From Ashes
Chapter Forty One: Purgatory
A/N: Long awaited, but here at last. Chapter 41 is live. I went a different way with Purgatory because I thought the mission was... too easy and straight forward. As for the thing everyone has been waiting for, the reunion, it will be coming up BEFORE Horizon. ;) It will be well worth the wait.
If only the rest could have been that easy.
Shepard walked out of the building that housed the bulk of Citadel Finance with mixed feelings. While Barla Von had made short work of restoring her identity and legal status, something about it still troubled her. Couple that with the fact that the one person she had hoped to encounter wasn't here, and she slowed to a halt.
She sat down on a bench by one of the reservoirs and looked across the water. From here, she could see a new structure. Adorned with the insignia of many races, she assumed it was the entrance to the embassies. It hadn't been there the last time she was here. Everyone had been working out of the old one, which had been repurposed for something else. From her place, she couldn't tell just what it was.
"… I don't know what he is playing at." A voice that she easily recognized assaulted her ears, making Shepard look up. On one of the overpasses nearby, she could just see the charcoal grey hair and lined face of Donnel Udina. He sported a different suit today, but his expression was as sour as ever. "Strange how he was so reluctant to become humanity's voice on the council, yet he is abusing his authority by running shadow operations with the likes of Kahlee Sanders."
She knew the name, Kahlee Sanders, but she couldn't place where she had heard it. A few seconds more, and the person Udina was complaining to spoke.
"I wouldn't know anything about that, Ambassador."
She could see him clearly through the overhanging tree leaves. Steven Hackett was standing a comfortable distance away from Udina in his dress blues. His expression told her that Hackett was only humoring Udina because he was obligated.
"An answer that clearly says you do." Udina seemed to have become more of a hothead since the last time she'd seen him. While ambassador, Donnel Udina had been sharp with her and Anderson. He had spoken to the brass with a sweeter tongue. "I'll assume that there is a reason for the lack of transparency when it comes to the Terminus Border assignment given to Chief Williams as well."
"You're fishing, Ambassador." Hackett said stiffly. "Chief Williams' operations are not your concern. As for Kahlee Sanders, there's nothing to tell. What's this meeting actually about?"
"Try the fact that Anderson is doling out orders like a fleet admiral, but he is telling the other councilors that nothing is going on." Udina's answer was nearly spat.
"Don't tell me you're concerned for his political future." Hackett's tone had changed as well. He was prepared to close this down, and fast.
"It's humanity's future I'm worried about." From where she was, Shepard watched Udina squirm slightly. "He has been painfully consistent with his argument that the Reapers are still out there. It's a distraction that the Council doesn't need right now…" He then looked down, balancing his chin on his fist, until an idea occurred to him.
"This is all down to Shepard…"
"Excuse me?" Shepard was surprised to hear Hackett ask the same thing she just had. His voice carried slightly so that her response to Udina's accusation wasn't heard. He continued speaking after a few seconds' pause.
"Do not bring Shepard into this."
"Anderson's encouragement of her behavior, her endorsing him in return…" Udina went on speaking as if the admiral hadn't. "Never mind the fact that Harkin overheard Anderson's tentative plan to break into my office when the Normandy was locked down… Now he is carrying on her work-"
Shepard saw something flash, and she stood quickly on instinct. For a split second, she thought Hackett had punched the ambassador. As it turned out, she was half right. The flash she had seen had come from the cuff of his uniform jacket, but he hadn't hit him. Instead, he had taken Udina's shoulder and shaken him roughly. His reflexes had been enough to cause the ambassador to visibly shrink away.
"And I thought you could sink no lower." At first the comment almost seemed out of place. Udina took it as an insult, but that wasn't the surprising part. Hackett let go of him and stepped back before explaining what he meant. "It's been a well-known fact that you were jealous of David, even before he took the council seat; that is something you'll have to get over. What I will not tolerate is your dragging her name into all of this." There was something different about the way he said 'her', and it made Shepard blink. "Seryna Shepard has nothing to do with your problems: past, present, or future. Let her rest, Udina. I won't warn you again."
Something rose in Shepard's chest at Hackett's words. She hadn't expected that out of him. In an odd sense, he had just defended her honor, but at the same time, he had re-asserted the fact that she was still considered dead. What she felt had started off as warmth, but it soon turned into a snake that coiled threateningly in her chest and tightened around her heart. The soft smile that had been finding its way onto her lips turned into a sad one.
She couldn't fully enjoy what had just happened, but she did appreciate it.
