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Mass Effect created by Preston Watamaniuk, Drew Karpyshyn and Casey Hudson
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The Citadel, Presidium, Human Embassy, Ambassador's Offices

While the young Asari secretary informed Councilor David Anderson of the arrival of his next appointment, Major Kaiden Alenko, wearing his regulation Alliance Officer uniform, greeted Councilor David Anderson with a salute. She promptly left the room.

Anderson returned the salute, "At ease, Major."

"Sir. I report no overt involvement. However, they are involved."

David nodded to Alenko, offering a seat at a nearby table, "No kidding."

Taking a seat, Kaiden said, "Seriously, she is in complete command of … the cell? If that's what to call it." Anderson nodded. "She does not take orders from them, but I got the distinct impression that everything that was going on was being recorded and evaluated."

Picking up a glass to pour each of them a glass of water, Anderson chuckled, "That's definitely Cerberus. If she's the one in charge, and they aren't interfering, I can't recommend or authorize actions against her. Besides…"

Accepting the glass and taking a drink, Alenko relaxed against his seat, "She does happen to be, yet again, the only one able and equipped to deal with another situation in the Terminus Systems."

David looked into his glass in agreement, "Yet again." After a drink himself, he looked to Kaiden again, "The Council and Earth are giving her all the lateral support we can."

Alenko spied a datapad with Captain Jane Shepard's mugshot in plain sight, "Is that…?"

Anderson sighed, reaching over to push the datapad over to Kaiden, "I suppose you do have clearance. Just be warned: that isn't just a service record. That is her Alliance dossier."

The Major was hesitant, "I… I don't know if I should…"

David set his glass on the plexiglass table with audible force, considering his words, "There's a massive war coming, Kaiden. We may not have this luxurious lifestyle for too long. And, if you end up having to work with her again…"

Kaiden got the hint and picked up the datapad, "Yes, sir."
He skimmed through the records, "I didn't know she was a recruit trainee on Mindoir; let alone that we had a station there when the Batarians assaulted it for their slave trade."

Anderson added, "A materials research company had expanded into possible uses for biotics outside of military applications. You can guess their star pupil."

Alenko continued through the records, "...'saved fifteen students and two instructors when, while enraged, lit up her biotics and tore through two platoons of Batarian slaver mercenaries.' Hell of a sweet sixteen birthday present."

Illium, Nos Astra Commerce Floor

After exiting the connecting hallway, Jane stopped her feet as she gazed left to the shop station of Gateway Personal Defense.

A raven-haired Human woman heard footsteps approaching and looked that way, "Shepard?!"

"Matsuo-san."

Maeko Matsuo grew a smirk and teased Jane, "I see you remembered."

Shepard smiled at her, "If I'm remembering right, we left off comparatively measuring our adventures."

Matsuo looked down at Jane's feet, skimming up to meet the Redhead's teasing gaze, "Dinner. Your place."

Jane looked at her omnitool and began searching, "Do I have a pl…"

Maeko smilingly grabbed Jane's right hand, "Your company has a building with a few apartments. It's nearby." As she lead Shepard over to the taxi station, "I've lived here over a year now. I guess I can show you around."

Omega, Carrd (mercantile) District

Jane in her gray combat armor walked up to the terminal at Harrot's Emporium. Looking over the entries, she commented to the Elcor shop owner, "Hello."

"Routine greeting. Hello, and welcome to my Emporium. If you have any questions, let me know."

She turned to face Harrot directly, "I know you have an arrangement with the Quarian shop owner."

His eyes darted back and forth, "Conciliatory. Arrangement?"

Shepard responsively said to him, "Release him from his obligation, and I won't come back to break your legs."

Harrot cleared his throat, "With barely contained terror. You drive a hard bargain, human. As a show of good faith, I offer a discount on my own wares." He then moved over to his VI terminal, composing a message.

