Chapter 24 – A Good Man Is Hard To Find

Stunned by Samara's statement, Shepard stared at Liara, who looked deathly pale.

"No! Please!" begged Liara.

Shepard addressed the Justicar in disbelief. "Samara. I know Liara. She isn't ardat-yakshi. She can't be!"

"T'Soni went to the monastery and spoke with Falere. All meetings with residents are recorded. The superintendent called me as soon as it became clear that T'Soni was verifying her own condition."

Liara looked ashamed when Shepard turned back to her in question.

"Shepard, I…I was going to tell you, but Aurora went missing…."

Despite hearing Liara's words, Shepard couldn't make sense of it. How could it be true?

Samara strode forward. "Surrender yourself to me for detainment within the monastery, or forfeit your life."

"But I have done nothing wrong!" Liara backed into the airlock, arms raised to ward Samara off, though she made no other attempt to defend herself.

"Regardless, the propensity is there, and it is my duty to bring you in."

"But I am needed here! My work… it is so important!"

"You are resisting."

"No! Yes! You cannot do this! Not now! I have to help Shepard!"

"Then you leave me no choice." Samara's biotics flared.

"No!"

The fear in Liara's voice snapped Shepard out of her shock at the situation unfolding in front of her. "Samara! Stop!" She raised her gun at the Justicar.

Samara paused. "Shepard. Stand aside, or I will be forced to engage you, no matter our friendship."

Liara gasped in alarm. "You should go, Shepard. Find Kaidan and Garrus."

Terra couldn't walk away. Refusing to lose another of her family, she stood firmly in front of Liara. "And I won't allow your code to condemn Liara without cause."

"She is ardat-yakshi. That is cause enough."

"No. It isn't."

Samara's biotics swirled around her. "You saw what Morinth was. You would give your life to protect a killer?"

"I would give my life to protect an innocent facing a grave injustice. Morinth had proven herself a killer, and Liara is not Morinth. You can't do this because of something she may do! Liara's been in my mind several times before, and I'm here - alive. She's strong, Samara. I will lay my life on the fact she won't be a threat to anyone."

"That she has not killed you is impressive," admitted Samara, "but the code is clear. Stand aside."

"I won't do that. It hurts to have you at the end of my gun, but I have to do what's right. Your code is wrong."

"The code has been in place for centuries."

"Then it needs to change with the times. Science brought me back from the dead, and I'm betting it could right this genetic disorder, too. Tell me, how much research is going on to find a solution to this problem, instead of depriving these people of freedom or life?" At Samara's hesitation, Shepard knew the answer was none. "Narin Solus is an outstanding geneticist. If anyone can solve this, it's him. But we need time."

"That time she can spend within the monastery away from those she could harm."

"I am not a predator," protested Liara. "I have no inclination towards casual relationships."

"Samara, her life is already verging on solitary," reasoned Shepard. "She spends most of her time on her ship, trading information. She has her own monastery. Within it, she does invaluable work. Walk away, Samara. Please."

"I cannot. However, there is merit in what you say." The energy dissipated from around Samara. "I will monitor T'Soni – a constant shadow. If she kills, I will destroy her, and because of this day, I will be forced to claim your life as well."

"Shepard!" exclaimed Liara, grasping her arm.

"It's okay, Liara." Shepard didn't take her eyes from Samara, but lowered her weapon. "Liara won't harm anyone," she vowed the Justicar.

With a solemn look, Samara passed by them onto Normandy, and as Shepard went to follow she held Liara's shaking hand, bringing her with them.

Javik, who had remained silent and unmoving through the whole stand-off, brought up the rear. "Interesting," he uttered to Shepard. "It was an unlikely outcome that the Justicar would relent. Despite her code, she didn't want to kill you. She struggles with her chosen path."

"No back up, Javik?"

"I respect the Justicar's dedication. She was doing her duty, regardless of her close association with you. The fight would have been survival of the fittest."

