Capt. John Sheffler stood in the observation hallway, watching Alenko talk to the biotic refugee, listening to the conversation via the open radio link. The girl's voice came across as being somewhat tinny, but that didn't matter: she was still audible.

Some innate sense of a situation left Sheffler with the nasty feeling that this mess went deep. Why would someone with Cerberus connections jump ship here? Did he have enough to detain the Victoria, just until the matter could be sorted out? It was his job, after all, and his guts were rarely wrong. Unfortunately, his guts didn't signify probable cause, and he still had a lot of Alliance red tape, forms, and functions to maneuver through.

"Van," he tapped his second's shoulder, "find out for me who's running the SSV Victoria and what her designation is. If anyone wants further authorization I'll send it through my omitool."

Van nodded sharply, the hurried away.

Sheffler had to give Alenko credit: the girl had certainly calmed down quite a bit—something the psychologist on standby commented on. It was probably good for Alenko to have this information, but he had the strong suspicion Alenko would have liked to take the shink's voice out of his ear.

It was a long process, but probably worth it, if he, Sheffler, could somehow have as much luck in getting her to explain what she knew about Cerberus, and its connection with the current…disruptions.

"So who's talking to them while I'm trying to talk to you?" Alenko asked patiently.

Good question…

"Eva Rogers."

Sheffler's mind momentarily went blank, then played back the words. Eva Rogers. That name and an obvious Cerberus link? Right here? Right now?

"Sir!"

Sheffler did the one of the stupidest things he'd ever done, he darted for the doorway into the hangar, bounded in. "What?"

Alenko turned around, biotic shied flaring as though expecting a fresh barrage.

"You said who?" Sheffler stopped at Alenko's shoulder, his full attention fixed on the girl. He didn't wait for an answer. "Rogers? Strong woman, dark hair, nasty disposition?"

"Old girlfriend?" the woman sneered.

Sheffler's expression was a mix of dawning horror and realization. He nodded slowly, then faster. He'd been chasing Shepard, a Cerberus agent with strong Alliance ties, but he'd been chasing the wrong woman.

In fact…if Rogers was, in fact, his mole, what was to say she hadn't helped direct the campaign to make sure the Alliance knew Shepard was alive and involved with Cerberus? It was the perfect blind…and he, the head of the Cerberus Investigation Unit, had gone tearing off after Shepard, disappointment fuelling his determination that she was the one he was looking for.

"Sheff," Van cracked in his ear, "the Victoria is part of the Corsair program, under Capt. Art Cameron."

"Who's the XO?" By now both the woman and Alenko were frowning at Sheffler.

"Lt. Commander Eva Rogers—you might have heard of—"

Sheffler turned on his heel, shouting into his radio as he took off at a run. "This is Capt. Sheffler, CIU: immediately impound that vessel. Probable cause for tight Cerberus ties. Move!"

"He's nuts," the woman noted.

"Cerberus killed his entire unit. If anyone hates them, it's him," Alenko explained quietly. "He's been hunting them for a long time. What about you? You tired of being hunted?"

"Consider her in protective custody," Sheffler barked from the door. He would have said more to the girl herself, but the comms suddenly buzzed, somehow hacked.

"This is D'Angelo Browne, SSV Victoria," a labored voice declared.

The girl jumped, her expression wild again.

"This…is a Cerberus vessel…under the command of Commander Eva Rogers. The girl you have…must be kept…safe." There was a gasp, a sputter, then for a moment silence, before d'Angelo spoke again…or seemed to: there was a faint distortion in the words, indicating a recording.

"I said, prep the girl for transport. Cerberus wants her—or her brainpan. Frankly, I'll be glad to have the walking ruin off my ship. She's more trouble than she's worth. If I have to hold her hand anymore…"

"You made it clear I was to do the hand-holding."

"I don't care what you were holding, d'Angelo, as long as you had her trust."

"She's in my care, Eva."

"Yes, and you've done a marvelous job. But you're not a fool, d'Angelo: she's unstable, and it worries you. You've stopped her little tantrums from going critical twice, now, but can you do it again? Dope her, secure her, and prepare for FTL jump. Now."

Silence, then the playback of the conversation, beginning with the introductory statements, began again.

Sheffler's mind raced, adrenaline dumping into his system. The idea that hard vacuum was in his way had never been so frustrating! "Get me the Victoria…"

"Sir, they're already in communications with—"

"Now. I'm superseding the communication lines on my own initiative." They were so close to the relay that the Victoria could make a successful run for it. Lockdown wouldn't occur fast enough though, not now. The regulations and rules demanded that he at least give the order, even if it wasn't feasible. "Get me an open channel!" He didn't usually throw his weight around, but this was an emergency.

"You're connected, sir," the communications officer announced meekly.

"Eva Rogers, you are hereby relieved of command under suspicion of involvement with a terrorist organization. Stand down immediately or you will be fired upon."

It felt so good to say that. Although it would be better to have her in custody…blowing her up didn't seem like such a bad outcome, either.

"Who's authorizing this detention? I am in the middle of a civilian incident report—"

"Capt. John Sheffler, Cerberus Investigation Unit. I won't tell you again: you will stand down."

The sound cut: she'd muted her end, which meant only one thing.

He changed channels, "Security, prepare to open fire."

"Sorry sir, the Victoria's already gone," the security officer answered.

Sheffler closed his eyes, swearing in his mind.