Alright. This is it for the moment. Expect more soon as I've got another 10,000 words being proofread as we speak.

Thank you for reading thus far!

CHAPTER 8: THE CITADEL

Sound filled the clean air as Mal walked through the Presidium Commons behind the squad. She had expected more people out here, but, while the area was populated, it wasn't the crush of people she was used to in the AMX.

It wasn't just the lack of people that made her uncomfortable either.

The amount of aliens here was…different. In the AMX the closest you got to aliens was movies and the news feeds. Now they were everywhere and they were just wrong. Everything about them from the way they moved to the way they smelled. It just wasn't right.

Not to mention the way some of them looked at the human squad like they were slime. It reminded Mal of the way she got looked at when she went into upper class areas of the AMX. Like they were all expecting a bow when she passed.

"Commander Shepard!"

The squad stopped and turned around to look at Mal who, in turn, whirled towards a human in a suit coming towards them.

Shepard stepped past Mallory and held out a hand for the man. The man shook it and introduced himself.

"Commander! I am Samesh Bahtia. Forgive the intrusion, but I have nowhere else to turn."

Mal looked at Samesh. The suit was new, but not expensive. The guy was clean but not overly well groomed. Not one of the bureaucrats then.

Williams stepped forward and took all the mystery out of the situation.

"Bhatia? As in Private First Class Nirali Bhatia? I'm Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams. I served with Nirali in the 212." Williams took another step forward and stood beside Shepard.

"Gunnery Chief Williams? It is a distinct pleasure. Nirali spoke highly of you. Perhaps you and Commander Shepard can assist me…"

Mallory tuned out and watched through a window as air cars flew past. The recycled air of the Citadel somehow smelled cleaner and more real than anything in the AMX. The floors spotless. The windows so clear it looked as though they weren't there.

"They have declared it impossible for my wife's body to be returned to me! They will not say why. Only that it is not possible."

Mal turned her head to the man and listened intently. Shepard shook his head and raised a hand.

"There's no reason for your wife's body to be held. Let me see what I can do."

Mallory stared at the man as he put his hands together in a gesture of thanks. Pure desperation in his eyes.

Mal was suddenly aware of a simmering anger in the pit of her stomach.

Shepard turned.

"Let's go find Mister Bosker and do some fact finding."

Williams nodded.

"Copy, Commander."

Mallory felt an overwhelming need to take hit some Red Sand to push down her emotions, but her hands just danced in her pocket. To many people. To close to the Marines.

Shepard and crew walked towards a small hallway and Mal was right behind. Anger still simmering deep inside.

Mal looked the bureaucratic worm up and down. Nice suit, nice haircut, and body posture that told Mal this guy thought he owned the room. The commander approached the man and stood before him with his arms crossed. The man looked at them curiously.

"Clerk Bosker? Commander Shepard."

Bosker unfolded his arms and stepped away from the wall, towards the squad.

"Commander? It's a pleasure. I've been getting the reports from Eden Prime. Excellent work down there."

Shepard bypassed the political flattery.

"Then you can tell me what you know about PFC Nirali Bhatia. She was killed in action on Eden Prime and her body is being withheld from her family."

Bosker fidgeted and sighed.

"Commander, I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to discuss the case of Private Bhatia."

Williams stepped forward.

"I'm PFC Bhatia's platoon sergeant. The assured passage of her remains back to her family falls within my responsibilities. Why hasn't the body been escorted home and returned to the family?"

Bosker looked down his nose at Williams.

"Fine. Private Bhatia's body is being withheld due to the type of wounds she has. They were inflicted by a weapon system the Alliance is not familiar with. Studying Private Bhatia's body may provide insight into new ways to defend against the weapons."

Shepard shook his head as Williams clenched her fists.

"Unacceptable. PFC Bhatia needs to be returned to her husband immediately."

The clerk sighed exasperatedly.

"Commander, that is well out of your ability to demand. PFC Bhatia's body is legally state property. She can be returned once-"

Mallory felt the simmering anger in her stomach rise into her throat.

A furious biotic stepped around Shepard and pushed the little worm into the wall before standing nose to nose with him. The ganger growled her words through gritted teeth.

"Give the lady back to her husband or I'll smear you across the ceiling."

The worm turned pale and squirmed as he saw the truth of the threat in Mallory's eyes. He looked over her shoulder at the Marines who were doing nothing to help him. Bosker trembled as he turned back to Mal.

"Ok. Alright."

Bosker pulled up his omni-tool and tapped a few buttons.

"There it's done. Mister Bhatia will be able pick up his wife from the Alliance bays."

Mallory grinned her reddened teeth.

"It's been a pleasure Mister Bosker."

She stepped away and looked at the Marines. A conflicted Shepard was flanked by a disapproving Alenko and confused Williams.

"We gonna go tell the man, Shepard?"

Shepard nodded.

"We have to go."

Mallory stood awkwardly in the elevator. Still behind the squad. After telling Samesh that his wife would be returning home properly, the man thanked them profusely before leaving to make the arrangements.

Williams had some nice words the for the guy before he departed. Now they were on their way to the Citadel Tower. To take part in the trial of a Specter. Grand.