Weary, Shepard didn't respond. Samara had chosen a difficult life. Terra was certain she bore it as her punishment and her atonement for giving life to children who had taken lives. Shepard knew she'd bought some time, but long-term Liara would collapse under the strain of being under constant watch. It would be no different than being in the monastery.

On the other side of decontamination, Shepard felt the docking clamps release her ship and the gentle thrust that sent them on their way.

.

Joker had left the departure in Altair's hands whilst he'd watched the events outside the ship. Sitting in the co-pilot's seat, he was now staring wide-eyed between Samara's retreating back, Shepard, and Liara. He opened his mouth to comment, then caught Shepard's warning look. Not wanting to look like a gaping idiot, he carried on. "So. Shepard. Punching people. Bypassing control. It's like you're turning into your badass clone!" he grinned.

"Yet you're still sassing me," answered Shepard, appreciating the lighter atmosphere. "Wait, are you saying I'm not badass? It's not the first time I've punched someone for pissing me off, so take note."

"Oh yeah! That Cerberus scientist. I forgot all about that. At least I got to see it this time."

"Shepard. One of Liara's beacons has just detected Kaidan in the Exodus cluster," advised Edi.

Joker swung back to bring it up on his console. "The signal's coming through strong," he added. "This is going to work. Altair-."

"Adjusting course, Sir."

"Good," murmured Shepard, her heart thundering in her chest again after only a brief respite. The flashing point on Joker's screen signalled the hunt had begun. It was time to fight back.

Kaidan, Garrus, now Liara. The tension that had gradually increased over the last few hours, was now coiled up so tightly in Terra's stomach that it branched up the muscles in her back to form an aching knot across her shoulders. She endured it, knowing there would be no relief until she had her husband and friend back. "Give it everything this girl has. Keep me updated."

With Liara's hand still gripped in hers, Shepard led the way to the elevator. Yearning to spend time with Rorie, she quashed the bitterness borne from being kept from her daughter again. This wasn't Liara's fault – she hadn't asked for this. Her daughter was in good hands, and right now, another friend needed her.

O

James had Rorie on his shoulders as he made his way down the steps into the bowels of the ship. He was happily listening to the unbroken and somewhat nonsensical nattering going on above his head. Then she accidentally smacked him in the face with her rolled-up poster as she got carried away with her gestures. Gasping, she said a heartfelt "sorry", rubbed his face and kissed the top of his head, which made him laugh.

"You do know I'm a big, tough marine, right, Nugget?"

"Uh huh. Duck!"

"What!? Where!?" he teased as he approached the part of the stairwell where the engineering deck passed over. They'd played this same game every time he needed to crouch through a doorway, and just like before she giggled heartily, hugging his head.

"You're silly! There's no ducks! Get down!"

"Ohh! Right! Duck." He bent his knees enough to ensure she didn't hit her head, unable to keep the huge grin off his face. It felt damn good to have her back.

His eyes had to adjust to the low lighting in here, and suddenly Rorie's arms wrapped themselves tighter around his head, her head lowering to his.

"Uncle James," she whispered. "I don't like it down here. It's red. Like where Uncle Gus got took away."

James stopped immediately, his feet on the last step, and his stomach roiling at her fear. Lifting her over his head, he held her close. "You don't ever need to be afraid here, Nugget. This is your second home, no?"

She nodded, used to the way he sometimes changed a statement into a question with the word 'no'. "And you're here," she said, still whispering.

James kissed her forehead in lieu of having anything to respond with, needing to remind himself that big, tough marines don't get teary over a little girl's trust, either. "I'm here."

Then Jack appeared from where she'd listened to it all in her old annex. "You don't need to rely on lug-nut there. You're brave enough to face anything."

"With my botics!" Rorie declared excitedly, blazing blue in James' arms. "I work now. Antie Edi took the necklace off."

"Necklace?" frowned Jack.

James considered brushing it off, but it would only make Jack even madder when she found out – as was inevitable with ship scuttlebutt. "They, uh… they put a collar on her. Biotic inhibitor."

Jack's face went dark, but she didn't react. James imagined the tempest inside her. "Anyways, she's all back to normal. Right, Nugget?"

