Mass Effect: Precedent of Paragon

by SaintHeartwing

An adaptation of the Mass Effect series beginning with First Contact, but with fantastical elements included. Latest Chapter: The final confrontation. Our heroes tell the gripping story of their last mission, how they learned of the Reaper's genocide of the Protheans, and their recount of the final battle with Saren and Sovereign as the story comes to an end...

9. Try to Catch Me Riding Dirty

CHAPTER NINE

Try to Catch Me Riding Dirty

Jenkins…Nihlus…both dead in less than a single hour. His very first mission and he'd already gotten two people dead-

No, no, it wasn't his fault. He'd done everything he could have. He couldn't blame himself.

…yet their faces stared back at him, amidst an abyss of civilians from Elysium. Each of them he'd not been able to help, all staring, eyes sightless yet accusing in the torrent of deepest red and black that swirled together in a haze. They simply stared, saying nothing, eyes intense and dark as Shepherd stared back, struggling to speak.

"What? WHAT?! Why do you never say anything? Can't you say something?!"

Silence. Just absolute silence as Shepherd took a step back, cringing as a burning wave of heat began to swell up in his body, his veins feeling as though they were being burnt up from within by dark fire…

Then…cool. Cold, hard texture on his back, a soft breeze going through his body, emanating slowly from the center of his frame as he felt himself being lifted up off a table, could see hands helping him to his feet. Kaiden's smile greeted him as Ms. Williams gave him a chuckle.

"You're not in this alone."

He turned, seeing the medic standing there, hand on his shoulder, Grey's eyes concerned as his voice spoke a simple phrase.

"Wake up."

"Doctor, I THINK he's waking up." Ashley Williams admitted, blinking in surprise as Shepherd rose off the medical table, cringing, rubbing his sore, throbbing forehead as Dr. Chakwas quickly pressed a few selections on her medical tablet, looking her newest patient over. The medical bay was smooth, steely, sanitary and grim, but Chakwas's comforting British accent always brought a smile to Shepherd's face.

"We were worried, Shepherd. How are you feeling?"

"My head feels like it's been split open with a crowbar and someone stuffed jumping beans inside that were set on FIRE…but other than that, just dandy. I got worse from the Blitz, believe me." Shepherd said, wincing a bit as a new flare of pain shot through him, Ashley standing right behind the medical table he now sat upon. "How long was I out, doctor?"

"Fifteen hours. Something happened when you approached the beacon."

"That was MY fault, sir." Ashley nervously admitted as she cringed. "I must have triggered a security field when I approached."

"Don't blame yourself." Shepherd insisted with a dismissive wave of his hand, trying to comfort Ashley as he shook his head. "You had NO idea that would happen."

"I'm just sorry the thing blew up right after…but we carried you right back." Ashley admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. "Kaiden and I handled it pretty easily. Grey went to…take care of the bodies. He's…speaking with Kaiden to the rest of the crew about Jenkins."

"Speaking of YOUR body, it's fine. Your mind, however, is giving off unusual beta wave activity." Dr. Chakwas murmured as she held up the datapad and showed it to Shepherd, who looked it over, eyes slightly narrowing.

"Beta waves…what humans give off during normal consciousness?"

"Yes, they're meant to indicate your state of alertness, logic and critical reasoning. They're like a mother on your shoulder reminding you to take care of the chores." Dr. Chakwas chuckled as Shepherd handed the datapad back to her. "That, combined with your rapid eye movement indicates dreaming, but…not typical dreaming. Those are typically THETA waves…"

"I was…it felt more like a monstrous vision. Death…destruction…it was hell on Earth." Shepherd murmured. "People were screaming, dying, howling, I…I don't know what to make of it."

"I'll add this to my report right-oh! Captain Anderson!" Dr. Chakwas proclaimed as the African-Britannian walked inside of the medical wing, a concerned expression on his wizened face as he put a hand on Shepherd's shoulder. "Shepherd's going to be fine. No truly abnormal readings."

"I was worried about you…and I need to speak with you in private. Frankly, immediately." Anderson said, Dr. Chakwas and Ashely immediately nodding, exiting the medical bay as Anderson folded his arms over his chest. "Sounds as though the beacon hit you pretty hard from what Alenko told me. You're SURE you're okay?"

"I don't like soldiers dying under my command." Shepherd murmured. "I know it wasn't my fault, but…I don't like it. I'm ANGRY at the Geth. Real angry."

"You don't have to like losing men." Anderson admitted. "You being concerned about him makes you human, Shepherd." He added with a firm nod. "But I'm afraid I have some bad news. The beacon was destroyed, Nihlus is dead, and now with Geth appearing outside the Perseus Veil cluster of the Milky Way, the Council want answers. Thing slook BAD."

"I've nothing to hide. I just hope the Council sees that. If they want to blame someone, they should blame that OTHER Turian-" Shepherd muttered.

"Saren Arterius." Anderson finished. "I know about him, Shepherd. Very well. He's one of the best we have, a living legend. Highly intelligent, skilled…but if he's working with the Geth, it means he's gone rogue." He said, slamming his fist into his palm, frowning darkly. "I'm not entirely surprised, though. He's not just dangerous…he's bigoted. He hates humans."

"I don't think he wanted the beacon just because he's prejudiced. There's something bigger going on." Shepherd reasoned.

"Yes. It's why he allied himself with the Geth, no doubt. Could you tell me if the Beacon did anything? Did it…show you anything?" Anderson wanted to know as Shepherd folded his arms across his chest, trying to think back to the vision, the first flicker of memory making him shudder.

"A vision of dying, screaming innocents. People were being torn apart by what looked like…synthetics. People were being slaughtered. Butchered. But, look, Captain, I…" Shepherd sighed. "What am I supposed to do with that? I mean, should we even tell the Council? What are they going to say when I tell them I had a NIGHTMARE?"

"You might be right, but remember, Prothean technology isn't like ours. It could have imparted knowledge onto you in an entirely different way than OUR technology. But whatever was inside that beacon, Saren took it." Anderson informed Shepherd. "And I intend to see him brought down. I know his reputation…his politics. He thinks humans are a blight on the galaxy, and this attack was him declaring WAR. With an army of Geth at his side…he could be unstoppable. And because he's a Spectre, he can do damn near anything he wants. Go anywhere. Get so many resources…we NEED the Council."

"Then we haven't a moment to lose. How close are we to the Citadel?" Shepherd wanted to know. "We alert the Council, they'll revoke Saren's spectre status and he'll be the most wanted person in Citadel space."

"We alerted them to the situation. They say they're investigating, but I'd prefer to hear what they have to say in person. Luckily we're only an hour away. I'll tell Joker you're up…that should put a smile on his face." Anderson admitted as Shepherd smiled, leaving the medical bay, heading for the mess hall. Several soldiers were all sitting together, heads bowed in silence, glasses raised above a picture of Jenkins at the Christmas party, Kaiden's body glowing with biotic power from a stunt they'd pulled as Jenkins stupidly grinned at the camera, Ashley seeing Shepherd walking over and approaching him.

"I'm glad you're okay, Commander. Honestly, this crew NEEDS good news after what happened to Jenkins."

"He was a valuable part of the crew. I'd been with him for a long time…since the Blitz, he'll…be missed." Shepherd murmured softly, looking back at the photograph as Ashley hung her ehad and nervously rubbed her hands.

