AN:- Time to meet up with even more old teammates.

Chapter Sixteen: Old Friends

"Normandy, we are transferring your clearance to an Alliance Official."

As was required by regulations she was sitting next to Joker as they came in to dock at the Citadel. It was a largely useless requirement, especially with EDI knowable to handle all of the double checking far more accurately than Shepard could, but the regulations hadn't been written with hyper advanced AI in state of the art stealth ships in mind.

Joker was grumbling, of course. "Figures, finally back in action and the Alliance already wants us tagged and collared."

"You are leaning on the transmit button Jeff," EDI said softly.

"Just our way of welcoming you back flight lieutenant," the woman's voice came over the other end.

Joker sat upright and put his hands to the controls. "Uh, yes ma'am, requesting docking permission."

"Docking permission granted. Would you like private transport arranged?"

Still grinning, Shepard leaned over to the mic and spoke. "I'll handle it."

"Yes Captain. Welcome back."

The rest of the docking procedure passed without a hitch and they were finally able to debark. Jack and the kids from Grissom Academy were leaving first, heading for a temporary Alliance waystation before more permanent assignments or quarters could be given to them. Shepard was there to see them off, giving Jack a last salute and Kahlee a firm handshake. The students still seemed a little unsure of her. She would have called it awe, if that didn't make her so uncomfortable. She wondered if they had been talking to the crew and hearing stories.

She and Garrus still hadn't had a proper chance to talk again. She didn't push it either. Liara was staying on the ship for a little while, but had promised to meet up with Shepard later.

As she stepped into the Docking Bay she saw Miranda at once, for all that she was trying to remain inconspicuous. It was nearly impossible for her to ever blend into a crowd. The flawless hair alone set her apart from everyone around her. Shepard walked over, leaning up against the wall next to her.

"Commander Shepard, it's been far too long."

"I wasn't sure if we were meant to pretend we didn't know each other."

Miranda smiled, but it looked hollow. "We live in interesting times."

"A little too interesting."

"I couldn't get anywhere near you when the Alliance had you locked up."

"Relieved of duty. It was complicated." Miranda pushed away from the wall and they headed into the small waiting area. "Speaking of, it's Captain now."

"Captain? Very complicated then. I'm surprised they didn't court martial you. The Alliance isn't known for its flexibility."

"Doesn't matter now."

"Shepard." Miranda sat down slowly on one of the benches. "About Earth…"

She wasn't sure if it was sympathy or a request for information. She decided to go with both. "Countless people lost their lives within minutes. The Reapers are everything we feared."

"They should have listened to you a long time ago. I'm sorry Shepard."

It wasn't worth dwelling on. "What about you? What brings you here?"

"I need to talk to a few people, like you. The Citadel's a good place to meet… for now. What's the Alliance's next move?"

Always the Intelligence Operative. "We have a plan. It's a long shot."

"Not surprising." Miranda looked past her, to where the families were gathering, many of them soldiers heading off to join the war. When Miranda looked back there was a faint glisten in her eyes. "Shepard? There's… something I wanted to mention."

Shepard had only seen her so emotional over one thing. "Oriana?"

Miranda nodded. "I haven't heard from her for a while. I'm getting worried. I don't want to overreact, but… well, there's a lot going on."

"I thought you left to make sure she was safe," Shepard said cautiously.

"And I did. It's probably nothing but… I just know my father's involved."

Shepard sat next to her, turning to face her properly. "Maybe you'd better tell me exactly what happened?"

"I don't know. Everything I had in place to make sure she was safe went dark."

"What do you need from me?"

"I appreciate the offer, Shepard… but you have your hands full. If I need a door or two kicked down, I know just who to call." That with a smile that Shepard mirrored. "But for now… I'll be fine."

"I understand."

"I have to figure this out."

"And you will." She leaned back in the chair and watched the people filing by. "Why do you think your father is involved in Oriana's disappearance?"

"I kept careful tabs on my sister. I always knew where she was. For her to just vanish… it could only be him. After I hid her away, I still knew he'd stop at nothing to find her. She's all he has left. I have a hunch what happened, but I'll fill you in when I'm certain."

Shepard nodded. That was fair enough, though it was a shame to see Miranda back in her paranoid spy mode again. "It's been a long time. What happened to you?"

"I've been in hiding. Being on the run from just about everyone isn't as glamorous as it sounds."

"I didn't know." That at least explained the paranoia.

"It's all right. I knew there would be repercussions to walking away from Cerberus."

"I imagine. You're a dangerous enemy."

"I am."

"If you're looking for a lead here, anyone associated with Cerberus would be hard to find."

