Sarah stepped out of the Normandy's shuttle onto the exterior of the Shadow Broker's base. Quickly followed by Miranda and Jack. The three of them walked down the pathway in silence. After a while, Miranda asked, "What are the odds we'll be able to get into the door?"
"I've got a tool that'll hack it for us." Sarah said, walking further down the exterior of the ship. Then, a group of Shadow Broker agents flew out with jetpacks. Sarah pulled out her Mattock rifle, and fired on the agent in the front. The first two rounds took down the agent's shields, and the next two pierced its head and heart.
Meanwhile, Miranda fired her Phalanx pistol at another one. At the same time, Jack used her biotics to slam the other one into a wall. It crumbled to the ground, dead.
Sarah said, "Good work. Let's keep moving."
They ran quietly down the outside of the ship, observing the systems of the ship designed to help it handle the weather of the storms it was always in.
After ten minutes, they reached the entrance door. Sarah put in her hacking device, and said, "Bunker down. This is going to take a while. Also, be sure to hit those electricity gatherers when there are hostiles near 'em."
"Understood." Miranda said, taking cover.
Jack said, "Couldn't get a faster one this time, Shepard?"
"This was the one T'Soni used the first time, and I knew it worked. It may be slow, but it'll definitely get the job done."
"You think the Shadow Broker's base would have better security systems." Miranda said.
"The main security is the fact that no one can fucking find this place, Cheerleader." Jack said.
"Jack..." Sarah said.
"Don't worry Shepard, I won't hurt her."
"Glad to hear you know better than the first time through." Sarah said, as a large group of Shadow Broker Agents approached, Revenant machine guns firing. Sarah tossed a frag grenade into the group, Jack hit them with a singularity, and Miranda hit it with warp. The group of explosions sent the mercenaries flying, and caused the electricity gatherers to detonate, frying the agents in their armor as the electricity arced from one to another.
"You think that the Shadow Broker would have some decent fucking guards." Jack said.
"These guys aren't bad." Miranda said, "But they aren't galaxy saving good."
"Whatever." Jack said, "I've had harder fights with a paralyzed varren."
"Really?" Sarah asked, as she grabbed an agent, and stabbed him in the head with her omni-blade. Then fired on that one's partner. As soon as its shields fell, it warped Sarah, and charged her. The charge sent her flying backwards, off the edge of the ship.
"Well fuck. There goes Shepard." Jack said, throwing the asari down to her own death.
"That can't be right..." Miranda said, "She wouldn't go down that easily."
"Some people have a bad day. Deal with it, Cheerleader."
"Shepard just fell to her death, who's going to make sure the crew doesn't tear itself apart? You? Joker? Thane? Garrus?"
"What are you two talking about?" Sarah asked, as she floated up back on the ship.
"What the fuck? How are you doing that?"
"Took a tip from our foes." she said, "Jetpack." as she landed on the ground, she turned around so the others could see it.
"That's fucking compact."
"Yeah. Pretty impressive what you can make using some of the tech found at a typical Cerberus lab."
"Which lab did you get it from?"
"They had a base on Mindoir, claiming to be an Alliance facility. Before my death I arranged for certain contacts to acquire and send that tech to Omega, where I could pick it up."
"So that's where you went to when you disappeared for an hour."
"Yeah." Sarah said, "Door's open." walking through it, and promptly getting thrown backwards by a massive varren. She growled, and muttered, "I am no one's fucking ragdoll." before pulling out her Mattock and letting out an entire thermal clip into the larger-than-usual varren. It continued to charge, and she kicked it square in the middle of its face, causing it to stumble backwards as the bone in its skull cracked from the force of Shepard's attack. Then she rolled to its side, and punched it in the back of its knee, knocking the animal off its feet. She then pulled out her Carnifex pistol, and fired three rounds into the creature's brain before dragging it to the edge of the ship and dropping it down.
"Nice, Shepard." Jack said.
"This isn't good. That wasn't there the first time. What the hell is going on?"
"Well, it is possible that your transit into the past has caused ripples that make the timeline different from when you first experienced it." Miranda said.
"So, by getting a second chance, it doesn't mean I just know everything that's going to happen, because others could have more subtle influence from the firing of the Crucible?"
"Yes. And, it will probably become more and more frequent as the time of its firing draws closer. With the greatest effect being immediately beforehand."