"Hey, Mallory?"

Mal looked at Alenko.

"Yeah?"

The Lieutenant turned and looked at her curiously.

"Why'd you do that back there? To the clerk?"

Mal let the question hang before shrugging.

"He was pissing me off. Wasting everyone's time."

Alenko stared through her.

"You were very upset. Enough to physically assault him."

Mal scoffed and sneered at Alenko.

"Is the Marine going to lecture me about hurting people?"

Alenko shook his head.

"No, but I was interested in what your personal interest was in order to get you so upset."

Mal was about to fire back when Williams did first.

"LT, all due respect, but a girl has to have her secrets."

Alenko seemed dissatisfied with the answer but a chime sounded and the door to the elevator opened.

Mallory stepped out into a chamber with a very high ceiling. There was bird song and running water. People and aliens in very nice clothes casually strolled around speaking in hushed tones. Occasionally they were passed by a hunched aide hurrying along, but the whole place was a whole lot calmer than the Embassies.

The Commander and crew kept moving and Mal had no time to gawk anymore. The squad moved up to a large fountain and found what Mallory recognized as quite clearly a Turian cop talking to some other Turian who looked a lot more important than him. The alien cop had its hands in front itself.

"I'm telling you Executor! Saren is up to something. I just need more time. I've still got leads. Stall them!"

The Executor shook his head.

"You don't stall The Council, Vakarian. You're done."

Hearing aliens speak perfect English was so damned weird.

The cop turned to Shepard.

"Commander Shepard? Garrus Vakarian. I was the officer in charge of Saren's case."

Shepard shook Vakarian's hand.

"Sounds like it didn't go well."

Vakarian made a sound of frustration.

"Saren's a Spectre. The Council's favorite. Everything he touches is classified and everything he writes is covered in black ink."

Shepard sighed and opened his mouth to speak before Alenko interrupted.

"Commander. I think the Council is ready for us."

Vakarian put its hand up in farewell.

"Good luck, Shepard. Maybe they'll listen to you."

The crew hurried past Vakarian and up to a gesturing Captain Anderson.

"Come on. The hearing has already started."

The Alliance troops and Mallory followed Anderson up stairs and the ganger curled into herself seeing all the spectators and cameras. So much for keeping a low profile.

She looked forward and saw three aliens. A Turian, an Asari, and a Salarian. They were standing on a platform high above everyone else and looking down at Ambassador Udina. The message about who was in charge came through loud and clear.

The other humans stood close behind Udina in support.

Mallory looked up at a large projection of a Turian and her mind locked up for a split second.

'Son of a bitch.'

It was the Turian from the tram station. The one with the Geth.

That was Saren Arterius. He was big, even without the projection. Lots of cybernetics and scars. Not someone she would have fucked with back on the block. Mean son of a bitch.

"The Geth attack on Eden Prime is concerning, but there is no evidence to support your allegations of Saren's involvement." The Asari shook her head as Ambassador Udina sighed.

"In fact, the C-SEC investigation into Saren turned up no evidence of wrongdoing at all."

Saren spoke now. He threw his arm up like he was flipping a table.

"I resent these accusations! Nihlus was my protégé! A comrade and close friend!"

Captain Anderson spoke up.

"That just let you catch him off guard!"

Saren scoffed.

"Captain Anderson. Why is it that you are always involved when Humanity makes false allegations against me?"

The Turian turned to Shepard.

"That would make this your own protégé Commander Shepard. The man who let the beacon be destroyed."

Shepard smiled at Saren.

"And who ordered explosives placed around the Beacon, Spectre Arterius?"

Saren shook his head.

"Shouldn't you know the facts of your own investigation? Your race needs to learn its place. You want to be part of the Council, but you're not even ready to join the Spectres!"

'Your race needs to learn its place.'

That made Mal clench her fists. Who the fuck did this Spike think he was talking to?

Mal gritted her teeth.

"I saw you, asshole!"

Saren looked at Mallory.

"And who is this? The Humans have sunk to bringing in drug addicted criminals as well as traumatized dock workers in as their witnesses?"

Anderson gestured to Williams and Mal looked to the Marine. Ashley nodded her head towards the entrance.

"Come on."

'Well shit.'

Welcome thoroughly worn out, Mallory followed Ashley back to the staircase. The ganger was ready for a tirade but instead Ashley huffed and smiled.

"I'm glad you opened your mouth. I wasn't sure how much longer I could go without telling him to shut his fucking mouth."

Despite herself, Mal smiled and then gestured back towards the hearing.

"Who the hell does that Spike think he is?"

Ashley shrugged.

"They think we're less than they are."

Mallory chuckled darkly.

"Clearly."

The rest of the crew came down and before anyone could open their mouths Shepard whirled on Mallory. A scowl was firmly screwed onto his face.

"What do you mean you saw him."

Mallory sighed and licked her lips.

"I saw him at the tram line. After the flashbang went off. I thought I was seeing shit."

Shepard sighed and put his hand on his forehead. Kaidan and Ashley smiled at one another as Anderson shook his head.

Of all people, Udina stepped forward.

"Are you willing testify to that?"

