DISCLAIMER – I do not own Mass Effect franchise, the story, or any of its characters. All rights go to Bioware.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Concerning the previous chapter, I want to say that the Shepard household dynamics are important to me. It might not seem that way, but I do want to spend a bit of time exploring what the two of them would be like throughout the missions when it comes to their relationship – how it affects them, how they influence each other, how they support each other through it, and how their relationship grows even further. I'd want it to be a slow and long process to span this entire story, and assuming this story is successfully written through the (at least) ME1 arc, I would like to know whether I have succeeded in that or not. So, that's another thing I'd appreciate if you leave your review about when it comes and you notice it.
As for this chapter, it, as well as the chapter after this one, will be delving deeper into the background behind the infamous evidence. As is my style, I will be making adjustments and alterations for the sake of plugging plot holes. And the circumstances behind how Tali obtained the evidence are actually a big one.
Chapter posted on 10.12.2016.
Tags: Action, Sci-fi, Adventure, Friendship building, Love.
Rated M – for mature and adult themes.
Enjoy...
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Chapter 7 – The Quarian Connection
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She woke up when she realized that something felt awfully right. There was a sense of content, peace and she felt as though she'd had the best rest in ages. She couldn't quite place it for a moment; it was as if her own mind fought back against it, trying to keep the beautiful feeling unknown.
Then she felt his shoulder under her cheek, the warmth of his flank against her front, the firmness of his broad chest under her arm and his familiar masculine scent in her nostrils. And then she felt the soreness.
She was sore all over, in all the right places: her nether regions, her butt cheeks, her back door, her breasts, and nipples… even her lips and tongue were sore! It felt so good and right that she wanted to bask in it forever. It made her open her eyes, though, and look up to see him just as he too was waking up and looking blearily around and down at her.
"Hey – wow! – look who's here," she murmured as she rubbed and scratched his chest with her hand.
"Morning," he rumbled back as he bent down to kiss her. "How do you feel?"
"Sore," she whined cutely and buried her face in his chest. "This one will last," she added.
"Good," he quipped. "It means you'll remember me for longer."
She purred in response, then asked: "What time is it?"
He looked at his omni-tool. "Six-oh-two," he said. "We barely slept for four hours."
"Wow! And here I am feeling as fresh as if I had twice as much rest."
"Penis bonus – pax in domus," he quoted the ancient Latin saying cheekily, to what Jaina reached down between his legs and gave a single gentle rub to his john – eliciting a flinch and a grunt of discomfort at the sore sensation. He looked down at her with a mock frown and was met with her mischievous glint, making him grin and give her a peck on the lips.
"Let me send a message to Anderson to see what's up," he said as he typed the short message. "He'll be up too, about now. We should know what's going on today."
The reply came not a minute later:
"Shepard,
There's no rush today. I know you took the night off with Jaina, so you two have yourselves a lazy morning – you deserve it. I'll message you later when things develop."
"Isn't that sweet of him," Jaina purred. "But I can't sleep anymore."
"Yeah," he consented as he cradled her, and she snuggled in closer – if that was even possible. "Feels good just like this, though."
"Wanna call the room service and take a shower while they get here?" she proposed.
"You know what – that's a great idea!" he replied and with that they moved to leave their bed.
Except he had to carry her since she apparently couldn't walk properly… or maybe she was just putting up a show for his sake. It didn't matter to either of them, anyway.
They took their morning grooming at leisure since the hotel's kitchen made their meals the old-fashioned way. They used the disposable toothbrushes from the bathroom's built-in omni-fabricator and then stepped into the spacious shower cabin.
They showered slowly, delectably, enjoying the feel of each-other's bodies under their hands as they rubbed body-wash into each other, shampooed each other's hair and just simply enjoyed themselves.
After they were done, they took their breakfast leisurely as they sat in their plushy bathrobes and read the morning news on their omni-tools. It was a simple, small delight of just being together that brought a sense of normalcy to their otherwise hazardous lives that counted, and made both of them feel more… human.
"The news is filled with articles of your acceptance into the Spectre ranks," Jaina noticed as she ate her honeyed and buttered toast while reading the news.
"I suppose it'll be big news today and old news tomorrow," he said dismissively as he tore into his full English breakfast. "What does it say about Saren?"
"It says nothing about his involvement in the Eden Prime attack," she said. "Though, it is stated that he has become a rogue agent and that his capture is your primary assignment."
He chewed his food as he thought a bit on it.
"Seems kinda odd it says nothing of his involvement in the attack, considering the Council hearing was very public, don't you think?" he said at last.
"Maybe they're doing damage control," she replied. "Trying to play it down. I wouldn't put it past them that they never actually broadcasted the hearing. Their top man was accused, after all; if it was me, I wouldn't want to risk it going on the airwaves if he was somehow truly proven guilty."
"Makes sense," he conceded through his bite as he browsed his omni-tool for yesterday's broadcasts and found nothing. "You're right, the broadcast was never made. They probably only made an archive and buried it deep."
"Well, they can't burry Saren himself deep," she replied. "He's out there, and they see he's a threat."
"Our saving grace," he replied as he shoved a mouthful of bacon and eggs in his mouth.
"What will you do today?" she asked.
"I'll go down to the C-Sec and see if Garrus Vakarian's investigation has managed to dig up some leads," he said. "I also need to familiarize myself with Spectre procedures when it comes to working with C-Sec. How about you?"
"Oh, I'll take the kids to school, grab some groceries for the weekend, do some chores around the house – some cleanup, do the lunch, and when you come home after work I'll go check out that Spectre Wives' Club on the Presidium."
He looked at her with wide eyes as if she'd sprouted a snout.
"Got ya!" she grinned.
He released the breath he didn't know he was holding in relief and proceeded to laugh it out with her.
"Jesus, don't scare me like that, Jaina!"
"I need to keep you on your toes," she declared. "The Galaxy seems to be becoming a bit tame for the amazing Commander Marcus Shepard."
"Yeah, we'll see about that. But seriously – what will you do today?"
"Well, it's only fair for the XO to return to her ship," she said with a small shrug.
"Or you could join me," he said. "I'm sure there'd be some Spectre authorization that may requisition a whole person. We'd go investigate leads to see what Saren's up to; I'm sure there'd be some running and gunning. Whaddya say?"
"In that dress and those heels?! I don't think so!" she stated.
He looked at her askance. "And when had either being in a dress or in heels stopped you?"
"Honey," she sang out patiently, looking at him pointedly. "Those are 'fuck me' shoes, not 'fight me' boots."
"And don't you think that your looks alone in that getup could kill?" he asked cheekily. "You'd be an asset simply by looking like that."
Jaina was looking at him in bewilderment for one whole second, before she smiled at him, leaning her chin against her fingers and sending him a pointed, icy stare.
He raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, I get it," he said with a half-smirk. "A woman needs to look the part she wants."
Her smile turned from icy death to an amused one.
"I've trained you well, I see," she said warmly, then sighed. "Tell you what: if everything's green on the Normandy, and the Captain has nothing against it, I'll join you if you're so inclined."
"Fair enough," he said as he wrapped up with his breakfast. "The servicer tool must have repaired the shirt buttons you tore last night by now, and cleaned the rest of the clothes up nicely."
"Definitely," Jaina agreed as she looked at the time. "Makes you wonder how young couples had to cope with restraining their passions a hundred years ago and actually not tear each other's clothes off."
"I do not wish to imagine it," he said in amusement.
An hour later, Marcus passed through the door of the C-Sec academy offices.
"Can I help you, sir?" a turian officer behind the counter-like desk spoke as he raised his eyes from the console.
"I'm looking for either Executor Palin or Officer Garrus Vakarian," he replied.
"Officer Vakarian is currently out, I'm afraid," the turian stated. "As for the Executor, he is currently here, but you'd need to make an appointment – he's a very important and busy man, you see. There are other inspector chiefs available that can listen to your request, though."
"Can you contact the Executor and notify him that Commander Marcus Shepard of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance is here?"
That gave the turian pause.
"I see!" he replied in recognition after a moment, then pointed at his console. "If you'd just input your credentials at my terminal, I'll pass them along at once."
"Is that how it works?" Marcus asked as he activated and waved his omni-tool in front of the console.
"Indeed, Commander," the turian nodded as Spectre ID flashed on his screen. "I imagine this visit is for the Executor is to acquaint you with certain procedures and actions a Spectre can and should employ; this verification is but one of those. Now, if you'd just go straight down the hall and up the stairs, you'll be quick to find the Executor's office. Here – I've placed a marker on your omni-tool. You can't miss it."
"Thanks," Marcus said, then proceeded toward the indicated location.
The C-Sec offices seemed to be a very lively place. C-Sec personnel in their blue-and-black uniforms and armor were all over it. From what he could see, most were turians with plenty of salarians, though there was a fair number of asari as well as humans. There was one drell in police blues, and surprisingly, a few volus whose enviro-suits had official C-Sec markings on them. He figured the latter must've had jobs that dealt with hacking, e-crimes or white-collar crimes; it would only fit into volus abilities nicely.
There were plenty of civilians around reporting crimes, too. The place didn't differ from an average human police station at all, except for this place seemed more clean, more civil and somehow more exotic; must've had something to do with the pink jellyfish levitating around.
He reached the door at the end of the hall and touched the green hologram at the center. The door beeped recognizing his biometrics and opened up to receive him.
"Ah, Commander Shepard," Executor Palin greeted him from his office desk. "Please, have a seat."
Marcus sat in the chair on the opposite side as Palin tapped at his omni-tool and seemed to wait.
"Vakarian here," came the voice from the omni-tool.
"Garrus, Commander Shepard is here with me at my office," Palin spoke. "How soon can you be here?"
"I'm on my way back from the Zakeera Ward," he replied. "I'll be there in less than ten minutes."
"Good," Palin replied and ended the comm, then spoke to Marcus. "I suspect he'll have some information for you concerning your mission. Now, to the matter at hand; since you're a Spectre now, there are some procedures that are available to you when it comes to C-Sec. Your omni-tool, please."
Marcus activated his omni-tool and extended his arm toward Palin. The turian tapped at his console, bringing up a projection in the middle of the desk, and Marcus's tool beeped as it received a number of data files.
"These are all codes, frequencies, and procedures the C-Sec uses. As a Spectre, you are now privy to them all, and since there's quite a few of them, I suggest you examine them in your spare time in further detail. I have also transferred a few C-Sec applications you are entitled to.
"The short version of the matter is that you're now exempt from all intermediary channels. For instance, if a non-C-Sec needs to access certain police archives, he'd have to go through Citadel civilian administrations, who need to go through me in turn. A Spectre skips both, and only needs to send a requisition to the archives for them to send him the data – he does not even need to show up in person. It all goes through his biometric data that is attached to his signal.
"But that's just an example, and it goes far more than that. Essentially, you are at full liberty to requisition any C-Sec resource at any given moment – be it for an arrest, armed backup, sending forces to a specific location – anything at all. Concordantly, an opposite also holds true: a direct on-sight Spectre authorization can call off a C-Sec arrest, raid or investigation unless they were directly called forth by the Council itself – that's how we could investigate Saren in the first place.
"This extends to beyond the Citadel itself, of course. All of the Citadel species are bound by the Citadel Treaty to give full cooperation to Spectre agents that happen to be in their territory or request their specific aid. This extends to militaries and secret services as well – in theory, it means that someone like the STG group would have to open their top-secret files, and a space fleet would be obligated to listen to a directive issued by a Spectre."
Marcus leaned forward and spoke in a low growl:
"Are you telling me that a Spectre would be at liberty to order a fleet to bombard the very planet they were deployed to protect?!"
"Exactly," Palin spoke in a grave hiss. "Now you see why I hold such dislike for the branch you have joined. In truth, no sane fleet commander would obey such and order that you gave an example of, and even if something like that did happen, the Spectre who authorized it better have a damn good explanation as to why he did it, or he'd be publically flayed alive. But how do you explain to the families of those people killed in the destruction of that space station, or in the leveling of that surface colony that it was all one man's doing, and that only one man will suffer for the thousands he killed?"
There was a blessed pause as both men absorbed what had been said.
"No wonder Systems Alliance has pushed for a human Spectre for so long," Marcus murmured. "With Spectres, the Council holds all the Citadel species by the balls."
"Indeed," Palin replied. "The diplomatic backlash keeps such things in check. Until yesterday, only people of the Council member species were ever granted a Spectre status. However, if you consider it, the volus and drell are essentially client species of other states – they have no real military power whatsoever, and the same can be said for both hanar and elcor. Back when quarians were still members, the time their immune systems needed to adapt to new environment prevented them from being Spectres. Krogan never even made it to becoming Spectres before the Rebellions began; they rebelled only seven years after the very first Spectre was anointed. And nobody was crazy enough to want a batarian Spectre back while they were around. Basically, nobody questioned why none but the member species themselves were Spectres."
"Until we came," Marcus said.
Palin nodded. "You, humans, are unlike any other non-Council species. Hell, you're not like any non-Citadel species, either – which is why I personally don't trust you. You discovered mass effect less than forty years ago, and you already have a navy that first surpassed Batarian, and now is equal to Salarian in size, barring dreadnought numbers. I understand that even before you became an interstellar species, your economy and industry held an uncanny similarity to the Galactic standard. Basically, the Council sees your armies and economy as something with great potential while not being as volatile as Batarians' at the same time, and that's why they're feeling comfortable in granting you Spectre membership."