"Great." Sarah said, walking through the empty corridors. She then opened a door, and saw a drell chained up in some kind of torture device.
He asked, "Who are you?"
"The name's Shepard." Sarah replied.
"So, you were delivered to Cerberus?"
"That would be correct."
"What are the odds that you'll help me out of this mess?"
"That's one reason we came here. But, from data we've gathered, the only way to do that would be to cut the power to what is currently holding you."
"That does sound about right."
"What's your name?" Miranda asked.
"Feron. I'm a friend of Liara's."
"Were a friend of Liara's. Doctor T'Soni is dead." Shepard said.
"Oh, I'm sorry for your loss. I know you two were very close." he said.
"Don't feel sorry for me. I'm the one who killed her."
"What? Why?"
"She was causing me difficulty. I don't have time to deal with people getting in my way, so I had to terminate her."
"Terminate? How can you make it sound so business-like?" Feron asked.
"Well, Feron. You have to be familiar with my history. You could say that the death of my friends and family is the only constant in my life." she said, thinking of the image of Anderson dying because the Illusive Man forced her to pull the trigger.
"Something wrong, Sarah?" Miranda asked.
"Just a memory." she said, "We need to move."
"Understood."
"Fine. Got dibs on killing that fucking yagh."
"How do you know the Shadow Broker is a yagh?"
"This isn't our first time here." Sarah said, walking away.
"But, anyone who sees the Broker's face gets killed!" Feron said.
"Not Shepard." was all Jack said as she and Miranda left the room.
Sarah walked quietly down the corridor, until stopping and turning to Jack. "You've got to be more fucking careful when talking to people who are not under the influence of the Crucible's firing. You damn-near broke our cover. If Feron weren't so gullible, we'd have to kill him for knowing too much."
"Sorry, Shepard." Jack said, "I'll be more cautious next time."
"Good." Sarah replied, walking through the next door, into the Shadow Broker's Office.
-=0=-
Ashley stood on the docks, and asked, "Alright. So, how long are we going to be waiting here?"
"However long it takes Shep to show up."
"Are you serious? That could be days. Or weeks. Or she could go get herself killed again!"
"Nah. Shep's not going to let anyone kill her this time. 'Specially since she's got a chance to kick some more ass."
"You're acting really naive."
"You think so? Well, that's too bad." Kasumi said, "You've not seen Shep in action with the upgrades Miranda gave her."
"What upgrades?"
"Oh nothing too much. She's just about five to twenty times as strong as the average krogan, more durable than one too, and can shoot just about any gun that isn't meant to be fit on a ship."
"You're kidding, right?"
"Nah. In a bit she'll be getting this sweet sniper rifle that none of us can fire because it would send us flying back. Well, all of us that are organic anyways."
"Wait, you had a synthetic teammate?"
"Yeah, Legion."
"I'm afraid to ask, but what is this Legion?"
"Legion is your friendly neighborhood one thousand one hundred eighty-three geth programs in a single geth platform."
"It's a geth! You've got to be kidding me!"
"Nope."
"Shepard would never trust a geth."
"Same thing was said about anyone who works for Cerberus." Kasumi said, "Then again, Miranda and Jacob aren't exactly typical Cerberus. Much less 'nuke all the aliens from orbit'."
"What are you talking about?"
"Miranda's the Cerberus Agent with the Australian accent, and Jacob's the hot black one."
"Uh... okay."
"Uncomfortable, Williams?" someone asked. Both turned around, and saw a tall man in N7 armor standing behind them.
"Will, why are you following me?"
"That's not the problem at the moment." he said, "I've caught you in the company of a known convict, talking about joining up with Cerberus. These are serious allegations against you. And there is also the matter of the abductions on Horizon."
"Are you accusing me of treason, Corporal?"
"No, I'm arresting you for treason."
"You really want to try that?" Kasumi asked, "You really don't want to get on Shepard's bad side. And, arresting a friend of hers is a pretty sure way to do that."
"I'm arresting you too, Ms. Goto."
"Uh, I don't think so." she said, "I've had a hell of a day, and don't have the time to deal with a piece of shit like you."
"You see this symbol?" he asked, pointing at the N7 on his armor.
"Oh hoo-fucking-ray. You managed to become an N7. I've killed a few of you during the whole reaper invasion thing."