"No question. But I'm owed a few favours. Someone here will give me a tip on Oriana."

"Have you had any run ins with the Illusive Man?"

"Just once. He said it had been a pleasure to work with me. But he needed to contain the situation."

"Contain the situation. Sounds final."

"It nearly was. He doesn't take rejection well."

"No he doesn't."

They lapsed into silence again as a turian and asari parted ways, the turian heading to his ship while the asari stood, watching him leave and wringing her hands.

"So much heartbreak is going to come from this war…" Miranda said softly.

"There's some hope as well. Jack's been keeping busy."

"How so?"

"Grissom Academy offered her a teaching position. She's really taken to it."

Shepard looked over to see Miranda smiling. "I'm glad she's found something."

"Of all of us she might have needed it the most."

"That we can agree on."

The clock beneath one of the news reports ticked over and Shepard sighed. "I've got to get back to it."

Miranda nodded. "I should get out of sight."

"Be careful," Shepard said as they rose.

"No promises."

She turned and left without another word, stepping easily into the crowd heading for the security checkpoint. She quickly disappeared from Shepard's view. Shepard headed the other direction, towards the shuttles and the hospital.

/|\

When she walked into Ash's room she found Udina there, talking to her. He didn't seem to notice she had walked in. "I'd like an answer Lieutenant Commander. The galaxy has need of exceptional soldiers like you, now more than ever."

"I still need time," Ashley said. "You'll have my answer soon, I promise."

"I'll look forward to it." Udina turned to leave, clocking her and nodding. "Shepard."

She waited until he had left and the door had cycled closed before nodding as well. "Udina." Ashley grinned at her and she came to sit next to the bed. "I got your e-mail. Made your decision yet?"

"On becoming a Spectre? No. It's an honour and all, but, I don't know. I need to think about it some more."

Shepard nodded. "It's a big decision. Smart to give it some thought." She remembered how it had been for her. Perfunctory. Not like she had had much choice. Ash deserved that much. She looked around the room, spotting the Tennyson. "Did you enjoy the books?"

"It was very sweet. I've been climbing the walls."

She seemed cheerful enough, although her face was still covered in bruises. At the very least most of the facial swelling seemed to have gone down. "How are you doing?"

"Good, considering." She smiled. "The nurse said you checked in on me earlier. Still out cold I guess".

"I didn't have time to stay. I thought maybe, if you were up to it…"

"Yeah." Ash propped herself up on her elbow. "I wasn't sure you wanted to. You were pretty clear on Mars about where things stood."

Shepard frowned. Things on Mars had gotten so confused, and of course she been through Palaven and Grissom Academy since. "What do you mean?"

"You're not a part of Cerberus anymore. Case closed. Full stop."

Oh yeah, that argument. "It's the truth."

"Okay. You cut all ties, I accept that." She leaned back, frowning. "It's just that, if you're giving the orders. I need to be able to count on you."

Shepard sighed. In the past she might have offered some condolences, or retreated into the commander persona that Ashley had needed before. But it was past time for her to be confronted head on. "That works both ways," she said, and saw the shock in Ash's eyes. "It's a damn mess out there. All we've got is the people around us. We have to trust each other or this doesn't work. Deal?"

Ash nodded slowly. "Deal."

Shepard nodded. "When you're back on your feet, we'll talk some more."

Before she could stand Ash looked back to her. "Shepard… wait. There's one more thing, I wasn't sure if I should mention it."

"What is it?"

"I have family back on Earth." Shepard had almost forgotten about Ash's sisters. "I… I haven't heard from them. It's making me crazy. But I know you're busy Shepard, we can talk later."

Shepard smiled at her and settled back into the chair. "I've got time to talk. So who's back on Earth?"

"Mom plus my three sisters. The youngest, Sarah, was away on her honeymoon. Married a military man, Thomas. He got called back in and she was stuck alone." She sighed and turned away, looking out at the Presidium. "She called me. It's been pretty tough."

"I can imagine."

"I was always there to protect them growing up. Even when I was off on tour, they knew they could talk to me. I told her to come to the Citadel. We can wait for news together."

"That's a good idea." She didn't know how much the news was reporting. She didn't want to worry Ash. "Have you heard anything about Earth?"

"We have reports coming all the time on what's going on. Half are wild speculation, and half are probably too optimistic to be true."

"We have to believe that we can do something."

"When I thought you were dead, I lost hope." Ash looked at her, and Shepard couldn't read her expression. She remembered the moment Ash had seen her on Horizon. How she had referred to her as a God. She didn't like the look she saw now. "But when you came back? I was ready to believe anything." She looked away again and Shepard stared down at the floor. She didn't share Ash's faith, and sometimes it was deep enough to make her uncomfortable. Thankfully, Ash seemed to have noticed that. "I mean, maybe this problem can't be solved by some grunt shooting the boogeyman in the face. But if you think it might help, I'm game."