Marcus nodded.
"I figured as much," he said. "Still, I never realized the array of Spectre liberties extended so far."
"Well, now you do," Palin stated. "The question is how will you use it?"
Marcus shook his head.
"We could converse on the moralities of Spectre decisions all day long, Executor," he stated firmly as he made a curt swiping motion. "In the end, that talk will get us nowhere. I've learned long ago that something like moral high ground doesn't exist. You ask me if I'll condemn innocents? That's just a matter of time in this line of work – you know it, I know it, and therefore I suggest we steer clear of the themes that are not meant for us, mortals.
"Now I'm going to tell you what I am going to do," he continued. "I am going to stop Saren. I am going to find out what he's doing and put an end to it, and I'll start by looking into what Garrus managed to find out in his investigation. I suspect I might need to maintain a longer cooperation with him. What can you tell me about him?"
Palin twitched his mandibles as he scrutinized him for a moment and then nodded in what seemed to be a respectful manner before he began speaking.
"Garrus is exceptionally capable C-Sec officer," he spoke. "He was a sniper in the military, turian Special Forces, as well as weapons, ordnance and tech expert. He was considered for Spectre candidacy, no less. You're covered on that part if you think of working with him in the field while you do your business on the Citadel. He's also very smart and perceptive, tends to find links in the dots where others don't, and has a good streak with that police officer's hunch. Like I said – all in all capable. However…"
Marcus kept his silence as Palin looked to see if he was paying attention, and just nodded for the Executor to continue. The Executor sighed and spoke:
"Garrus is a good guy with a smart head on his shoulders… but he is reckless and stubborn and often likes to skirt the edges of the rules. Ironically, that stubbornness is what makes him tenacious when he pursues his mark. His methods have solved many crimes, I can't deny that, but I fear that his recklessness might one day be the end of him."
"Does he follow orders?" Marcus asked pointedly with a raised eyebrow.
"Not once did he disobey, and I know he never will," Palin stated with complete confidence that brooked no argument. "It's what he does when you don't explicitly give him an order that makes my plates sag."
Just as he said that, the doors opened with a hiss and Garrus stepped in.
"Sir," he greeted him. "I'm not interrupting anything?"
"No, Garrus, I was just telling Commander what a pain in the ass you tend to be."
Garrus laughed.
"Oh, come now, sir, where would you be without my crime-solving skills?"
"On vacation," Palin deadpanned.
"But didn't you always say to me that work fulfills?" Garrus quipped.
"Well, as it stands, you will be working," Palin replied. "A lot! And you will be working with Commander Shepard here. I'd sure like to see how working with a Spectre will work out for you."
"I think it will be a pleasure," Garrus mused as he inclined his head respectfully to Marcus, who stood up and shook his hand with a smile.
"Is that so?" Palin chuckled. "Spectres have no rules they need to adhere to, Vakarian. I could never order you to work all twenty hours of the day – I had rules to bind me. Spectres, on the other hand, pay no overtime."
"Ahem," Garrus cleared his throat hurriedly. "Hmm, yes, well, we'll see how it goes."
Marcus tried to suppress his smile. "I'm sure we'll cooperate just fine, Garrus."
"Right," the turian nodded. "Well, if you don't have any more business with the Executor, we can begin right away."
Marcus looked questioningly at Palin.
"Fine by me," Palin spoke. "I have given you everything you'd need, Commander. If you feel you need anything more, you know where to find me."
Marcus nodded, then turned to Garrus, pointing with his hand toward the door.
"Lead the way, Garrus."
"This way," he said and led him out of the Executor's office.
They went into the main offices' work area, where Garrus led him to his work desk. He offered a seat to Marcus opposite of him, then activated his omni-tool and synched it with his desktop terminal.
"So, what have you been up to with this whole thing?" Marcus asked him.
Garrus sighed, and leaned forward with his elbows against the desk.
"Well, like I mentioned at the hearing, there was not a lot that I could do at that time, except send out feelers," the turian said. "Something like that takes time to pan out, but fortunately, I have a lot of contacts throughout the Wards and the Presidium alike. I've had mixed success so far, but some things had started to pan out since yesterday. It might still not be enough to find Saren, but it may help point us where to look."
"Well… even that much is more than we have at this moment, Garrus," Marcus said, leaning forward with his elbows against the desk. "We don't know squat about Saren's actions. Any help we find that may point us even in a general direction would be invaluable."
"My point exactly," Garrus said, then turned his terminal so that both of them could view it and motioned with his hand toward the screen. "Look here. There were no solid leads, but my guys caught plenty of rumors – and I'm talking about the kind of rumors that actually hold weight. These are the things we can use."
"So, what's the biggest point of focus we're talking about here?" Marcus asked.
"It's a recently-surfaced rumor that Saren used to do business for the Shadow Broker," Garrus said.
"Shadow Broker," Marcus repeated, leaning back into his seat, thinking. "I've heard of him through various Spec-Ops channels. Some kind of a… top-ranking information broker?"
"The Information Broker, more likely," Garrus said. "He's the biggest information broker in the Galaxy. Nobody knows who he is, what species, or gender for that matter. The Shadow Broker might be an organization, even. He buys and sells information, always has info on everything, even some closely guarded government secrets."
Marcus nodded, filing that info away. "But, if he's as resourceful and secretive as you say, how did the rumor that Saren did business with him manage to surface into the airwaves?" he asked skeptically.
"Exactly the right question," Garrus said, nodding. "Something like that wouldn't surface – yet it did, and multiple of my underground contacts confirmed it as recent news."
"Which means it was allowed to surface," Marcus realized.
"Precisely, "Garrus said. "The bottom line is that all threads of this intel link and point to a volus banker that works in the Financial District on the Presidium who is rumored to be the Shadow Broker's agent. His name is Barla Von."
Marcus hummed pensively. "Something like that would indicate he's trying to lead us to him without directly contacting us," Marcus said. "Assuming what I say is true, this could be big."
"It's not our only lead to go on, though," Garrus said, then leaned forward. "I have a contact who works this little clinic in the upper Wards, Doctor Chloe Michel. She contacted me yesterday and told me that a wounded quarian girl came to her clinic a couple of days ago. The girl claimed she was on the run from Saren's men because she had some solid evidence that he is a traitor to the Council."
"A couple of days ago?" Marcus growled, leaning forward attentively. "That means she had that info even before Eden Prime occurred!"
"Apparently so," Garrus said. "She wanted to trade the information in exchange for protection but didn't want to go to C-Sec, since Saren was still a Spectre and could get to her there. So, Dr. Michel sent the girl to a gangster named Fist, because Fist was also rumored to work for the Shadow Broker."
