Twenty minutes earlier…

SSV Normandy SR2

"...Valern out."

Commander Jane Shepard stands in the Comm Room, looking at the spot where the Salarian Councilor's hologram just dissolved from.

"Dammit, Udina." She mutters to herself. "If only Anderson could've stayed a little longer…"

"Commander." Comm Specialist Traynor's voice chirps over the intercom. "There's another incoming message. From Admiral Hackett."

"Put him through." Jane replies. A hologram of the admiral appears moments later.

"Commander. I'm glad I caught you."

"What can I do for you, sir?"

"I know someone who you may be interested in meeting. I'd rather not discuss the details, but she can help with our...Cerberus problem. She's on a special mission against them, and her success could mean the end of a conflict that's been raging for...well...let's just say since before the Romans, and leave it at that."

Jane frowns slightly, leaning on the QEC console.

"Aren't the Reapers a little more important?" She asks.

"Yes they are, but Cerberus working against us makes it even worse. They are a distraction that needs to be eliminated as soon as possible. I've sent a brief dossier on our friend to your comm officer. It should answer some questions. Any more, you can ask in person. Meet her at the Human Embassy on the Citadel. Hackett out."

Jane leaves the comm room with a feeling of annoyance.

"The last THREE years…" she says to herself. "Now the Reapers are finally here, and everyone is still saying 'Do this first. Do that first.'"

While rambling in her own head, Jane nearly walks straight into Traynor.

"Commander?" She asks with a slightly worried expression. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. Sorry. Just...lost in thought. Hackett said you have something for me?" Jane says, changing the subject.

"Well, this data packet is spotty at best." Traynor says, handing the tablet over. "It may as well have been written on swiss cheese. First name is Abigail. Grew up on Sirona, a small colony out in Ursae Majoris. Not much else."

What little information there is doesn't do anything to set Jane's frustrations at ease, but it does raise curiosity. In Abby's picture, there is a small symbol on the tip of her hood; a triangle with a rounded bottom. She taps a few buttons on the tablet.

"EDI? Can you find anything on this symbol?"

"Nothing solid." The AI replies after a moment. "It appears many times throughout history, and some believe them to be a complete myth. A small faction called the Assassin Brotherhood. The group emerges and vanishes again repeatedly since it's founding in prehistoric times. The first recorded date of activity is 48BC. The last time the Brotherhood was seen was the year 2012 AD, when the last known active member was killed. Anything else...you'll have to ask whoever you're meeting."

Jane nods. "Plot a course for the Citadel, Joker." She orders.

"Aye aye." Her pilot replies.

"Huh…" The Commander muses. "Sirona…"