"I keep thinking that…if Jenkins was still alive, I might not be here. I don't want to take his PLACE, y'know?" She admitted nervously.

"I can tell you're a damn good soldier, Ashley. You belong on the Normandy." Shepherd insisted as he put a hand on Ashley's shoulder and gave her a nod.

"That means a lot from you, sir. I mean…you're a Star of Terra recipient. Hearing praise from you, for a solider, that's like…it's like a choir boy getting praise from the Pope." She admitted sheepishly before giving him a big smile. "Just…wish my unit could have lived to see this. And…just wish I could have done more for the civilians. You don't ever get used to seeing dead civilians."

"You shouldn't." Shepherd murmured. "But don't you go blaming yourself." He added. "You're going to prove yourself just fine." He remarked, giving her a pat on the shoulder. "But I should go, now. We have to go to the Citadel…I need to check in on Alenko and Grey." He admitted, Ashley giving him a salute.

"They're in the communications room, actually." She admitted, Shepherd nodding back at her as he took off, heading for the comm room, Alenko standing by Grey as he looked down at the corpse of Jenkins and Nihlus, both of whom had blankets over them. Jenkins was having his pulled over his head just as Grey turned to look back at Shepherd.

"…hey." He muttered, his face crestfallen, eyes red and swollen from tears as he slightly sniffled. "Sometimes Shepherd…there's days not even my lucky red rocket underpants help." He mumbled. "Sometimes there just…isn't anything you can do, although God KNOWS I try." The medic admitted as he looked down at Nihlus. "His spirit's passed on. Shuffled off the mortal…" He trailed off, head bowed.

"You were clearly very close to him." Shepherd admitted, looking slightly surprised. "You said your father was a friend of his?"

"Yes, big friend of the family. There for ME, too. Gave me money I needed to help complete training…I really admired him, Shepherd. He was…he was a damn good man. I could always talk to him after my father passed." Grey mumbled quietly as he pulled the blanket over Nihlus's head, bowing his own. "…I feel like I've lost an uncle…and if Saren really did this, I've lost TWO."

"We're going to confront the Council about what happened now." Shepherd admitted, Joker's voice booming over the PDA system.

"And we're only an hour away from seeing YOUR tax dollars at work!" He remarked.

"Oh, I don't know about that attitude." Grey mumbled, wiping his eyes a big and standing up. "I've been to the Citadel. It's worth every penny."

And indeed…it was. The citadel was a thing of beauty, it's petal-like "wings" opened up around a central ring, looking like a flower in the middle of space, or a seed ready to be planted in the midst of a soft, purplish natural star field of the "Widow" region of the Serpent Nebula. As the Normandy made its way through the field, Ashley immediately ran to the nearest window at the bridge of the Normandy, eyes widening in awe. "Look at the size of that SHIP!" She proclaimed, seeing an enormous bit of engineering flying nonchalantly past them, a gigantic, beacon-esque spaceship with a large "tower" at the center top, an curved, "Enterprise" esque engine design below and sweeping side wings as Kaiden smiled.

"That's the Ascension, Flagship of the Citadel fleet." He said, the enormous center of the flagship glowing a lovely shade of royal blue as Joker "harrumphed".

"Y'know, size ain't everything."

"Jealous, Joker?" Ashley inquired.

"I'm just saying, you need firepower too!" Joker protested, holding his hands up briefly as Grey walked onto the bridge as well, rubbing his arm and glancing out the window at the "petal"-esque arms of the space station, the "Wards", before slowly turning to the center ring, the "Presidium", home of the Council.

"Good thing we're here. Truth be told, I've been meaning to get here for a while. I need to check in on my uncle Lucas."

"Lucas McKay's still alive? I thought he was, like, eighty." Shepherd admitted.

"He's only FIFTY. Anderson is older than he is, even though he doesn't look it." Grey defended. "It's just living on Earth under THOSE conditions, well…for every day you're on the streets, you're two days nearer death." He muttered.

"Let's get on inside." Commander Shepherd remarked with a nod. "We've a lot to do, and not much time to do it."

…

…

…

…the standard docking bay of most Alliance vessels always had one large positive: a view of the beautiful Citadel space and the wards. A thousand flickering lights across a hundred different buildings on each block, the faint, minuscule movements of people below as advanced cars soared through air lanes over pedestrians below. It could get…unnerving…realizing how high up you were, Shepherd admitted as they headed outside of the Normandy, making their way to the nearby elevator to head to the Presidium.

But then the inside of where the Council called home made you forget all that. Long, sweeping circular design, a specially-crafted atmosphere with softly-ambling clouds and blue skies above…lovely little forests and smooth pathways beside fresh, clean lakes with fountains that sprayed clear water…all of it broadcasted a few simple words to mind.

"Fancy." Ashley remarked.

"Posh." Kaiden snorted.

"Pretty." Grey admitted.

"Safe." Anderson intoned.

"Clean."

All of them turned to Shepherd, then nodded. Yes. Everything was just so…sanitary and clean. Not a speck of trash, breathing in the air gave you a brisk, rejuvenating feeling as if you'd just gotten through with a breath mint, the air was calming and granted you a gentle breeze, and there wasn't a single transient or prostitute to be found walking around. All of it was clean and well-kept and calm and peaceful-

"THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!"

So much for that.

"The Council would step in if the geth attacked a TURIAN colony!" A faintly reedy, Middle-Eastern-tinted accent with the faintest hint of British undertones ripped through the air as Shepherd cringed. Councilor Udina may have sounded and looked somewhat like the famous Earth actor Ben Kingsley, but he didn't exactly have the man's poise and reservedness. His white suit was untouched, but Shepherd could see sweat stains on the blue undershirt beneath, collar flicked up to cover up the back of his neck as the council stood in holographic displays in his office across from the long-suffering Earthen ambassador.

"If the Turians actually FOUNDED colonies on the borders of the Terminus systems, you'd have a point…" The Turian ambassador said, arms folded behind his back, almost sounding amused.

"Humanity knew of the dangers when exploring that region of space, Councilor. Please, calm yourself." The Asari councilor insisted gently, holding a hand up and shaking her head as the Salarian councilor folded his arms over his lean, but heavily-robed form.

"What of Saren? You CAN'T just ignore a rouge Spectre. I demand action!" Udina proclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at the Council as the Asari councilor sighed again, pinching the space between her forehead, shaking it back and forth.

"I'LL handle this. YOU…do not get to make demands of the council, ambassador." The Turian councilor mused.

"That wasn't a demand, it's a threat, he clearly will shove his foot up your ass if you don't' do something." Shepherd spoke up as the Council glanced over at him and his group. The Salarian councilor visibly flinched looking upon Grey's face, the Turian frowning a bit as the Asari rolled her eyes.

"Please, please. Citadel Security is investigating the charges against Saren. We'll discuss what they find at the hearing." The Asari councilor proclaimed with an air of exasperation. "Not BEFORE."

With that, they cut the feedback, Udina turning to Anderson and the crew as he folded his arms over his chest. "I see you've brought half your crew. Or at least, just the ones who went on the ground mission. I assume the report ON said mission was accurate?"

"And from what I gather, you got us an audience with the Council? That's very appreciated." Anderson admitted to Udina as the ambassador bit into his lip.

"I won't lie. Saren is their top agent. They don't like him being accused of treason."

