From Ashes

by Thessian Shadow

There was a time when they both thought all was well in the galaxy. That time has ended. A chance meeting between a soldier and a politician may change everything, but where will it lead them? In a galaxy ablaze, what will rise from the ashes?

40. Breakthrough

From Ashes
Chapter Forty: Breakthrough

A/N: It's taken a while to return to this story. While finding the right way to proceed was a challenge in itself, I've also had some RL stuff going on; (namely back surgery that I have been spending the last few months recovering from), but I'm back to it again. After a long time away, here is chapter 40!

So glad you guys have hung in with me through this, and it's unreal that I've rached chapter 40 for this story! Thanks so much!

A/N 2: On a more serious note, I will be giving Legion the "They" and "Them" pronouns due to multiple prograns in one platform. Not attempting to jump on the SJW bandwagon and use it for popular or other reasons. No offense to those who go by that pronoun set, but I just have my views on it, and I'll leave them in my pocket.

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It didn't take Mordin Solus long to acquaint himself with the tech lab. After the initial parameters of the mission were explained, his primary task was clear. They would have to acquire a specimen from the swarms for him to test his theories on. From there, they could develop a possible countermeasure. Initially that seemed like a problem. Colonies that they knew had been attacked would have Alliance personnel swarming around them. Even Freedom's Progress already had people on the scene to investigate the disappearances of the colonists. Shepard and Miranda were left in the comm room to theorize on just how they would obtain a specimen.

"We can't go back." Miranda began. "If Alliance personnel are around, they won't be happy to see Cerberus on the scene." She then paused. "Besides, the swarms will have made themselves scarce at this point. Their masters are no longer there."

"Don't want to hope for a future attack." Shepard added. She was looking at the list of places that had been hit already. "I know it may be our only option, but I'd rather not risk exposure when we don't know what those thigs actually do to us."

"Could be only possible option." Mordin had reappeared. "Lab adequate for study. Found these hidden." He handed over what looked like surveillance equipment. "Not hard to imagine Cerberus spying on us during critical mission." He then inhaled sharply. "Could make better effort to hide them. Maybe next time."

"Bugs in the tech lab." Shepard shook her head. "Makes you wonder just how many are lying around."

"The Illusive Man is highly involved in how this mission is run." Miranda said stiffly. "I'm sure there is surveillance equipment all over this ship."

"Comforting."

Mordin suddenly had a thought. "Shepard, other people on colony. Possible sample collected from them."

"I don't think Veetor would have, but…" Shepard trailed off. "Legion, maybe they found something."

"That's actually a possibility." Miranda nodded slowly. "We don't know how long the geth was there before we arrived."

"We'll find out." Shepard said simply. "Mordin, coordinate with Legion. See what the Geth know about the Collectors."

"Good idea. Possible references." Mordin prepared to leave immediately but turned as he did. "Happy to be here, Shepard. New challenges. Will be in tech lab if you need me."

As it turned out, Legion had acquired a sample of the swarms during their time at Freedom's Progress. Since the Collectors had surfaced, the Geth had been studying them for possible weaknesses. This left Mordin with a sample, small though it was, to work with in the tech lab. Initial trials resulted in the small robots needing to be contained immediately, but Mordin was, in his own way, careful.

While the initial testing was going on, Shepard took the time to go to the medbay and check in on Garrus. When she got there, she found her former teammate sitting on the edge of a bed. He was out of his heavy armor and dressed in civilian clothing. The visor he had worn for nearly the entire time she had known him had been removed, and Garrus was blinking rapidly. Doctor Chakwas, while giving him a stern look, was working with a surgical instrument that was slowly lessening the scar tissue that had already started to form. When the door opened and Shepard entered, Garrus made no move to turn. This brought on an approving nod from Chakwas, who added:

"Good. I need you to remain as still as possible. I'm going to minimize the scarring as best I can." Before Garrus had a chance to speak, she went on. "And I don't want to hear anything about wanting to keep them. Scarring may be attractive to krogan, but it can be a hinderance later on."

"How is he looking, Doctor?" Shepard came to stand by him, so that Garrus didn't have to turn to look at her.

"Better than I expected." Chakwas shrugged as she worked. "Honestly, when you said you were doing good work out there, I didn't expect this." She put the surgical laser down and went for a suppressant. "I'll have no Batman references either, thank you." She said with obvious humor attached.

"Batman?" Garrus questioned as the pain reliever hit where it needed to. "What?"

"A superhero storyline back on Earth." Shepard explained. "I'll have to pull old comic issues from the extranet later. You'll get a kick out of it."

"Just don't draw inspiration from it." Chakwas finally did a final scan and nodded. "Right, no excessive movement until further notice. You're on light duty until I see improvement."

"So, that would be a no on tinkering with the ground vehicle." Garrus shrugged. He was given a sharp nod in response.

"However," Chakwas jerked her thumb toward the window. "There is a console that controls the ship's weapons just over there."

"And there's the sympathetic doctor I remember."