"Affirm-tive." She even gave a little salute, which made Jack smile even as she rolled her eyes. Then Rorie lifted her poster up and unrolled it. "Look, Antie Jack! I got this from Sarni! Blasto put my name on it!"

"Woohoo," Jack said, dryly. "Who the hell is Sarni?"

This time James winced.

"He's upstairs. He looked after me when the bad mans took Uncle Gus," Rorie smiled, unaware of what she was stirring up.

Jack was looking open-mouthed at Rorie, then at James, and he saw the transformation from disbelief to pure anger. By the time she went to move past him for the stairs, the biotics were already forming, and James moved to block her.

"Bella, no."

"No! He was part of this! NO!?"

"Look, I don't like it any more than you do," he said calmly, "but we have to trust Shepard on this one. She allowed him on board for a reason, and from the state he was in when he went to medbay, she's dealing with him."

"Don't be cross Antie Jack," worried Rorie, reaching out for her. "You can have my picture."

Accepting the little girl who instantly hugged her, Jack felt her immediate fury fall away to a simmer. "Keep it, Ror. But thanks."

"Can we go out of the red place now?"

"Sure."

James moved out of their way so he could fall in behind. "Lug-nut? Is that even a word?"

"I dunno. It just suited you."

"Ah-huh!" he choked out in amusement at Jack's casual insult. "Well, I vote for a different nickname. How about… Stud? Huh?" he wiggled his brows at her when she grimaced over her shoulder.

"You definitely don't get to pick."

Sighing in feigned disappointment, James joined them in the elevator, then nudged Jack with his elbow. "Just so you know, even with your face all purple and blue, you're still Bella."

James chuckled when Jack sent him a scowl - he didn't believe it for one second.

O

"OW!"

Chakwas ignored the glaring man whose jaw she'd just clicked back into place with not quite as much anaesthetic as she might have usually used. She also ignored Hackett's knowing look. She wasn't repentant one bit. Injecting medigel into the damaged area, he'd be back to normal in no time – sadly.

"I was about to suggest that you and I have a dirty tryst, right there on your desk. Don't think I like you very much now, though," grumbled Zaeed.

"Then it's mutual," retorted Chakwas with a scowl. She turned to Hackett. "I'm going to the bridge. Make sure he's gone by the time I get back."

Watching her storm out, Hackett heaved a sigh. "I think I preferred it when you couldn't speak. You'd better have not been lying about that location." Even as he said it, Hackett knew Zaeed had lied. He just wasn't sure how to feel about it. Where did old loyalties reach the end of the line? Except they wouldn't have Rorie if not for Zaeed's own loyalty… Antella and Kryek had been about to take her with them. That meant they either would have dumped her in the shuttle Kaidan left behind in the middle of space, or kept her with them - because Terra had been right in her earlier assessment: they wouldn't have risked coming back into the Citadel.

"So who was it?" grated Zaeed, running his hand over his throbbing jaw. "Who called Internal Affairs?

"Your roving eye got you in trouble, Zaeed."

Zaeed thought back, his brow raising. "Jade?" He remembered the green eyes that matched her name. Part of their unit, and completely infatuated with him. She'd even begun to leave her stuff at the small apartment he and Hackett had rented when they were on shore-leave on Earth because she spent all her time there. Sweet girl, but he wasn't the settling type. What's more, it explained how the investigators knew so much – they'd all spent many a night talking over past battles, and she'd heard it all.

"She saw you with some other woman the night before you were arrested. If you hadn't been so inebriated when you got in, you'd have seen she'd cleared her things out."

"A fucking woman scorned, huh? I just assumed she was keeping her distance from me so my stink didn't rub off on her record. What a fucking bitch. What happened to her anyway?"

"She was killed in action about 15 years ago in a batarian raid, so have some damned respect. You hurt her and she retaliated. You should have been honest with her. She was a colleague and a friend, not some easy lay."

"Yeah. Suppose you're right. Paid the price for it too."

"I don't know. I think you've come out of it all alright. Can't believe you made it through all these years, you ornery old bastard."