"Reapers are a bunch of bullshit that Shepard made up."
"Tell that to Harbinger." Kasumi said.
Ashley whispered, "Who's Harbinger?"
"First reaper. Made from Leviathans." Kasumi whispered back to Ashley.
Will said, "I don't have time for this. Just put away your weapons and place your hands behind your backs."
"You really don't want to do this, Corporal." Ashley said.
"Why is that? I found two traitors, and am following standard protocol."
"I'd look behind you, to see why." Kasumi said.
He did so, and saw Admiral Hackett standing there, looking very, very, angry. Will said, "Sir, I have found two traitors."
"You're an idiot, Corporal. Williams isn't a traitor. She and Ms. Goto are here on orders from the Council to make sure Shepard won't end up actually joining Cerberus."
"Oh,' he said, practically falling over as he stood up ramrod straight. "my apologies, Admiral Hackett, Sir!"
"Don't apologize to me. Williams and Goto are the ones you should apologize to."
"Understood." He said, "Ms. Goto, Gunnery Chief Williams, I apologize for accusing you of treason. I was acting out of ignorance."
"It's alright. Just don't do it again." Ashley said, as the N7 sheepishly ran off.
Hackett said, "You're joining up with Shepard, Williams?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. When you meet up with her, let her know that the Alliance is out for blood after Horizon. They want her to give them answers. Other than the Collectors did it because they're working for the reapers."
"But that's what happened!" Kasumi said.
"I know. However; the politicians who are in charge are like the Council."
"So, they're just burying their heads in the sand and saying the reapers don't exist. Despite the fact that they're right next door." Ashley said.
"That's accurate. Also, tell her that the Alliance has entered into negotiations with the Illusive Man."
"What for?" Kasumi asked.
"They want to capture Ms. Lawson, and use her as a bargaining chip with Shepard."
"If they think they can take Miranda from Shep, they've got another thing coming." Kasumi said.
"I know. They have no idea what kind of a mess they're walking into. It won't look very good if she ends up going to the press about some of the Alliance's more taboo operations."
"Like the operation studying Object Rho in batarian space?"
"Exactly." Hackett said. "I've been trying to talk sense into them, since we're done to exactly eight months until earth falls if we don't start getting ready."
"Et tu, Admiral?" Kasumi asked.
"Yes. I came here looking for some information from Shepard about what the Crucible did, and how it did it."
"I don't claim to be an expert on this subject, but the Crucible was a massive dark energy weapon. From what little I know, those tend to cause small scale space/time distortions. So, it's possible that the Crucible was simply so big that it firing created a large enough distortion to send people to the past. And, Shep being the one at the epicenter, was sent furthest back."
"That would explain the reports of her behaving strangely after she got the Cipher." Hackett said, "Also, how do you know those details?"
"When I first ended up here, I did as much research as I could."
Hackett nodded, then said, "I need to go meet with the Council."
"See ya, Admiral!" Kasumi said.
"Sir." Ashley said, saluting.
Hackett just walked away.
-=0=-
Shepard said, "Shadow Broker."
"Ah, Commander Shepard. I was certain you would have come with Doctor T'Soni. But, I suppose your having killed her makes that difficult."
"Had to be done."
"Yes. She was giving my operations quite a bit of difficulty."
"That wasn't why."
"I know. So, what brings you here, Commander?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just here to kill you."
"Kill me? You don't know the first thing about me."
"Really? You're a yagh. A pre-spaceflight species that was deigned too violent after massacring the Council's diplomats sent to your world. You were illegally taken by your predecessor and trained as one of his information gathering agents. Your code-name was Agent Kechlu. Eventually, your predecessor saw you as a threat, and attempted to terminate you. You beat him to it, and took his job, sending a fake message saying the situation had been handled. Since then, you have run the Shadow Broker organization. I also know that you attempted to sell my body to the Collectors, but were prevented from doing so. I also know in combat you favor a Revenant assault rifle and an N7 Paladin Omni-shield, albeit scaled up to fit your larger bulk. How am I doing so far?"
The Shadow Broker laughed, and said, "You are surprisingly well informed, Shepard. Almost too much so. How did you come by this information?"
"It wasn't hard. Just required hacking into your files here on this ship."
"It would be impossible to remotely access those dossiers."
"Impossible doesn't really apply to me." Shepard replied.
"It really doesn't, ugly." Jack said.
