Arriving at Bekenstein and still having a few hours left, gave time to gather Shepards, Kasumi and Zaeed in the briefing room.

"All right let's roll with it. Kasumi, You go first." John motioned to the thief.

"You two will infiltrate party as guests, I forged invitations for Solomon Gunn and Kriss Vane" Kasumi started. John gave Max a look.

''Vane is my cover for ops in Terminus, got some rep riding on it without any major heat. Gunn is totally her job." Jester retorted.

"Right. You're running a small but talented band of mercs, 'Devil Dogs' in the Terminus. Vane employs you as ground leader while he's the head honcho" Kasumi smiled.

"Alright, I think I'll manage, at least I won't have to make any speeches just look menacing." John shrugged. "Zaeed, you're angle?"

"Vido Santiago. Leader of Blue Suns group. He pulled from site on Zorya to do some business and bang some asari on this party. I want his head. And I'm not wearin' goddamn monkey suit" Zaeed barked already fuming with anger.

"Relax or you'll have a stroke" Jester spat. "Security, escape routes and middle of rich city. Not a place for bloody vendetta. Not guns blazing Zaeed."

"Like I bloody care-"

"Yes you are. If you want that Santiago. He knows you I take it so the moment he sees you, we're burned. I have an idea. You want him dead or alive?" Max was all business, no smirk and steel gaze.

"I want to squeeze life out of this bastard" Zaeed clenched his teeth.

"You saying he's ladies man? Then I'm sure he'll go to some room exactly for this at some point. I can get him then and assure his head as a souvenir. Dragging him so you can kill him yourself, no."

"Then it's shitty plan."

"How 'bout a sniper shot? I'll get him out and ready, you can vent his head from afar. Best offer Massani."

Zaeed pondered a moment on his options. "Alright, set him up but be close. If I'll miss I want you to put down this bastard." Jester nodded.

"Okay so here's the plan. Me and Logan along with cloaked Kasumi enter the party while Zaeed sets up somwhere with sight over the mansion. I'll track Santiago while you find the vault. I need you in the vault at the same time I set Santiago for Zaeed to take the shot. Then he'll give overwatch so one way or the other you gonna blast your way out when alarm get raised. I'll be without armor so I'll only support from the shadows. Zaeed, after Santiago is down you change position and provide overwatch when they'll be walking out. Everybody in?"

"Hai"

"Aye"

"Sounds good brother"

"Alright. Only problem is, how are we gonna smuggle any gear for you two?" Jester scratched his head.

"I got that covered" Kasumi chirped. "We'll be bringing a statue of Saren as a gift, it's pedestal will be filled to the brim with guns and armor. I'll have it wait for us in the spaceports cargo bay."

"Saren?" John grimaced.

"Hey, just because Hock is rich doesn't mean he has a taste." Kasumi smiled.

"Get your gear selected and stick in the statue. I'll get Zaeed a silent rifle" Max felt weird being in his brother place. Giving orders and being deadly serious.

"Aye aye Staff Commander" John gave a mock salute and chuckled.

"Don't you ever do that again Logan..."

/.../

A golden statue depicting Saren in menacing pose was bringing a lot of bad memories to Shepard. Even when just a copy, that face looked at him, taunting his efforts. He felt a tap in the arm.

"Your scars are flashing. Calm down bro." Max spoke. he looked comfortable in his military tuxedo, a cross between uniform and evening wear. Shepard slightly envied him. He felt out of place wearing black silky tux. Also with military pinch but more elegant and delicate.

"I feel wrong in this." John shrugged trying to get more comfy. "Wear this stuff for dates, girls like sharp dressed men" Max said and made Kasumi giggle.

"Maybe finally one of us get a chance there" Max gave Kasumi a wink. "Kinda shame you're not going with us. Wonder how you'll look all up and done" Jester chuckled. Kasumi only grinned. "You have no chance for that Jest" Max shrugged at that. "Let a man have a dream" he cheerfully retorted.

"All right love birds load up. I don't wanna miss a moment been waitin' 20 years for" Zaeed grumpily walked into shuttle clenching modified Mantis sniper rifle.

In few minutes they were in the air, en route to Hock's mansion. Zaeed jumped off almost half a mile away from mansion, setting up on one corner of roof of wide builiding matching the height to the mansion. He was good enough shot and had contingency in Max to take Santiago down. This is the day.

"Alright, time to shine. Logan, keep your cool. Your'e my associate and ground leader. Pull a bloke that tries to be nice and mannered. Kasumi, engage cloak before we land."

"You know you're real bossy now Jester?" Kasumi smiled looking at elegant cold proffessional with delight.

"Too much is riding on this. I can handle everything except picking up girls" He chuckled.

They landed and approached the guard nearby. "Kriss Vane and Salomon Gunn, we're also bringing a gift, for Mr. Hock's collection." Max's voice was cold, professional and demeaning towards simple guard. As any high headed person would be.