"Me? I'd say we're two sides of the same coin." Zaeed grinned, standing from the edge of the bed he'd been propped against and heading for the door. When he got to it, it locked.

"I have been instructed to make your stay here as uncomfortable as possible," informed Edi. "Your quarters for the duration will be in the AI Core behind you. Touch anything, and I will erect a force-field to contain you."

Zaeed crossed his arms in irritation. "What about my old haunt?"

"Grunt is residing there."

"He can go on the port-side."

"Javik uses the port-side. He has special requirements which are already catered for there. Personnel on board are at capacity. There is nowhere else for you to go. Also, Shepard believed it would be prudent that you remain out of the crew's sight. Jack, in particular, will take offense at your presence here."

"Alright. I get it. No need to make excuses. I'm not welcome. I take it I'm allowed to go take a shit."

"I will notify a security officer to escort you."

"It was sarcasm," grumbled Zaeed. "Thought I was on a deadline to get to the war-room."

"Shepard has been held up. I will allow you to exit once she is ready for you."

Glaring at Hackett, who had stayed sensibly quiet, Zaeed stomped to the AI Core, swearing loudly as it was revealed as a dimly-lit box. Goddamned loyalty.

O

Shepard watched Liara down the drink she'd poured for her. It gave her precious seconds to take stock after the shocking announcement from the earlier events. Liara had never looked so lost and frightened. "This was the personal thing you had to deal with before?"

"Yes. I had to know…if I was a danger to others."

"I still can't believe that can be true. You've been inside my head. …. Why would you think this?"

Liara hesitated, and Shepard covered her hands with her own for support.

"Because of how I felt when I melded with you," she admitted, her eyes dropping. "I wanted more, Shepard. To go further. It was always a fight to leave you. I thought it was normal – because of how I feel about you. But I have always been content to remain as nothing more than a friend. Yet my desire to meld with you again has remained over the last years. Intensified. That is why I had to speak to someone. To Falere."

"Maybe it is just how you feel, and nothing more. Maybe-"

"No, Shepard. I spoke with Javik… He offered to allow me into his mind. He said it would be a test. To my shame, I accepted. I placed him at risk." Tears began to fall down her cheeks. "I never had the intention to mate with him, just to read him like I did you. I have a deep respect for him, but nothing more. I still felt the pull… I was barely able to stop myself from completing the meld. I was on the edge of killing Javik, Shepard!"

"But you didn't," stressed Shepard. "Because you're a good person."

"Because I was not attracted to him," corrected Liara. "With you... I think it was only my love for you that stopped me. I never wanted to violate your trust. It is why I have avoided Feron's attention. As tempted as I have been to find...companionship with him, it is merely affection, not love. Without disinterest or love, I fear the urge would be too much to resist."

Gripping Liara's hands, Shepard lamented that she had never realised the depth of feeling Liara had for her, or the internal battle she'd been waging for so long, alone. "We'll sort this, Liara. Don't give up hope."

Pulling away, Liara wiped her eyes. "I should not have come aboard. I should have remained on my own ship. It is more isolated. Samara is right. I am a danger to everyone here. To Aurora. Most of all to you."

"No. I meant what I said before. You're strong. I believe in you, Liara T'Soni."

"I am not sure your faith is justified."

"You don't have to be. I have faith enough for both of us."

"Goddess, you almost make me believe, too. I want to."

"Then trust in me. I will fight for you with everything I have."

As much as Shepard's words filled Liara with hope, relief, and appreciation that Shepard was in her life, they also scared her. She didn't question that Shepard would do whatever it took – it was almost an unwritten law of the universe that couldn't be disputed or changed – but she didn't want to be responsible for Shepard getting hurt or worse. It seemed unbelievable to her that she'd gotten to this point. Shepard had so much to worry about already, and Liara hated that she had added to the weight on her shoulders.

"Thank you, Shepard. For being you. And I have to be the same. I cannot let this…thing inside me define who I am. I do not know what lies in my future, how much time you have bought me, but I will continue to do what I do best: be the Shadow Broker. I will not let you down, Shepard." She stood and hugged Shepard.