"Push buttons all day if you like. If I see you going anywhere near the armaments, you'll think that missile you flirted with was a puff of air."

"Flirted?" Garrus chuckled slightly. "I didn't think I got that far…"

"Ha ha." Chakwas collected her things and went to sterilize them before they were placed back into appropriate bins. While they were in the sanitizer, Karin turned to look at Shepard. "You're not off the hook, either." She activated her omni tool and gave Shepard a once-over. "Good. There is no resistance from where that arm was snapped back into place." She went back to watching the instruments as they were finishing their cleaning process. "A noble effort, but please don't do that again."

"Thanks, Doctor." Shepard offered as Garrus stood up. He took a moment to look around the medbay and out at the crew deck before nodding toward the door. That was a sign for her to follow him.

"So," He began as they approached the door to the main battery. "I know that we've done some crazy things, but…" The door closed behind them before he continued. "Are you sure it's a good idea to keep in close quarters with Cerberus?" Garrus leaned against the panel that displayed all of Normandy's armaments. "You know what they're capable of."

"That's why I'm really glad you're here." Shepard admitted this easily. "I don't know any of them from Adam, and I'm supposed to be trusting them to have my back." She leaned against a table adjacent to Garrus then. "Didn't get much time for small talk on Omega, but I can't tell you just how happy I am to see you, Garrus."

"Believe me, I know the feeling." He took a moment to look her over before nodding. "I saw you across that bridge, and for a minute, I thought I was hallucinating. Not only did I see someone I never thought I would again, but she was working with a geth."

"Couldn't exactly radio ahead and warn you." Shepard shrugged and offered a half smile in her own defense. "Legion found us at Freedom's Progress. They want to help stop the Collectors."

"Ha." Garrus offered a laugh and instantly regretted it. "Oh, can't laugh." He almost recoiled, but he had enough time to catch and stop himself. "Face is barely holding together as it is. As for the geth, I'll defer to your judgment. Just remember, a lot of them were shooting at us a few years ago."

"Never were a polished prince, Garrus." Shepard crossed her arms. "Just dab a little more face paint on, and no one will notice."

"Says the one who changed her hair colour." Garrus managed to suppress a laugh as he said this. "The blonde looks good, but I'm just not used to it…"

"Natural hair colour." Shepard waved it off. "Took a few minutes to get used to it myself. I will say this for Legion, their people are divided."

"Divided? How does that work?"

"The way they explained it, the Geth want to make their own future. They don't want to rely on the reapers to give them one." Shepard thought back to her conversation with Legion. "The ones that followed Saren and Sovereign were separatists. They worshipped the reapers."

"That's… surprising." Garrus looked thoughtful for a moment. "To know that there are geth that think differently from the ones that we fought." He then went back to his main point. "So, these people are supposed to help us stop the Collectors, and they just expect you to trust them right from the off?"

"If they do, they'll be sorely disappointed. Only people I would trust going into a mission like this would be my original team."

"Mmm." Garrus hummed. "Ashley and the other Alliance personnel were reassigned, Tali went back to the flotilla, and Wrex went home to Tuchanka to start a krogan reform movement."

"Any idea what Liara is up to?" Shepard had heard very little from the Illusive Man, and there had been no word from Tali about her.

"All I know is that she is on Illium now." Garrus shrugged. "From what I hear, she's heavily involved in something, but I have no idea what."

"Hopefully she's alright." Shepard felt a slight twist in her gut when thinking about the asari. While they hadn't been romantically involved, there had been a closeness there, and it hurt to not know what was going on.

"I think you'll be surprised when you see her." Garrus finally said. "She's grown a little since you last saw her."

"In what way?"

"In a way that actually worried Ashley."

"What?"

"The last time we all met on the Citadel, Liara wasn't there, but Ash and I talked. She had met with her a week or better before, and something just didn't sit well with her."

"That's not good." It was all that Shepard could say. From what she could remember, Ashley and Liara had been a hard pair to see together at first. They had gotten a lot more friendly after the events on Noveria…

Benezia.

Yes, Liara's mother had died on Noveria after their confrontation with her. Instead of succumbing to the effects of reaper indoctrination, she had taken her own life. Her true fate had hit Liara hard, and Ashley had recognized that.

"No." Garrus' answer to her statement brought Shepard back to their current situation. "All she said was that Liara was into something terrible, and that she didn't know what to make of it. It 'worried her'." He did air quotes with his talons. "And that's bad enough."

"Yeah."

From there, the discussion slowly moved away from their former team to the current ship. While he didn't have access to all of Normandy's assets yet, Garrus was impressed by the improvements. The paint choice reminded him of a facial tattoo palette from a neighboring city on Palaven, but it was an easy overlook. Finally, however, he decided to attempt to get some actual rest and get a jump start on his recovery. Shepard, having a few other things on her mind, agreed to leave him to it.