Mallory grinned with reddened teeth. The idea of sticking it to the Spikes made it worth sticking around the Citadel for a bit longer. Of course…the Normandy was also her ride off this place.

"I mean I just did, Ambassador."

Udina nodded and put his hand on his chin.

"It will help, but we will need more."

Kaidan spoke up.

"What about that C-SEC officer? Vakarian? He seemed like he was close to something."

Ashley pointed at Kaidan.

"That's right. He said he was just following up on a couple more leads."

Udina turned.

"My contact in C-SEC will know where to find him. His name is Harkin."

Anderson shook his head.

"Forget it. Harkin got suspended last week for drinking on the job. I won't waste my time with that lowlife."

Udina sighed.

"Captain, your involvement makes the Council doubt our motivation. Commander Shepard will handle this."

Shepard shook his head and gestured very seriously.

"You can't just cut the Captain out of this."

Mal tuned out as she honestly didn't care. As long as she can stick to the Spikes and catch a ride to somewhere else.

The argument went on for a while before the captain decided to step back from the investigation himself. Anderson mentioned Harkin drinking his savings away in a club in the Wards.

As the team was about to leave Anderson stopped them.

"If Harkin isn't willing to give up the information or you just don't feel like dealing with that drunken loser, there is a Volus named Barla Von on the Presidium. He's an information broker. He'd likely have a lead for us, but it's going to cost."

Shepard nodded.

"We'll take care of it, sir. Meet you at Udina's office when we have something."

The Commander turned to the team.

"Alright. Time is short. Saren's a Spectre. He's smart and will be moving to tie up any loose ends. We'll split up here. Alenko and I will go to Barla Von. See what he knows and how much it will cost for him to share. Williams and Mallory, head to Chora's Den. Speak with Harkin. I don't care if he's in a talking mood or not, find out where Garrus is and get his cooperation."

A fire in Mallory burned a little hotter at being ordered around like a grunt, but she choked it down.

'At least I'll get to rough up a pig if it comes down to it.'

The squad stepped into the elevator together before pairing off when they got the floor of the Presidium. Shepard looked at Mallory and nodded before walking away.

"Keep in touch."

Shepard and Kaidan strode into Barla Von's office. He walked up to the desk, behind which, a black and white suited Volus stood. Before Shepard could speak, the Volus raised his arms to the side grandiosely.

"Ah! Earth-Clan! Quite the famous one at that! I must say, Commander Shepard, the stories of your heroics on Elysium give me chills every time I hear them. Of course, coming from a storied military family, you're really just taking up a birthright, aren't you."

Shepard supposed that speech would have been more impactful had it not been for shrill workings of the Volus' breathing apparatus.

Shepard crossed his arms.

"Barla Von?"

The Volus attempted a bow.

"The very same. I apologize Commander, but when an individual such as yourself comes to the Citadel and begins making claims of the type you are, it begs attention from an individual such as I."

Shepard leaned forward.

"An individual such as yourself being an agent of the Shadow Broker."

Barla Von nodded.

"You're blunt Commander but correct. I act as an agent of the Broker, but my dealings with him are all entirely within the bounds of the law."

Shepard raised his omni-tool and presented a photo of Saren.

"And would your dealings with the Broker happen to include information on Saren Arterius?"

Barla Von breathed out and presented a memory stick to Shepard.

"With my compliments, Commander."

Shepard examined the memory stick before looking at Barla Von. Kaidan stood beside Shepard and opened his omni-tool to scan the stick.

"It's clean, Commander." The Lieutenant gazed at Barla Von curiously.

"What's the catch?"

Barla Von inhaled and shook his head.

"No catch. The Broker is very upset with Saren at the moment. In this your interests, and that of the Broker, align. I'm simply facilitating business between two clients."

Shepard eyed Barla Von dubiously and the Volus shrugged.

"In hopes of repeat business, Commander."

Shepard slotted the memory stick into his omni-tool and a photo of a scarred Krogan bearing a red crest appeared.

Barla Von inhaled.

"Allow me to introduce Urdnot Wrex. Following Saren's betrayal of the Broker, Wrex was hired to eliminate Saren and dismantle his organization."

Shepard peered over the photo at Barla Von.

"Tall order."

Barla Von nodded and waved a hand.

"Wrex is a top shelf mercenary. Very well known, in the right circles, and a track record to rival that of Zaeed Massani and Aleena T'Zera. His word and contract are his bond. Good to have onside."

"Where is Wrex now?"

A shrill inhale.

"Wrex can likely be found at C-SEC headquarters. He has been threatening a club owner and legitimate businessman known as Fist."

Shepard could hear the quotation marks around "legitimate businessman."

"Wrex is fully capable of assisting you further, Commander."

Shepard nodded and transferred Barla Von his contact information.

"Let me know if there is anything else. I have to go."

Music pounded as Mallory and Ashley walked up the pathway to Chora's Den. A number of patrons stood outside. The sound of a person vomiting came from near the entrance and, if the groaning was any indication, that person was regretting their life decisions.

Holographic signage depicting human neon lighting spelled out the name of the club. As the Marine and ganger made to enter an Elcor bouncer moved in front of them.