They left together, both with the intention of seeking distractions from the waiting.

O

Joker sunk back in the seat. It wasn't the right seat, but it was close. He'd missed being at the helm.

"You didn't actually think that I wouldn't notice you were no longer in the medbay."

Wincing, Joker caught Altair's sympathetic face as he slowly turned to face Chakwas, her arms folded in a no-nonsense way that backed up her unimpressed face. "But it's the bridge," he said in a tone that even he would say was cringingly whiny. "Where I belong," he added with a pout.

"You belong in medbay."

"Come on, Doc. I was just sitting there. And look! I'm doing that here! Plus, I'm needed." He pressed a few random buttons on the console, ignoring the fact that Altair had to quickly correct whatever it was he'd hit. "See? Huh? You know it makes sense."

"Commander Moreau is just offering me guidance, Ma'am," Altair offered helpfully. "His presence here is of the utmost importance."

"Very important," nodded Joker. "She'd be all over the place if not for me." He tutted as he rolled his eyes. "Hasn't got a clue how to navigate."

Not taken in by their poor performances in the least, Chakwas nevertheless sighed in defeat. "Fine, but I think I'll start making it standard practice to strap all my patients down."

"Pff. You're all talk. … Hey, Doc, you okay?" he asked when he noticed her staring past him. Then he realised that she was looking at the screen where another beacon had registered Kaidan's tracker.

"This has to work out, Jeff. As strong as she is, if it goes wrong, I honestly don't believe Shepard could survive this as the woman we know and love." Then she walked away, no doubt back to her medbay.

Knowing that was likely true, Joker stared at the empty space Chakwas left behind. The ship thrummed with life, but the heart – Shepard – was in jeopardy.

oOo

Oriana stood at the window of her private room within the complex. It all looked so beautiful out there. The ocean was a glittering blue in the sunlight, turning a frothy white as it chased up the sands and then ran away, and the breeze played with the vibrant greenery that filled the area. It had taken a lot of work, and cutting-edge tech to return this ruined land to something inhabitable again in so short a time. No one would think to look here – at the site of an exploded nuclear bomb. Looking out there now, it was hard to believe. Soon the plant-life she'd had brought in, which currently looked like they were in a well-manicured garden, would start to seed more plants, and it would return to a wilder, more natural state.

Yet in here it was sterile and cold despite the mass of mercenaries now meandering throughout the complex, employed to defend it. To her it was a prison of sorts. She'd stopped living her life to pursue this agenda. An agenda she hated, but felt compelled to carry through. It was expected of her. It made her feel ill. That was why she'd taken such care of the life she'd installed here. It was the only good thing she'd been able to do during this process.

She heard the footsteps behind her but didn't turn. The distinctive step was a limp, one foot slightly dragging on the ground. It could belong to only one person. Oriana always hoped for a comforting hand on her shoulder. Something to help her through this. But it never came. "I can't do this," she blurted out. "I thought I could but... I know what they did, but this...this can't be the only way!" She rested her head on the sun-heated glass, her hands splayed against it – the only warmth she could get. "We may not have definitive proof of what Alenko did to father, but we have indisputable evidence against Vakarian. We could take it to the Council. They'd have to act on it. He'd receive justice for what he did by spending his life in prison."

"You're so naïve," came the short reply, the words running together as they struggled to form. "Smarten up, Oriana. Shepard adores him. She'd never let him rot. One word from her and he'd be free."

Bowing her head, Oriana knew that was true. She just needed to say it. To know for sure that this was the only option.

"Don't worry. You've done enough. I just needed you to be my mask. I can take it from here."

Hearing the footsteps start out of the room, Oriana spun round. "What do you plan on doing to them?"

The slender figure stopped just in front of the door, but didn't offer Oriana anything more than her back. "You don't want to know."

Then Oriana was alone, left with words that had her feeling even more sickened for their deliberate evasiveness.

oOo

The 'war-room' had a more literal meaning as Shepard stood at the circular console directly opposite Massani. Hackett had chosen to stand adjacent to them both, Teryck at his twelve o'clock, and Liara right next to Shepard.