"He's a threat to every human colony out there whilst he's aligned with the Geth. We NEED to stop him, and if the Council can't see that…" Shepherd muttered.

"Calm down, Commander. You've already jeopardized your candidacy for the Spectres enough." Udina said, holding his hands up, shaking his head back and forth. "The mission was SUPPOSED to be simple. Instead, we've got Nihlus dead and the beacon destroyed. You do realize that this is a total, absolute FAILURE if you CAN'T prove Saren truly is a traitor?"

"Oh, believe me, we will." Anderson insisted.

"Then we'd best hope that C-Sec comes up with SOME evidence. Because otherwise…" Udina trailed off, waving a hand in the air. "It doesn't just look bad on YOU. Now, Captain…I need to go over a few things with you. The rest of you can meet us at the Citadel Tower, top level. I'll ensure you've got clearance to get inside. You may thank me with a gift basket later." He added with a chuckle, heading out the door with Anderson as Ashley held a hand in the air, imitating a mouth "speaking" as she imitated Udina.

"You may thank me later-this is why I hate politicians."

"We've some time to kill." Shepherd admitted as they looked around the Presidium, the commander thoughtfully rubbing his chin. "Let's take a walk around the Presidium." He decided with a nod.

As they headed out of Ambassador Udina's office and down the hall, Shepherd took notice of a nearby C-Sec office, a sign on the front that read "Executor Pallin" with a Turian with dark brown scales and white face paint sitting behind a desk, typing away into a computer. He took notice of them, eyes slightly widening at their appearance as Shepherd walked inside with the rest of his crew as he steepled his clawed fingers. "Well, well. You're Commander Shepherd. You're lucky that what happened on Eden Prime is meant to be classified. Because if…say…a lesser, more angrier, more…UNPLEASANT Turian than myself heard you royally screwed up and got a good man killed, well…we might have a problem." He said softly, deep blue eyes glaring at Shepherd. "Yes, you're really…really lucky that only the high command knows about what you did. Because if I was a lesser person, why…I must just want to throttle you."

"It wasn't OUR fault Nihlus died." Grey quickly defended, Pallin glancing over at him. "We encountered others at the colony who said ANOTHER Turian was there, and that it was Saren."

"Well until that's PROVEN, you have to understand it doesn't look good for you."

"I thought people were supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Yet you assume it's our fault he died." Shepherd snapped, folding his arms over his chest. "Unless your investigation came up with something that has you so snappy?"

"Sorry, Commander. But Venari Pallin doesn't make a habit of giving out details about ongoing investigations." Executor Palin remarked, leaning back in his chair, folding his arms over HIS chest. "Especially not to someone with a vested personal interest in the results of said investigation."

"I don't suppose there's anything you COULD tell us? Like, at least if we're in good hands?" Grey asked. "Please?"

"…well, since you asked nicely…" Pallin said, looking amused at Grey's polite request, his deep tone becoming a little softer. "I've asked Garrus Vakarian to take care of it. He's a good officer. VERY good, in fact…" He sighed. "But he needs to learn some patience." He added, steepling his claws and shaking his head back and forth. "You'd think an officer of the law would be more mindful of rules and regulations…he doesn't exactly take after his father, though he tries to be his father's son. And luckily for you, I'm on my way to meet with him. You are welcome to come with me…"

…

…

…

…Father's message. Funny. Never got to hear the rest…but I know what he was going to say. He would tell me not be lazy…to guard myself against the galaxy's harshness and cruelty…or my weakness would doom the entire Quarian race.

Some might find it funny I could focus on that as I stumbled desperately through the market ward towards the medical clinic, my purple lifeblood oozing out of my suit, agony stabbing into me like a thousand knives. I'm bleeding to death and all I can think of is my father chastising me to not be lazy? Call for help! Grab someone!

Nobody's willing to help. They all reel back. Some are frightened…some disgusted, some just…don't care.

Then I collapse into the redheaded human's arms. Her tone…her voice is soft and comforting…

"Calm down, you will be alright…"

Some kind of…foreign accent, I…I feel funny…

Ugh…going to…be sick…

This all happened because of what happened just a few days ago. I'd gotten a message from my father as I took my first steps on my Pilgrimage…the rite of passage into adulthood.

"I needn't stress the importance of the task that lies ahead of you, Tali. I wish I could have told you this in person. By the time this reaches you, you'll be far away from the Quarian flotilla. I wish I could hold you know, tell you I know you understand the heavy burden and expectations you're carrying. But as you are my daughter, I-"

"Tali, sorry to interrupt, but-"

Tai shut the laptop's top closed, turning her purple-masked face around. Her indigo and steely clothes with ornate designwork her father had personally hand-stitched on the flotilla was one of the few things her father had personally given, and she turned to look back at her compatriot. "It's not a big deal."

"You're sure? A message from Admiral Rael'Zorah of the Quarian Flotilla usually means business."

"When you've heard ONE lecture from my father, you've heard them all." Tali'Zorah Nar'Rayya remarked in her faint, slightly peppy voice, waving a dismissive three-gloved hand. "We've been in the Crescent Nebula only a few hours, but I take it you've found something by your tone…"

"Yes, we scanned the planet as you requested. It's just as you feared. The Geth."

That immediately had Tali and ger compatriot head down to the planet's surface. The cold icy wind blew across a near-endless expanse of deep snow and frozen rock as she laid in wait, watching a small geth squad move by her hiding place in a small little cave, bringing up her omni-tool device, focusing in on the "Straggler" at the back of the squad.

"Come on, you bosh'tet…one little ping is all I-" Tali murmured.

Got it. She'd SLIGHTLY hacked into the Geth, making it want to examine something at the far end of the little valley she was in. The stupid thing veered away from it's comrades, who were quickly moving ahead…out of earshot. And when the thing got close enough…

SSSSSZZZZZAAAAAP. A powerful electrical overload of burning blue energy sizzled through the Geth, knocking it to its knees as Tali whipped her pistol out, a single shot burning through its neck, frying it. Her species had made the Geth…they, in turn, had rebelled when they'd become self-aware. The Council had not wanted to help, turning their back on the Quarians for what they saw as "reaping what they sowed". After all, they'd just given the galaxy it's newest and greatest threat. And now they were moving beyond the Perseus Veil to other worlds? The Quarians were sure to take the blame.

Unless the Geth were somehow stopped.

Meanwhile, Themis Nar'Terra, former member of the "Cadre", the Council/Alliance join security team, was evidently not having a good time. Ever since he'd retired from the Cadre, he'd sold his skills as a mercenary. Now he did work for whomever paid him the most. But he resented having to work alongside the palefaced Jacobus. The Turian under Saren's employ was…not entirely pleasant when angry. And he was yelling at the top of his lungs at Themis.

"I don't CARE what your drills have hit or how long it takes to break through. You keep digging until you hit something PROTHEAN!" Jacobus proclaimed.

Themis growled, wishing he wasn't such a glass cannon. His injuries from the acid scarring so many years ago had not healed even now, and a kind of infection had spread through his body. His power was incredible, more deadly than Jacobus knew, but he couldn't take a beating from the Turian in a straight up fight and he KNEW it. So he bowed his masked head and sighed. "Yes, sir…"

"It's DOUBLE DUTY for you. And if you don't shape up, I'll send you down with these stupid machines-" Jacobus began to snap with his steely voice before one of the Geth ran over to Themis and began to "Speak" in their odd growling, bleeping tones.