"Now that sounds more like the Ash I know." There was another subject she wanted to broach, but she had to do it in the right way. "I didn't hear from you while I was a guest of the Alliance."

"I couldn't face you. Even when Anderson requested my presence, it was difficult."

"It's okay. We're both professionals. We have more important things to worry about."

"You're right."

That was all that needed to be said, for now. She forced a grin and leaned back in the chair. "So what's all this Lieutenant Commander business?"

Ash chuckled and nodded, propping herself back up on her elbow. "Seems like the old Williams curse is losing its grip. Was sure I'd top out at gunnery chief."

"You've worked hard, you deserve it."

"I used to think so too… until Eden Prime. Losing 212 was… well, you know."

She did know. Losing her squad on Akuze had destroyed her for years. "It was the Reapers Ash. You did the best you could and survived to help us."

"Just, losing everyone under my command… it's tough to face. I'll never forget any of them."

"And that' right. If you forget them, if you let it become too easy, then you lose what makes you human. But it's not disrespectful to move on with your life."

Ash nodded, and Shepard checked the time. "I really do need to go Ash, there's other people I need to meet with while I'm here. And the war's not slowing down."

"Understood Captain."

Shepard stood, but before leaving she sighed and looked down at Ash. "We can't afford to be at each other's throats. If we plan on getting through this, we need to trust each other."

"I'd like to Shepard. I'm glad we had a chance to talk. I was trying to keep the family stuff to myself, to be professional. I don't know how you manage to keep it all together."

"People are counting on us."

"I get that. But it's still hard to put it all aside."

"Take care of yourself Ashley."

"Will do Captain."

She headed back out through the hospital and towards the shuttles again.

/|\

Udina was in a meeting when she went to his office, so she decided to step into the Spectre office instead. Humanity's embassies had expanded quite a bit since the first time she had joined them. No more single office in amongst the others.

She was surprised as she entered the office to find a salarian already inside, looking over the computer screens. He had to be a Spectre, there was no other way he could have gotten through the door. She walked over and cleared her throat.

"Can I help you?"

He looked up from the computer, giving her a curt nod. "Commander Shepard, Jondum Bau, Special Tactics and Recon. I've got intel suggesting that high-level Hanar officials may be indoctrinated."

Straight to business then. "That's a damning accusation. What have you got?"

He brought up his omni-tool and started a data transfer. "Evidence of an Alliance black ops team raiding a batarian research station. The batarians were studying Reaper technology."

Her eyebrows shot up. "The batarians had Reapers technology?"

"The Alliance raid turned into a massacre and the humans ended up with nothing. Your people faked a power failure to hide the incident."

She felt compelled to defend the decision to the other Spectre, no matter her personal feelings about such an action. "The batarians would have gone to war if they'd found out." At his impassive stare she bit her lip and asked, "how does this implicate the Hanar?"

"They maintain discreet grey market trade relationships with the batarians, and led the Alliance to the station." The transfer of data was completed. He closed out the omni-tool and turned back to the computer. "We suspect those hanar operatives escaped with batarian tech. if your reports on the Reapers are accurate, they could already be indoctrinated."

She came to join him, watching as he flicked through classified surveillance streams. "What's your source on all this?"

"It was an anonymous gift, but I believe it came from a thief named Kasumi Goto." She managed to avoid reacting, but only just. "I've been after her for years. "

"Kasumi." She frowned. "Doesn't ring a bell. Is she really worth a Spectre?"

"She is a master thief. Her intelligence and skill are almost salarian."

Kasumi would have loved to hear that. "I'm sure she'd appreciate praise from the Spectre who's chasing her down."

"I only need her data, I admire her personally. And since she sent me this I assume her feelings are mutual." That sounded like Kasumi.

"What do you need me to do?"

"The Hanar operative is now a diplomat on the Citadel. I don't have a public name, and the hanar will go to ground if I make a formal inquiry."

"So we're going fishing."

"I'm tracking suspicious transfers to the hanar homeworld. I could use your help monitoring communications, transmissions, that sort of thing."

"Let me see what I can dig up."

"Thanks Shepard, and for the record, not everyone doubted your concerns about the Reapers. I just hope we're not too late." He nodded to her and left.

Nice to know I've got some allies out there. She turned back to the screen, bringing up her special permissions. It was still scary to her just how much power a Spectre had. She was given carte blanche to monitor any diplomatic communications she so wished. Without any real oversight she was finding it a little too easy to see how Saren had managed what he did.

