Space Lances
The Normandy hung in the middle of the space lanes about fifty thousand kilometers from Omega's cavernous hulk.
The Civilian Ships and shuttles they were still officially responsible for headed for Omega in a line, just under the Normandy's bow. Not that the Normandy could do anything to stop Omega from tearing them to shreds, with Omega's powerful Cerberus enhanced main guns, and with the Normandy not engaged in stealth drive at the moment.
All they could do was wait and see, once and for all, for Kurl to prove his loyalty or not.
A difficult decision for Shepard and the crew under any circumstance.
Normandy-War Room
Abigail Shepard walked into the center of the room as she watched the two people working on the problem they were facing, their mutual problem of how they were to turn around the war effort and move on. How to defeat the Leviathan's who were using their entire combined people's as the largest meat shield in the history of meat shields.
"Liara," Abigail said nodding, "Welcome back."
"Thanks, it's good to be back, though I think I will be making my base on Omega for the time being, still not going to be available for the squad."
Ok. "So what have we got so far?"
"On how the Leviathan's were able to do it?" Liara arched her 'eyebrow' at the Captain, "we still aren't sure and can't be sure without anecdotal evidence on Earth. The big question is not 'how did they do it' but how did they do it with so much of the population in the Asari, Salarian, Turian, and Human populaces going along with it."
"They could've simply been seduced by a political message they found attractive?" Abigail smirked.
"True, but if the politicians are to blame for this then what now? What of the od messages and the other actions where Government has cracked down on their respective populations?"
"I don't know Liara," Abigail leaned forward onto the table, "some people just like their security"
The Asari information broker hesitated, "could an entire democratic society, every single member, be seduced so completely?"
Abby smiled, "Well that is a good point. No signs of resistance yet?"
"Not yet," Palin spoke.
Liara shook her head in agreement with the Salarian.
"So," Abigail thought aloud, "The question has looped around on itself: How did the Leviathan's achieve the subversion of our species and societies?"
"Well…the honest answer is we don't know." Liara admitted. "There are too many unknowns and we need more intelligence which frankly we do not have, nor is it easy to get more intelligence given the current geo political situation in Council Space right now."
"Any theories?" Abigail sighed.
"We know that the Levithan's use 'indoctrination spheres' to control people and other organics over vast distances by magnifying their own natural signals. We found one of them on the planet which led to this."
The sphere in question came up on the table and rotated before them, Shepard stared at it and shivered.
"And?"
Liara and Palin traded a look before she spoke, "And we know that the Reapers modified and perfected this process for their own indoctrination process and the subversion of alien governments, but…well the process for the Leviathan destroys Organic tissue and causes severe pressure in the brain."
Yeah, one killer nose bleed and a headache it took me two days to get over. "We know this, is there anything actually to report?"
"We just don't know Shepard," Palin grunted, "we suspect they used their spheres to take over and they are using them to control the population, but the question is…how? Are they using it all the time? Or in doses? Are they targeting specific individuals? Or a blanket across an entire planet? How are they avoiding causing brain death among billions of people on any planet? And how pervasive are the effects if they are only doing it in small doses? How many people have been affected if they are only doing it to individuals? What are the effects?"
"I would hope 'how to stop it' is among the list?" Shepard grumbled.
Palin sniffed sharply, "We have to understand it first. Without the ability to understand it we will not be able to learn how to stop it. Without being able to learn how to stop it we will never be able to. We need to find out what we are up against."
"Which," Liara cut in, "requires us to know how indoctrination works, how they are using it on the planetary populations, how to neutralize it, and to try and find any examples of experts who will be able to meet these objectives."
"Any ideas?" Abigail asked.
Liara and Palin traded another look frowning at one another.
"What?" Abigail asked annoyed.
"The only two known experts in Reaper indoctrination that has emerged since the war are Palin Solus and…" Liara gulped… "Keith Faulkner."
Abigail felt her eyes go buggy.
"Apparently Mr. Faulkner has been studying Reaper indoctrination from his prison facility, according to reports from the Broker network." Palin explained.
"Well, that's just great." The first human Spectre sighed. "Any ideas on where he is?"
"We…aren't entirely sure…but I will look into it."
"Alright, I guess that leaves us in that position, make it so, find him, we'll worry about the rest later."
"Fair enough."
Shepard was already starting to walk out, heading for the doors, and the crew deck.
…
Where she grabbed the coffee jug pouring its steaming contents into a mug, though she didn't go out for coffee she wanted to stay awake, and think.
As she finished a door off to her right caused her to turn around, nearly spilling the rest of the contents, to see who it was. Cameron was walking down the corridor rubbing at his eyes sleepily, taking one faltering step after another. Finally he noticed her and rubbed his eyes with certain finality.
"Shepard." He grunted.
"Shepard." She nodded.
He grunted and smirked at her, coming over to get his own coffee. She went to sit at the booth, he stayed behind for a second, and she could feel his eyes boring into the back of her head.
"Can't sleep either?" She finally stated after a long searing sip of coffee.