"Oh. Well, Commander Jacobus, it would appear one of the Geth soldiers has gone missing." Themis announced.

"WHERE?" Jacobus whispered darkly, blue eyes narrowing to intense slits.

"The Geth have picked up a heat signature not far from here. Over the ridge. When the Geth went to check it out, they didn't find anything and headed back here, but…one didn't return."

"Show me. I need to find something I'm actually ALLOWED to shoot at for a change." Jacobus demanded, the paintless Turian growling darkly.

"What is a geth even doing here on this frozen rock?"

"Would you like me to wake it up and ask, Keenah'Breizh?" Tali mused, rolling her eyes behind her mask as Keenah folded his arms over his chest.

"I would rather we leave. You asked me for passage to Illium…neglecting to tell me your fight included picking a fight with the Geth." He said as Tali's omni-tool poured through the Geth's memory core.

"Look, if I can access the memory core before it does its stupid "self-purges", I can maybe find out why-"

Voices. Two of them.

"Eden Prime was a major victory. The Beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit."

"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers."

"…what…WAS that?" Tali'Zorah Nar'Rayya murmured, Keenah looking unnerved as he took a step back.

"I've seen enough to know that's trouble. You wanna study it, fine. But we need to leave. NOW."

"You're not leaving!" A voice rang out, the head of the Geth that Tali was holding EXPLODING into pieces as she and Keenah dived away just in time, Jacobus growling angrily.

"Damn it! Always curves to the RIGHT!" He snapped, holding up his sniper rifle as the two Quarians bolted for the ship. They didn't have a lot of time…they had to run. And luckily, the sniper rifle had overloaded, the thing sizzling hot as Jacobus snarled, trying to get it back up as the two quarians raced into the ship, panting and heaving as Keenah's copilot Ahlali'Vahm quickly brought the ship soaring through space, Tali pouring over the data her omni-tool had obtained from the memory core.

"Oh my. The Geth hit a colony. A human colony named Eden Prime and…a Spectre agent ordered it!"

"Look, we gotta head back to the Flotilla, this is-" Ahlali began to speak up.

"We CAN'T, it's too dangerous! You want them following us back to the Flotilla? An entire Geth army, for all we know? We HAVE to get help!" Tali insisted.

"They wouldn't help. They treat us like trash…" Keenah muttered, hanging his head, gripping the controls more tightly as he grit his teeth behind his mask.

"We have to TRY." Tali mumbled softly. "…look, we're close to Illium. You wanna part ways there, that's fine. But we need to at least try."

"If you're right about this, Tali…I just pray to our ancestors we are not too late."

Needless to say, Illium was massively unhelpful. As in the spaceport dockers wanted them to leave, even sneaking in a suggestion that not only they try another port…but another planet.

"WE HEARD THAT!" Keenah snapped over the radio system, immediately followed by a flurry of Quarian swears that made the Asari port authority quickly shut the communications channel off. The three Quarians were thus forced to land in secret in a different shipping yard.

It was funny. As a child, Tali had dreamed of seeing the galaxy. Visiting beautiful cities, encountering new races, exchanging ideas, sharing culture. Being a part of something bigger than herself, that was what the Pilgrimage meant. Seeing all that lay out there, and bringing a piece of it back to your people.

Someday she wished she could go back in time to meet that little girl…and tell her the HORRIBLE TRUTH about the galaxy. It didn't care about her. And it evidently wanted her dead, because Jacobus had immediately popped up in the shipyard.

"Oh f-" Ahlali cried out before a shot through the chest slaughtered her instantly, Tali and Keenah taking off, running…running…racing into a turian freighter ship, hiding in the cargo compartment. Luckily, they were headed to the citadel. And unbeknownst to them, they were there arriving just before the Normandy itself docked.

…unluckily the crew found them in the cargo hold.

"Should we kill them?"

"…don't waste the rounds. We'll let C-Sec deal with them."

KA-CHUNK. Being tossed into a dirty, dingy cell was no fun. And sadder still, when the authorities wouldn't listen to you. This was the big downside to being space gypsies.

"What did you THINK was going to happen?" Detective Chellick sighed as he shook his head back and forth, the Turian C-Sec officer cringing. "Look, I convinced the freighter captain not to press charges. But don't think you can expect any more from me, do you understand?" The soft-faced Turian remarked, calmly taking the handcuffs off of the two Quarians.

"Detective Chellick, please, we have something valuable, important to-" Tali began to say before Chellick raised a hand up.

"Just stop. Ugh. Quarians…always trying to barter, always trying to cause trouble. Look, I'm not interested. There's cargo freighters out there that need honest workers, try your luck with THEM. On Illium OR Omega, I don't care where, just be off the Citadel by tomorrow. I won't ask again." He informed the two, pointing at the door as they moved outside, heading down the long hall and into the Presidium, people nervously watching them move past.

"We've got to find a way to speak to the Citadel Council. Let's ask that VI Terminal over there." Tali said, pointing at the "helpful" guide that was the Avina Information Terminal, an Artificial Intelligence computer stationed at various parts around the Citadel to act as a tour guide. It wasn't quite like a pamphlet you could stick in your pocket, but it did the job well enough.

Keenah frowned as he saw an Asari cast an ugly look at them, whispering to her friend. "Oh, disgusting. Don't make eye contact or they'll ask you for money."

"GRRRGGGHHH…" Keenah growled, clenching his fists. "This stupid AI better have SOME good news." He muttered as Tali quickly brought the AI up, the holographic Asari construct cheerily smiling at them.

"Hello, welcome to the Presidium, allow me to be your guide. You appear to be in poor health." She said to the two, Tali cringing inwardly. It HAD been several days since they'd eaten. "May I suggest a visit to the Medical Clinic in the Upper Ward nearby?"

"We need an audience with the council. Right now."

"I'm very sorry, but Council Reception is by appointment only. I can put you in the queue, the wait time is approximately 7 months-" Avina informed them before a slightly condescending, annoyed voice rang out, a thick-bodied Turian C-Sec officer popping up behind them.

"Ey, ey. Whass all THIS, then?"

"What're you two up to?! Show me some identification!" The officer demanded.

"We don't-GAHHH!" Tali moaned, smacking her mask with her hand, shaking her head back and forth. "We need to speak with the council!"

"And what, you think you can just go right up? Get LOST, suit-rat." The officer snorted.

"Ugh." Keenah grunted. "Tali, we need to think this through a minute, if we can't reach the Council, how are we supposed-" He began to say before a loud PFFT-THRUCK noise filled the air, a shot striking through the poor blue-armored Quarian's suit as he gasped in agony, clutching his chest, Tali reeling as a shot tore through her side, Jacobus lowering his sniper rifle from atop the catwalk above, looking proud. Finally taken in the curve into effect.

"You're not getting away." He whispered.

"What the?!" The C-Sec officer yelled out, people racing away, the officer barreling for the C-Sec office as Tali helped Keenah off the ground.

"Don't stop! We need to keep moving, Keenah!" She cried out, racing along with the wounded Keenah into a nearby shaft that a large, insectoid-esque alien had sauntered into, the doorway to it closing. Luckily, the two dove in just in time as the doors closed, Jacobus slamming into it on the other end, frowning darkly.