"That's a bit naïve thinking from the girl's part," Marcus noted. "There is next to no guarantee that either Fist or Shadow Broker's agents wouldn't kill her once she gave them the data. Did you try to find her?"
"I did, but she has not been seen at Fist's base of operation – it's a bar called Chora's Den. There are several eyes and ears both in and out of the place at all times because of Fist's illegal activities, so that info is pretty reliable. Other than that, the quarian is nowhere to be seen. Probably at some of the shelters healing her wound if she's alive."
Marcus leaned back into his chair and folded his arms across his chest, spending a few moments thinking about the situation.
"Come on," he said abruptly, standing up. "We're going to Barla Von. That's the only trail we have."
"Right behind you, Shepard," Garrus said as he stood up and grabbed his service rifle, placing it on the magnetic holster on his back. "Maybe we should get you some weapons and armor while we're at it; as a Spectre, you can requisition some from the armory."
"No need," Marcus waved away. "I have a shielding generator sown into the back of this jacket – some N7 gear right there – and I never go anywhere without a sidearm."
"Nice preparation," Garrus commented. "What are you packing?"
"Automatic karpov, sledgehammer-class rounds with a phasic mod and increased exit velocity," he said, then looked at Garrus. "I modified it with larger mass effect core and arrays to double the output."
Garrus sighed. "How come we in the C-Sec don't ever get such toys?" he asked wistfully.
"Think of it as a challenge," Marcus said. "Makes you analyze your enemy, use weakness in his defenses – practices your cool. It's good."
"Well, I am the best damn shot in the C-Sec," Garrus commented with a chuckle.
With that, they promptly went to the police parking lot and took a police cruiser, and flew off toward the Financial District.
The bank they entered was a relatively small place, but it was furbished tastefully in the business fashion. There were several banking clerks around, working at various terminals.
"Can I help you, officer?" an asari matron asked Garrus from a reception terminal.
"We need to speak to Barla Von," he replied.
"One moment, please," she said then made a call. "Mr. Von, there is a C-Sec officer with another gentleman asking for you."
There were a few moments of silence, before a classical volus hissing-filled voice replied:
"Send them to my office, Mathena."
"Yes sir," she responded, then turned to the two. "Go right through there, and it's first door on the left after that."
Marcus and Garrus walked to the designated office, and when they entered, they saw the most typical, non-descript volus waiting for them behind his desk.
"Commander Shepard," the volus greeted him. "My greetings. I am Barla Von."
"You seem to be well informed," Marcus stated.
"Information is my trade," Barla Von replied. "I am after all an influential financial adviser. Kssshhhh. And how could I not be aware of the first human Spectre?"
"You saw us through the security camera linked to your terminal," Marcus stated. "You decided to meet us here, rather than come to us down there, which means you have something important to discuss that shouldn't be heard by just anyone. So, tell me: why would the Shadow Broker's agent want to speak to me? And why send out all of those rumors of Saren working for the Shadow Broker unless you wanted to garner our attention?"
"Kssshhhh. Very perceptive, Commander," Barla said. "And right on all accounts. Kssshhhh. I am indeed an agent of the Shadow Broker, and I have both information and an offer for you."
"I understand that the Shadow Broker's information can be expensive."
"Usually it is," Barla nodded slowly. "However, this time the information is free of charge."
"What's the catch?" Garrus asked with suspicion.
"There is no catch," the volus replied succinctly. "Ksssshhh, Saren used to do a lot of business with the Shadow Broker, but has now turned on him."
"Why?" Marcus asked.
"That information is either unclear or it is above my pay grade. Ksssshhh. Whatever it is, though, something absolutely huge must be at stake, because Saren's not stupid enough to betray a man as valuable or as dangerous as the Shadow Broker."
"Alright, I believe that," Marcus said. "But that kind of information has no value to me. If that's all you had to tell me, then both of our times were wasted."
"It's not all the info I have for you, Commander," Barla Von said. "You see, the Shadow Broker has hired a krogan mercenary to deal with the whole mess. Ksssshhh. This krogan knows who he's searching for, and how to find them. This krogan is a very experienced and shrewd individual. You, Commander, can find out a lot of info from him."
"Where is this krogan?" Marcus asked.
"He was detained at C-Sec."
"Did you see any krogan down there?" Marcus asked bewilderedly as he looked at Garrus.
"None," he replied.
"It happened only a few minutes before you arrived here," Barla Von clarified.
Garrus activated his comms and spoke, "Hey, it's Vakarian. Listen, was there a krogan that was brought in a few minutes ago?" There was a pause, and then Garrus nodded, and spoke, "Excellent. I'll have some questions for him as well. Hold him there until we arrive."
He ended the call, then nodded in the affirmative to Marcus.
"Detained, but not arrested," Garrus said.
Marcus frowned. "For what?"
"For being an armed and armored krogan on Citadel," Garrus said, shrugging. "Not illegal, but – krogan."
Marcus rolled his eyes, then looked down at the volus with a frown. "Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?" he asked.
"Kssshhh. Concerning this info – nothing," Barla said. "But I'd like to give you a friendly word of advice, Commander, as you seem very perceptive about the shadow plays that are at works around us. Kssshhhh. The Galaxy at large is a very different place from the human colonies. Out there, you need to worry about pirates and slavers that carry guns; out here, you have to worry about the pirates and slavers that carry diplomatic credentials."
"That much was obvious to me, Barla Von," Marcus smirked.
"So it would seem," Barla Von nodded. "Take care, Commander."
Marcus and Garrus left the bank offices and hurried back toward the C-Sec in the sky car. Just a few minutes later, they were stepping into the C-Sec offices, with Garrus leading Marcus toward where the krogan might be held.
"Standard procedure would be to take him to one of the interrogation chambers," Garrus spoke as they walked.
"Or not," Marcus countered as he pointed with his chin at a small group of C-Sec officers in surrounding an unmistakably massive bulk of a krogan in heavy red armor, his hump towering above them all.
There was noticeable tension in the three-man group of C-Sec officers, as well as any others that were close by and watched warily what was going on. Two turians that stood in front of the krogan had rifles, with the human officer trying to show confidence even though he was agitated.
The krogan was obviously irritated at the whole situation, yet though he was pacing and glaring, he exuded calm and control that the C-Sec personnel lacked.
"Witnesses saw you making threats at Chora's Den, Wrex," the human officer. "Stay away from Fist! Is that clear?"
"Listen here, pup," Wrex growled in his impressively deep and gravelly voice. "You don't get to tell me where I can and cannot go. Fist's is a public place, and if I feel I'm being cheated for my drink, you're damn right I'm gonna threaten someone."
"You carried a shotgun!" the officer pointed out.
"So? I have a license," Wrex retorted.
"This is your only warning Wrex," the officer intoned threateningly. The krogan didn't seem impressed.