"Nah, well I suppose I could, but I haven't been able to get a lot of sleep since coming here…and nor do I want to… after all every time I close my eyes…"
"Miranda?" Abigail turned to her…brother.
His eyes flitted over to her quarters, "Yeah, Miranda…and well you to a certain extent."
"Me?" She smirked. "I probably wouldn't mention that to James."
He barked a laugh, "Ha, no. Just…I wonder how we could be the same but so different."
"I take it you've read my file?"
He chuckled, "Well yeah, I peaked at it…but no not really. It is more how you act, around people, towards people. So ruthless, so unnerving, so sure of yourself and your mission that you will do anything to anyone to see it through. So...why?"
"Well, been born on Earth, raised in a tough environment, some of that had to wear off even to this day." She smiled.
"Come on Abby, that can't be all of it."
"It isn't." She admitted.
"Well?" Cameron pressed.
But instead of answering the Commander was met with a cold, complete, steel, wall, he lingered for a few seconds, staring her down, hoping to suck the answer out of the Captain. But she wouldn't budge. So the Commander, with a sigh, moved to sit down next to her.
"What are you afraid of Abby?"
She looked at him, arching her eyebrow, now it was her turn to try and determine the soul of her opposite number, how much she should admit.
"Of losing control."
"Control is just an illusion." Cameron smirked.
"Says the man who chose it as his option." She smirked back.
They shared moment, but slowly, her smile turned into a frown, she had to glance away.
"It's not of my crew, my ship, my society, my freedom's, my life…I'm afraid of losing control of myself…I had to do a lot of…things…during my life on Earth. Trying to survive, in poverty, and fear. Trying to live off the bones and scraps of society." She sighed. "No I'm not afraid of losing control of the things around me, I am afraid of losing control of me, of becoming that scared little girl again."
"But you've grown, you've matured since then." Cameron groped.
"Yeah sure," She nodded, "but looks what we are up against, look at the forces arrayed against us. This is worse than the Reapers, worse than everything else; the entire Galaxy is up in arms against us. The Leviathan's can work their way into your head, society, and it seems they have done so. Who knows who is safe?"
"Yeah but you can't let that control you, to let you throw away your principles."
"No, it won't…"
"And if it does?"
She smiled wanly, "Well then I trust you to put me down if I get out of control."
He blinked at her, his mouth hung open, she just shrugged at him.
"So why don't you let me speak for myself? I mean when you introduce me."
Abigail nodded, "Well, I don't know honestly, you are an unknown, it might be best if we keep it that way for a while. I mean how do you explain, in the middle of Omega no less, that you are my long lost brother from another universe? You could be an asset and an ace in the hole; I don't want to reveal your nature unless I have to."
"Makes sense, still its annoying." Cameron nodded.
"Life usually finds ways to annoy us, may they all be so small."
"I'll drink to that."
The two of them clinked their coffee mugs together and took a gulping drink, Abby's coffee had cooled just enough where it was not so uncomfortable on the ride down, but it wasn't cold enough where it was completely ruined. Just right, in other words.
"You know," Cameron smirked, "it feels kind of ironic being forced to play twenty questions with you like this. Trying to find out what makes you tick."
"Well, we have been too busy fluttering around the Galaxy to do very much talking to one another. And in a sense we were 'separated at birth', so we've been busy, and this is the first real chance we have had to talk."
"I hear that." Cameron agreed.
"So…ask all the questions you want to." She pressed.
"Well…how did you and James end up together?" Cameron asked.
"Well, he proposed to me…right over there actually." She gestured rhythmically over to the side, towards the memorial wall.
"Wow, but that's not what I meant." Cameron explained brow furrowing.
"Yeah, bit creeped out that I could fall for James since we seem so…related?" Abigail asked.
"Something like that."
"Well…" She smiled, "He's a goofball. But he's my goofball. Passionate, strong, caring, he uses his humor and the flirting to hide all the pain he's been through, but yet is quite loyal once you have proven you have earned the right. And that is something I need, something I can empathize with."
"Fair enough." Cameron nodded.
"Anything else?" Abigail snorted into the dregs of her coffee.
"Well, I still haven't gotten a good answer of what happened on Torfan."
And Abby felt the walls closing down on her mind again.
Normandy-CIC
Abigail Shepard stroked the railing of the Galaxy Map absentmindedly as it was currently off, the ship was now at stand down, and night shift, since their entire fleet was now safely under Omega's envelope. The Civilians themselves were now being processed with the surviving members of the Horizon Marines and a few of the Normandy security forces, providing security and consulting with their opposite numbers.
So everything is quiet, Abigail sighed; she just had to get away and couldn't sleep. She could feel the tendrils of doubt and angst starting to climb into her skull, slamming into her brain. Why though? Why is this so tough, I know what happened on Torfan, I was there, I have changed, so why is it so hard for me to talk about?
The answer, I don't know, but I just am…afraid…of..
"Shepard." Ashley's voice announced behind her.
She whirred around going for her Eagle pistol, which was not there.