"Where re you going? You can't hide forever…" He growled out at them through the door.

"I…can't go any further, Tai. My lungs…there's fire in my lungs." Keenah whispered, clutching his side as Tali carefully put his arm over her shoulder, trying to help him towards the nearby door.

"I'm not leaving you here. If the Council won't help, one of the Embassies could help. The Elcor have always been sympathetic." Tali reasoned.

"NOBODY listens to an Elcor…not with a straight face, anyhow." Keenah sighed, shaking his head back and forth, his tone pained and whispery as he shuddered, Tali making for the nearby red door, trying to turn the wheel to open it.

Mostly because…well…they'd ended up in a large trash incinerator room.

"Let's get OUT of the incinerator, please." Keenah cringed. "In fact, let's get YOU out. Head…head for the med clinic in the upper wards, its…its your only chance." He murmured, lying down in the side of the room, head bowing. "I think…hfft…just g-gotta…rest for a while…"

"We need to keep moving, Keenah!" Tai said, shaking his shoulders…Keenah silent and unmoving. "Keenah?!"

Not a peep. Tali bowed her head, gently resting a hand on his head, struggling not to cry, the tears coming freely. "I'm sorry. So…so sorry…" She murmured tearfully, pulling out what she had in the pack on her back, taking it out, putting it down by Keenah's form as she made her way for the catwalk above. With a mighty leap, she bounded up, heading for one of the vent shafts. It was JUST large enough to crawl up through…she just had to keep crawling until she reached the wards. After all, judging from the faint skittering noise she could hear, the insect-esque creature from before had come in through here. If IT could do it…so could she.

It was funny…she'd gone on the Pilgrimage to bring her closer to her people and to home. Now she was losing everything. Endangering everything she cared for. But she wouldn't let this be in vain. Not after everything her father said.

"I needn't stress the importance of the task that lies ahead of you, Tali. I wish I could have told you this in person. By the time this reaches you, you'll be far away from the Quarian flotilla…" Her father's voice drifted out through the air as Tali positioned herself in the vent, hanging upside down, readying her omni-tool, hacking into the incinerator's computer system as Jacobus burst inside.

"You're good with that gun!" She called out. "But I'm good with THIS. Burn, you bosh-tet!" She snarled, quickly sweeping her body up into the vent as her omni-tool beeped.

DEET! DEET! DEET!

SHA-SLAM! The doors to the incinerator slammed shut, Jacobus's eyes narrowing, his tone quiet.

"Well-played, Quarian." He whispered.

Unbeknownst to Tali, there'd been more on the message…more her father had to say. And were Keenah not dead and Jacbous not being cooked alive in the incinerator, perhaps they could have appreciated the sentiment as the laptop began to melt, yet the message went on.

…

…

…

… "And that's how I ended up HERE, Dr. Michel." Tali admitted to the medical doctor, the typically-tubby Volus that had been in the clinic with Dr. Chloe Michel looking Tali over. "Though I barely remember how I got through the upper wards. It's all a blur…"

"I know you'll do the right thing. I know I've been hard on you, Tali. I've been so focused on preparing you for the work our people need. When you were born, I…I promised I'd give you a better life than what we had; forever wandering the stars…"

"That doesn't matter. You're safe now." Dr. Michel insisted tenderly, the hanar holding a three-segmented gloved hand up, his suit vaguely imitating the skin within, large lines and segments, a "moustache" mask drooping down past the mouth region, eyes a pale green. He waved a dark grey gloved hand in the air, speaking as all Volus did: needing a breath of fresh suit-filtered air, interrupting everything they couldn't get out in a single sentence.

"If I've pushed you, it's because I knew you could rise to the challenge of the Geth, of returning our people to our homeworld of Rannoch."

"Yes, for now." A HSSSSHH noise from his mask, making Tali slightly cringe. "But that recording you're carrying…HSSSHH…if a spectre IS trying to have you assassinated it must be very serious…HSSSHHH…dangerous information. And very VALUABLE." Another gasp, the volus steepling his gloved hands. "There'd be people who would pay a LOT for what you've got there…HSSHH…either to use or DESTROY it." He nodded slightly at her. "Tell me. If I could guarantee your safety, would you trust me to trade this information for you?"

"Your teachers all say you've the makings of an exceptional engineer. You'll do any ship proud. Honestly, it seems like wasted potential. With your mind and passion, you could be admiral someday. But however you decide to serve the fleet, I know you'll do so with honor."

"I don't want anyone else to die for it." Tali softly murmured.

"That's not what Barla's saying. We can get that recording to someone who knows what to do." Dr. Michael insisted.

"I never forgot the promise I made when you were little. One day you WILL have a house on the homeworld. Do me proud. Do the fleet proud…and we can build that house together."

"There's a bar downstairs, called Chora's Den." Barla Von the Volus informed Tali with a wave of his hand, taking in a breath with every sentence. "The man who runs it can protect you whilst I contact an information trader called the SHADOW BROKER. But only if you trust us." He asked.

"Alright. Just…tell me what to do." Tali whispered.

"I love you, Tali. Keelah Se'Lai."

…

…

…

… "I know there isn't a lot, but…I KNOW he's hiding something!" Garrus Vakarian growled, his blue facepaint almost being sprayed off his face as he growled in Executor Pallin's face, clenching his blue-gauntleted claws tightly, gritting his fangs. "Please, you have to give me more time! Stall them!

"STALL the council? Don't be ridiculous. You don't have anything conclusive. Barely even circumstancial. I'm sorry, but your investigation is over, Garrus. I can't have this go forward based on your "gut instincts"." Pallin insisted to the C-Sec officer, shaking his head back and forth before heading off across the smooth floors of the Citdael's main hall, where the Council met at the top of the tallest tower. Everything had a faintly reddish, purple tint to it thanks to the lighting, with feng-shui-esque trees and gardens lying about. On either side of the central plaza were various office buildings, diplomats speaking in hushed tones, some sitting on benches, taking in the show as Shepherd and his crew approached Garrus, who folded his arms across his blue and black-armored chest, cringing angrily.

"Garrus Vakarian at your service. I WAS the officer in charge of investigating Saren." He said. "…key word being "Was"." He mumbled, Shepherd looking at the specialized targeting visor across Garrus's left eye. "Ah, you like?" Garrus inquired, tapping it slightly with a small smile. "Cost me a week's paycheck…but well worth it."

"It's real nice. But what interests me is that you seem to really want to bring Saren down." Shepherd admitted.

Garrus "harrumphed". "I don't trust Saren Arterius. Something about him just…rubs me the wrong way. But he's a spectre. All he touches is classified. And I can't find any hard evidence. So…I'm sorry it's gone this way."

"And the hearing?" Kaiden asked of him.

"Already started." Garrus said, gesturing behind him with his "thumb" as they took notice of Captain Anderson, making their way up the stairs, towards where the Council always met. A large, rectangular window with sweeping beams behind them, an almost pool-like garden beneath a small walkway that hovered overhead, stopping in the middle, a platform overlooking the center walkway for the Council to stand upon and, to the right side, a hologram projector showing off the unmistakable sight of Saren Arterius, who had his arms folded across his chest as he looked down at Udina with clear disdain.