"And I am warning you," Wrex spoke as he got into the officer's face. "Do not waste my time or patience, or you'll really see what an angry krogan is all about if I lose it."
"Do you want me to arrest you?!" the cop exclaimed incredulously.
"Ha, I'd like you to try!" the krogan chuckled.
Marcus chose to step in at that moment. "It's alright, officer," he said. "I'm Wrex's lawyer."
Both Garrus and Wrex looked at him with confused looks.
"Show me your credentials," the officer spoke suspiciously as he raised his omni-tool.
Marcus activated his omni-tool, and his Spectre status flashed on the holo-screen.
"Spectre Shepard?" the man spoke as his eyes shot up.
"I'll be taking it from here, thanks," Marcus spoke.
"Yes, sir," the officer replied, then walked away with both of the armed turians.
Garrus waited, watching the three walk away to a safe distance, then spoke:
"You waited to do that, didn't you?" he spoke in a lighthearted tone.
"No comment," Marcus replied with a smirk, then looked up at the big krogan who scrutinized him from above.
"So," the krogan began. "What is it that you want, human?"
"I'm looking for leads into Saren's activities," Marcus replied. "A trail has led me through a volus banker, Barla Von, who told me to speak with you."
"Then he has told you of the reasons as to why I am here?" he asked.
"That Saren fucked it up with the Shadow Broker? Yes. That you were hired to clean up the mess? Yes. He didn't say anything else. That's why I'm asking you."
"Hmm," Wrex nodded. "The mess he's referring to is the collateral damage that happened in the fallout between the two big shots."
"Those threats at Chora's Den have anything to do with it?" Garrus asked.
Wrex measured the turian up, then looked at Marcus. "This pup working for you, or for the C-Sec?"
"This has nothing to do with C-Sec," Marcus said. "But it has everything to do with my business, and my business is hunting Saren himself. So, as long as you do not hamper my hunt, I don't have anything to do with you or interfere with your business, either. And, if you happen to join up, well… I've been told of something called the Spectre Associate Amnesty Authorization. I'd be willing to give it, as long as you agree to follow my lead."
"Well then," Wrex rumbled. "I wouldn't say no to that… as long as I get to finish my contract, of course. A man has gotta make a living."
"Fair enough," Marcus nodded, then activated his omni-tool and accessed the specialized application, and then he waved it in front of both Garrus and Wrex. "Consider yourselves Spectre associates for the time being."
"The name's Urdnot Wrex," the krogan said as he offered his hand, and Marcus shook it.
"Commander Marcus Shepard," he replied. "This is Garrus Vakarian."
The turian and the krogan just nodded at each other reservedly.
"So, will you tell me what's going on?" Marcus ventured.
"It's like your friend here said," Wrex spoke. "I'm here to deal with the collateral damage of the fallout between Saren and the Shadow Broker, and the gangster Fist who owns Chora's Den is in the middle of it."
"I though Fist worked for the Shadow Broker," Marcus asked. "Why would the Shadow Broker hire you to deal with Fist?"
"Because Fist did something very stupid," Wrex replied. "He decided to betray the Shadow Broker, and take money from Saren instead."
"Ouch," Garrus commented. "Fist was never a smart guy, but really? Betraying the Shadow Broker for a few credits more?"
"Not a few," Wrex shook his head. "Saren paid him a truckload! Whatever's at stake here has Saren agitated. The word on the wire is that it concerns solid intel on Saren's activities; possibly his base of operations."
"But, do you know whether Fist managed to finalize the deal with Saren? It means squat if I'm too late to get that info."
"You're not too late," Wrex assured him. "The one who has the info is this quarian woman. I don't know where or how she got it, but the damn kid's got the whole Shadow World upside-down! Pretty damn impressive for a suit rat, if you ask me."
"So, the quarian is the reason for all this," Marcus spoke as he glanced at Garrus, then looked back at Wrex. "But what makes you so sure she's a kid?"
"Quarians don't leave their Migrant Fleet unless they're on this Pilgrimage of theirs when kids become adults," Wrex provided. "They roam the Galaxy for a little while and find something valuable to bring back to the Migrant Fleet when it's done."
"Looks like she found something, alright," Garrus spoke dryly.
"Finding her would be the ideal scenario," Marcus spoke slowly as he thought on it. "But I want to pursue alternative paths just in case. Fist's working for Saren now – that much is clear – so he must have some method of communication with him. I could use that."
Wrex nodded. "Saren only worked through his henchmen, but Fist would have means of contacting them. If you want to get intel on Saren's possible location, I'd try getting to his men. And since they're chasing the quarian, if you find one, you might find the other as well."
Marcus nodded. "Alright then; it's time we pay Fist a visit." He turned and started walking toward the C-Sec parking platform.
"You sure you don't want to grab some armor first, Commander?" Wrex asked as he and Garrus followed suit.
"Don't worry about it," Marcus replied. "I have personal shielding, biotics, and a gun."
"Hmm," Wrex muttered in acknowledgement.
The three didn't notice that human C-Sec officer who had spoken to Wrex previously and had been watching them inconspicuously from nearby. He raised his omni-tool, then tapped a comm address and spoke after a moment.
"It's me. The krogan joined with Commander Shepard, the new Spectre… No, I couldn't overhear anything, the Spectre has some anti-surveillance program active at all times, probably an N7 thing. Look, they might be coming to your joint, I suggest you make yourself scarce… No, Fist, dammit, don't try to fight them, you…"
The line went dead and the officer looked at it incredulously.
"What a fucking moron!" he voiced his incredulity. "Whatever. If he wants to get himself killed…"
Marcus, Garrus, and Wrex exited the police cruiser at the landing pad in front of Chora's Den. Oddly, few sky cars were around, and the few remaining were being boarded by disgruntled-looking people.
"Hey, what's going on?" Garrus called out to them.
"Eh, they suddenly called the closing time and forced everyone out," one not-so-drunk turian said. "A bunch of armed thugs showed up as if they're prepping for war or something. Beets me! I'm outta here!"
Garrus turned to Marcus. "Looks like they're preparing a welcoming committee for us," he said.
"Good," Wrex grunted as he cocked his heavy Claymore shotgun. "This will be more fun."
Garrus grabbed his assault rifle, while Marcus took out his combat pistol, channeled a biotic barrier on top of his shields, and primed his omni-tool capacitors for an EMP strike. Glancing at Wrex, he noticed that the krogan mercenary had a biotic barrier glow about him.
Just as they started toward the entrance, though, a couple of armed mercenaries that stood near the door saw them. The two yelled out and started firing blindly toward Marcus's group as they retreated, and finally locked the door behind them.
"Well, I say that gives us all the excuse we need to tear them a new one," Marcus commented dryly as he straightened out a bit from his quick crouch.