"Sentiment." Udina managed it as he walked off. Thankfully, it seemed, his companion didn't take the bait. Hackett remained where he was, but he did turn to look away from the ambassador. His gaze lingered on Shepard for a long moment before he shook his head and turned on his heel. When he reached a junction on the walking path, he headed toward the embassies.
He hadn't recognized her.
The haptic tap on her wrist told her that a call was coming in. Reaching up, Shepard tapped her earpiece to receive it. "Miranda?"
"I'm afraid we'll have to cut our time here short, Shepard." Miranda began in a businesslike tone. "I've just heard back from the claims officer aboard the prison ship, Purgatory."
"Problems?"
"Thankfully, no. They're ready to begin processing, but they'll be receiving inmates when transport arrives in three days. We need to be there and gone beforehand."
"Copy. I'm finished here, anyway." It was said in a flat tone, but Shepard couldn't deny the disappointment from creeping up her throat and making it burn. "I'll start heading back down to the docks now."
"Understood."
She turned back to look toward the lift that would have taken her up into the Citadel Tower. Part of her was tempted to double back and enter the council chambers. No one would be there, and that was what kept Shepard where she stood.
Finally, she took a few steps toward a transit terminal. There were a few cars already sitting on the launchpad, no one was around, so she could make a quiet exit. As she accessed the terminal and unlocked a cab to take her back down to the docks on Zakera ward, Shepard frowned. She hadn't done half of what she had wanted to up here, but she had learned one thing:
Ashley Williams was on an assignment near the Terminus border.
Upon her return to the Normandy, Shepard checked in with her crew. Kelly had a few things to report; she mentioned that Kasumi had taken up residence in the portside observation lounge, and that she seemed to be easy going. Mordin was still running tests on the captured seeker insect that Legion had provided. The salarian had a theory on how a protective measure should work, but he still needed time to work it out. Shepard learned quickly that it was best to let him go at it alone.
"Joker, set course for the prison ship, Purgatory." She had stopped to check her messages after stepping back out of the tech lab. "Let's get this over with." Tagging a few messages as priority to read later, Shepard left for the lift. She had a few things to sort out before she could focus on the current mission they were on.
The doors closed, and she left the command deck. This left Joker's follow-up to Shepard's quip unheard, or so he thought.
"Is it just me, or did that sound like this whole thing is an obligation?" He had laid in course for the coordinates that Cerberus had provided.
"There are other things on the Commander's mind, Mr. Moreau."
"Sorry, what?" Joker turned to his left. He hadn't expected a response. "EDI? Wait," His attention shifted from the fact that the AI had answered to what she had said. "How would you know that?"
"With the prior knowledge that organic thought is complex, it is only logical to assume that Shepard has other matters pressing for her attention." EDI responded evenly. Her voice low. "Coming to terms with Project Lazarus' solitary purpose being one of them."
"Seriously?" Joker shifted his physical attention back toward the helm, keeping an eye on EDI. "You're going there?"
"If by 'going there', you mean stating a fact that cannot be ignored, then yes."
"Wow, just…" Joker closed his eyes as they hit the relay. "Wow."
"Miranda," Shepard had arrived on deck one and was crossing into her cabin as she spoke. "I found out something interesting while aboard the station. You'll remember those shipping crates we saw while at Freedom's Progress?"
"The ones marked as Alliance supplies, yeah."
"Udina mentioned that Ashley Williams was involved in an op along the Terminus border. Nothing concrete to prove linkage, but it's something."
"Interesting. Maybe the Alliance has seen the writing on the wall and is actually trying to do something about the abductions."
"Could be. I'll see what else I can dig up."
"Shepard, I should caution you." Miranda began, but Shepard had an idea where it was headed.
"Not to go poking through Alliance databases on a Cerberus ship?"
"Actually, no. I noticed the stims from the Lazarus facility were wearing off on Omega. I know you caught a few hours' rest earlier, but you will need more before we reach the prison ship."
"I'll be fine."
"No, you won't." This time, there was no room for argument. "When the facility was attacked, you weren't ready to be up and about. I had to wake you prematurely. The stress was starting to show when we retrieved Garrus from his base; your reaction time was noticeably slower."
"Your point?"
"My point is: You need proper sleep without interference. I would suggest getting a sedative from the medbay and using it. You'll crash otherwise."
"So, I'm being given a choice." Shepard paused at her desk and looked down at her terminal. The indicator that she had new messages was flashing.
"Technically, yes, until I consult Doctor Chakwas. More than likely, she will agree, and then you'll be up shit creek."