"Stern Reminder: No weapons are allowed in the club."

Ashley held out her identification.

"Alliance military. We're conducting an investigation."

"Scoffing Disregard: I couldn't care if you were a Councilor, Human. No weapons."

"I can go get C-SEC."

"Daring Invitation: Go ahead. I'll see you when they show up in two weeks."

Mallory stepped forward.

"I need inside and I need protection. I'm not looking to shoot anyone."

"Uncaring Reminder: The rules are the rules."

Mallory smiled and crossed her arms.

"Do you accept tips?"

"Grateful Acceptance: I do from friends."

A credit chit appeared in Mallory's hand.

"For the tip jar."

The Elcor took the chit.

"Businesslike: The soldier stays outside. Hinting: Don't wave any guns you might have around."

Mallory looked at Ashley. The woman was a walking armory. Pretty hard to conceal two rifles, a shotgun, a pistol, and hand grenades. The Gunnery Chief crossed her arms.

"You're not going in there without me."

"My friend, the doorman, says you can't come in. Keeping out the riff raff. You understand." Mallory leaned forward and gestured to the Elcor. The ganger turned around and walked inside, ignoring the angry shout of the Marine.

The doors to Chora's Den slid shut behind her and Mallory was bathed in flashing lights and pounding music. The bass thumped in Mallory's chest and the former Red felt a weight lift off of her shoulders as she watched an Asari erotic dancer twirl on a pole on top of the circular bar and kitchen in the center of the club.

She knew this place. It was dark, dank, and full of people hiding.

This was home.

The ganger turned right and walked along wall, past a few Asari and human dancers.

The club music slowed to a crawl and began to build to a drop. Among the drunks, dock workers, and what were probably servicemen on leave, sat a human male seated by himself. A cheap drink in his hand. Balding and perpetual resting bitch face.

Mal didn't need the C-SEC uniform to know the guy was cop. Mal walked over to him and sat in the seat next to him. The uniform's tag read "HARKIN."

"Can I fucking help you?" The scowl deepened into the typical "I'm about to arrest you" face. Mal leaned forward.

"Garrus Vakarian. Where is he and what is he doing?"

Harkin's face became incredulous.

"How the fuck should I know? I'm not the spike's keeper and even if I was, I'm on the outs with C-SEC at the moment."

Mal sat back in the chair and smiled at a redheaded waitress walking up.

"Bourbon. It's going on his tab."

The waitress smiled back at Mal and walked away.

"Talk to me or talk to the Marine I just abandoned outside."

Harkin scoffed and shook his head.

"What did Garrus step in to piss off the Alliance?"

Mallory shrugged.

"More like what he didn't do. If you don't know where he is, then where can I find him? Somewhere that's not a fucking C-SEC office."

Harkin held out a hand.

"Pay for my drink…and yours to, asshole."

The waitress was returning with a shot of whiskey as Mal smiled easily.

"Tell the bartender that your drinks are on the Human Embassy the rest of the night. Mention Ambassador Udina and Commander Shepard."

Harkin grinned.

"I think we can do business, you and I. Look for Garrus in Doctor Michel's office a couple floors up. He's been running extra patrols for the good doctor."

Mallory smiled and took her drink off the waitress' tray. She downed it and put the glass back on the tray. The redhead waitress smiled, but it was off. Kind of uncomfortable and plasticky.

She hadn't worked here long.

A fleshy smack sounded and the waitress girl jumped and turned around, backing away from Harkin. The former cop had a hand up in the air waggling his fingers.

"Do me a favor and get me another drink, girlie. Then you can take a seat right here." Harkin patted his leg. The waitress looked at Mal. The ganger looked back before turning and walking away.

In her minds eye she saw Crystal smacking away handsy customers at the Red Room. Just trying to make a living.

'Well. If she works here, she better learn to defend herself…'

Mallory strode back towards the door and exited to find Ashley still arguing with the Elcor and a line of impatient people lined up around the corner. Mallory smirked at Ashley.

"Ready to go?"

Ashley grabbed Mallory by the arm and dragged her away from the door and down the catwalk. Whistling sounding in Mal's ears at the contact.

"Get your fucking hands off me!" Mallory snarled and jerked her arm away as the line of patrons began to move again.

Ashley stuck a finger in Mallory's face and the ganger was very tempted to break it.

"You do not leave my side, again. You're a civilian!"

Mallory shoved the Marine. Ashley's face turned red and neck turned white. Pink ears signified the rage boiling inside her.

"A civilian that just did your job for you, jarhead! Vakarian is a couple floors up. At clinic owned by a Doctor Michel."

Ashley took a deep breath and whirled.

"Fine. Let's go. Follow fucking orders next time."

Mallory's fingers twitched and biotic energy arced between her fingers before dying away. She walked after Ashley before stopping and yelling at Ashley.

"Hey! Wait a second!"

Ashley stopped and held up a hand in a confused manner. Mallory turned and walked back past the line of patrons and past the Elcor bouncer, who didn't move to stop her.

"Stop it! I'm a waitress not a goddamn hooker!"