As she opened the links to the hanar messages she saw another communique, regarding two prisoners in Alliance custody. She grinned. Daniels and Donnelly, the classic double act. She tapped out a quick message to pardon them and have them reassigned to the Normandy. Maybe the massive and uninhibited powers can lead to some good things.

The door to the office opened again and she turned round, seeing no one. As the door cycled closed she sighed and shook her head.

"What is it?"

"So," Kasumi Goto said, materialising out of thin air. Shepard didn't even bother to ask how exactly she had broken through what was supposed to be the most secure system on the Citadel. "Remember when you helped me get Keiji's greybox from Donovan Hock? The one with information that could start a war?"

"I thought we destroyed that information to keep you safe."

"There were enough clues left for me to piece things together when I… got curious."

Shepard chuckled. "I guess I should have expected that."

"It was big enough to leak it to Bau. If you don't mind me tagging along cloaked, maybe I can help you dig up some dirt on the hanar."

"I'd appreciate it."

Kasumi jumped up to sit on the desk as Sheaprd worked. "Bau's got a good plan. Hanar are predictable. Anything suspicious in those terminals use should narrow down our list of suspects."

"So you approve of Bau?" She quickly found some odd money transfers from two hanar named Bolohn and Oloon, forwarding them both to Bau.

"Absolutely. He's a good Spectre. The galaxy needs more like him."

"And the fact that he's trying to arrest you?"

"Well, nobody's perfect"

Bau was on her communicator. "Bolohn's clean. His money transfers are to support his mistress. Not sure about Oloon. I'll pull his bio."

"I'll check Oloon's personal messages."

Apparently Kasumi had a tap on both ends of the conversation. "Can I just note how odd it is for a hanar to have a mistress?"

"You know, if Bau catches up with you, I could grant you immunity."

"What, if I join up? Last time I did that, you roped me into a suicide mission." Kasumi held up her hand and waved it, her little finger and ring finger waving without her control. A little reminder of their mission.

"I didn't say you had to join up."

"You were working your way around to it."

Oloon's files pinged for her list of flagged terms. "Bau, Oloon's doing some heavy lobbying for the hanar to support the war effort."

"So he's clearly not indoctrinated. Who's opposing him?"

"An unnamed hanar recently posted her from Kahje. I'll check transit records for incoming Hanar."

"It all comes down to the war," Kasumi said as she continued. "Aand you trying to pull everyone into it."

Shepard paused, looking up at her and trying to see her eyes beneath her good. "Would you rather the Reapers win?"

Kasumi looked away. "No." She sighed. "And I owe you for getting Keiji's greybox back from Donovan Hock. But I can't do another Collector base, Shepard. The Reapers aren't people. I can't infiltrate a Reaper party and steal a big 'I win' bomb."

Before Shepard could voice the thought she had been collating the files pinged again.

"I've got a list of new hanar arrivals Bai, forwarding it to you."

"Damn. These are all face names. The hanar names from the Alliance raid are soul names. And Hanar soul names are private. There's no public record. Can you get into their personal communications?"

Shepard brought up her overrides and was horrified but not particularly surprised to see that she could. "On it. Maybe we'll find the names there."

"So how's the rest of the gang?" Kasumi said cheerfully. "Met up with anybody else?"

"Garrus is helping out on the Normandy. Jack's been teaching kids."

"Garrus never could pass up a good fight. What about Jacob?"

"Haven't heard from him."

"See, Jacob could've gotten me back on the Normandy."

"I'm touched." She brought up a string of correspondence filled with names of different hanar. "Bau, here's the correspondence. If there's any mention of soul names…"

He cut her off. "I've got it. A recent arrival. Zymandis. Soul name: Regards the Works of the Enkindlers in Despair. He was with the Alliance team that massacred the batarians. He's been on 'special research assignment' ever since."

Nothing suspicious about that. "So he got his tentacles on some Reaper tech."

"Looks that way, I'm sending you the nav point for his office. I'll meet you there."

It was down in the regular embassies. Shepard closed down the terminal and turned to Kasumi. "You coming?"

"Well I would stay and take advantage of all this lovely unguarded technology, but I suppose."

As they headed towards the door Kasumi faded from sight, but Shepard could still feel her at her shoulder as they walked.

Bau was outside the offices waiting. He didn't even greet her, just waved her through the door and into a small side office where a hanar was watching a bank of computer monitors.

"Zymandis?" Shepard said.

Bau stepped forwards. "Or should I say, Regards the Works of the Enkindlers in Despair?"

It's very difficult to say the hanar soul names accusatorially. She mused.