As they watched how their statue is been pulled from shuttle they heard a heavy, south african accent.

"I don't recall any association with Cerberus" Donovan Hock walked down the stairs with scowl on his face looking from above on everyone. John scolded himself for stupidity, they flew in Cerberus shuttle.

"That's a gift in honor of our new relationship, begun after little help with trouble makers from Khar'shan" Max said unfazed. "Kriss Vane, a pleasure meeting you in person mister Hock" He extended hand while keeping an icy stare locked on Hock.

"Ah mister Vane, heard some good talk about your group." Hock shooked Max's hand.

"This is Solomon Gunn, my ground leader. I like keeping him around when opportunity for more business arises" Max spoke while John shaken hands with Hock.

"Everything's fine sir." guard reported finishing scanning golden statue. Donovan eyed figure on postument. "Our guests wouldn't come from Illium to make troubles" Hock came closer to sculpture. "So preposterous yet so alluring."

"Beauty is the eye of the beholder" Max added with little smile. Hock laughed.

"Yes, you're right mr. Vane. Enjoy the party." He nodded and left.

Max gestured at John and slowly started walking, " 'Sumi you okay?" He muttered like in idle conversation to John.

"Yeah, quite an entrance. I'll call you when I'll find something. Blend in."

"Zaeed you're set?"

"Aye. Wind hits but I'm good. South-west corner would be best"

"Let's go then. Keep this up, Gunn" Max was in his character to the fullest. Entering the party John saw a bunch of high rollers, most with human women or asari carrying with them away like a walking trophies. An arm-candies.

"Even Omega has better music than this." Max grimaced at soft lounge jazz filling the room. He approached a group composed of turian, asari and their companions.

"Mr. Saranus, long time no see. Kriss Vane." Max shooked hands with turian.

He flared his mandibles and replied "Ah Mr. Vane, yes, quite a time. You still have your little band of guns?"

"Expanding Mr. Saranus, even brought my associate with me, in case any offer's needed consideration" Max was blending among criminals with ease that shocked John.

"Perhaps we could talk some business" turian started but Max interrupted him.

"Of course but night is young, and I still don't know your associate" He moved his eyes to the matriarchal asari."Selana D'mar" Asari introduced herself. Max made a little bow while kissing her hand. "A pleasure Ms. D'mar. I happened to hear a bit about you. Aesir corp incident was it?" asari only nodded. "Well then it's been a pleasure. Have a good evening" Max said and moved futher into hall.

"A red sand dealer and a slaver, We should bomb this place" Max whispered. "I was briefed and employed to undermine in some way operations of almost everybody here." he said turning to John.

"You're doing great."

"Thanks."

"Okay boys, I'm in their security room. Got the password. It's 'Peruggia'. But you'll need to get Hock to say it. Also confirmed that Santiago is in the building." Kasumi's voice whispered in Max's earpiece.

"Got it"

Max approached Hock while John decided to look like contemplating a painting on nearby wall. Hock saw closing in Jester and turned to him.

"Mr. Vane, I hope you enjoy yourself?" His accent was pissing Max off. Reminded him of bully from his childhood.

"I do, few familiar faces, makes night even better"

"Friends?"

"There are no friends nor enemies for me. Only business mr. Hock" Jester made a toasting move towards Hock with champagne glass he picked up along the way.

"I agree"

"I'm actually surprised I don't see an army of guards, ballsy move opening doors like that. There's always some idiot gunning for men like us" Max spoken with court smile.

That made Hock laugh loudly "I suppose. But it sends a message that I'm not afraid and not to be touched. But you are right mr. Vane. Always somebody is gunning for us, cleaners doing the dirty work behind galaxy's iron curtain. If not us, who will?" Hock ended with little bow as nearby guests started clapping.

"That's well said mister Hock." Jester said, spotting his secondary target. A middle aged man, in expensive but unfitted suit moved through the crowd like ice breaker. Vido Santiago.

"Donovan!, What a party! Feast for eyes and liver" he laughed shaking Hock's hand.

"Vido, I see you're havin' a good time. Have you met mr. Vane? A businessman and soldier, like you" Hock presented Max. Vido extended his hand, "Vido Santiago, Blue Suns" Jester reciprocated, "Vane. Kriss Vane. Devil Dogs." John made a mental facepalm. Damn, he's brother watched so many old vids he can pull James Bond here without batting an eyelash.

"Fancy party huh? Not really my everyday deal." Vido asked Max slightly buzzed.

"I enjoy finer things in my life though not all of them. Not long ago some collector wanted to hire my men for obtaining some painting. I refused. I run soldiers not...What was the name of the man that stole Mona Lisa?" Jester asked Hock faking a deep thought.

"Perrugia" Hock replied quickly.