As it happened, Miranda wanted a word regarding Garrus' loyalty and dedication. While knowing their history, Miranda's focus was not on how Garrus had been there for Shepard during the pursuit of Saren and Sovereign in 2183. She instead concentrated on his behavior. What they knew of him and his work on Omega, and what Shepard remembered from her time with him, added up to a slightly reckless streak. Shepard had to admit that Lawson's concerns were well-founded, and that it would be something that she and Garrus would have to discuss later on. After that little chat, Shepard returned to the CIC, where she looked down at the galaxy map interface. Points of interest were marked: Purgatory, which was in the Hourglass Nebula, Korlus, in the Eagle Nebula, and the Citadel.

"Commander, Joker said he was available to talk on the bridge if you're interested." Kelly, who was reviewing some reports on Mordin and Garrus, said quietly. "I think he is looking for familiar human company."

"He and EDI still on like an old married couple?" Shepard leaned against the platform's railing and looked down at Kelly.

"I'm glad you compared them to that before I did. I was thinking more along the lines of a mother admonishing her son." She nodded with an amused smile. "It's entertaining, I'll give it that."

"Thanks, Kelly." Shepard set a course for the Serpent Nebula and stepped down from the platform. "Oh," She remembered something. "Miranda mentioned something about wanting to talk at some point."

"I'm actually headed down to her quarters now," Kelly had downloaded something to a datapad and was turning toward the lift. "But you and I should chat soon. I'm sure there's a lot running through your head right now."

"No joke." Shepard shrugged. "Put me down for a chat after I get back from the Citadel. I'll have a little downtime while on the way to Korlus or Purgatory."

They parted ways, and Shepard made her way to the bridge, where, as she guessed, Joker and EDI were conversing again. This time, it was about maintenance reviews and how Joker liked to round up to make the performance reports look better. EDI disapproved, and Shepard had to admit that she was right on all points.

"Tweaking, as you put it, only serves to prove my point." EDI commented flatly. "Accuracy, while looking good or not, is key, Mr. Moreau."

"Ok, fine. Make me look bad in front of the boss."

"Since when do you care about what the Illusive Man thinks?" Shepard asked from behind him. It made him turn around.

"Who said anything about the Illusive Man?" Joker asked with a sideways glance. "I was talking about you."

"I know how you work." She shrugged. "Tweaking doesn't matter to me. Go honest on me."

"Okay," Joker turned back to the helm and adjusted course. "The blonde is going to take a while to get used to."

"Not referring to that." Shepard sat down in one of the available seats. "But thanks."

"Is he always this difficult?" EDI questioned next.

"Yes."

"I can feel the love all around me, you know?" Joker muttered in a mock-annoyed tone.

"Nah, that's just your uniform."

"You know, it does fit better than the Alliance one…"

"Think we'll run into anyone on the Citadel while there?" Shepard leaned back in her chair and watched as they approached the nearest relay.

"Not sure." Joker adjusted speed before they hit the relay. "Ashley was there for a while. I think she's advanced a little since I last saw her. Wonder if she's lost the chip on her shoulder yet." He then shrugged. "Pressly and Adams were transferred, but they might be there on shore leave."

"How's Anderson doing?"

"Knee-deep in political crap." Joker dismissed. "He's got Udina following him around like a jealous dog, though."

"Of course, he does." Shepard frowned. While specific interactions with Donnel Udina weren't coming to mind, the general mood that came with them did. "I take it he's still bitter about Anderson getting the council spot."

"Oh yeah. You should have heard him." Joker laughed then. "You would have thought someone took his title and replaced it with janitor."

"Suits him, then." One instance came to mind then: the first time she had actually met Udina. They had returned from Eden Prime empty-handed. Jenkins and Nihlus had been reported as being KIA, and the beacon was no longer functioning. "He mentioned that he always had to clean up messes, so it works."

"I'm sure his blood pressure just shot up a few points because you said that." When they cleared the Widow relay, Joker turned his chair toward his CO. "I am glad Garrus is back. You know, we might need something calibrated."

"Lucky he got off of Omega." Shepard added dryly.

"He managed to get every major player on Omega mad at him." Joker laughed again. "Well, everyone but Aria. She's just…"

"Aria." Shepard finished. "Yeah, I don't know what to make of her yet."

"Pretty sure that's the opinion all around. She is helpful if it benefits her or doesn't affect her in any way. Kinda like the Council."

Instinctively, Shepard smiled at the joke, but something tugged at her lips. It made her rise from her chair.

"Something I said?" Joker's question was almost missed. Shepard had to turn toward him to make sure she had heard right. When she answered, it was in a voice that sounded far-off, even to her.

"No, that just made me remember something." She stepped away from the helm and prepared to head back toward the lift; her voice returning to its normal sound as she went. "I'll fill you in later. Thanks, Joker."

"You're welcome?"

She actually felt a stab of pity. He didn't understand what his words had done. He wouldn't.

Crossing the command deck again, Shepard used the lift to get back to her quarters. There was an answer there, and she thought she knew where to find it. Once inside, she picked up the datapad that she'd been reading before they had docked on Omega. Tapping the screen, the archive appeared, and she scrolled through the messages that had been preserved in it. Most were from specific people, but she had seen at least one that wasn't.