They were all waiting on Zaeed to speak, and for the first time he wasn't quite so sure it was such a sensible move to throw more fuel on the fire that was the woman glaring back at him. Unfortunately, he hadn't left himself much choice. His quest for revenge on Vido had gotten him into the mess with her daughter, and his desire to wreak retribution on Weasel had gotten him to this point in time. When was he going to learn to just walk away? Guess you can't teach old dog's new tricks… So much for being smart.

He focused on the virtual galaxy map that was swirling in between them. Three circles indicated where they'd picked up some tracker device or something. Zaeed supposed he could just pick a place, but sending Shepard on a wild goose-chase was guaranteed to tip her over the edge. So he inhaled deeply, hoping that if she had the tracker she wouldn't feel so inclined to employ the 50,000-year-old walking mummy she called Javik to dispose of him in mid-flight.

"Haven't got a clue," he shrugged.

"I knew it."

Expecting an angry tirade, Zaeed found Shepard's low, calm tone surprisingly unsettling.

Terra looked at her father, his face deliberately expressionless. "Some friend you've got there, dad. He's not worth your loyalty."

Hackett met her eyes. "That's for me to decide. You weren't there, you don't understand. He's saved my life more times than I can count. Hell, I wouldn't have survived my childhood, let alone my adult years. You wouldn't have had a chance to even exist."

"How can you over-look the things he's done?"

"Isn't that a little hypocritical, Terra? Why didn't you make Garrus accountable for his actions on Sanctuary? That was a deliberate act of murder. An Alliance soldier would be court-martialled and imprisoned for what he did." He thought of what he'd done in removing Rahna from their lives, and he knew she thought of it, too.

"That's not-"

"No. You can't swipe that aside, Terra. It's the same damn thing. You were prepared to 'over-look' it. Because of your past, because of your friendship." And the same went for him.

"Because he's a good man. He just made a wrong judgement call. You can't compare Garrus to him." She threw a wild gesture at Massani.

"You have Rorie, here, with you, right now, because Zaeed stepped in when he could have walked away. Garrus' 'wrong judgement call' placed her in that position. That 'wrong judgement call' is the reason Kaidan's out there now." He glanced at Teryck. "I apologise, Teryck."

"It's alright," Teryck answered, with a sigh. "It's the truth."

Hackett returned his attention to Terra. "Zaeed may not have a good moral compass, but he's come through for me. In his own way, he saved my grand-daughter. Tell me, would you turn your back on Garrus if he did it again?"

Shepard's hands were gripped onto the edges of the console she was leaning on, her jaw tight as she swallowed the huge dose of reality that her father had just forced down her throat. She couldn't imagine a single scenario she wouldn't forgive Garrus for. He'd earned her loyalty till the end of time. Nor could she dispute what Massani had done - it contradicted his actions over Garrus, leaving her confused and incredibly tired.

The hands that took her shoulders from behind were her father's, and he kissed the back of her head. Without hesitation, she turned to hug him, accepting his offer of peace, and needing her dad.

When Terra pulled away to face the console, Hackett felt comfortable enough to stand steadfastly beside her. "Zaeed. You've seen all the information we've gotten so far," started Hackett, getting them back on track. "Is there anything at all you can add?"

"Not a lot," admitted Zaeed, Hackett's earlier defence making him wish he could give his friend something useful. "Weas- Antella never said anything about Lawson, so I can't verify that, but he did mention that he was working for an organisation called Chimera."

"Chimera?" frowned Liara. "That is not a name I have heard of before. I will have Glyph check our records." She typed frantically into her omnitool. "I do, however, have access to the financial records for Lawson Enterprises. The payment to Antella did originate from there."

"So Oriana Lawson is Chimera," murmured Teryck. "It's proof. This is all in retaliation for him killing her sister. I'm sorry that you and your family have been dragged into this, Shepard."