"Fine." Shepard conceded finally. "I'll look over these messages and head down there."
"It isn't a means of control, and I hope you know that." Miranda said this after a moment. In truth, Shepard thought that the comm link had been broken. "I know what I had to put you through when I sent the signal to wake you."
"Just keeping an eye on Cerberus' investment." Shepard sat down at her terminal and looked over the flagged messages from earlier. There was still no more information on the dossiers that the Illusive Man had forwarded. All they had was what they got. This meant that she knew nothing about the convict they were about to pick up. As she checked the subject lines of the others, she almost missed Miranda's final word.
"Ensuring that the woman I brought back doesn't crash and burn."
Something about the way she'd said those words made Shepard stop what she was doing. The bitterness that had taken over from earlier, when she left the presidium, had crept into her every action since she had returned to the Normandy. Only now did she actually taste it in her words, especially the Cerberus' investment comment.
"Miranda, I-" She didn't know what she was going to say. Her lips had started moving before she could even think.
"I know. Get some rest. We still have several hours before we arrive." The sound of a door opening caught Shepard's attention. "Come and see me later. There are a few things I think I need to discuss with you." It wasn't an order or even a suggestion. Miranda simply left it at that.
"Thanks." Was all Shepard could manage. She had just seen something in her messages that had made it hard to think, much less form words. She was looking at the message archive that Tali had sent her. There was a small flag beside it that indicated a new message. She hadn't even read all of the previous ones. Navigating to it, she opened the archive, and the newest message opened.
Spectre,
A ghost or apparition; a spirit bound to the mortal realm until their business is finished.
Some would be horrified to think that this was your fate, but I know differently.
You were here, on the presidium.
I was pleased to see that you have returned, but I fear for your future. The path that you walk threatens to swallow you whole; a deeper darkness than that of lingering shadows from Saren or Sovereign.
Before you return to the Citadel, contact me. I feel that we should speak.
Be well and remain vigilant.
Sha'ira.
Shepard sat there, staring at the message for a moment. It had just come through; the timestamp being tagged as only five minutes prior to her reading it. The meaning of the message meant more than what it stated. The consort had seen her.
More importantly, she had acknowledged that it was her.
Shepard sighed. Part of her wanted to turn the ship around and go back, but the mission had to come first. They needed a team to sort out the Collectors' involvement in the abduction of thousands of humans.
Yes, that had to come first.
Rising from her chair, Shepard left her cabin and headed down to deck three. She was feeling the strain and the wear and tear. Even getting up from her terminal had caused muscles and scars to pull, and that bothered her. Of course, what Miranda had said about Omega had bothered her as well. While in the thick of it, she hadn't had time to consider what her body was telling her, but she did have to admit that she had been reckless.
Putting herself between Garrus and that rocket had been a fool's gambit.
She found Doctor Chakwas looking over a report as she entered the medbay. When the door opened, Karin looked up.
"Shepard, Operator Lawson said you might be coming by."
"Might?" Shepard spared a side glance toward the XO's office across the way.
"She's actually speaking with Garrus at the moment." Chakwas placed the datapad that she had been reading onto the desk nearest and stood. "She's only been in a few minutes. So," She looked Shepard over. "What leads you here?"
"As much as I don't want to admit it, I think I need a sedative."
"Who are you and what have you done with her?" Karin asked as she retrieved an injector. Shepard offered her a reluctant shrug. This left the doctor to shake her head. "Relax, Commander. I had a feeling this would happen eventually, but I'm shocked it wasn't sooner."
"Miranda said that I started slipping on Omega."
"Well, that wasn't completely unforeseen." Chakwas looked through her stocks and placed the injector down while applying the correct dosage. "The initial scans I took showed significant stress, and that was after you had returned from Freedom's Progress."
"How bad is it?" Shepard eyed the injector carefully as the doctor took a few more readings to confirm.
"Considering everything, not too terrible." It was too casually said, but Shepard let it go for the moment. "Just a rough start when your body hasn't had time to adjust to anything. I can see her concerns."
"Has she said anything?"
"Nothing to me directly. She's just asked that I keep an eye on implants, grafting, and all that came between."
"How extensive was it?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.
"Very." Was all the doctor would offer. "Suffice it to say that your recovery is only just beginning." She set the dosage and locked the injector's interface. "Now, off to bed, and only use one injection at a time. I'm not handing off an elephant gun."
"How long will it last?"
