MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA SERIES II

CHAPTER 20

"This is it. So long, Vakarian," Wrex extended his hand as he stood next to the transport that was booked to take him back to Tuchanka.

"So long, Wrex. You sure you don't want to stay here a bit longer and enjoy the sights?" Garrus smiled as he accepted the handshake.

"Nope," Wrex turned to head up the ramp inside the vessel.

Garrus laughed. So little of words sometimes. Tali fidgeted with her hands nervously as she stood beside her Turian friend. The freighter's captain agreed to meet up with a Quarian transport from the Flotilla to drop her off after leaving Tuchanka. "I-I guess this is it. After all these years, I'm finally going home," She exhaled with excitement. "I hope to see you and Wrex again."

"I'm sure we will cross paths. Keep safe out there. Good luck on retaking your home world."

"Thank you, Garrus. That means a lot to me. It may not be soon but it will happen. Good luck on becoming a Spectre. Will you be leaving for training?"

"The next day or two. I have business to clear up here first." Garrus waved goodbye before turning to head back to the port entrance. His heart was racing as he made his steps closer to his first destination…Chora's Den.

The club's music pounded loudly outside the corridor and laugher from inside the club could be heard as he stepped out of the skycab. "Just like old times…" Garrus mused as he walked inside. A few of its fellow patrons, mostly humans, eyed him and returned their attention on the provocatively dancing Asari on the top platform. He glanced around quickly hoping to hone in on Andromeda and Jenna, but to his dismay, they were nowhere in sight. Bewildered, he walked up to the Salarian behind the counter, most likely the club's newest owner. Unlike Fist who usually hid in the back to conduct the business, this owner was out and about to keep an eye on his workers and customers. Smart. "May I help you?" The Salarian asked suspiciously as the glassy eyed being noticed that Garrus didn't look like the drinking type.

"I was looking for someone…two women…human actually," Garrus tried to keep scanning the area.

"Sorry…we only have Asari here," The Salarian quickly replied. "My last two human workers left probably right after the attack."

"Left?" Garrus lifted his eye ridge. So his gut was right…Andromeda wasn't telling him the whole truth.

"Yes…one went to Dark Star. The other…the darker haired girl…I think she signed on with C-Sec." He pulled out a cloth to wipe out the counter as he spoke.

Garrus felt like he had been kicked in the chest from the statement. "C-Sec?" He shook his head in disbelief as anger filled. "You gotta be jokin'."

"Look. That is not my job. That's all I know. If you are not going to buy anything then please leave," The Salarian became angry.

Without a rebuttal, Garrus whirled around on his heel and stormed out of the club and made his way to the nearest transport. C-Sec? Of all the places…with its red tape and danger. Why would she put herself out there like that?

The conversation with Andromeda didn't go any better. The once sought after interaction that plagued his mind while he was out Geth hunting with Shepard came to a crashing end. The slim dark haired woman seemed quite pleased with her work on C-Sec. His warning of danger and political red tape that he went up against when he worked there went unheeded. He felt like her joining C-Sec and him quitting to move on to becoming a Spectre almost was a direct blow to him. It was his decision to do his training but all her talk about why she liked being an officer made him recall the conversation he had with his father years ago. His displeasure made her upset and then she shot at his plans and to make things worse she compared him to Saren. He was nothing like Saren. Their dialogue ended on rather bad terms and he fumed as he made his way back to the docks. His time planned on the Citadel was cancelled; he just needed to get away. Anger boiled the blood in his veins. A Turian military officer scout for the Spectre program was already waiting for him. Garrus remembered him from his own time in the military. Each Turian was expected to join the military for a few years in adulthood. "Garrus," The darker skinned officer motioned him over.

"Good to see you, old friend." Garrus tried to regain his composure. He didn't want to have to share his feelings about a human girl to an old squadmate of his.

"I didn't expect you for another few days. What made you change your mind?"

"Better sooner than later I always say," Garrus glanced back, catching to see if Andromeda followed him down to the docks. A part of him hoped that she did. To his both his satisfaction and dissatisfaction she didn't. "This the ship?"

"Yeah. Ready to go as soon as you are."

"Let's go."