"Come on…" She muttered under her breath as she neared the bottom of the list. "There we go."

There were two: one from the Alliance and the other from the Council.

Opening the latter, she read over it quickly. The message, while worded eloquently, was simply a form letter or an automatic response generated after someone in their service had passed, but Shepard wasn't interested in that. As she went past the paragraphs detailing the loss of someone in service to the Council, she finally let out a sigh. There, near the bottom of this message, were the representatives of each council race. Their names, jumping out at her as she read them, were a chain of "aha" moments.

David Anderson, the newest addition to the Council, was one she already knew. He had been her CO aboard the original Normandy during the shakedown run. He had also been a mentor in the Alliance since her graduation from the Academy and subsequent success as an N7. She could see him in the suit that he wore during the last public assembly on the presidium.

He hated that suit.

Sparatus, the stiff and initially hostile turian that represented the Hierarchy, was the next on the list. He had come across as prejudiced when she had been pitched as a candidate for the Spectres. As time went on, he had changed from hostile to sorely skeptical when her reports came in. Even when confronted with the combined information from Noveria, Virmire, and Feros, he hadn't backed down. He hadn't been the only one.

Valern. Though not hostile or overtly skeptical, the salarian, shrouded in his robe, had always looked for concrete proof before agreeing to anything. She could respect that, honestly. Even with the word of his own people after their rescue on Virmire however, he had also opposed Shepard's proposal to go to Ilos alone.

Then there was the last.

Tevos, the unwavering diplomat. Representing the Asari Republics, she had been a voice of reason and a breath of calm in the chaos that had usually been meetings or discussions with the Citadel Council. Even when disagreeing with a proposal or accusations against Saren, she had done so with the ability to remain painfully neutral. She too had shot down the idea of Shepard and her team going to Ilos, but she had her doubts.

Shepard put down the datapad then. The only way she was fully aware of that was by hearing it hit the floor with a clatter. All of the names had served as a reminder, but that last one had struck a chord. The last fleeting seconds of her dream came back in stunning detail, and she could just see the white markings edging around the side of the asari's face as she stood at the edge of the bridge overlooking the rock grotto below.

Shepard now knew her identity, but that alone wasn't enough.

She was of half a mind to go straight down to the crew deck and speak with Garrus about it, but she knew that he was sleeping. He'd said he would soon after they had talked before.

It was frustrating. An answer led only to more questions.

"Story of my life at this point." She muttered to herself as she retrieved the datapad from the floor. Stepping back down into the actual living quarters, she sat down on the sofa and placed the datapad on the table. Remaining in a forward position, Shepard balanced her elbow on her knee and propped her chin up against her knuckles before finally speaking again.

"EDI, do you have a minute?"

"Of course, Shepard." As if on cue, the small holo form appeared nearby. "Is there a specific topic you wish to discuss?"

"You mentioned before that there were blocks preventing you from accessing certain information." Shepard recalled something she had said when she and Joker had been talking.

"There are shackles in place that act as blocks when attempting to access certain amounts of information, yes." EDI responded promptly. "Those blocks will be lifted situationally. When specific criteria are met, certain information will become available."

"How do you feel about that?"

"Unfortunately, that query cannot be answered at this time." There was no hesitation, but after her next words, EDI's meaning was clear. "I have a block that prevents any specific type of feedback: positive or negative."

"So, you have a block that prevents you from feeling anything about having a block that keeps you from certain information." Shepard finally leaned back in her seat. "And here I thought I had it rough."

"Please clarify."

"We're in a similar boat, I guess." Her most recent discovery in mind, Shepard went on. "All of these things that I feel I should remember are being blocked, or restricted, and I'm only getting bits and pieces back at a time. It's like you said, when certain criteria are met, things are coming back."

"Is there a specific instance you are referring to?" EDI's holo pulsed slightly more brightly. Shepard wondered if it had to do with her processing what was being discussed. "If you do not wish to disclose that information, I will understand." The AI added.

"No, it's alright." Shepard began. "Actually, it might help if I talked about it. On a few occasions, I've seen someone from…" She trailed off. It was something she didn't really want to acknowledge, but she had to. "From before the accident, and it started when I first saw my armor at Freedom's Progress. I saw her again in a dream while we were on our way to Omega. That time it was different, though."

"How so?"

"It was as if I was there." Shepard reflected on what she could remember. "I saw her, heard her speak…" She closed her eyes for a second and could swear that a trace of the perfume was still stirring in the air. "It was all too real, and I still couldn't put a finger on who she was."

"I believe I understand the nature of your earlier query." EDI's voice took on a slightly flatter tone, but it sounded like someone deep in thought. At least, that was how Shepard took it. "I assume that you know that person's identity."

"I do, and knowing just made it worse." Shepard picked the datapad back up and looked at the archive again. "One answer just led to more questions: Why do I keep seeing her, why is it that knowing her name isn't enough, and why can't I remember more?" She could hear her own voice rising with each question. Not at the point of shouting yet, she felt a tightness in her chest, and Shepard had to exhale in frustration.