"The Geth attack is worrying. But there's no evidence Saren was involved in any way." The Asari Councilor insisted, faint blue "patches" like freckles across her forehead, a lovely red and white dress with black cross-stitching across the front

"C-Sec investigated, but they haven't turned up anything to support your charge of treason, Udina." The Turian Councilor added. He wore a more regal dark uniform to match his darkened face, though the faintish bluish/white trimmings brought out the white stripes and slices of facepaint on his head, his arms having long red sleeves as he gestured at Saren's form.

"An eyewitness saw him KILL Nihlus in cold blood!" Udina snapped.

"We read the reports too, Udina. The fact is that the testimony of ONE traumatized dock worker just isn't compelling enough. Especially given he is evidently a black market worker?" The Salarian Counclor said, scratching at the deep bluish/black hood over his head, sighing slightly in his ever-slightly high pitched voice, his robed form turning to the others as if to say "Does this guy ever shut up" whilst Shepherd, Anderson and the rest continued up the stairs to where Udina was.

"FRANKLY I resent these accusations. Nihlus was more than just a fellow Spectre." Saren snapped, waving a hand in the air. "He was a friend."

"PFFT. That just made it EASY for you to catch him off guard!" Anderson roared out, pointing accusingly at Saren as the grey-skinned Turian folded his arms over his chest, a dark look coming to his face.

"Well…well…well. David Anderson. You always seem to be involved when humanity makes false charges against me." The Turian remarked quietly.

"Wait, WHAT?" Shepherd muttered. "You PERSONALLY know him? Like Grey here?"

That ALSO got Saren's attention, whipping his head towards Grey as he stood by Shepherd's right side, Anderson to Shepherd's left as Saren's cold look became almost…sad. "Well. How interesting. The human face I hate most of all and the human face I became most fond of. You're a splitting image of your father."

"You know, Mr. Arterius…my dad said you were a jerk a lot of the time, but you really, honestly cared about doing right by your people and your friends. I don't want to believe you did this, but…" Grey momentarily trailed off, glancing to the side. "I DON'T think that Nihlus just, say, shot himself in the back of the head."

"And the injury ISN'T consistent with a Geth weapon either. It was a pistol. How many Geth do you know that use a pistol?" Shepherd added, Saren looking almost…intrigued by Shepherd's analysis.

"Fascinating. You DO know how to pick them, Anderson. But let's be honest, here. It's not your race's INTELLIGENCE I doubt, not your skills, not your abilities…your species needs to learn its place. You're SELFISH. It's all about YOU." He told Anderson with a wave of his hand. "You think things are OWED to you. You're trying to get a seat on the Council when my people had to win a WAR just to be considered."

"Funny you call that something worth honoring, because if, say, my people the Americans released a sterility plague on the Germans during World War II, we wouldn't get honored with a position of power, we'd deserve to be SENT TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR. And I don't even BELIEVE in capital punishment, but a sterility plague, that might just make me change my mind!" Grey snapped, waving a dismissive hand in the air. "And by the way, Council, when ARE you ever going to cure the Genophage you unleashed on the Krogan? In ANOTHER thousand years?"

"It was the right choice. At the time." Saren spoke up calmly.

"And why can't you cure it NOW, even if it WAS the right choice then…which it wasn't?" Grey accusedly whispered, staring into Saren's hologram eyes as the Turian rolled HIS eyes.

"Oh, that would go well. "Hi, we're Turian scientists, we KNOW we unleashed a Salarian sterility plague on your species, but we feel REEEAALLY bad about it, so how about you promise you'll never ever be mean again and we'll give you the cure-MY SPINE, MY SPINE, YOU'RE BEATING ME TO DEATH WITH MY RIPPED OUT SPINE!" Saren proclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "Did you like that little one-act play of what the Krogan would do to ANYONE who'd try that kind of thing nowadays, let alone immediately after we unleashed the cure? They would have just gone on a roaring rampage of revenge and slaughtered their way through space. With the Genophage, their numbers are kept low enough so they're not a true threat."

"Indeed. It was a…tragic decision but needed." The Salarian councilor remarked. "We had to stop the Krogan. It was a dirty job, but it had to be done."

"People change. You could have offered the cure to them if they promised to just behave, and maybe over time they would have worked their issues out." Grey reasoned.

"Unfortunately the fact is…their people aren't like you." Saren mused.

"What?" Grey asked, looking a bit confused.

"I see it on your face." Saren said, his tone…softer, almost kind. "You're too…nice. Too gentle. Just like your father. He couldn't bring himself to make the harsher choices even to save his own life because he was kind to a fault. It's a touching trait. Admirable…but childish. Too much of the other extreme. You need to be willing to make tough choices, and to accept that you cannot always choose the most pleasant option. That a lesser evil must sometimes be countenanced to achieve the most good."

He turned to Shepherd. "So tell me, Shepherd. I'm interested. Who are you more like? Your medical friend there? Or does the protégé who let the beacon be destroyed take after Anderson? Can you make the hard decisions?"

"Interesting you bring up the classified, top-secret, nobody-was-supposed-to-know-about-it beacon. I mean, it's ALMOST as if you KNEW where it was and what it was, but you could only know THAT if you'd been there on Eden Prime!" Shepherd muttered darkly, Saren chuckling a bit.

"Aren't you keen? And yet so, so stupid. When Nihlus died, his files transferred to me, the next in the line. Especially since he was my friend. I've read all about the Beacon." Saren remarked. "But it would appear you ARE just like Anderson. You LOVE blaming aliens for your OWN mistakes, yet you think you're entitled to so, so much even though you've NOTHING to truly offer. Typical human."

"CoughcoughBIGOTcoughcough." Kaiden muttered under his breath but just loud enough for everyone to hear.

"You're a prejudiced racist who hates humans. THAT'S why you attacked Eden Prime." Shepherd snapped.

"Oh, please. You're not even close. Such stupidity. The fact is, your species needs to learn it's place. You're not ready for the Council…and CERTAINLY not for the Spectres."

"He has no right to say that! That's NOT his decision!" Udina proclaimed.

"Shepherd's admission into the spectres isn't the purpose of this meeting." The Asari councilor insisted.

"This meeting HAS no purpose. The humans are wasting your time. And frankly, mine as well." Saren remarked before Shepherd took notice of something.

"…your arm." He muttered.

Saren blinked, turning to him. "What?"

"What's with your arm? It doesn't look like normal armor."

Saren cringed, holding a hand to it. "Regrettably, I was in an accident I haven't yet written a report on. It required…sacrifice. An unpleasant upgrade to ensure I could still do my job."

"Oh REALLY? You just HAPPENED to get a very robotic-looking piece of…seriously? He's hiding behind his position as a Spectre. Are you honestly so blind you can't see how SUSPICIOUS he's being?" Shepherd asked of the Council.

"Are YOU so blind you don't see we need more than vague circumstantial evidence for us to believe you?" The Salarian councilor intoned, waving a long, three-fingered hand in the air.

"There's one more outstanding issue: the vision Commander Shepherd experienced when he touched the beacon." Captain Anderson remarked.

Saren snorted. "A vision? Really? Am I supposed to defend myself from dreams?! Are we accepting precognition into the court records now?" He laughed. "OHHH I remember now what I DO like you humans. You make me LAUGH."

"Don't quit your day job." Ashley Williams muttered. "Actually, DO quit your day job. Then you wouldn't be able to hide behind your status."