Mallory walked directly up to Harkin, who had his hand around the waitress' waist and was trying to pull her into his lap. Harkin looked up at her and grinned.

"Hey! Come back to join the party? You wouldn't be bad looking if it weren't for the junkie teeth."

Mallory put her weight into a punch that sent Harkin to the floor. The waitress was caught off balance before Mal caught her with an arm around her waist. She let go of the waitress who stepped back and away from the altercation.

The ganger leaned over Harkin and pointed in his face.

"If I hear that you have put hands on another girl in here, I will break your arm."

As the ganger walked away she spat on Harkin's boots and grumbled.

'Fuckin' a million miles from home and there are still dickheads that can't take no for an answer...'

Without waiting for a response, Mal stood straight and began walking to the door. The waitress stood by the entrance trying to fix her hair. She beamed at Mal.

"Thanks! Security is asleep at the switch! I'm Jenna by the way."

Mal lifted her eyebrows up once and then dropped them back into her resting bitch face.

"I'm Mallory. If he bothers you or anyone else again just send me a message. I'll deal with him."

Jenna gave Mal a saucy smile and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll do that. Thanks, Freckles."

Mal's face burned a little bit at the mention of her freckles as Jenna sashayed past her and back towards the bar.

Mallory and Ashley ascended the staircase to the entrance of Doctor Michel's clinic. Before they entered Ashley looked at Mallory.

"Look. I admit we were in your element down at Chora's Den, but let me talk to this guy, ok?"

Mallory snorted and gave Ashley a half smile.

"Nah. I should talk to the cop. We can talk about drugs."

Ashley, despite herself, smiled.

"Bold move, Cotton."

The Marine turned and walked into the clinic as Mallory followed, trying to figure out the reference.

As soon as Ashley entered she stopped in her tracks and then crouched down to the right, hiding behind a shelf. Mallory was left standing in the door and was looking at two men threatening a woman in medical scrubs. The threat being implied by the pistols in their hands.

"If that Quarian comes back here, you're gonna give us a call and tell us, ain't ya doc?"

"Please, stop!"

"Otherwise…who knows what could happen?"

Ashley retrieved a rifle from her back whilst hiding behind the shelf and then turned to gape at Mallory, standing dumbly in the middle of the doorway.

One of them turned and scowled at Mallory.

"Who the hell are you?"

He grabbed the doctor and put a gun to her head.

Mallory opened her mouth to answer before the man's head snapped to the side with a crack.

The doctor screamed as the nearly headless corpse fell to the deck. As that happened, Ashley stood and fired a burst at a second thug that was trying to hide behind a table. He fell as well, a spray of blood behind thrown against the wall behind him.

The doctor ran out of the line of fire as a third thug appeared from behind a corner and leveled a weapon at Mallory. Instincts and adrenaline screamed as Mallory raised a biotically charged hand and threw the man into the ceiling. He hit the ceiling with a sickening snap.

Mallory looked at her hand in astonishment. She'd never been able to perform biotics without the assistance of Red Sand.

Mallory swallowed and closed her hand into a fist before looking up. The Turian cop from the Presidium, Garrus Vakarian, was standing next to the doctor checking her for wounds.

Ashley was staring at her. Mallory stared back before sighing.

"Can I have a gun?"

Ashley, with Mallory close behind, walked up to Garrus. The Turian was kneeling next to Doctor Michel who was seated on the floor trying to control her breathing. Garrus stood and Mal looked up at his plate covered face. The cop addressed her first.

"Thanks for the distraction. Gave me a clean shot on that bastard."

Mallory looked at Ashley before shrugging.

"Dropped him like a bad habit."

Garrus nodded before looking at Ashley.

"I think we've met before. Commander Shepard's crew, right?"

Both Normandy affiliates nodded. Ashley spoke up and held out a hand.

"Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams. Part of SSV Normandy's Marine detachment."

Garrus shook the hand.

"Garrus Vakarian, C-SEC. Presidium Central."

The cop turned to Mallory and held out a hand.

Mallory hesitantly reached out and shook it. The three talons didn't interact well with five fingers. At least the rubber undersuit of the cop's armor was between her hand and the undoubtedly scaly a;ien hand.

Ashley spoke up.

"This is Mallory. Civilian tag along."

Garrus nodded and addressed Mal.

"I'll need some type of ID later for the report on this."

'Shit…'

Doctor Michel got to her feet. Her French accented voice lilted through the room.

"Thank you. All of you."

Garrus turned.

"We're all glad you're ok, Doctor. Who were those men?"

"They worked for Fist. They wanted to make sure I wouldn't talk about a patient of mine."

Garrus pulled up a recorder on his omni-tool for the Doctor to speak into.

"Who, Doctor? They may be in danger."

Michel hesitated.

"She's a Quarian. I promised discretion."

Ashley held out a hand.

"We can protect her ma'am. If she's in danger she needs to be in our custody."

Michel sighed and began fidgeting with her hands.

"A few days ago a Quarian came by the clinic. She was scared, paranoid even. She'd been shot in the arm. I flooded her with antibiotics and cleaned up the wound. She wanted to get in contact with the Shadow Broker...I…I directed her to Fist. He's an agent for the Broker."