The three men quickly advanced toward cover on either side of the main club entrance, the vast combat experience of all three of them quickly becoming apparent in the way that all of them moved in quick, precise, and wordless coordination.
Throwing a quick, sweeping glance at the surrounding area of the doors they were approaching, Marcus immediately spotted the club's security cam that overlooked the main entrance, and sent out a directed EMP, frying the cam and blinding the enemy to their movements, with Garrus quickly frying the cam on the other side.
They planted their backs against the sides of the main entrance, and Marcus nodded at Garrus. "You got a flashbang on that police omni-tool of yours?"
"Bet your scales I do," the turian growled, his nose already in his omni-tool as he worked to set up the strike.
"I have some small frags here," Wrex said, opening the hidden compartment on his armor and showing a pair of small grenades. "Won't do much damage, but if you're any good, it doesn't really need to."
Garrus glanced at the frags, then shook his head. "I'm not even gonna ask how you smuggled those past security."
"Fine. Don't."
"Doesn't matter," Marcus said, "it works to our advantage. Garrus, as soon as the doors are open, you and I will launch our flashbangs," he said, flicking his omni-tool ready. "As soon as they're off, you launch your frags, Wrex. As soon as those are off, you're storming in first with me right on your tail. I'll do a biotic charge toward the first target of opportunity I see on the other side, and I'll strike from there as soon as I'm secure."
"Got it," the battlemaster rumbled.
"Garrus, your task is to snipe at the enemy from right here and provide cover for both me and Wrex against any of the enemies not stunned by the bangs – keep them off our backs until we gain a foothold. When we do, you reposition. Understood?"
"Got it," the turian barked.
Marcus nodded and placed his omni-tool against the main doors and let the electronic/electric attack eat its way through the door systems. Muffled shouts came from behind the door as the mercenaries noticed what was happening.
Within seconds, the door opened, and a flurry of enemy bullets surged their way, the myriad of rounds ringing as they ricocheted off of floor and metal doorframe as the enemy fired blindly.
Cashing in on the fact, Marcus and Garrus flunked their wrists over the doorframe's edge, launching a pair of pill-sized pellets from their omni-tools and letting it sail into the club. A second later, the pellets burst, fragmenting into hundreds of smaller shards, spreading them like fireworks through the entirety of the club's main lounge before each of them burst into a small star that blinded and deafened everyone in range.
The hailstorm of bullets stopped, being replaced by shouts of surprise, pain, and panic before Wrex stepped out, throwing a pair of frag grenades into the thickest throngs he spotted. The explosions went off, and then a thunderous burst of Wrex's Claymore overpowered all sound, sending a carnage round into the closest group, detonating it against the hapless thug it collided with and blasting him apart limb from limb as heavy pellets maimed everyone around in a wave of screaming.
Before anyone managed to shake off the effects of the flashbang sufficiently to realize what had happened, Marcus biotically charged upward, slamming into the merc that stood on the circular balcony above the bar and sending him flying into the far wall. Not hesitating, he spun and vaulted off of the balcony down into cover, slinging a biotic bolt in midair into the midst of the group of enemies that were hiding behind the bar, knocking them out of the cover where a quick bullet to the head from Garrus's rifle ended them.
From his crouch behind the bar, Marcus launched his arm up over the edge of his cover, sending an EMP blast and sparking the shields and weapons of several mercs, getting them immediately riddled with holes by controlled bursts from Garrus's rifle.
Wrex's shotgun kept thundering as the battlemaster advanced relentlessly through the club's interior, tactically zigzagging from cover to cover – but only so much to sidestep the enemy's shots rather than hiding – the barks of his shotgun coming in even timespans, each perfectly timed to his heat sink's cooldown, and each of the shots taking its deadly toll on the enemy. Any of the mercs that tried getting into cover was quickly flushed by Marcus' shockwaves and leveled by Garrus's concussive shots that sent them flying through the air like clay pigeons for the shooting.
Bullets, shockwaves, concussions, and detonations joined in a spectacular thunderous crescendo that rocked the floor and reverberated in the air as the desperate screams of the enemy were violently extinguished.
And then, there was silence for a moment.
"It was a good combat practice," Wrex stated with a content smirk.
"The C-Sec will have a hell of a job cleaning this up," Garrus commented as he joined both him and Marcus.
"Come on," Marcus said, nodding toward the side exit that could only lead toward the offices.
They advanced tactically through the entrance, only to level their guns onto a pair of cowering workers.
"Don't shoot, Jesus Christ!" they called out in panic with their hands raised up from where they hid behind some crates.
Marcus just motioned with his head for them to make themselves scarce, and the two men scrambled and ran off.
"Your kind tends to be easily scared, Shepard," Wrex commented.
"Comes with pampered life," Marcus said. "Colonists tend to be a bit harder around the edges, but the Earth middle class?" he shook his head. "They better hope no war ever comes to Earth; they're so pampered they'd be chickens to the slaughter. Come on."
They advanced with their weapons drawn down the hallway toward a side-set doorway – the only unchecked one remaining – when suddenly, the doors opened to a pair of objects that skipped off of the ground.
Recognizing the frag grenades, a spike of adrenaline slammed into all of their spines, with Marcus reacting the quickest. He stepped forth, channeled biotics, pushed the bombs away, and slammed the hardest biotic barrier he could in front of them all.
The bombs exploded, the fragments and shockwave bursting against the barrier, slamming all three of them back against the far wall.
Marcus barred his clenched teeth and shut his eyes tightly against the pain that flared in the back of his head where it had struck the wall. As he opened his anger-filled eyes, he heard a recognizable whizz of hover drones approaching. Next to him, Wrex growled.
"That pyjack is so dead, that once I'm done with him, the ten of his ancestor generations will cease to exist," the krogan rumbled as he stood up from his crouch.
"He's mine first," Marcus growled as he and Garrus stood up as well, walking quickly past Wrex and raising their omnitools.
Just as they did, a group of four combat drones hovered out slowly from the entrance to Fist's office, only to be met with an EMP shock from Marcus's and Garrus's omnis. The flurry of electric bolts danced across the drones' surfaces, locking the drones' weapons and scrambling their tactical targeting. A huge carnage round flew into their midst, exploding and breaking the drones into pieces of twisted and broken metal.
The trio stomped through the broken and smoking debris and rounded into the office from which the drones had come. The place was empty. Only a single overturned office desk stood at the far side, behind which stood a terminal with a large multi-display surveillance system.
Wrex nodded toward the overturned desk, and Marcus channeled his biotics, launching a shockwave centered straight behind the desk. With a whoomping sound of a biotic displacement, a lone human figure was launched into the air from behind the desk and thrown violently against the monitoring displays, shattering several of them in the process and knocking the gun from his hand.
The man slid down onto the ground, the air knocked out from his lungs and looked up at the approaching men in helpless panic.