"Roughly around eight hours." Chakwas watched as Shepard picked up the injector. "You should wake with plenty of time to prepare for our docking with the Purgatory."
"Any side effects I should be aware of?"
"None, so long as you eat something beforehand." Karin shook her head. "Drowsiness will dissipate over the first fifteen minutes after you wake." She looked over toward the mess, where Sergeant Gardner was at war with the cooktop. "Of course, if you don't, then you will face nausea and lingering fatigue."
"So eating is mandatory."
"Unless you want to feel like you would on the morning after a hard shore leave."
"Hard pass, thanks." Shepard shook her head. "Nothing worse than how I felt after Eden Prime."
"I'm glad you said that." Chakwas nodded in approval. "It means some of those things are coming back to you."
"I'm glad something is." She half meant that.
"Give yourself time." Chakwas' half smile was one of reassurance and understanding. "All of it will return to you."
"Thanks, Doctor." Shepard rotated the injector in her hand before glancing out the window toward Gardner's station. He was cracking eggs on the island. "I think I'd better take the opportunity to eat while it's hot."
"A good idea. Check in when you wake."
"Will do." The smile Shepard flashed back toward the older woman was honest. The casual 'check in later' was a thing she used to do.
Especially after one of the head trips she and Liara took while trying to sort out the beacons' details.
Another fragment of familiarity.
Shepard left the medbay with a slightly lighter heart than when she had come in. The fact that a few little details had come back, ones she could clearly reference, had made her life before the rude awakening a little closer at hand.
After a simple meal of eggs and toast, Shepard headed back to the lift and administered the sedative as the doors closed on deck three. When she reached her cabin, Shepard changed into something more comfortable to sleep in and stashed her casual wear. It could be worn again the next time they were aboard the Citadel or Omega. She dimmed the lights and pulled back the top sheet and blanket before settling into bed.
"EDI, if you don't mind, can you make sure I'm awake an hour before we are due to arrive?"
"Of course, Shepard."
"She wasn't there, by the way." Shepard said this as she finally let her head hit the pillow. Releasing a breath, she closed her eyes.
"If determination serves as direction, your paths will cross."
"I hope so." Instinctively, Shepard went to turn onto her side. The pull of her muscles, as well as several scars, quickly changed her mind, and she was left to see the dim flashes caused by the slipstream. She didn't know how long she lay there, but the hum of the engines started quieting, and the flickers of blue and white from the skylight above dissolved to vivid black.
"I'm glad we have a moment." Miranda had entered the room with some apprehension. Whether she liked it or not, she knew little to nothing about Garrus Vakarian. He was an unknown, unpredictable, for now, anyway. "I've asked Zaeed to meet us here so that we can put together what we all know about the prison ship, Purgatory." She watched him nod. He gave little else away. "Before that, I need to ask something of you."
"Oh?" Garrus' mandibles moved slowly as his eyes widened. He was curious.
"You know the commander better than most;" Miranda leaned against the wall, crossed her arms, and continued casually. "Unlike Joker and Doctor Chakwas, you've seen her in both combat and non-combat situations." At Garrus' slow nod, she finished with: "You know what to look for when it all becomes too much."
"You want me to keep an eye on her."
"Yes." That answer actually shocked him. While she didn't have as much experience with turian facial recognition, Miranda was grateful for what she did know. "I need a second pair of eyes to ensure that she can handle what this mission will demand of her; someone she can trust."
"You're worried she can't handle it."
"No. The reports from your mission against Sovereign prove that she can handle it." Miranda frowned. She didn't like getting this personal, but the situation warranted it. "Consider: she is trying to piece her life back together along the way. That combination could be too much to handle at once. I want this operation to succeed, and I want her to get through it."
"Before I answer, let me ask you this: Is this concern Cerberus-based, or is it personal?"
"While keeping Cerberus' interests in mind, it goes beyond that." Miranda measured each and every word. She didn't want to go too far, but she didn't want to leave it there. "I spent two years overseeing and carrying out operations during the Lazarus project; I know her on paper, not in practice. That said, it isn't personal, but it isn't strictly professional."
Finally, Garrus nodded again. "Give it time, and it will turn more personal. Until then, I'll do what I can."
"I appreciate it." And she did.
"Little advice?" Garrus checked the grid as Normandy shifted from relay transit protocols. "Shepard needs people that she can trust around her for this to work." He tagged something for Daniels to look at later before turning back to face Miranda. "Not people she feels she constantly has to gauge. It's a general statement that applies to everyone. The more transparent everyone is, the better off things will be."