Garrus shook his head and looked at Shepard's crewmen.

"Not anymore. Fist works for Saren now. The Broker is pretty upset."

Michel's mouth dropped open and she covered it with a hand.

"Fist betrayed the Shadow Broker? I knew he was stupid, but my God…"

Garrus put a hand to his chin. A remarkably human pose.

"The Quarian must have something Saren wants pretty badly…Doctor Michel," Garrus turned to the doctor and pointed a hand ", did the Quarian say anything about Saren? Or the Geth?"

Doctor Michel nodded once, confidently.

"Yes! The information she wanted to sell the Broker! She said it had something to do with the Geth."

Ashley smiled and Mallory smirked. The ganger spoke up.

"She must be able to connect Saren to the Geth…"

"There is no way the Council can ignore this!" Garrus closed the recorder. The door to the clinic opened.

"Sounds like we need to pay Fist a visit."

Commander Shepard walked in the door followed by Kaidan and a massive Krogan in red armor.

Garrus, Mallory, and Ashley all looked to the Commander. Shepard gestured to the Krogan.

"Our new friend, Urdnot Wrex, has told us that Fist is barricaded in the backrooms of Chora's Den. We can go get him, but we have to go now."

Mallory held up a hand.

"I'm always down to scrap, but I don't have a gun or barrier."

"Oh! Wait!" Doctor Michel turned and rummaged into a bin. She brought out a small box and proffered it to Mal.

"Please! Take it. Place it on your belt and hit the power button on top."

Mal picked it up and found clips on the back. She hooked it on her belt and hit a green button on top. A wave of blue energy rippled as a kinetic barrier activated around her.

"Uh Doc…I dunno if I can afford this."

Michel put two hands up, palms out.

"You saved my life. Besides, I keep these around for my clients who live in….less fortunate…areas of the Wards."

'Good woman. Good doctor…' Mallory thought before looking at Shepard.

"Gun?"

The Commander gestured to Ashley who grimaced before pulling a shotgun off her back. It was held out, grip first, to Mallory, who took it and held it towards the ground. Shepard looked to Garrus.

"Are you coming?"

Garrus checked his service pistol and nodded.

"I wouldn't miss it. Let's go get this bastard."

Shepard nodded.

"Alright. We hit the front door and don't stop until Fist is on his ass in front of us."

The Krogan laughed.

"Ha! Nice plan. Concise."

"Let's do it."

With a promise from Doctor Michel that she would notify C-SEC of the incident and of where the squad had gone, the six armed people left the clinic and headed back down the corridors towards Chora's Den nearby.

As they walked, Shepard delegated.

"Alright. Chief Williams, you have Wrex and Mallory. I'll be taking Garrus and Kaidan. What's the lay out?"

Mallory spoke up.

"Circular room. Big bar and platform in the middle. Door to the backrooms was opposite the entrance."

"Good. Williams, take your team left on entry. I'll go right and we'll both head for the backroom."

"Copy, Skipper!"

As they walked closer the thumping music of Chora's Den grew louder. As they turned the corner, they found no patrons in line. The Elcor bouncer was gone.

Williams spoke up.

"I think they're expecting us, Skipper."

Shepard took his rifle off his back.

"Makes things simple then. Stack up."

The rest of the crew, besides Mallory, moved up on the door. Mallory stood at the back right behind Wrex as Garrus stood up front. The ganger subtly reached into her waistband.

Shepard readied some kind of grenade and nodded to Garrus. The door opened and the bass heavy club music thundered out with strobe lights. Shepard tossed in the grenade.

Immediately after he did there was an ear-splitting BANG and Garrus followed after it. Mallory put her hand up to her face and shivered with a sharp inhale before following Wrex into the door as she heard rifles rip over the still screaming music.

The Krogan stepped through the door and immediately fired a blast from his Claymore shotgun. The boxy weapon spoke with a thunderclap that was almost as loud as the flashbang. Mallory entered and found herself bathed in strobing lights. Red from the club lighting and blue from the weapons being fired at all angles.

She followed behind Wrex as he worked the wall, moving left. Williams was ahead of them.

Mal leveled her shotgun at two people on top of the bar's roof platform. She fired at one and knocked him over. The other she fired at and his chest blossomed in red.

At that moment her kinetic barrier lit up and she looked to the bar and found a thug firing a pistol at her. She waved a hand bathed in biotic energy and lifted him up before slamming him back down on the bar. At the moment the thug was hit by a burst of rifle fire from Williams.

The rest of the crew was working their way around the bar and, to be honest, Mallory felt entirely out of her depth. These guys were working this place over.

Still following behind Wrex she watched the Krogan throw a ball of biotic energy at a thug who promptly fell over screaming before disintegrating.

'Well, that was horrifying.'

Mallory fired a shotgun blast at a thug who was trying to stand back up before lifting another into the air with her biotics. A rifle blast hit him and the thug went limp while levitating further into the air.

"Cease fire!"

And, just like that, it was over.

Mallory looked forward and found they were standing in front of a door. Williams was on it as Shepard's team walked up to the other side.

Shepard nodded to Williams, who opened the door.