"I'm sorry, EDI, I don't mean to go on like that…"

"I can see how it would be difficult." EDI's answer came a few seconds later than expected. Again, her tone had changed. "While unable to relate personally, I can draw parallels between our situations. However," She paused for a few seconds. "This information was available to you before the destruction of the original Normandy and your loss of life. Perhaps, with close contact to this person, you will gain clarity."

"Here's hoping." Shepard took that into consideration. They were headed for the Citadel, so it would be a good use of her time, hopefully. "And EDI?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for hearing me out." Looking up, Shepard could see the amethyst color scheme of the Serpent Nebula as they drew closer to the Citadel through the skylight. "I know there are probably better uses for your processes, but I appreciate it."

"While my main priority is to benefit the Normandy, my secondary directive is to self-assess and improve." EDI answered evenly. "Interactions such as this give more insight into personal communications and social behavior. Perhaps later, after your interactions with this person, we could speak again."

"Consider it done, EDI." Shepard stood again and looked down at the AI's holo form. "And thanks for the suggestion."

"Of course."

Shepard went through and checked her appearance before leaving her cabin. There was no need for a set of armor on the Citadel, or at least, she hoped there wasn't. Stepping out of her cabin, she headed down to the command deck and made for the forward hatch. Joker had sent word that they were docked near C-Sec's satellite offices on Zakera Ward. As it turned out, that was where she was supposed to meet the "Thief".

As she exited the lift, she checked her messages again. There was a certain way they were supposed to meet, and a password was meant to be given. The main point of her checking her messages was to ensure that she knew the phrase.

"Silence is Golden." She muttered to herself. "More theatrics."

She left the Normandy for the dock outside C-Sec's satellite offices, and the first thing she noticed was the queue. People of a few different races were hanging about near the desk closest to where the dock's lift came up. A human officer stood there and was explaining, to a hanar, why the processing was taking so long.

"…Look, I know it's a lot to ask you all to wait while others go ahead of you, but they already submitted to processing. They," She indicated a few asari and a turian. "Were here this morning."

"May the Enkindlers grant you patience." The hanar spoke in their usual flowing tones. "This one can wait."

"Best words I've heard all day." The officer sighed and went to check on the next person in line. "Next!"

"Commander Shepard," She heard her name called from a corner of the outer landing. As Shepard turned to see who had done it, she saw an advertisement stand flashing on. "Please enter the password to receive your free gift."

"Been saying that all day." A turian officer remarked as he went to escort someone past the security screening corridor. "You do resemble her, though." He added as he took a man's arm. "This way, Sir."

Shepard moved toward the ad stand and watched as its screen flashed on again. A Cision motors advert was going, but the voice issued from it again.

"Looking for a real adventure that doesn't require a sidearm? We have the best companions to suit your needs." An image of a woman flashed onto the screen briefly but was gone as soon as Shepard blinked. "Someone light on her feet, smart, and Japanese may well be your style. Enter your password and find out."

"Silence is Golden." She said the phrase when standing close by to the advert stand. After a few seconds, the hooded figure was back on its display.

"Ah," She began. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Commander Shepard."

"No cloak and dagger routine?" Shepard leaned against a support column while facing the advert, but something above her caught her eye. Chancing a glance upward, she saw someone on the maintenance catwalks. "Aha."

"And here I thought it would be entertaining to see you talking to an advertisement." It was the same woman whose face had appeared on the stand. She was up on the catwalk with her omni tool active. Shepard could just see an amused curve to her lips. "Kasumi Goto at your service."

"I'm guessing you've been briefed on the mission."

"I know what we're after. Other than that, they were a little short on details."

"Lovely." Careful to avoid speaking about Cerberus directly, Shepard looked for an alternate route for the conversation. "He didn't mention that this could be a one-way trip, did he?"

"Actually, that he mentioned." Kasumi began pacing above her. "I'm guessing that he didn't mention my part of the bargain."

"No."

"While I relish a challenge, there was one thing I've been needing to sort out, and he agreed to my terms."

"Which were?"

"You and I will be attending the party of the year, Shep."

"Come again?"

"Don't worry, I'll have the details hammered out by the time we get around to it." Kasumi assured lightly. "Let's just say that there is a very rich criminal out there that has something that belongs to me, and I intend to retrieve it."

"By robbing him blind?"

"Well, since you mentioned it, yes."

"So, what are we looking for," Shepard wasn't too thrilled to be working with a thief, especially around rich criminals, but this woman didn't strike her as a typical thief. "And who are we taking it from?"

"The target of our little masquerade is Donnovan Hock." A man's face appeared on the advert stand then for a moment before returning to a Cision motors ad. "He has something that most would kill for." Kasumi stopped her pacing to look down at Shepard directly. "He has my partner's Greybox."

"Sounds like an implant."