All she could do was nod. What he had said had struck a chord. While she prioritized the mission first, Miranda had to admit that she could relate to that thought.
Being able to read people was a hard talent, but it was one she didn't want to have to use.
"So, now that that is out of the way," Garrus gave her a moment to think about what he had said before switching subjects. "What do we know about Purgatory?"
"Only that it is manned and run by Blue Suns mercenaries." Miranda used a nearby terminal to display what data had been passed along by Cerberus.
"More like a turian who went apeshit." Zaeed Massani remarked as he entered. He addressed Miranda first. "Had to wait on the lift. Otherwise, I'd have been here sooner."
"What, no using the access ladders?" Garrus teased.
"Smug bastard." Zaeed began. "Both you and the pent-up bird that runs it." He clarified. Garrus laughed. "Kuril was a civil servant on Palaven who got tired of seeing people walk free because of political backroom deals."
"Somehow I don't see him running a legit business." Garrus accessed the same terminal Miranda had and ran a search through his old databases. "From what I remember, Purgatory was its own separate operation. The Suns on Omega had nothing to do with it."
"They bought prisoners from time to time." Zaeed waved a hand. "Easy money. Get the nastiest society has to offer, beat them down in a prison, and then let people like Tarak and the other merc bosses bid on the worst."
"And you know this is happening?" Miranda looked to Zaeed then.
"Oh yeah." He shrugged. "Old contacts from the Suns confirmed it years ago. Don't know the layout of the place or anything, but I know that goes on regularly."
"EDI can get into their personal network and find a proper layout."
"So, what are we doing there exactly?" Garrus dropped the sarcasm and faced the two equally. "How is this transfer happening?"
"Cerberus has authorized the funds to be transferred upon arrival." Miranda started off strong. "When we dock, we are to make the transaction by means of a terminal near the airlock."
"And after?" Zaeed leaned against the wall closest to the door, eyes on Miranda.
"We're to proceed to outbound processing, and the prisoner will be handed over."
"And we know what about this prisoner?" Zaeed again. This was where Miranda faltered.
"Honestly, nothing. All we know is that they are called "Jack"."
"Look forward to seeing Kuril's operation." Zaeed straightened up. "Let me know when we hit ground. I'll be in the cargo bay."
"I need a word with the doctor, anyway." Garrus turned his head and raised a talon to one of the wounds from Tarak's assault. "Don't think this is supposed to be pulling away from there."
"You just missed Shepard." Zaeed added as he was leaving. "Saw her come out of the medbay as I was rounding the corner."
When he left, Miranda and Garrus shared a look.
"She actually did it, then." Miranda waited for Zaeed to be several paces away before she made to leave herself: the turian behind her. "I asked her to get some actual sleep before we docked, and I recommended a sedative."
"She needs it."
She could hear a chime. It went off once, and her eyes opened. She was flat on her back, and her limbs felt lighter than they had in recent memory. Carefully, Shepard sat up.
"Shepard, estimated time until arrival in the Osun system is nearing 1.5 galactic standard hours."
"Thanks, EDI." Shepard stretched slowly, leaning forward and pulling her back until she couldn't anymore. The slight tingling in her legs meant that she'd gone too far, but she eased back up into a proper sitting position before moving to rise. The sedative had done its job: she had slept like a rock, and without dreams to boot, but there was a little lingering instability. "Have there been any more reports of colonial attacks?"
"The colony at Ferris Fields has been reported as being attacked by an unknown force." EDI 's answer was immediate. "It is said that the entire colony has been reported as missing. Alliance personnel were in route with supplies when the reports came in."
"Something about this seems odd." Shepard moved to straighten up her bed before getting up; there wasn't much to do, seeing as she hadn't moved hardly. "Alliance personnel were either in the area or they had just dropped supplies when these colonies are hit. Can you keep an eye on Alliance traffic to and from remote Terminus colonies?"
"I can monitor extranet reports and have limited Alliance access." EDI seemed to know where Shepard was going with it. "I can monitor shipment manifests and supply drops to see if there is correlation."
"Good. I don't believe in coincidences, and this is lining up to look like one. "
When she finally got up, Shepard pulled the bedcovers tight before moving up the stairs and toward her washroom. She took a moment to throw a little water on her face and pull her hair back. That was still something she had to get used to, having hair long enough to have to do something with. She then changed out of her sleepwear and into a pair of combat fatigues. After lacing up her boots, she decided to follow through with what she had said to the doctor earlier.
"Kelly, let Miranda know I'm up and about. I'm headed down to the crew deck."