"How do you like being thrown against the wall for a change?" Marcus asked coldly as he leveled his gun at Fist's face.
"N… nuh… No!" he called in panic, fighting to regain his air. "D-don't shoot… I surrender!"
Marcus just stood over him menacingly, not uttering anything for a few moments and just scrutinizing the man in front of him. He spoke at last:
"You will tell me everything you know about this whole situation with Saren."
"Alright! Alright!" Fist called hysterically. "It's all because of this quarian girl! She appeared a couple of days ago, wanting to cut a deal with the Shadow Broker, to trade information on Saren in exchange for protection from him! I had dealt with Saren before, so when I contacted him, he offered me a better deal – that's what caused the entire fallout."
"Where's the girl now?"
"Third back alley behind Lower Markets," he replied quickly.
Marcus just looked Fist in the eyes in silence. Fist began to shrink into himself.
"I don't believe you," Marcus said, then aimed his gun at Fist's leg.
"NOOOOOI'LLPROVEIT!" Fist cried out, raising his palm in futile defense. He panted for a few moments as if making sure he was still alive, and then shakily activated his omni-tool. "I have a cam recording of the conversation! It happened in this very office, you'll see! It's all there, honest!"
Shepard sought out the camera with his eyes, finding it in the corner.
"Garrus, track where that thing's server is and strip it of any data you can. Delete local copy."
Garrus complied, activating his C-Sec apps and beginning his tracking and sweeps.
"Here!" Fist raised his omni-tool as the video played out.
It was a recording of his office cam alright, and Marcus saw the quarian girl for the first time.
"Have you arranged the meeting?" she asked in a slightly odd, but pleasantly exotic lilt.
"Yeah," came Fists ugly gangster speech. "You know those back alleys behind Lower Markets on these wards? It's gonna be today at noon, right at the center of the third alley, next to the structural pillar."
Marcus looked at the time, noting they didn't have a lot of it to spare.
"Will the Shadow Broker appear personally? There won't be any deal otherwise," she said, trying to put on a strong, determined façade. It sounded good, but Marcus knew when it was being forced.
"Of course he will be," Fist ensured her.
Wrex then spoke up:
"Meeting with the Shadow Broker in person? Impossible! He refuses all person-to-person contacts, and when he speaks, his voice is heavily modulated. Not even his closest henchmen know what he looks like."
"She didn't know that," Fist said. "I told her that he'll be there, but when she shows up, it will be Saren's men waiting for her."
Marcus's face was a mask of calm, but his voice had a deathly edge to it:
"So, you've just sent a kid who only wanted to be safe from harm right into the hands of her pursuers. I don't believe in heaven or hell, but I sure hope the latter will appear just for you. Garrus, you done?"
"Done," came a grim answer.
"Then we're done here," Marcus said as he looked pointedly at Wrex.
The krogan leveled his massive Claymore shotgun at Fist.
"NO –" BOOM! And Fist's head was gone. The lifeless body slumped on the floor, oozing bodily fluids.
"Come on," Shepard called as he turned and moved at a brisk pace toward the exit. "We've gotta save that quarian!"
They trotted through the wrecked bar, jumping over and around the growing pools of blood and numerous debris as they neared the exit. Just as they exited the club, though, they came head on upon three C-Sec officers that were fast on approach from their police cruiser with their guns raised.
"Freeze!" the salarian shouted as he leveled his rifle at them, and then his eyes widened at recognition. "Vakarian?! What is going on here?"
Marcus raised his omni-tool and broadcasted his Spectre status, making the officers' omni-tools light up in recognition and display a blue Spectre symbol.
"Spectre business," he called out. "These men are with me. You three proceed with securing the area! The three of us need to go and rescue someone, a.s.a.p.!"
"U-understood, Spectre," The salarian nodded as he fought down his surprise.
With Chora's Den not being too far away from the Lower Markets and by extension the back alleys in question, the three men eschewed the use of a skycar and ran at full speed directly toward their intended goal. Being of the naturally fast species, Garrus took up a light pace so that the other two could keep up. Being a krogan – a species that liked charging and bulldozing head-on through everything – Wrex had it easy maintaining a powerful sprint, with Marcus, as a human, only managing to keep up because of his genetic augmentations.
In less than a minute, the three of them covered the five hundred meter dash and rounded into the alley in question, entering what was a poorly-lit place, with red lighting dominating the area. It seemed to be broad, long and had a very high ceiling, with almost no people to be seen, and with certainly no stores or holo-commercials on the walls. Marcus's head shot left and right as his eyes searched for the quarian girl through the dim light until he finally saw her near the structural pillar that marked the center of the alley.
And there were people already with her.
"There!" Marcus called and sprinted toward them, trying to get to them before anything happened, when he saw the quarian suddenly throw something into the group of men and dive into the nearby cover.
A small explosion rocked the alley, knocking several of the assailants down, and to Marcus's surprise, the little quarian pulled out a shotgun and started laying waste to her enemies as her cover began to be peppered with bullets.
"Help her!" he shouted. "But keep some of them alive for questioning."
The three men dove head-on into battle, sending bullets, biotics and tech disruptions the enemy's way. A group of several more hostiles – a mix of salarians and turians – ran out from the shadows on the opposite side, reinforcing the few that still fought, but Marcus's team tore into the increasing enemy numbers with staggering force.
As he advanced tactically from cover to cover with Garrus and Wrex at his side, he noticed with satisfaction that the team worked with superb, almost innate coordination – covering each other, advancing sequentially without so much as a word uttered or a motion of command, and coordinating their advance to perfection.
As the last enemy fell to a concussive shot from Garrus's rifle, Marcus turned toward the two men and reviewed their state. Garrus held a mask of professional calm, but his stance was alert and ready, while Wrex was veritably smiling.
"Hahahaaa!" the big krogan laughed with a rumble. "I haven't had a mission this entertaining in a while! I was beginning to worry things were dulling down in the mercenary world."
Marcus turned to see where the quarian was and saw her pointing her gun nervously at him from behind her cover.
"Not that I'm not grateful for obviously helping me," she spoke loudly and clearly, with distrust and fear clearly etched in her voice, "but how do I know you won't attack me too as soon as my back is turned? I trusted Fist and the bosh'tet set me up. Those were Saren's men! How do I know you're not working for any one of them?"
"Because I am Commander Marcus Shepard, Alliance Navy, and a Spectre," he replied, holstering his gun and raising his omni-tool, his credentials flashing brightly for her to see. "Saren and all of his accomplices are the enemies of the Alliance and the Citadel. I was tasked by the Council to hunt him down, and I came to the information that you might be able to help with that. I can offer you full protection, miss…?"
There was a short pause as he watched the girl's body language perk-up at his declaration – the fear that she had to live with for days now being replaced by hope and relief that someone had actually come to get her out of this whole mess.