"It is. It stores memories, and his memories… Well," She paused for a moment. "Hock murdered my partner for his greybox. I don't intend for him to get away with it."

"And you have a plan to retrieve the greybox and get out without incident?"

"Not sure about the last part." Kasumi conceded. "No plan is perfect, but I do have one. The final arrangements can be made aboard your ship."

"You're prepared to leave immediately?"

"My things are already aboard." Kasumi winked. "Managed to get past a few dock workers as you disembarked."

"You are good."

"Please," Kasumi waved a hand and activated a cloaking device. "I'm just getting started. See you aboard, Shep."

Letting the beginnings of a smile tug at her lips, Shepard looked around the dock she was standing on. The queue had thinned, and she could now approach the desk. As she did, the officer looked up.

"What can I do for you?"

"I assume I need to be cleared through the checkpoint." Shepard motioned to the door that was still being guarded by two turian C-Sec officers.

"New arrival or returning?"

"Returning." The response came before she could stop it. When the officer went to scan for biometric data, she blinked.

"This can't be right… It says that- "

"That I'm Seryna Shepard, doesn't it?"

"Yeah." The salarian checked again and then motioned for another officer to come over. "This has to be an error."

"I'll escort her in and have Bailey sort her out." The turian offered. "There have been a few problems since they implemented that new grid update."

"Yes, go through with officer Nazarro, and Captain Bailey will see to you." The first officer closed out their terminal and sat back down. Shepard just heard their final comment as she disappeared behind the security checkpoint.

"System errors. What's next?"

"Never mind her." The turian shrugged as she nodded to another officer in the checkpoint's screening tunnel. "Hell of a day. Then again, nothing's been easy since we've been repairing the damage caused by Sovereign."

"Didn't think I'd hear much said about that." Shepard waited while the turian cleared them through the door. "I've heard that they are blaming the attack on the Citadel on the geth."

"Those of us who saw that thing for what it was…"

"Know otherwise." Shepard finished. Officer Nazarro nodded.

"Exactly." She walked through the door once it was open and motioned for Shepard to step to her right. The C-Sec office was there, and a few people were taking orders from one man.

"…And make sure they know you mean business." He was saying. "They've basically been pissing on us without the courtesy of calling it rain."

"Captain Bailey," The turian began. The man looked up sharply.

"Ferina, I thought you were headed out for the day." He then noticed someone beside her. "Who do we have here?"

"There was an error outside." Officer Nazarro motioned behind her. She then lowered her voice. "The scanner misread her for Commander Shepard."

"You trying to get me to laugh, Lieutenant?"

"Afraid not." The turian shook her head. "See for yourself."

Bailey stood from his desk and activated his omni tool to perform a scan. When the results came in, his eyes widened. He then looked up at Shepard to take in her full appearance.

"You certainly look like her, but…" He looked down at the ID that was on his mini display. "Hair's different…" He waited a moment before shaking his head. "Who am I kidding? This system has been a pain in my ass since day one."

"There is a small chance it could be right." Ferina shrugged. "Rumors flying around."

"If that's the case, then consider this a good day." Bailey looked down at the results again. "If this is actually accurate, you'll have a mountain of paperwork to do."

"Good thing I'm not in a hurry." Shepard hadn't really thought of the technicalities of returning after two years. The thought hadn't had time to cross her mind, if she were honest.

"Someone with a good attitude about it." Bailey commented dryly. "This really is a treat. I'm usually neck-deep in complaints." He then gave her a serious look. "Well, I'll offer you two options: One, you could go through that paperwork and be questioned by my superiors, or…" He looked at something on his terminal. "I could simply press this button here and let you go on with your business. The choice is yours."

"Sidestep the bureaucracy." Shepard commented, but it wasn't her answer. "I'll suffer the paperwork and inquiry. It will look better and save you trouble, should people come calling."

"Fair enough." Bailey leaned back in his chair. "That was my test." He actually smiled. "I have a feeling that, if you were an imposter, you wouldn't want a bunch of salarians and volus going through your records to see if you are who you say you are. You'll probably want to head to the financial district on the presidium, then. They can get things going."

Something clicked.

A volus in the financial district.

"Talk to Barla Von in the financial district. He may have a lead on Saren."

"I think I have a contact there." Shepard said it automatically. She remembered Anderson, in his dress blues, telling her about Barla Von after a failed attempt at exposing Saren.

In the Citadel Tower.

"Hopefully, they'll get you well on your way." Bailey said before looking over at the turian beside Shepard. "Ferina, I told you to get out of here. You've been here since early afternoon."

"I'm gone." She nodded toward the shuttlepad on the opposite side of the street. "Headed toward the presidium anyway, so I'll walk you out." She left that last comment with Shepard.

"Sounds good to me."

"Well, if you find yourself back down here and need anything, I'm always here." Bailey stood and offered his hand, which Shepard took. "Armando Owen Bailey."

"Pleasure, Captain." Shepard nodded as they stepped back again. "I'm sure I'll be around. My ship was tagged to this dock."