"Of course. Did you sleep well?"
"I did." Shepard crossed to the lift and waited for it to come up. "Think I needed it more than I realized."
"Always remember to take time for yourself, Commander." Kelly reminded gently.
"One of these days, I'll actually have to listen when people tell me that."
"Yeah, stubborn."
"Peanut gallery." Shepard retorted. Joker's remark making her smile.
"Not my fault you left the channel open."
Shepard left her cabin and went down to deck three. The medbay was her first stop, and she found the doctor in a good mood. Chakwas was finishing up a discussion with EDI about medical theory when applying implants controlled by a VI. Shepard didn't stay long, just enough for a few scans and a once-over. When she left the medbay, she found Miranda stepping out of the XO's cabin.
"Miranda."
"You look well-rested." Was her reply as Miranda refilled her coffee mug. "I've received word from the Purgatory, by the way." She took a piece of toast off the rack and motioned for Shepard to follow. "I don't like it."
"Oh?" They entered Miranda's quarters and Shepard watched the other woman transfer something to a datapad before handing it to her. A quick glance told Shepard who it was from. "A message from the warden?"
"He wants you to go alone." Miranda waited while Shepard read over the contents of the datapad. "If this were a legit operation, I wouldn't have issue with it, but it isn't."
"Go on."
"The prison is run by Blue Suns mercenaries." Filling Shepard in on the conversation she had with Zaeed and Garrus earlier, Miranda spared no detail. "Something's off."
"Alright," Shepard thought quickly. The message had suggested that they could not afford a lapse of security. They only allowed a minimal complement when retrieving prisoners. It sounded plausible; enough to pass for a valid excuse. Reminding herself that it was a Blue Suns mercenary in charge, she was prepared to lean more toward the skeptical side. "For all intents and purposes, I will go in alone."
"What?"
"I'll go in, fully armed," Shepard leaned against the wall and placed a hand on EDI's holo-emitter. "They'll ask me to surrender weapons upon entry, I'm guessing," Miranda nodded. "But they won't be able to detect the AI who has access to my hardsuit's systems."
"That's…" Miranda stopped for a second; her eyes closed in thought. "An interesting proposal." She looked up. "EDI?"
"Operator Lawson?"
"Is it possible for you to have direct access to all of a hardsuit's systems?"
"While it has never been tested, it is theoretically possible; as long as the subject was within Normandy's broadcast range."
"The warden wants me to go in alone." Shepard clarified. "While they will probably confiscate weapons, they shouldn't have a need for armor."
"A second pair of eyes and ears." EDI didn't have to guess. "An interesting prospect."
"So, you're in?"
"Yes."
"Excellent." Shepard crossed her arms. "In theory, the extra precaution won't be needed, but one can never be too careful."
"Zaeed, Garrus, and I will be standing by." Miranda checked their location on a mounted display before nodding. "Jacob, Hawthorne, and Goldstein can hold the docks access tunnel if need be."
"Good. I'll suit up and check in with Mordin in the tech lab before I head out." Shepard looked toward the small stairs leading toward Garrus' quarters. "Coordinate with him and Zaeed. Let them know what we've discussed."
"Already on it." Miranda wiped the datapad and headed for the door. This left Shepard to follow her out. She went straight while Miranda turned and headed for the stairs.
When she returned to her cabin, Shepard went right for her armor case. Retrieving the different pieces, she studied them. There was nothing that couldn't be addressed later. Superficial scratches that could be buffed were the lightest, and there was a place that could be filled where a stray bullet had pierced her barrier last. Shepard pulled them on, one by one, and adjusted the plates and guards until they sealed.
"Shepard," The voice came out of nowhere, and Shepard looked up to see EDI's holo appear. "May I ask you a question?"
"Sure." She checked her weapons pack before securing it. "What's on your mind?"
"Your proposition of giving over control of your hardsuit's systems to an AI is unexpected." EDI paused for a second before finishing. "Why would you do so, given your history with networked intelligence and the Reapers?"
"Partially, because Cerberus sent you on tis mission and I'd like to see you be part of it." Shepard admitted. "I don't want to see you as a tool; more like another person to offer input and learn from experience."
"Your willingness to accept Legion was only a precursor, then."
"In a way." Straightening up again, Shepard checked her terminal again. She saw a copy of the message that Warden Kuril had sent Miranda; she'd already seen it. "But I need to ask you something now." She looked at the hologram again. "Should something go wrong, I need you to wait until I give a signal."