"Williams, please. That's not helping. I can tell when I'm speaking to a brick wall. Nothing I say now would convince you, so I won't waste any more of your time." Shepherd spoke up, shaking his head back and forth.

The Asari and the Turian councilor turned to the Salarian councilor, shaking their heads before the asari councilor held aloft her hand. "With everything taken into account, the Council can find no true evidence of Spectre Saren Arterius's guilt. So Ambassador Udina, your petition to have him disbarred is rejected, and the meeting is adjourned."

"I'm glad to see justice done." Saren mused aloud, his holographic form fading as Shepherd and the others made their way down the steps, Ashley growling back in the direction they'd come from.

"Again. First thing's first when the revolution comes? Let's kill all the politicians." She muttered.

Sighing, Udina pinched the space between his eyes, gritting his teeth. "Self-absorbed JACKASSES, the lot of them...but I think we could have convinced them had you not been there, Anderson. You and Saren have too much personal history. You being there made them question our motives, they would have been more likely to believe us had you not been present."

"I KNOW Saren, and I know he's working with the Geth for only one kind of reason…to exterminate the human race. Every colony, every world we control, even EARTH is at risk!" Anderson insisted fervently.

"How exactly DO you know him?" Shepherd asked.

"…it's…a long story for another time." Anderson murmured. "But we need to deal with him ourselves."

"We need to find some way to expose him. As a spectre, he's nigh-untouchable."

"That C-Sec officer, the Turian named Garrus." Kaiden realized aloud. "We saw him arguing with Executor Pallin. He might be able to help."

"Yeah, he was asking for more time to finish his report. He might have actually been on to something." Ashley added with a nod. "How can we find him, though? Executor Pallin doesn't seem to like us much. I don't think he'd really help."

"Luckily I've a contact in C-Sec who CAN be of assistance. His name is Harkin." Ambassador Udina informed them with a nod of his grey-haired head.

"They SUSPENDED him for drinking on the job. We can't deal with that loser!" Anderson remarked.

"We, nothing. SHEPHERD is handling this, not you." Udina insisted. "You've too much history, you'd compromise the investigation to the Council." Udina remarked, heading off as Shepherd growled in his direction.

"Hey, he deserves to be-" Shepherd began to snarl before Anderson held a hand up, sighing slightly as he bowed his head over the royal blue and gold Alliance navy attire he wore so proudly.

"No, no." He murmured. "He's right. I'll step aside. Listen, Harkin's probably drinking in Chora's Den. Dingy little club in the lower section of the wards. He might be a drunken loser, but it couldn't hurt to talk to him."

"I'm not surprised Udina's so frustrated with the Council. If I had to put up with them all day, I'd probably shoot myself." Ashley Williams admitted.

"He's just frustrated. They insist we should be part of the Galactic Community…but for them it's a one-way street. They want us to expand and settle unstable regions like the Skyllian Verge and the Attican Traverse, but when we run into trouble, POOF!" Anderson held his hands up. "We're on our own. But it's only a matter of time until we get a seat on the council."

"You know, Saren SORTA had a point. Our race doesn't usually play nice with others. Maybe if we were more cooperative, they'd let us join." Grey admitted.

"Yes, if we did everything the Council asked us to, they'd LOVE having us on the Council, but it wouldn't be much of a deal for US." Anderson remarked. "I UNDERSTAND their point. They created the Council based on cooperation and alliances, but we need to look our for our own interests first."

"Is there anyone else we could talk to? If, y'know…Harkin's not that helpful?" Kaiden wanted to know.

"Barla Von. He's a banker down in the Presidium." Anderson admitted with a nod. "A volus, too. He always knows what's what in the Citadel because he works for the infamous Shadow Broker."

"THE Shadow Broker? The dark information wheeler and dealer that's, like, ten steps ahead of EVERYONE?" Shepherd inquired, eyes widening in surprise. "How do YOU know that?"

"Well…I have friends in high places." Anderson said with a small smile. "Just try to appeal to his practicality and be polite, and he'll try to help."

…

…

…

… "Welcome, welcome." Barla Von said, putting a hand on his dark, tubby chest, his white masked face bowing as he sat behind the desk in the Presidium Bank. The ONLY employee, evidently, of Presidium bank as they glanced around the sanitary little building, a large computer system behind the portly alien. "You're one of the Earth-clan? And a very famous one. You're the one called Shepherd. A great honor to welcome the hero of the Skyllian Blitz." Barla Von intoned, a deep breath between every sentence.

"You ARE well-informed."

"I'm a financial advisor to MANY important clients. When someone as important as you is on the station…I take notice."

"We heard you do work for the Shadow Broker. Do you know of any information on Saren?" Shepherd inquired, an eyebrow raised as Barla steepled his segmented claw-glove digits.

"You're blunt, Shepherd. But yes, I am indeed an agent for the Broker, and I DO know something about Saren. Normally the information would cost you a small fortune, but these are exceptional circumstances. I'll give you this information for free." The volus told them.

"What's the catch?" Ashley asked.

"No catch. Saren and the Broker did much business together…but now Saren's turned on him. Which was…surprising. Saren is many things, but he ISN'T stupid. He'd never turn on the Broker unless something HUGE was at stake. I don't know the details, but I know the Broker hired a Krogan mercenary to deal with Saren. If you want to know more, speak with him."

"Where is he?"

"He's paying C-Sec a visit. If you hurry, you could catch him before he leaves C-Sec Academy. I doubt the visit was his choice…but you'd better hurry if you want to catch up with him."

"We will." Shepherd said with a nod. "One more thing. Can you tell us anything about a man named Harkin?"

Barla Von snorted. "HIM?! That low-down balding bunch of-he's quite simply an insult to C-Sec. I would call him garbage, but that's an insult to garbage." Barla Von muttered. "I don't even want to talk about him. He once stuffed me into a trash can. You want to speak to him, go ahead. He's probably drunk off his behind in Chora's Den."

"That bad?"

"He was one of the first HUMAN C-Sec officers, and worked with them for 20 years. However he roughed up suspects in custody, took bribes, was said to be doing drugs and drinking on the job…he was a disgrace to your whole species." Barla Von muttered. "Luckily when more humans joined C-Sec the academy felt he could be fired, and Pallin suspended him a month ago for drinking on the job, tossing him to the curb. I hope the door hit his behind on the way out." Barla added.

….

…

…

… "Oh joy. A club. How I love clubs." Grey muttered darkly. "Years and years my dad was stuck working at a club and playing club music. And guess which bright-eyed youngster had to endure listening to that? THIS guy!" He proclaimed, using two thumbs to point at himself as they made their way down the halls of the wards, past simple red lights on the long expanses of the Citadel hallways. A simple black guardrail kept people from falling off to the endless abyss below as cars swooshed by, an obviously naked Asari silhouette sign indicating Chora's Den was right down the way they were going.

"Oh, but where ELSE are people's eardrums going to be assaulted with bad techno beats and watered down swill?" Shepherd asked with a chuckle.

"I don't know, they shouldn't drink. Beer just makes you stupid." Grey groaned.

"You don't drink?"

"Don't drink, don't smoke, don't gamble, none of that. My body is a temple."

"You need to lose about nine pounds." Kaiden added, poking Grey's stomach.

"My body is a temple with a two car garage." Grey sniggered before an assault rifle shot made the wall just by them practically EXPLODE, all of them diving behind the guard rail at the crossing that led right into Chora's Den, dark-clothed assassins…two Turians, two Asari, all firing in their direction.