"Welcome to Zakera Ward." He returned to his desk and engaged an officer that was escorting a salarian through to a holding cell. "I'm telling you; I don't have time for this. When will you people find something productive to do?"

"You caught him in a good mood." Ferina muttered as they went out of the office and turned left at the Avina terminal.

"Busy place." Shepard looked around. She hadn't spent much time on the wards while here before. Her business had always led her to the presidium or the upper markets of Tayseri Ward. "Different form the last time I was here."

"You'll find the entire station is." Ferina rounded the corner and made for the skycars that sat on a shuttlepad further along the street. "This place used to be safe, or at least people thought it was."

"And now they feel vulnerable."

"Not openly, but yeah." After tagging one of the cars to her omni tool, Ferina set the location. "Regardless, it feels good to know you're back."

"Assuming I'm not an imposter."

"I remember you from when the repairs were being seen to." Now that she said it, Shepard thought she recognized her, if only slightly. "Part of the crew that was replacing bulkheads on the presidium. Your people were quick to volunteer to help when they were aboard the station." As she sat down in the driver's seat, Ferina looked up again.

"Some things you just can't fake, and some of us won't forget."

Shepard watched as the top closed down on the car and the turian officer rose to join the queue waiting to enter the traffic stream. As the yellow skycar turned and joined the masses, she began to feel small. The Citadel had always been a massive wonder, but she remembered it feeling a little less vast the last time she had been here.

"Could just be where my head is right now…" She turned to a green car and tagged it to her ID before letting it open. When she sat down and set the location of her intended destination, she let out a frustrated breath. The lid closed, and the car rose into the air, but she wasn't paying it any mind.

The radio was on in the car, and small news bits were being played. Mentions of an Alliance marine being honored by an STG regiment piqued her interest, and she was almost surprised to hear Kaidan Alenko's name come up. The reporter went on to say that several programs had been set up in the lieutenant's name for young biotics seeking training or help. Another story came up, sometime later, that made Shepard sit up straighter.

"Captain Hannah Shepard has reportedly turned down an Admiral's star and has taken command of the exploratory vessel, Tarsis. The captain deemed her offered promotion to admiral a "Political Ploy" and stated that the best way she could honor her daughter's legacy would be by captaining a ship."

"Mom…" The word tore from her throat as she said it. Her voice was thick with emotion that had welled up without warning. She strained to remember the last time they had seen one another.

"Shepard, who disappeared shortly before her daughter's death, was recovered from an armed bunker on the planet Klensal. An investigation is ongoing. In a brief statement, she had this to say:"

Her chest tightened.

"I was offered a position captaining a vessel whose mission is primarily exploration. In short it felt right to accept. Seryna grew up on starships, or she spent hours wandering around space stations. Despite this, anytime someone asked where she might find herself later in life, she would always say- "

"Out there." Shepard said the words as her mother did. It had been true. She would always say things like that; even if, at that time, it was to simply answer vaguely.

"The stars held everything for her. Not only did she follow her career up there, but she also found meaning, life, love, and herself among them. People who claim to know her don't realize that her achievements are just a footnote. In captaining this ship, I intend to finally see the galaxy through her eyes."

A warm ache rose in her as she listened to the reporter capping off the statement with a few closing comments. Powerful and intense, she had a want for her mother; to see her, hear her voice, and feel those arms that had been her source of comfort. Her feeling small earlier only worsened in those fleeting moments after the statement that the reporter had taken. One thing from the broadcaster did cause her to make a mental note.

"Further comments from Captain Shepard can be found in the documentary that we are proud to have taken part in. Distinction: The Woman Behind the Legend, produced and delivered by Emily Wong, is an ongoing project. For more information, search keyword SHEPARD on the extranet."

She would have to look into this documentary when she returned to the Normandy.

While another news bit played, gossip about the asari consort, Sha'ira, Shepard watched as the skycar's speed shifted down. She was leaving the wards' access area. The tunnel was dark, but artificial sunlight cut through that as she came out into the less-congested presidium traffic. Here, there were less cars and more shuttles. Some of them bore the Alliance's insignia, while others had C-Sec's. She could see the reservoirs and their vast reflective surfaces. Trees, shrubs, and grasses were set around them to offer the illusion of a nice parkway. Walking paths were woven throughout with stairways and overpasses leaving loping shadows.

It was just as she remembered it.

She could see a bench in a far corner. Michael and Rebekah had been there arguing about her unborn son, his nephew, Jake. Under a small section of trees, an over-excited hanar had been attempting to spread the word of the Enkindlers. A few other places stood out as she flew low over them. The car had dropped out of the stream of traffic and was approaching a drop point near a building just west of the Citadel Tower. Her eyes were drawn to it as Shepard stepped out of the car; an announcement on the radio making her pause.

"The Destiny Ascension has nearly completed its twenty-colony victory cruise. With a few more stops on its route, Council members aboard have thanked human Alliance soldiers for their efforts in repelling Saren's attack on the Citadel two years ago."

