"If you'd told me this morning that a toothbrush was going to save the Normandy, I'd have been very skeptical." We crawled through the duck. I do not recommend doing it while carrying a loaded gun.

I could feel the Normandy taking off and wobbled. Whoever was behind me, lost their balance and a hand accidently fell on my leg.

"Who?"

"Sorry, Shepard." EDI said.

I supposed it was too much to maybe hope it was Mordin.

"Pretty sure we broke Traynor's toothbrush getting the hatch open." The escape hatch was finally big enough for us to stand.

"You broke." Mordin corrected.

"Remind me to reimburse her for that."

"Reimburse Traynor." The salarian started.

"Later." I stressed. "Reminded me later." I didn't think I had to specify that.

"Cramped space reminiscent of Tuchunka caves."

"Shh." I hissed. "As much as I like listening to you talk, now's not the time."

"Will be here if you need me."

I almost stumbled. Damn that sexy bastard. "Wise ass." I muttered.

"All right, get a patrol going. Find Shepard. The real one." The merc. Lieutenant spoke above us.

"Hey." One of the mercs asked worriedly. "What'd the boss mean by 'slow'em down'? We're allowed to kill Shepard if we have to, right?"

"Shepard said slow'em down because they think we're cannon fodder." The lieutenant snapped.

"Ouch." I whispered. I didn't treat any of my people like cannon fodder. Not even the Cerberus ones.

"Oh, well…shit."

I'd have to remember to laugh about this later. I pushed the stair access control button and the top erupted open.

"Watch out!" A merc warned. "They're here in the CIC!"

"I'm not getting paid enough for this." Several shouted at once disappearing through the door leading to the War Room.

"O…kay." I lowered my gun. "What just happened?"

"I believe they decided to take their chances running from Shepard B than fighting us." EDI provided.

"Wise decision." Mordin agreed. "Did kill many of their group in the vaults."

I nodded. "I'd be afraid of us too. I have killed a Reaper or two in my time. Where do you think Shepard B is?"

"Group ran away through that door would suggest Shepard B is in the shuttle bay."

"Why the shuttle bay?"

Mordin shrugged. "Theoretical guess?"

"Let's go…to the shuttle bay…then." I activated the elevator. I noticed a pile of stuff next to it. "Hamtaro!" I shouted.

Sitting on the top was my space hamster and a note.

'Please send this to an animal shelter for proper disposal as a warship is not an appropriate…'

"Oooooh, that is not okay!" My ship models and awards were stacked around it. "Shepard B was in my cabin!"

Mordin cleared his throat and gestured to the candied photo of him I usually kept on my desk. I quickly slapped it face down. "I have no idea how that got there." I turned to EDI. "EDI?"

"You asked me to capture a screen shot of Mordin during the Collector mission with our security cameras. I sent it to your private terminal. You then proceeded to."

"Thank you, EDI." I snapped. My bad for thinking she'd somehow back me up and pretend it was just as big a mystery to her as it was to me. Garrus and Tali would have no matter how futile.

"You're welcome, Shepard."

The elevator door opened as if to save me. We entered and I was glad for once my helmet covered my face.

"These people are showing disrespect to my home, my body! It is." EDI struggled to think of a word. "Unacceptable!" I could swear I saw Mordin inch away from the irate AI. "I intend to kill Shepard's clone, Agent Brooks, and anyone else in my way."

I was pretty sure we could stop calling her 'agent' at this point.

"Ironic. EDI's situation similar to Reaper Indoctrination."

I snapped my head to him. "How do ya figure?"

"Foreign consciousness taking over original consciousness. Host body no longer in control. Tool for enemy."

The elevator door pinged and opened.