"There they are! Saren said frag them good!" One of the Turians roared out.

"I will DESTROY YOU!" One of the Asari proclaimed, firing off a biotic blast at Kaiden, who ducked behind the railing and poked his head back up, frowning.

"What a sloppy throw." Kaiden snapped, focusing his own biotic powers.

"This is the only chance you're probably going to get! Get out of here or these people WILL kill you!" Grey yelled at the assassins over the railway, ducking to avoid a shot from one of them. "Sorry…the pacifist lobby is trying, but I don't think I'm getting through."

"I think THIS will get through." Shepherd said, holding up his Carnifex pistol, leaping up through the air, firing it off as he soared across the walkway, the blasts launching out. They sizzled at the assassin's shields, making them reel back, Kaiden popping up. Alenko's form was alit with blue flames as he shot a wave of psychic energy at the Asari nearest to him, slamming her into the wall, making her collapse into a heap on the ground as Ashley popped her head up, her assault rifle blaring, a Turian assassin being torn to shreds and collapsing in a bloody heap on the floor below.

The remaining two assassins hid behind the walkway, Grey holding up a hand as he nodded at the others. "I've got this." He murmured, inching around the other end, crouching down low as Shepherd, Kaiden and Ashley provided covering fire, the assassins occasionally popping over the rail to fire back.

Chora's Den and it's inhabitants briefly poked their heads out of the doorway, the Bouncer sighing a bit before rolling his eyes and stepping back inside the club. "Tourists." He muttered, Grey now at the end of the walkway bridge crossing, bounding through the air and TACKLING the Asari, whacking her hard in the face with his gauntleted fist, knocking her out as the Turian wheeled around in surprise, Grey shooting up, kneeing him in the crotch.

"GAAAUUUHHH…" The assassin howled out, Shepherd's pistol firing off, a single shot going through his neck, making him flop the floor, blue lifeblood oozing out as Grey looked sadly down at the scene shaking his head, covering his face with one hand as the others headed over to the final assassin.

Shepherd raised his gun…but then put it away. "Get her out of here." He asked Grey, who nodded firmly. "I don't want to see her again?"

"I'll bring her to the hospital, Huerta Memorial. It's a lot farther away than the free clinic in the wards, but that's where Uncle Lucas is." Grey said, lifting the unconscious asari assassin up, putting one arm around his shoulder as he carried her drooped form along.

"Say hello for me, will you?" Shepherd asked before he, Kaiden and Ashley headed inside, Ashley looking back at him.

"You didn't finish her?"

"I don't kill people who can't fight back. That wouldn't be right." Shepherd murmured as they headed towards a balding human in the back of the dimly-lit bar. Asari dancers were in perfectly skintight dark, smooth outfits, swerving and swaying their bodies before various customers on tables and small platforms with poles, various female bartenders behind the circular bar in the center of Chora's Den. One red-head calmly began mixing some drinks on the counter, nonchalantly whistling as they approached…taking notice of someone ELSE too. A rather imposing-looking Krogan with deep red armor to match the enormous crested, thick forehead he had. Like all Krogan, he had a "hump". Not quite like a camel did, but it was very noticeable all the same in how his armor was designed. Thick, powerful, muscular, stocky…and his voice was deep, an impressive baritone.

"Let me by."

"Back off, Wrex. Fist told us to take you DOWN if you interfered."

"Well what're you waiting for? I'm right here. This is Fist's only chance." The Krogan murmured, his deep green reptilian eyes glaring at his fellow Krogan, his three-digited fists clenched tightly as he folded his arms across his chest, giving off a large, dark grin showing off tiny, squarish teeth.

"He's not coming out. End of story."

"This story's just beginning." Wrex chuckled, moving by them. "Out of the way, humans. I've no quarrel with you." He intoned, heading for the exit.

"What was THAT about?" Kaiden mused, scratching his head.

"Don't know. Best we stay out of it." Ashley admitted as they approached the bartender. "Could you tell us where we might find a man named Harkin?"

The woman cringed. "…over there." She grunted, pointing at a balding man in a dark blue Alliance-issue uniform who had clearly been drinking for quite some time. As they approached, they could FEEL the waves of ugliness that were rising off his soul. His voice was sleazy and low, his attitude nasty. Everything about him screamed "jerk".

And the fact that he IMMEDIATELY looked at Ashley's breasts didn't help.

"Heyyy, sugartits. Come on and have a seat by ol' Harkin." He asked.

"We're alliance military, jackass. We want answers. And if you call me "Sugartits" again…I'll break it OFF, got that?" Ashley said, putting a foot on the table, Harkin snorting a bit before taking a swig of the purplish alcohol he had, sighing.

"Damn, why do all the interesting women gotta be out of my league?" He mumbled. "Fine, fine, whaddya want?"

"We're trying to find a Turian C-Sec officer named Garrus. Know where he is?"

"Ahhh, you've gotta be Cappy Anderson's crew. I can tell you where Garrus is right now, but you've gotta tell ME somethin' first. Did Anderson tell you in on his big secret?"

"What secret?"

"He used to be a spectre."

"…what?" Shepherd murmured softly, eyes widening in surprise. "Really?"

"It was all hush-hush. And a big damn deal, but…then he blew his chances up. Screwed up his very first mission as Spectre and, of course…he blamed Saren." Harkin remarked. "They were paired together on what was gonna be the first of SEVERAL missions…but it didn't work out so nice and he's hated Saren ever since, and Saren's hated HIM too."

"Why did they kick him out?" Shepherd asked. "Anderson seems honest. Did Saren set him up?"

"Dunno. Ask old "Stick Up His Ass" yourself. Helluva story though. The "hero's fall"." Harkin chuckled, taking another swig of his alcohol and sniggering a bit, waving the drink in the air. "Classic tragedy."

"But if they covered it all up, how did YOU hear about it?"

"I was in C-Sec for 20 years. You hear things…and especially since people LOVE to talk. Secrets are like herpes, my friend. Once you've got em, you might as well spread 'em around!" Harkin said, pointing at himself and laughing.

"You're a fuckin' pig." Shepherd muttered.

"You JUST noticed that NOW?" Harkin asked.

"Just tell me where Garrus went, alright?"

"Sure, sure. That hothead went down to Dr. Chloe Michel's office, that medical clinic in the wards." Harkin said, waving a dismissive hand in the air, hiccupping slightly and then letting out a liquidy burp as Ashley cringed, Kaiden waving a hand in front of his face.

"Damn it, Harkin, you'd better not puke on the carpet again!" The krogan bartender from before snapped from across the room. "Fist ain't payin' for another new carpet!"

"I'm out of here." Shepherd said, rolling his eyes as he headed for the exit with Alenko and Williams. "I feel like I need to take a bath."

"Let's just get to the medical clinic." Ashley said. "And away from him before I actually DO decide to make sure he can never have kids."

"Joke's on YOU, sweetie, I'm already impotent!" Harkin laughed back at her before a loud "HUAAARRGGHHKKK" filled the air, and the krogan bouncer immediately raced across the room past them, cracking his knuckles.

"It's the little things in life you treasure." Shepherd said, he, Kaiden and Ashley leaving the bar as Harkin was forcibly shoved into the nearby trash can.