"I have no reason to doubt your judgment. However," EDI's voice took on a different note. "Should the need arise, I will alert Operator Lawson beforehand."
"Deal."
Shepard then proceeded back down to deck three. Fully armed, she received a raised brow from Doctor Chakwas as she passed through the medbay. When she entered the AI core, Shepard addressed Legion.
"You got my message?"
"We did." Legion's optics flashed a bit brighter for a moment as they approached. "Shepard, Commander, we are prepared to make the modifications, but we must caution you: This has not been accomplished successfully before in history. Creators once allowed geth to upload into their suits to correct errors in software, but they were given limited access. What you propose would give an AI access to control of all systems, including implants and cybernetics."
"EDI, are you okay with this?"
"Only if you are certain, Shepard."
"Do it." She waited while Legion accessed the network port on her hardsuit and opened ports to allow EDI access. When it was done, she checked everything. There were no errors or conflicts. "EDI, how're we looking?"
"Ready." The voice was much closer now. It sounded as if EDI was just at her shoulder, as opposed to speaking through the limited bands of the ship's comms.
"Let's do this."
The Normandy arrived a few minutes before schedule, and they had to wait for docking clearance. Once approved, the Normandy proceeded to one of ten docking cradles, and a gangway was extended; connecting with Normandy's portside airlock near the bridge. When Shepard approached, Joker turned around and gave her a sideways look.
"What?"
"So, you're going into a space prison alone, huh?"
"Not completely alone."
"Shit, and I thought that was a joke." Joker looked between his CO and EDI. "Seriously, I thought you were joking."
"I am simply waiting for the opportunity to seize control." EDI answered evenly. Joker's jaw dropped slightly.
"Ummm… commander, should we unplug the evil AI overlord?"
"That was a joke, Mr. Moreau."
"She got you." Shepard heard someone approaching and turned to see Miranda coming to meet them. "I'm guessing we have permission to board?"
"Just came through." Miranda nodded. "I've coordinated with the others. They're ready."
"Good."
Shepard left the portside airlock and headed through to the docks' access tunnel. When she reached the far door, she had to pause for a security scan. The sweep took a few seconds, and the door opened. She was in a long hallway with a few desks and chairs along the walls. There were two armed Blue Suns mercs with helmets flanking a third, helmetless, human. As she approached, he addressed Shepard.
"Welcome to the Purgatory, Shepard." He stepped forward. "Your package is being processed. As part of our vessel's security policy, I'll ask that you surrender your weapons here. They will be returned to you when you leave."
"I assume there is no way around that." Shepard started off. She watched the flanking guards shift uncomfortably. "I don't know you or your security measures. How can I be sure that this will go seamlessly?"
"Everyone relax." A stern voice came from behind the three mercs. "Commander Shepard, I'm Warden Kuril, and this is my vessel." He was a plain-faced turian with scars littering his faceplates. "I assure you that, while you're here, you will not require weapons." Kuril motioned for the others to step aside. "If you'll follow me, I'll explain."
Shepard followed Kuril through to an observation deck. Below, there were prisoners milling about in uniforms. Some were cleaning, others were proceeding into the showers, and there were guards stationed throughout the ground level. The warden explained that prisoners were either left in their cells, which were self-contained, modular units, or they could roam the open shower area below. If anything should occur, there were energy fields erected and the prisoners were pulled apart by mechanical arms and held at bay. Some were restrained by what looked like threaded biotic fields, and the warden even went on to say that some of the cells had been jettisoned into space as a warning.
"Nothing goes wrong here, Commander." He assured her. "This place can be put on lockdown at a second's notice, and all prisoners are then removed from the lower level and confined to quarters." As they left the observation deck and re-entered the hallway with the other three guards, he finished with:
"You will have no need for arms while here. The prisoner you have requested is being brought out of cryo, and they will be available once you have reached out-processing."
"Alright, Warden." Shepard finally let him win. "Your house, your rules." She removed her weapons pack and placed it onto the desk nearest the door to the exit. "What can you tell me about this prisoner?"
"Cerberus hasn't told you?" Kuril motioned for her to follow him. "I'm surprised. Jack is the most violent, dangerous, and angry ball of biotic power I've ever seen." They left the corridor and headed around a corner. "She was brought here a while ago, and we had no choice but to isolate her in the Super-Max wing." He indicated a point a long way down the corridor they were walking through.
"What was Jack brought here for?"
