth space in about four and a half hours. Make the most of your time."
Traynor nodded then snapped off a salute before heading off with the omni-tool in hand and Liara following on her heels. Miranda still looked a little annoyed with her assignment. She gave a rather sarcastic salute then headed out.
Shepard's gaze turned to the map. There were a lot of red areas where the Reapers had attacked and decimated populations. It still ached to see those places. She didn't dwell long, she couldn't be late to a meeting she had called after all.
By the time Shepard arrived at her cabin, Ashley was already there. She wore a pair of jeans and a raggedy t-shirt that bore the Edmonton Blood Dragons logo.
"Wasn't aware you liked the UCC, LC," Shepard remarked. She had had to make a pitstop at the armory to get out of her armor so she currently sported a t-shirt bearing the N7 logo and a pair of cargo pants. Cortez was currently in the process of buffing out the dent in the greave from the missile back on Omega.
"Used to. Not really following it these days. What did you need to see me for?" Ashley replied after double-checking what she was wearing.
"I'm going to need you to help me with the interrogation when we get to Earth. I did an initial one alone, but I need a partner for the next. But I wanted to warn you about something first," Shepard said, going to sit on the couch. Ashley followed her lead.
"Warn me about what? He sexist or something?" Ashley asked.
"Not so far as I'm aware. No, he uh... he apparently knows your grandfather. Er... knew."
"What?"
"At least, that's what he made it seem like. He was very deliberate mentioning you and your grandfather. And I'm not sure he would exactly be someone to get such information or need it."
"What did he say, exactly?"
"Just mentioned your grandfather and how you're alive while Kaidan is dead."
"I think I can handle that."
"Good. 'Cause I could use your help. But if he makes you uncomfortable in any way you let me know."
Ashley rubbed the back of her neck then nodded. She didn't like the implications of that...
"Is that... all, Commander?" the second human Spectre asked.
"Yes, I think it will be," Shepard said with a nod.
"I'll go down to the armory then and double-check everything," Ashley said, rising to her feet. Shepard did the same to walk the Lieutenant Commander to the door.
"Fair enough. We'll meet the Fifth Fleet soon," Shepard said.
"Right. Put some ice on that leg so you aren't limping so much... again," Ashley said. She disappeared into the elevator to take it down.
Shepard's mouth thinned a little bit out of being unamused. She made her way to the med bay to grab an ice pack from Chakwas. They normally liked to save their medi-gel for things a bit more serious than a bruised calf. She sat reading a few news reports on the extranet via her omni-tool while Chakwas did an inventory of her supplies. Shepard eventually fell asleep before she could remove the ice pack as instructed. Chakwas like usual didn't let it slip her notice and removed the pack from the Commander's leg.
The remaining time until arriving in Earth space was spent sleeping; the Commander could use all the rest she could get.
Behind the Scenes
Translations:
Exitus acta probat- The result validates the deed (more commonly known as 'the end justifies the means')
Miscellaneous data:
The part about name, rank, serial code and DOB is a real part of how a POW should behave in accordance to the Code of Conduct for the United States armed forces. Furthermore, the italics about what to do while captured is part of the pamphlet given out that talks about the Geneva Convention along with what is expected of a captured soldier. I see no reason why any of that would change just because you now have a world-wide (or systems wide) military instead of individual. Though that may be a type of bias and use of what I have available (using what I know). We have very little information about the exact nature of N7 training.
Zaytsev versus Major König is a sniper battle that is not really historical. Zaytsev did 'fight' someone similar to the Major, but it was not a man named König. But since no name was given for that 3-day sniper battle, I opted to just give him the name of the Major.
I know this chapter was quite dialogue heavy but it had to be. I also made a conscious decision not to have Erica somehow overhear everything.
I did cheat a little and take a small snippet of dialogue from Mass Effect 3 (about Cerberus being a former Alliance black op). It seemed appropriate. I also tried to describe some of the mannerisms and verbal tics that Shepard has in the games (e.g. arm folding, 'uh-huh'). I have tried doing this in previous chapters as well tho I'm unsure how much has been noticed.
As for the councilors, I think they are alive. They were probably evacuated from the Citadel long before the Reapers absconded with it (I'm a little hazy on that part but I'm pretty sure they were evacuated after Thessia. But hey, it's my fic. What I say goes). But they dissolved to help rebuilding efforts on their respective planets. But just because the Council isn't in session doesn't mean Spectres have no authority anymore.
Also, the UCC (Urban Combat Championship) is a bit of an 'easter egg'. It's mentioned for a couple of armor sets in the games like for the Blood Dragon Armor.
So there you go. I hope I cleared some thing up. See you on the next chapter. Shane, out.