The squad moved in and found themselves face to face with two humans in dirty coveralls. They were holding weapons.

"Drop it!" Garrus shouted and leveled his service pistol at the pair. Both suddenly began stammering and dropped the pistols at the sight of six armed people coming into the room.

"Uh…look we just work here!"

Mallory thought back to the times she'd been cuffed up before shouting.

"On your faces! Now!"

Both men dropped and put their hands on the back of their heads. Shepard gestured.

"Kaidan! Hold these two!"

"Copy, Commander."

"The rest of you, move up! Next door."

Mallory followed Wrex again. As they arrived Ashley and Garrus had opened the next door. Shepard lobbed another flashbang before the team entered. As they did so, Wrex held up a hand to Mallory.

"Wait a minute. Cramped in there."

Ashley peered around the corner and yelled,

"Drop the weapon! Deactivate the turrets!"

"Fuck you!"

Garrus opened his omni-tool and held out a hand.

There was the sizzle of electricity and a swear from around the corner. Wrex waved Mal forward.

"Come on."

The squad flooded the room. As Mallory turned the corner she found Garrus and Ashley on top of a man with a bad haircut wearing red and black armor. The Marine punched the man in the back of the head.

"Quit struggling!"

The man went limp and Garrus bound his wrists. Mallory saw two large automated turrets in the corners of the room. Both were sizzling and popping. The smell of melted solder filled the air.

"I didn't do anything to the Alliance! Hey, Vakarian! Where's your fucking warrant?!"

Ashley leaned forward with her arms crossed on the man's neck and he wheezed.

"I don't need a warrant. Where's the Quarian?"

The man that Mal assumed to be Fist groaned.

"What Quarian?!"

Shepard strode up and levelled a pistol at the prone man.

"If the next thing that comes out of your mouth isn't an answer to Chief Williams' question, I'm putting a round in your leg."

Mal grinned at Shepard.

'Guy has a pair after all…'

Fist began stammering.

"Uh. Look. She wanted to see the Broker, but nobody sees the Broker. Saren made me an offer and I took it. I gave her a location to meet the Broker, but when she gets there Saren's men will be waiting. She left a little bit ago. The meet is soon. You can make it if you hurry."

Ashley snarled and leaned forward, Fist wheezed and struggled a little.

"Where? You lying sack of shit!"

"A maintenance corridor! Close by"

Garrus spoke up.

"I know the place! Not the first hit taken place there."

Shepard looked to Garrus and Ashley.

"Go!"

Both Marine and cop bolted from the room. Mallory stood for a moment before following the pair.

As she exited the room a shotgun blast sounded and she whirled. Wrex was holding his Claymore at arms length down towards Fist. A red smear spread from the top of Fist's neck. Shepard looked to Wrex before shaking his head and starting to search for something. Mallory decided Shepard had the situation in hand before turning to follow her team.

She caught up to the pair as they opened the front door of Chora's Den. Both sprinted out and down the walkway, Mallory right behind them as they crossed the foot bridge and ran up a flight of stairs to a closed door.

They opened the door to see a hallway with a small room in the middle of it. A female Quarian was double timing it away from a Turian and two Salarians. She dropped a flashbang and began running as Saren's agents pulled out pistols.

Garrus and Ashley leveled their weapons and both began shouting.

"Citadel Security! Drop it!"

"Alliance Marines!"

The hostile Turian leveled a pistol and was cutdown by the pair. Mallory fired a shotgun blast at one the Salarians who was bringing a rifle to bear on the Quarian. Said Quarian had fallen over and was huddled in a ball. Ashley stepped over the Quarian and stood between her and the remaining Salarian.

The last Salarian reached into a pouch and was shot by Garrus.

Shepard was walking through the door by the time the Salarian's body hit the deck.

The Quarian stood up and looked around, bewildered.

"Who are you people?"

Commander Shepard nodded to her.

"I'm Commander Shepard, Alliance Navy. My team is investigating Saren. Trying to prove he's a traitor."

The Quarian bowed slightly.

"Then I can repay you for saving my life. I am Tali'Zorah nar Rayya. I have the evidence, but I need to be somewhere safe."

Ashley spoke up.

"The Embassy, Skipper. A couple dozen Alliance jarheads and C-SEC officers will keep her safe."

Shepard nodded.

"Agreed. Let's move."

The team entered the Human Embassy to find Captain Anderson and Ambassador Udina standing and looking out the window at the Presidium.

The Ambassador sighed, exasperated.

"Commander, you and your squad aren't making things easy for me. Firefights in the Wards? An assault on Chora's Den?" The Ambassador turned and was surprised to see more than Shepard's squad.

"Who is this? What is the meaning of this Shepard?"

Shepard grimaced.

"I'd have told you if you hadn't jumped down our throats."

Udina sighed and rubbed his eyes as Anderson smiled in good humor.

"I apologize, Commander. The day has been too long already."

Commander Shepard raised an open hand to Tali.

"May I present Tali'Zorah nar Rayya of the Migrant Fleet. She has evidence linking Saren to the Geth."

Udina's eyes got wide.

"Miss, if that's true we must have it immediately. Where did you come by this?"