The yagh shook its head, then said, "I suppose you are here to kill me, Shepard?"
"Yes."
"Well, then I should thank you for bringing Operative Lawson with you. Her death, as well as yours, will cripple Cerberus."
"If you think you're going to lay one finger on her, you're mistaken." Shepard said, her eyes glowing dark red.
"Oh, you would stop me, human?" it asked.
"Easily."
"You are confident. But a fool. Just like Subject Zero."
"Don't fucking call me that, ugly." Jack said.
"You will make an interesting specimen for dissection." the yagh said, as it stood up, weapon in hand.
Sarah looked to the other two, and said, "Stand back. I'm going to take him out solo."
"Are you crazy, Shepard?" Jack asked.
"Just follow your orders. If I need help, you can provide it."
Miranda said, "Understood. We'll take cover and be ready to handle him if you need backup."
"Good." Sarah said, staring the yagh down.
"Do you really think you can win, Shepard?"
"No. I know I can." before charging at the Broker. He slammed her back with his shield. Or, at least he tried. Shepard grabbed it by the edges, ignoring the burning pain from touching the blazing hot material, and ripped it off the yagh's arm. He roared, and kicked her square in the stomach, sending her flying back into a wall. She pulled out of it almost immediately and fired six rounds from her Carnifex into the yagh, before dropping the pistol, and pulling out an Eviscerator shotgun, and jumping into the Broker's face, firing the weapon.
It stumbled backwards, blood dripping from its face, right under the glowing blue energy panel on the roof. Shepard smirked, and shot the glass twice, shattering it, and engulfing the yagh in plasma. It tried to get out, but Shepard had already tossed in an arc grenade, which stunned it. When the plasma cleared, there was no sign remaining of the yagh. Just a slightly burned floor. The screens crackled to life, and Shadow Broker Agents started to report in, and request new orders.
Shepard walked up to the terminal, and said, "Resume regular operation. Shadow Broker out." She turned to the others, and asked, "So, why don't we escort our actual new Shadow Broker to her office?"
"Sounds good." Miranda said.
-=0=-
Twenty-five minutes later, Oriana, Shepard, Miranda, and Feron were sitting in the Shadow Broker's lounge. The drell asked, "So, this girl's my new boss?" he asked, pointing at Oriana.
"Yes." Sarah replied.
"Why her?"
"Hmm, let's see. Because I say so."
"That's not enough of a reason. How do I know she will be capable of handling the workload? How do I know she'll have the guts to do what's necessary, even if that is killing?"
"I'll do what I have to as the Shadow Broker." Oriana said, "You don't have to worry about that."
"How do I know she won't get bored with the job and decide to retire, without a clear successor?"
"I thought we established that if Oriana quit you would be acting Shadow Broker until we found a permanent fit. If we find you to be trustworthy enough, it could even be you. Personally, I think frequent changes in Shadow Broker's is a good thing. Keeps things fresh, and helps prevent the power from going to the Broker's head." Sarah said.
"And," Miranda said, "we chose Ori because she would have people she is accountable to, so that she can't go off using her powers to frivolously start wars."
"But I totally could if I wanted." Oriana said, giggling.
"Don't make me regret my decision." Shepard said, shaking her head.
"Don't worry, I won't."
"I'll hold you to that." Shepard said, "But as much as we'd love to stay and talk, we really need to get going. Samara's not going to be staying on Illium without killing cops much longer."
"Got it. Tell her I said hi!"
"That would just confuse her." Miranda said.
"True." Oriana said, following the two out. When they were at the door, she said, "Shepard, you better take good care of 'Randa. Otherwise, I will arrange an accident."
"You know that I won't let anything happen to her."
"That's what you said last time."
"Hey, I practically fell to my death trying to save her. Hell, I was pretty damn tempted to just let go then and there."
"Really?" Miranda asked.
"Yes." Shepard replied, getting into the shuttle which had just arrived.
Inside, Miranda said, "I'm touched. But, would have been quite upset with you if you had gone and died after all the work I put into bringing you back."
"That's why I didn't." Sarah replied.
-=0=-
A/N: Bit of a shorter chapter here. Sorry about that, just haven't really been feeling like writing. Just been really, really, really tired. That, and have been playing an insane amount of Realm of the Mad God. Anyways, thanks for reading, and please review/follow/favorite.