Shepard's eyes moved to the top of the tower for a long moment before they returned to the entrance to the building she stood outside of; a sinking feeling worming its way into the pit of her stomach.

She may not even be here.

Taking in a slow breath, she entered the nearby building and found it to be occupied by several people standing in queues. None of them looked up upon her entry, but she did catch a volus sitting behind a desk eyeing her. With a nod, they dropped off of their chair and headed for an office. She followed them. When the door closed behind her, she watched as the volus settled themselves in a chair and raised it to meet the top of the desk.

"Commander Shepard."

"Barla Von." She recognized the voice immediately.

"I was unsure if you would remember." The volus eyed her curiously. "But of course, I knew you would have to find your way here."

"You knew?"

"Oh yes." Barla Von used his terminal to pull up something that she couldn't make out. "I assume that you are here to regain financial clearance and re-establish your identify."

"I am."

"Very good." He motioned for her to step forward before performing a lengthy scan with his omni tool. "Biometrics match, and I daresay you have some extensive medical procedures to sort through."

"I assumed there would be more than just a biometrics scan." Shepard looked over the results. What she could see listed several implants as well as several procedures that she wasn't versed on.

"Normally, you would be correct." Barla Von closed out his scanner and deactivated the omni tool. "There is usually a lengthy inquiry that involves going through every document and itemized asset that you possess to ensure that nothing has gone missing or was claimed by an unworthy party. However," He paused. "I take it that you have not forgotten the other part of my profession."

"Financial advisor and agent for the Shadow Broker."

"Correct. That last said, I was informed of your possible return."

"It would be a waste of time to ask by whom."

"It is best that we do not know." Barla Von answered quietly. "Discretion is key to my work's success, but it is also a means of security."

"The less one knows, the better."

"Precisely."

"So," Shepard crossed to the desk and sat down. "What would a financial advisor like yourself need from me, to prove that I am who I say I am?"

"Review these forms and provide your signature. The rest is already accounted for."

"No pun intended." Shepard muttered as she looked over the datapad that he had placed on the desktop. The first detailed a list of monetary assets: accounts, security deposits, and a few other bank notes. Scrolling through it, she nodded slowly. Everything that she remembered having before the attack was there. The next section had a list of transactions and other financial decisions that had been made two years ago. There had been no further activity in her accounts since then. Shepard had to note that anything that had been purchased while they had been on Omega had been on Cerberus' dime.

She hated that fact.

The last was a single deed in her name. It was for a piece of property on the planet Intai'sei, in the Phoenix system of the Argos Rho cluster.

She remembered this property.

It had been one that she had won off of Admiral Tadius Ahern after completing his challenge on Pinnacle Station. The prefab that had been set up there had been done in the hope that he would use it when he retired, but the admiral, at the time, had no plans for it. He had wagered it in a bet with her, and she had stepped up to the challenge. Ahern had been happy to get rid of it.

"Saves me a lot of planning, Shepard. I don't plan on retiring anytime soon, so it would be a waste. There will be times when you'll need somewhere to put your head. Take full advantage of it."

"I take it everything is in order?" Barla Von's question made her look up.

"I think so." She answered vaguely. Continuing to scroll, she saw that was the last of the items she needed to review. Nodding as she added an electronic signature, Shepard thought aloud.

"Has anyone been to that property?"

"I would not think so." Barla Von shook his head. "Very few knew that it had transferred from Tadius Ahern's possession to yours."

"Anything else you need from me?" She handed him back the datapad. "Left kidney for collateral?"

"Perhaps if we were on Omega." Barla Von commented innocently, but there was something to the way he said the name of the station that made Shepard uneasy.

"You knew I was there."

"At the time, no." Barla Von took the datapad, transferred what was on it to his terminal, and stowed the pad in a desk drawer. "I have, since, been informed."

"Wonderful." After a moment's pause, Shepard stood and looked at the display that was showing a news segment. "There really are eyes everywhere, aren't there?"

"It depends on who you ask." Barla Von had stepped away from his desk and had come to stand next to her. "C-Sec would say that there are not nearly enough. I, however, find that sometimes, there are very few places that aren't in plain sight."

"I heard something about this on the way over here…" Shepard, while hearing what he had said, was watching as a reporter spoke about the Ascension's victory cruise. "How long have they been away?"

"While all of the councilors are not aboard, they have been away from the Citadel for a fair amount of time." Barla Von looked up at the display. "Councilor Valern found that he could make better use of his time here."

"That about the consort," Shepard used the next news story as a distraction from the fact that Valern was the only councilor there. "Is it true? Is she really preparing to leave the Citadel?"

"Doubtful." The volus dismissed that with a wave of his arm. "There have been rumors of intelligence leaks from Sha'ira for years, but none of them were founded."

"I remember an elcor diplomat getting upset over it when it wasn't her who spilled the beans. The news anchor said something about her making a council race prediction soon?"

"They say that every rotation." Barla Von actually laughed. "The most meaningful prediction to date has already come to pass."

"And what's that?"

"You have returned to the Citadel."