The hanar turned slightly and pulsed. "It seems this one has been apprehended, but confinement is irrelevant. The work of the Enkindlers cannot be stopped."

"Why are you trying to help the Reapers?" She asked.

"We obtained information regarding the Enkindlers from classified sources."

"The Enkindlers…" She frowned. "You mean the Protheans?"

"Yes, as you are aware Commander Shepard, the Protheans eventually became the Collectors." She could already see where it was going and closed her eyes in frustration. "And the Collectors serve the Reapers."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Therefore, as a faithful servant of the Enkindlers, we too must serve the Reapers."

She was at a loss for words. Thankfully Kasumi had some sage wisdom for the occasion.

"You know, I support religious freedom for all species, but that's just crazy."

"Your scepticism does not matter. When the Enkindlers uplift us as their chosen sapients, the galaxy will bear witness."

Enough of this. "You're insane, and we can't allow you to endanger your planet. We're taking you into custody."

"Your belief in your victory is mistaken. Our planetary defence network is largely automated. It can be disabled with a single virus. Which I have just uploaded."

Shepard started forwards, but behind them the hanar's human bodyguard raised his gun.

"Damn it," Bau snapped. "Wait, a virus would be detected unless sent on low priority channels, which have a time lag." He looked to Shepard. "I may be able to block the upload."

The pistol barked and a bullet sparked off his shields. Shepard twisted, dropping into a combat stance as the bodyguard kept her covered.

"You may be delayed," the hanar said.

Kasumi flickered into existence, running for the computer terminal. "I've got this!" She shouted as she vaulted over the desk.

The bodyguard shifted to shoot Kasumi, which gave Shepard the perfect opening to step forward and snatch the pistol out of his hands, delivering a punishing blow to his ribs. Meanwhile out of the corner of her eye she saw Bau draw his pistol and put a triple burst directly into the main body of the hanar.

"Got it," Kasumi said, as Bau turned to level his pistol at her as well. "Uploads disabled. Looks like we're in the…" The computer started to beep, getting faster and faster. "Wait, he's got some sort of failsafe, get down!"

Shepard dived for cover as the explosion ripped out of the computer banks, picking Kasumi up and smashing her into the wall.

As the dust cleared and the automatic filters in Shepard's ears started to open up Bau stood up and looked to the ruins of the room where Kasumi had landed.

"She was here the entire time."

Shepard clambered to her feet as well. "She was an old friend."

"I intended to arrest her."

"She helped me take down the Collectors and she just gave her life to save the hanar homeworld."

Bau nodded. "Point taken." He straightened and held out his hand to her. She shook it readily. "It was an honour to work with you Shepard. When the time comes, I'll be there to return the favour, with a few friends."

She watched him leave, then looked back to where Kasumi had fallen.

"You can come out now."

The thief shimmered into being, grinning widely. "How'd you know?"

"Lucky guess." She wasn't about to reveal that Kasumi's stealth suit gave off a faint electrostatic distortion that she could see with her enhanced eyeballs.

Kasumi's smile faded. "There's no way you're recruiting me to fight in a galactic war."

"I wasn't going to ask you to. The Crucible Project needs technical experts."

"I'm not a scientist!"

"No, but you're the best thief in the galaxy, and you can hack unfamiliar technology better than anyone. They could use your help, and think of it all that expensive tech, just lying around…" She could see the interest gathering on the thief's face. "It's not like they're gonna check your pockets at the end of the project."

"You say the nicest things. All right, I'm in." She gave a mock salute and started to leave the room, before turning back. "And Shep. Nice working with you again."

AN:- Man the Citadel is loooooooooong. Funnily enough I was rereading my old fics to get a sense of the characters and Noveria ended up also being so much longer than expected. Funny how things repeat.

Just another couple of things that get difficult given how I wrote the ME2 novelisation. Miranda's characterisation in my books is different to how she now acts in the game. Pretty much the same with Kasumi as well. And of course in my novel Miranda explicitly left because her father had found Oriana and she was going to protect her, while in the game the situation with Oriana is new.

I've tried to structure my playthrough and the writing up so that there isn't too much unnecessary travel. That runs the risk as always of falling into Shepard taking her sweet time while the entire galaxy is in peril. A lot of the quests are cut down from 'run about all over the Citadel' to 'stand in one place because there is no earthly reason you would need in this high tech future to physically run to all these places.' Also a lot of sidequests that don't directly contribute to something story based happening will be cut. So Shepard giving an asari doctor a biotic amp she found on Grissom Academy? Not relevant.

I still don't really like or get Kasumi. She's just not my style of character.

Onto the next chapter!