"Right, not a squad of Perrugias. Some people can't tell the difference that dagger is still a weapon, not a tool" Max made another toasting move.

Vido laughed loudly. "My Suns are well known soldier outfit. What sort of work you do?" He asked. Max motioned for John to come closer. "Solomon Gunn, my squad leader is responsible for tactics. Gunn?" John quickly shifted to recalling his training from N7. "Tactical insertions, fast response actions, prevent or instigate any conflict. Sabotage and black propaganda. We do not concern ourselves with protection... or collateral damage" he finished trying to sound confident.

"As you see gentlemen. We're small but precise. We're Devil Dogs." Max smiled like a business shark.

"Hah! Then we better not cross our paths outside parties" Vido shooked hs head. "Donovan I see you have a lot of eye candies here..." his expression was disgusting.

"Enjoy, but don't break anything" Hock warned him. "Take southwest room." Vido left.

"Mr. Hock" Max gave bow with his head then strolled down the hall looking for quiet place, a porch outside was empty.

"Alright. listen up. Santiago went to southwest room. Zaeed, don't shoot until I give you mark. 'Sumi, send a nav point for Logan to meet you at the vault."

"Got it" and "Aye" both rang in Max's ear. he followed to the stairs going down. "Split, go down to 'Sumi" Max whispered and trailed off blending among the crowd considering points of entry to the room.

Finally after pulling a few stunts to hide from patrolling guards and pretending to be drunk in a stupor so guardsman just passed him without question, Max was standing in front of the correct doors. He pulled out two coin like discs. Small, very strong tasers. "Let's hope he's with only one girl" he sighed and opened doors. Santiago was too busy with getting his pants pulled down by asari in red dress to notice Max company. Jester squeezed then threw both coins first on Vido then on asari. A jolts of electricity ran through their bodies and both fell unconcius.

Max approached the window. "Zaeed you see me in south west corner window?" he spoke through comm. "Aye, got him?" Zaeed waited for response, "Yeah, I'll bring him."

Zaeed chuckled seeing his hated enemy unconcious and with his pants down being put against glass window. He felt heat on his face. He remembered how Vido put a gun to his face and pulled the trigger.

"Looks you gonna get blew for the last time you bastard" He spat and squeezed on the handle of rifle. Sniper rifle kicked and short crackle rang. Hyper velocity bullet drilled through reinforced glass and Vido's head. His brain splattered over the room.

"Kill confirmed. Get to second position Zaeed" Max's cold voice made Zaeed move. Mercenary warlord felt 20 years younger now.

Max looked over the room and hoped that asari won't have a heart attack when she wakes up smeared in brain matter. he took one last glance then left looking for a place to create some diversion or two for his brother and Kasumi.

/.../

While Max was setting up Santiago. Kasumi and Shepard entered the vault that was stripped from energy barrier thanks to Kasumi hacking circuits and Max getting voice code from Hock. Their statue was nearby so Shepard quickly changed from his suit into trusty armor. Now he felt like a man again.

"I can sold this for nice price to asari...If we could take it with us" Kasumi said staring at piece of ancient egyptian sculpture.

"Is this...quarian?" Shepard pointed at three stone tablets laying on the exposition. "Yeah I guess, Must be old, when quarians wrote in stones?" Kasumi shrugged. "Take it with us. I've lost Tali squad, maybe some of her history back we'll make us even" Shepard spoke and started packing tablets into duffel bag Kasumi carried that contained his tux and few toys from Max already.

"It's Kassa Locust...No! It's THE Kassa Locust! The gun that killed two presidents. I think we can borrow this...Along with perfect copy. Yikes!" Kasumi happily picked up two SMG's and placed them in the bag. then she tooked a few more steps and looked at small device with connecting wire. "There it is!" She picked it up. Then alarm rang.

"Who's in my vault! You won't get out from here alive!" A hologram of angered Hock's face appeared. "You there! you're surrounded-" John pulled his Mattock and shot some vase. It was definietly expensive. Was.

"Did I got your attention now Hock? Let us walk out and your mansion won't turn into rubble." John spoke trying not to spit with disgust at sleazy criminal.

"You! I will kill you very slowly with my own hands!" Hock tried say some more when John only opened comm. "Max, plan B. Slay it" Building trembled in series of explosions. Shepard opened duffel bag and picked up a bandolier of grenades. "Kasumi, cloak and bail, get to the shuttle and call Garrus to bring fire with second shuttle!" John handed bag to thief and started shooting at guards approaching from vault's cargo entrance. Kasumi hesitated for a second then de materialized.

"Max I could use some help, Kasumi's heading to the shuttle and back up is on it's way but I'm pinned in the vault!"

"Got the 'nades? Use them"

"How to use these balls?" John opened bandolier and pulled a spherical grenade.