"Honestly, she was brought here by batarian bounty hunters. They had accepted a contract to find and contain her. Once they did, the holder sent them here. One didn't make it out." He bowed his head. "Poor idiot made the mistake of disengaging the crate lock before the prisoner was secure. She tore him a new one."
"And they're bringing her out of cryo now?" Shepard watched as the biotic arm, or at least, that's what it looked like, extended and pulled two prisoners apart below. One immediately tried to resist and was brought to his knees. The other one was dragged backward and into an open cell.
"No, she will be released in cryogenic stasis." Kuril waved a taloned hand. "It will be up to you and your people to release her. I'd suggest doing it on a war-torn planet somewhere." They rounded a corner again, and they were met with a few cells and guards. While Shepard paused, Kuril kept walking.
"I'm going to see to it that the funds from Cerberus cleared." He said over his shoulder. "Follow this corridor, past the interrogation rooms and Super-Max wing, and you'll find Out-Processing. Jack will be waiting there."
He went through a door, and it closed. This left Shepard to look ahead. There were three interrogation rooms to her right. All three had guards stationed outside, but one was quick to catch her eye. A salarian was being beaten by an electric baton. The merc doing it was helmeted, so no one could see their face, but they didn't stop when the salarian couldn't get up anymore.
"Might want to move along, Ma'am." The guard outside said simply. He too had a helmet, but the looks of his armor suggested that he was turian.
"Is that necessary?" She watched as the salarian quivered on the floor. The guard above him raised the baton high before bringing it back down and holding it until the prisoner screamed.
"This is light, compared to what his victims suffered." The guard shrugged. "Ever hear of the ship that slammed into a docking bay on the Citadel, just after that big battle took place there?"
She had. It had been a small gunship, but it had taken out an entire docking bay and several civilians that had been moved there for emergency housing.
"Yeah, I remember."
"He was the one that orchestrated it. He hacked the controls, caused the weapons to fire a full spread, and he sent it crashing into that triage center."
"Two wrongs don't make a right, remember that." Shepard watched as the interrogator asked a few questions, but the prisoner couldn't answer. "No matter what he did, it won't do you any good to allow this to continue."
"You know, I do get tired of seeing this." The guard rapped the glass to get the other's attention. "Is this really getting us anywhere?" The interrogator inside looked down at the salarian and reprogrammed his baton.
"Stop this, for your own sake."
"Yeah, you're right." The guard beckoned the interrogator forward. "Enough."
Shepard watched as the door opened in the cell, and the interrogator left for an adjacent hallway. She then moved past the turian, who was now leaning against the wall. The next cell had a man in it, but he was asleep.
Passing the hallway that led to the Super-Max wing, Shepard saw the doors that led to Outbound Processing were open. This area was like the one past docks' access. There were desks and a few chairs scattered about. Shepard noted that they almost looked as though they were placed in strategically defensive positions.
"Cerberus' funds have cleared, Commander." Another merc said as he waved her past the first desk. "Just head through that door on the other side." She nodded toward him and proceeded across the room. When the door opened, it did not lead to a secure transport station.
It led to a cell.
"Apologies for the deception, Shepard." Warden Kuril's voice came over the room's comm. "You're worth more as a prisoner than as a buyer. Step into the open cell, and you will not be harmed."
"I don't think so, Kuril." She turned to face the opposite door again. Already, there were three guards waiting by it. "You're a two-bit slave trader, and I don't have time for it."
"A pity you feel that way." She caught the movement of the mechanical arm out of the corner of her eye. It had extended, and a pylon had risen from the ground, beside one of the desks. "We can more than accommodate for your needs, you see."
She could hear something that sounded like distant nails on a chalkboard. High-pitched frequencies, in broken up bursts, were assaulting her ears while something else tore at her brain. The pylon was glowing, and the mechanical arm was moving toward her, but she couldn't move to dodge it. Every muscle in her body, as her barrier rose to break the hold, burned.
"When I told you that nothing went wrong here," The warden stepped past the three at the door; blue tech armor, generated by an emitter on his back, flickered into life. "I meant it. Even our prisoners who possess biotic capabilities are… well cared for." He waited until the arm extended and a wide steel plate expanded to force Shepard into the open cell. Once the door had closed, he turned to the nearest officer. "Prep her for the Super-Max wing. Leave the biotic inhibitor active until cryo prep is complete." He then crossed his arms and waited while the officer at the desk nodded.
Shepard, whose barrier was threatening to collapse, watched through narrowed eyes as the other mercs by the door fidgeted with their guns; a rippling cold settled over her, and an involuntary shiver escaped; along with one word.
"EDI."