"Sorry," The Commander frowned at her, "I didn't mean to startle her."
"No, it's…alright." Abigail glanced to the side and rolled her neck around trying to get it back in its joints, "So what's up?"
"Just figured I would run over the reports with you, just got done talking with Adams." Ashley reported.
Abigail nodded, and waited, then frowned at Ash, "And?"
"Adams got in touch with Kurl and they believe they can reset the Normandy's systems, and reboot the stealth drive, and get Normandy's systems back to spec…with a little manipulation and some fine tuning from our end."
"Isn't that ironic," Abby smirked wryly, "That the only place in the Terminus Systems and renegade Kurl in general, has the facilities capable of repairing the Normandy which in some cases is a pretty big undertaking."
"Well, it is a big honking space station." Ashley pointed out innocent sounding.
Abigail snorted, "Yeah, I guess. Anything else?"
"Well, the civilian population is getting recycled through Omega…and well that really is it, all quiet on the western front." Ashley reported.
"Well, that's good…for now-"
"Captain Shepard?" Liara reported over the intercom.
Abigail and Ashley glanced at one another, 'see what you did', Abby mouthed, 'sorry' her subordinate mouthed back.
"What is it?" Abigail asked the sky.
"Palin and I have found Keith."
Abigail blinked, "Liara, do you know what time it is?"
"Well, we figured that it was not a good time to wait for this to all fall into place on this end. Naturally we figured you'd want to know as soon as we got something." Liara replied.
She sighed, "We'll be right there." She started to head for the elevator turning for Ashley. "Assemble the squad in the War Room in five minutes."
"And where are you going?" Ashley asked.
"To get a coffee." Abigail said as the door closed.
War Room
And so Abby did, bringing it to the briefing, her Frappuccino. Garrus was MIA but other than that the entire squad was there, plus the distinguished guests of Palin and Liara.
"Well?" Abigail asked rolling the cup around in her hand.
"He is being held here," Traynor reported manipulating the controls.
A…rock?...came up on the screen rotating slowly, Abigail squinted her eyes at it, recognizing it from somewhere.
"It's a Prison facility," Liara explained, "Alliance high security in the same star system as Terra Nova."
"That's X-57?" Abigail asked.
"Well, no," Liara commented, "but it was one of the ones they were scouting out as a prospect, and the Alliance swooped in and converted it into a prison facility for high risk or dangerous individuals. These individuals are also capable, in this setting, for limited research and extracurricular hobbies."
"Wonderful," Abby harrumphed, "Anyone else we know in that place?"
"All the other records are sealed, the only reason we know Faulkner is there because I have shipping receipts as he went through the Terra Nova assembly"
"Well, that's great, an impenetrable asteroid base, deep in Alliance Territory, keeping the people there safe from harm. What could be better?"
"Well," Liara punched in her own commands, "there is a gala being run on Terra Nova to help celebrate…something or other. The point is there are several dignitaries in attendance including the warden of the prisons."
"So, I infiltrate the party, seduce the warden, get his ident card, then we sneak into the facility. That is just fantastic."
"Whoa Lola," Vega piped in, "who said anything about you seducing anyone? I mean infiltration is not exactly your specialty."
"Relax Vega it's only for show." Abigail replied.
"Well no, I mean, have you seen your seduction skills? Didn't exactly work out do they?"
"They seemed to work on you well enough." She shot back.
The man smirked, "Well yeah, but if you didn't notice it took you a while to wear me down, and that was mostly on your looks Lola."
She scowled fiercely, Well, the man has a point.
"Let me do it." Cameron volunteered.
Abigail glanced over at her brother.
"I have the training, the skills, and frankly you probably shouldn't be anywhere near there, who knows who will recognize you. I'm an unknown."
"Well there is various ways to disguise myself." Abby countered, but there are a million ways to defeat that…
"Well, but this plan requires you to be in tight proximity, to seduce someone. Someone who is prominent in the local Government, someone who is prominent enough to probably have his own security. If there is even a chance, whether you go as a busty blond with a bunny tail," out of the corner of Abigail's eye she saw James smirk, "and they recognize you, it's not worth taking that chance."
"Alright, fair enough, but they guy is a man you do know that right?"
Cameron nodded, "Well, yeah…"
"I can use a disguise I have not utilized before and seduce the target." EDI pointed out.
"Oh this should be good." James snorted.
Abigail considered the problem, "Alright, we all go. I know security is tight but it sounds like this is a great big Government ball celebrating their new found power. It will be packed, people will be moving around. EDI and Cameron will be on point to seduce the target and get the ident chip. Cameron, you and…" she gulped but this is the best way, "Miranda will provide a distraction on the perimeter. Cynthia you and Paul are going to be in deep, causing another distraction. Me and James will be on the waiter staff, I trust you can set up our credentials Liara?"
"Oh most definitely." Liara nodded.
"Which just leaves EDI to seduce the target; we can work on the rest of the details en route."
The squad turned each one to another each of them nodding.
"Well if that's all, crew dismissed."
And with that they slowly filed out.