"My name is Tali," she said at last as she lowered her weapon. "Tali'Zorah nar Rayya."
Marcus nodded, giving her a small smile.
"Nice to meet you, miss Rayya."
"Um… It's 'miss Zorah' actually," she clarified. "Rayya is the ship I hail from."
"Alright then, miss Zorah," Marcus inclined his head. "Would you be willing to share whatever it is that you've found on Saren with me? I'm more than willing to provide protection for you."
"That would be much appreciated," she replied with relief. "Thank you. I will help you."
Just then, Marcus noticed a group of C-Sec personnel in the distance running toward them. He raised his omni-tool and broadcasted his Spectre status as the C-Sec approached, and it pinged off of their omni-tools.
"Spectre?" an asari maiden spoke up in surprise as she trotted up to them. "What is going on here?"
"Long story, officer…?"
"Inspector Lynissa," she replied. "I'm in charge of this group."
"Inspector Lynissa, all of the downed men are confirmed to have terrorist ties," Marcus declared. "Some of them should be alive, and they are to be captured and secured for interrogation. This is high-profile, Inspector; notify Executor Palin as well."
"By your word, Spectre," Lynissa said, then went on to direct her people.
Marcus turned to Garrus and Wrex, and as he looked them over, he spoke:
"Well, I have to say this mission was a total success. Pretty damn solid fighting we did there!"
"It sure was!" Wrex rumbled, then looked to Garrus, giving him a careful once-over. "Even you seemed not so bad yourself, being a turian. In any case, Shepard, it sure was fun working with you. You ever need a hired gun, count me in."
"I sure as hell won't say no to having a krogan battlemaster on my side," Marcus commented. "I have to see how this whole thing with Saren will pan out. Where will you be?"
"I'll be here at the Citadel for a couple of days. The credits for the Fist's contract just landed in my account, so I'll go have a couple of drinks and relax a bit."
"You received payment already?" Marcus asked in cautious surprise.
"Shadow Broker has access to numerous intel sources – hacked security cams, eye witnesses," Wrex explained. "He knew Fist was dead moments after I blew his head away."
Marcus hummed, filing the fact of Shadow Broker's intel capacities away.
"Well, in any case, I'll have to remove the Spectre Associate status from you for the time being," he said as he activated his omni-tool and swiped it in front of Wrex. "But I'll leave you my contact info. I've got yours right here. If the Council grants me some funding, I'll be sure to know who to seek out if I need a hired gun."
"I'll be seeing you later then," Wrex said as he turned and walked off without any further word.
Marcus looked at Garrus and said:
"Take care of Miss Zorah for a moment. I need to make a call."
He stepped away, then tapped a few commands on his omni-tool, and entered a code for the high-priority secure link. He waited a few moments, and then an image of the salarian Councilor, Valern, appeared.
"Commander Shepard," Valern greeted him. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I have apprehended some individuals who are known to work for Saren," Marcus said. "I need STG to interrogate them."
Valern's brow ridge shot up in surprise. "You work fast, Commander," he said. "By all means, I will arrange it. Is there anything else, you need?"
"Not right now," Marcus replied. "I'll contact you if something of importance comes up."
He ended the conversation, and then returned to Garrus and Tali.
"Alright, miss Zorah," he started.
"Please, just call me Tali," she interrupted him.
"Alright, Tali," he nodded. "We'll take you to the Human Embassy. You will be safe there, and our people will be very grateful for the help; Saren has made many a human his enemy. Do you have any belongings that we might need to pick up?"
She shook her head. "No. Everything I own is always on me. There is nothing else."
Marcus took one quick look up and down her suit, noting how except for the few small packs on her waist belt and her weapons, she had little else.
"Alright, then," he nodded at last. "Let's get going."
As they started walking, Marcus's omni-tool beeped with an incoming call. He activated it, recognizing the number, and spoke:
"Hey, beautiful," he spoke as Jaina's face popped up on the holo-screen. "You wouldn't believe what you've missed."
"Did it involve shooting?" she asked immediately, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Lots," he replied. "Found some apparent intel on Saren, caught some of his henchmen, killed the rest – you know, the works."
"Dammit," she cursed good-naturedly. "I wish I could have been there!"
"You didn't have your personal shielding in your dress, honey," he said in mock admonishment.
"Hmph!" she harrumphed. "Well, that's the last time I'm letting that dress and those shoes stop me from having a shootout fun! You can kiss them goodbye!"
He coughed. "Now, let's not get too hasty there, beautiful, alright?" he said.
Her lips spread into a small smile as her eyes beamed mirthfully at him. "Hmph… we wouldn't like that, now wouldn't we? Let's say you make it up to me, and I'll think about it."
He chuckled. "You got it, gorgeous," he said, nodding before he turned serious once more. "Alright, so, what did you call me for?"
"Right," she said, turning serious as well. "The Captain wanted me to inform you that Admiral Hackett has just arrived in the Widow system; his ship is already on the approach to the Citadel. He's coming to meet with us at the Embassy for the purpose of finalizing the details of your new status."
"'Us'? They want you there too?" he asked with a frown.
"Yes, and I'm not sure why," she replied. "It's pointless to speculate anything."
Marcus nodded. "Well, in any case, I'm on my way to the Embassy right now. I have found a witness of sorts – a quarian girl – who apparently has intel on Saren. She was chased pretty hard, and Saren apparently paid a lot of money to get her killed, even though he was already exposed, so I'm guessing that whatever she has is still very much valid."
"Well, now I'm eager to know that intel, too," she replied. "Meet you there!"
With that, they ended the conversation just as Marcus's group left the back alley and went back toward the police cruiser they'd left in front of Chora's Den. He bid Tali enter the back seat, whereas he and Garrus took the front, with the turian taking to piloting the skycar.
With one final look to the square beneath them, with all the police lights and body bags being taken out of the Chora's Den, Marcus chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Garrus asked.
"Oh, I was just thinking that I was not a whole day into my Spectre status, and I had already used it to break half a dozen laws," he said in amusement.
"Eight," Garrus said, to what Marcus shot him an incredulous look.
Garrus just shrugged helplessly. "Sorry; it comes with the line of work."
Marcus barked a laugh.
"But, hey, you won't hear any complaint from me," Garrus continued cheerily. "The way I see it, you've made my daily job a lot easier, and streets a whole lot safer."
"Not a very turian thing from you, Garrus," Marcus commented lightheartedly.
"Pfft!" Garrus snorted. "Don't even get me started on that," he said dryly, to what Marcus laughed out loudly and heartily.
Really not sure when the next chapter will come, but it's safe to say that one-week rule applies, plus-minus two days, depending on how I chop it up. Also, if it so happens that I need to delay any of my future chapters for any reason, I'll try to post a note on my author's page.