"Don't do that," Shepard said sharply. "He did that for me. Miranda tried to execute me right in front of him when he was pinned and unable to help me. He thought he was about to watch me die. Only an empty heat-sink saved my life. He found it hard to take when she escaped custody. When she re-appeared during the Reaper wars it was in the form of a psychopath she sent my way, who managed to carve her name into my chest before Kaidan killed him. When Garrus pulled that trigger it was to protect me." She kept Teryck in her gaze, making sure she had his attention. "Garrus deserves your respect and pride, Teryck. Not ever your disapproval."

Teryck studied her for the seconds it took to process her vehement statement, then his eyes dropped with his shame, giving her the barest nod.

Taking a shoring breath, Shepard stared at the last point Kaidan passed. Normandy was fast, and the signal strong enough that once they were in the same system, they'd be able to pick it up with the ship scanners. They were just racing to catch up, waiting for the next beacon to 'read' him. It was all they had.

oOo

oOo

They'd been in flight for a long time, but were finally nearing the home stretch. Deciding it was time to deliver the good news, Antella checked in with Lawson.

"How long?"

"Hello to you too, Miss Lawson," Antella said with irritation.

"I'm not here to be your friend. You're an employee. Answer the question."

Antella bristled, noticing that slurred speech again. The drunken bitch was back. "We're approaching the last relay now."

"About time. Your pet marine better not have touched Vakarian."

"Watch it," growled Kryek.

"Well…he had to be put in line back on the Citadel, but it's just a facial wound. Nothing that will hinder whatever you have planned."

"Make sure he doesn't get another scratch. I want to break him."

Chuckling at the thought of the woman turning into a vengeful beast, Antella guessed she'd be drinking heavily for that one. "As you like. You haven't mentioned Alenko."

"I don't care about Alenko. Let your pet have some fun with him. He just needs to be breathing by the time he gets here."

Kryek grinned nastily, the fact he'd been given free rein overrode the protest he had at being referred to as Antella's mule. He immediately got up and headed for the back.

"Looks like you've made his day," commented Antella. "Do we get the final co-ordinates now?"

"I'll send them when I can ascertain you haven't been followed. For now just keep going."

The line went dead, and Antella turned in his seat to watch the show.

oOo

Shepard walked a fast pace towards the bridge. Her insides were a mess, as anticipation and anxiety warred within her.

She'd been enjoying the chance to spend time with Rorie, and had been attaching her daughter's treasured poster on the wall. Rorie's ecstatic face as she bounced on the bed in excitement, had over-ruled Terra's personal (and somewhat irrational) feelings about Massani's gift. Then she'd been notified that they were closing in on their quarry.

Joker spun at her approach. "We've got them Shepard. Not the ship – that's still beyond the ship's sensors – but we're detecting Kaidan's tracker directly now."

Edi had joined them in person. "Current trajectory has them heading for the relay to the Sentry Omega cluster."

"We'll be unable to intercept before they go through it, though," added Joker.

"I want us in stealth mode before they know we're here," ordered Shepard. "I'd rather engage them on the ground. Kaidan and Garrus are too vulnerable out here." Terra would like nothing more than to end this sooner rather than later, but she had to assess the risks. A small ship was no match for Normandy, but knowing the type of bastards they were dealing with, they would use the aces they held without hesitation – the two people she cared about. Shepard imagined a slew of possible nightmare scenarios, the worst being that Antella and Kryek jettison their hostages in an attempt to escape. "We stay off their radar and follow them to Lawson. I don't know if Chimera's based on a planet or a station, but we'll have a team and a shuttle ready to hit them within seconds of them setting foot on solid ground. Take out the whole lot of them in the process."

"Amen to that," murmured Joker.

oOo

They'd been travelling for hours now, passing through a couple of relays. After Garrus had mentioned the call he'd overheard, Kaidan was now certain they were on route to Lawson's sister. There was a part of him that blamed Garrus, but he didn't need to voice it; Garrus was the epitome of guilt. If only the hot-headed turian had listened back on Sanctuary.