Tali opened her omni-tool and began scrolling.

"I am on my Pilgrimage. My rite of passage into adulthood. I heard rumors of Geth in the Traverse so I tracked some down, hoping to find some information to take home to the Fleet."

Anderson shook his head and raised an eyebrow.

"I thought Geth fried their memory core upon shutdown."

Tali nodded as she selected a file.

"They do, but if you're fast, and skilled, you can sometimes recover information."

'Nice humble brag…' Mal almost rolled her eyes.

The Quarian brought up her omni-tool and played a file.

Saren's voice filled the room.

"Eden Prime was a great victory! We're now one step closer to finding the Conduit."

A female voice followed after.

"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers."

Anderson dropped a fist into his hand.

"The Council can't ignore this! This proves he was involved in the attack on Eden Prime."

Compared to Anderson, Udina looked perturbed.

"What was that about the Conduit and Reapers?"

Tali closed her omni-tool and put a hand on her hip.

"The Geth believe the Reapers to be a race of sentient machines. The Geth worship them as gods. The pinnacle of synthetic life. They believe the Reapers are responsible for the disappearance of the Protheans 50,000 years ago. They believe the Reapers wiped them out entirely."

Udina hummed.

"Seems a little farfetched, but I'll have to add this to my report. True or not, it adds perspective to Saren's goals."

Udina addressed Tali.

"Miss Zorah, would you be willing to present your evidence to the Council immediately?"

Tali nodded.

"Of course. Commander?"

Shepard looked to Tali and crossed his arms.

"You're going after Saren and the Geth. I'd like to tag along."

Shepard shook his head.

"And why is that?"

Tali gestured with both hands.

"I can help. This involves the Geth. My people built them and know more about them than anyone."

Shepard sighed and gave a skeptical look to Anderson who shrugged. Tali looked between them before addressing Shepard.

"Commander. Please. Saren is a threat to the whole galaxy. If he has the Geth my people are definitely on the list of people he's coming after."

Shepard bit his lip before nodding.

"Alright, but you're subject to military life on the Normandy. Taking orders from Captain Anderson and I."

It seemed Tali was smiling under the helmet.

"Thank you! You won't regret this, Commander!"

Udina clapped his hands.

"It's done. I'm headed to the Tower to get things set up. Commander Shepard? Join us with Miss Zorah as soon as you're done here. Anderson?"

Anderson held a hand up.

"I've got one thing to take care of and then I'll follow."

Udina nodded.

"Don't be long. Things will move quickly now."

The politician walked out. Commander Shepard looked at Anderson and the Captain nodded before sitting down at a terminal.

The Commander turned to address the squad.

"Alright. Let's get going. We'll run this like someone is after Tali here. Garrus, you're up front with me. Tali, stay in the middle behind Ashley and Wrex. Kaidan, Mallory, tail end Charlie. We move directly to the Tower and up to the Council chamber. We assume we have eyes on us the whole way."

The squad all nodded agreement before exiting the Human Embassy.

About five minutes later, Anderson had just finished typing up a response to Admiral Hackett regarding the current situation when a message popped up in his inbox. The Captain smiled and opened the message. His eyes widened at the content and he quickly stood up before making his way to door.

The Captain moved as quickly as he could through the Embassy commons area and towards the elevator to the Citadel Tower.

It had been a while since the galaxy threw him a curve ball. He had to swing fast and accurate on this one. Anderson reached the elevator and jabbed the call button and tapped his foot as he waited for the ride to come all the way down.

'Gotta catch them before the hearing!'

As the squad walked up to the Council's chambers they could hear Udina speaking. The hearing was already in progress.

They walked up the steps just in time to hear the tail end of the recording of Saren praising the attack on Eden Prime.

Udina smirked and extended an open palm at arms length.

"You wanted evidence? There it is."

The Turian Councilor was the first to support Udina, surprising Mal.

"This evidence is irrefutable, Ambassador. I move that Saren Arterius be stripped of his Spectre title and privileges! Further I move that a warrant for his arrest be sent out immediately!"

Mallory grinned. Bastard was getting what he deserved.

At that moment, unseen by the others, Captain Anderson hurried up the steps and made a beeline for Mallory.

The Salarian Councilor nodded his agreement.

"Indeed. The recording provided by Tali Zorah as well as Deidre Shepard's testimony in our previous hearing paint a picture that Saren cannot justify. Spectre status or no."

Deidre Shepard.

Mallory stood dumb for a moment. Who was Deidre? She was the only witness who testified in person…

Mallory turned to Commander Shepard, whose eyes were wide and staring at Mallory. Anderson stopped short and dropped his shoulders.

Udina turned and stared at Mallory.

Mallory looked around. Everyone was staring at her in some sort of astonishment. Self-consciousness started rising in her gut and she looked down at the polished metal of the catwalk. It fell on her like a ton of bricks.

"Deidre Shepard's testimony in our previous hearing."

'I was the only witness to testify in person.'

"I lost my younger sister when I was a kid."

They were talking about her…

Mallory swallowed and walked away from the Council Chambers. Whistling in her ears, a boulder in her stomach, and tears starting to form in her eyes.