"Balls have proximity fuse, push the button in and roll it into group. cylinders are anti armor, twist and throw. 4 second delay but they stuck to mechs!" Max's voice answered through the comm.

Shepard complied and rolled one ball against guards. Explosion made bit of a mess. Most of security wore light armors so serrated shrapnels turned them into grinded meat. Good job brother.

Going through the cargo he encountered a heavy mech. he reached for cyllindrical grenade. How was it? Twist and throw? He tried that and saw how bomb stuck to mech's armor and after a moment generated electric blast followed by explosion of plasma. Really good job brother...

He was close to getting out onto a landing pad at the back of the mansion when a heavy walker stood in his way.

"Gunn! You won't escape me!" A Hock's voice blared from walker speakers. Shepard fired a few shots but they got easily soaked up by mech's shields.

"Uh Max? I could use a toy from Horizon. The big one. Got an angry fucker in a walking tank." Shepard ran to cover, Walker shot three missiles. Three explosions crushed container he was hiding behind.

"Max?! I'm in deep!"

"Have no fear! Max is here!." Max's voice accompanied John while he was diving behind another container. A few small explosions and smell of burning circuits later he heard a shout "Throw cylinders on his back, fast!" John pulled last two heavy grenades and noticed walker was turned back to him and was shooting at something else relentlessly with autocannon. John twisted both grenades and threw directly at the mech's back panel. Explosion was impressive, a pieces of armor flew everywhere. John ran into the doors to see Max sitting behind dented container and holding his arm. Blood was soaking between fingers.

"Shit you got hit!" John pulled and omnigel packet and smeared it on the wound. "Screw the blood, that suit costed a fortune" Jester cursed. John helped him get up. When they got out they called Kasumi for the shuttle.

"Garrus here, I got Zaeed and Kasumi with me." Garrus replied.

"Good, Kass? Store the stuff in my cabin. And not a word to anyone miss!" John barked to intercom. Jester glanced at him puzzled. "You'll get a new toy if you won't ask about it"

"Deal."

/.../

Jester went to Chakwas while John and Kasumi were sitting in her room. Thief connected greybox to a console and opened a holo visor in front of her face.

She was in empty place, no walls or light. just a tiles made from light on the floor.

"Kasumi, If you're seeing this...it means I'm dead" A tall slim asian man with cropped hair and beard spoke standing in front of her.

"Keiji!" Kasumi walked up and hugged him. Greybox technology allowed her an illusion that he was real.

"Listen Kasumi, I've uncovered some dire information. One that could start a war. If Alliance would be implied with exposition to it... Humanity would be done. I had to run. To protect you." Keiji Okuda continued with saddened voice. Or his memory did. "I encoded the information in my memories about you. It's encrypted so only you can read it." Kasumi was surrounded with moving ghosts of them both, she saw their moments, heists, down times...

"I now you would want to keep theese memories, to cling to me. Don't Kasumi. I did it so you won't loose your life. Destroy these memories. Live your life."

"No! I-I can't!" Kasumi tried hugging his lover again.

"Goodbye Kasumi. Don't grief for me, find peace outside these memories..."

Projection ended. Kasumi felt tears in her eyes. John sat there patiently looking at hooded woman. Silently.

"He...he found an information, something with the Alliance, that could start a war. He wants me to destroy it, but I'll lost the memories two." Kasumi's voice was shaky.

"Better would be to destroy them. But if you can handle it, keep it. Just be careful Kasumi." John spoke looking at little asian. Greater good was necessary but sometimes sacrifices for one person were needed to keep a balance.

"I will keep this close, no one will now about me after this mission. I'll drop off the grid." Kasumi glanced at Shepard with thankful look. John only nodded and got up.

"Just don't loose yourself in memories. Dwelling brings nothing good. Trust me" Shepard left.

Kasumi stared at the greybox. She fought urge to connect again and delve into memories, after months of loneliness and sorrow she could finally re connect with Keiji. But she knew this was just an illusion, and he pleaded her not to do it, same as Shep.

Doors opened and Max entered in t-shirt, still wearing pants of his tux and shoes. A bandage on his arm was easily visible.

"How are you holding up 'Sumi?" He spoke in soft voice.

"I'm good" Kasumi replied but her voice was slightly breaking. "Mind if I?" Max sat nex to her. She only shooked her head. "You got the greybox and the info?" Kasumi only glanced sadly at the greybox. "Yeah, I'm keeping it. Info is dangerous but I won't erase memories of Keiji" her voice broke down.

"Hey, it's okay" Max wrapped healthy arm around Kasumi puling her closer. "Keep it, just don't run from the world there" He gently stroked arm of sobbing girl.

"Thank you Max... for helping me get this and...being here" Kasumi gave a faint smile resting head on his arm.

"My pleasure 'Sumi...and well, I kinda have soft spot for nice girls" He smiled back and hugged her closer.