He looked up to see Kryek approaching, something in the man's eyes telling Kaidan he was in trouble. Then he noticed the syringe that had once contained steroids, drop from Kryek's hand to the floor. Grabbing a handful of Kaidan's jacket, Kryek hauled him off his knees to his feet.

"Guess what? I get to soften you up a bit. Now you're going to experience just what should happen to all the disgusting freaks like you."

The first punch came hard and fast, landing at Kaidan's right side, cracking ribs, and sending pain up through his chest. He would have been thrown to the ground if Kryek hadn't kept hold of him, his own feet bound too close together to be able to offer any stability. Steadying him on his feet, Kryek then released him to follow up with a second punch on Kaidan's left side. The impact was harder than the last, sending him flying into the side of the hull, where his head smacked into the metal. Kaidan involuntarily slumped to the ground in agony and dizziness. His left side was wet against his skin and he didn't need to look to know he had a broken rib forced through his skin. There was no let-up though as Kryek grasped a handful of hair at the back of Kaidan's head and forced him to look up, drawing his fist back.

"You're pathetic!" yelled Garrus. "Hitting a bound man? What's the matter, asshole? Don't think you can beat him otherwise?"

Angered, Kryek shoved Kaidan forward onto his front where his damaged ribs would get the brunt of the fall, then seized Garrus.

"Stop!" shouted Antella. "You heard Lawson. She may be a woman out of her league, but she's still the one with the purse-strings. I won't have you losing me my cut."

Kryek sneered at him. "I don't answer to you, Antella. I don't give a shit, in fact. You think I'm here to repay a debt to you? I'm not. I'm here because I wanted to screw with the mighty Spectres. I'm here to prove they're beneath me. Piss me off, Antella, and I'll be more than happy to knock you down, too. I can deliver them myself, and collect your share."

Antella felt every bit intimidated. "You need me. Only I know the general direction we're heading, and it comes in encrypted. Last I knew, you weren't much good with tech."

"You think I couldn't make you do whatever I told you to?" Kryek laughed as Antella took a nervous step back. "Now you know your position, just go and fly the fucking ship. I hear another word from you and I'll slice that tongue right out of your mouth. Got it?"

Antella's lips moved like he wanted to say something, but no words formed. He glanced at Garrus and Kaidan, then hurried back to his seat. When he reached for the console to check their status, his hands shook. He'd unleashed something he couldn't control.

Kryek released Garrus, only to place his foot on Garrus' throat. With his hands bound beneath him, Garrus could only writhe futilely as he struggled to breath.

"Not so vocal now, are ya?" growled Kryek, enjoying the way the turian's eyes began to roll back in his head.

Then Kaidan was throwing himself at Kryek as best he could with bound hands and feet, but it was enough to knock Kryek off-balance and off Garrus, sending him slamming to the floor. There was nothing Kaidan could do to follow through with to keep the upper-hand, though. His ribs were excruciating as he landed on them again, but hearing Garrus' gasps of air was his reward. He simply couldn't stand by and watch Garrus suffer.

Kryek quickly turned the tables, leaping up from the ground and driving his foot into Kaidan's side.

Almost losing consciousness with the pain, Kaidan fought it. It was hard to breathe now. Aware that Kryek was circling him, Kaidan wasn't so sure he'd be alive when Terra came for them, and a wave of intense sadness flooded through him, followed quickly by anger. He couldn't give up. He had to hold on. Then Kryek was hoisting him up to his knees, bending to be heard.

"I'm gonna give you a chance to contemplate your first lesson for a while. Then we can start it all over again."

When Kryek let go of him, Kaidan teetered on his knees, the ground threatening to pull him down to its harsh embrace. The blow to the back of his neck was jarring, sending him at speed to the floor he'd been resistant to meet. But what had resonated louder than the pain in his chest and at his neck, was the sound of the crunch he'd heard at Kryek's strike. Though he swam in the murk of impending unconsciousness, he could feel his legs, so it wasn't his cervical vertebrae, and he was certain he could still feel the prickle of his suppressed biotics, so it wasn't his implant.

That left the tracker…

oOo