When Jane arrived at Kenn's Salvage, the Quarian shop owner greeted her, "Hello there, welcome to…" Kenn looked her over, "Did you just talk to Harrot?"

Jane nodded, "He seemed eager to remain in one piece."

Kenn chuckled, "Well, thanks. Maybe now I can cobble enough credits together to get back to the fleet."

The Human asked, "Speaking of the Fleet. Have you heard anything lately?"

The Quarian shook his helmet-clad head, so Jane fiddled with her omnitool, then handed over a data chip, "Whatever's on your kiosk, make sure the profits are double. That way, you can bring back any extras you can think of."

Afterlife, main bar

As soon as Jane managed to get a table, a Batarian came over to her, "Come with me. Aria wants to talk with you." Shepard sighed, but got up and followed him.

Aria sat on her throne of a couch overlooking the bar, "Walking around Omega alone, again. Good thing your reputation for atomic responses is a known quantity."

Jane took a seat, even though it wasn't offered, "The few people that have fucked with me or pissed me off have all wound up either as stains on the floor, or as convicted felons behind bars." The only Human in the room turned her gaze towards the center of the bar, her eyes watching one of the Asari dancers collect a Human woman patron to dance with, "There's an Ardat-Yakshi here."

Aria nodded, "Nothing else leaves a corpse looking so lifeless. There are some apartments on this side of the Blue Suns projects. A human girl turned up dead the other day." The Queen took a glass of water from up behind her throne and drank, "Pretty thing. Her mother hasn't asked any of my people for justice. Almost no one would believe such a thing is possible, either."

"Thank you. That's the start I was looking for."

As Jane got up to leave, Aria said, "Watch your six, Shepard. It would be a shame to see another life-drained corpse."

Omega, Morinth's Apartment, three hours later

Jane quipped, "Dessert after wine? Are we skipping the dining part?"

Morinth slipped onto Shepard's lap to straddle the Human, "That's a very basic way to put it, yes." The Asari's eyes went black as she initiated an emotional link with Jane, "This is what you want, after all."

Shepard, though linked, was still in control of herself, "...I was hoping.. candles… foreplay…"

Increasing the strength of their link, Morinth inquired, "We're both independent, driven women. Neither of us need safety."

As the haze flitted through her mind, Jane said, "Safety is… in the eye of the beholder."

Morinth brought her face close to Shepard's, "Who are you that you can still be clear headed?"

Jane slightly narrowed her eyes and whispered, "Shepard." Morinth blinked to break the connection, but was not fast enough to raise a biotic barrier. Shepard blasted the Asari against the wall where a pair of swords rested in a case.

The mind hunter picked up a sword as she got up, "You bottom-feeder! You don't have a weapon, let alone a chance!"

When Morinth tried to do a biotic jump to Jane, another biotic field caught her midair. Now captured prey, Morinth screamed, "Bitch! You would be here!"

Samara entered the apartment, a biotic field emanating from her outstretched hand, "You are my eldest, bravest daughter. Though you commit heinous acts, my love and pride does not waiver."

"You think you'll ever sleep well after I'm gone, Mother?!"

Shaking her head, the Justicar admitted, "It has been long since I did, being that which brought you into this world."

When a tear ran down Samara's face, Jane lifted her arm and ignited her own biotic field around Morinth. She said to the captive Asari, "May you find peace in death, that you could not find in life. Goodbye, Morinth."

Morinth's blood curdling screams couldn't stop the crushing death she was given.

A few moments later, Shepard went to the kitchenette for a couple glasses of water. Offering a half-full glass to Samara, the pair shotgunned their drinks before leaving.

Normandy Mess Hall, en route to local Relay to return to the Citadel

Jane Shepard comfortably read a physical book while eating a snack as Miranda Lawson approached and took a seat opposite her commanding officer. Miranda said, "You're the mission commander, but… you didn't consult me before you had the ship repainted in Alliance colors."

Jane put down her grilled chicken wrap and dabbed her mouth with a napkin, "Like you said, this is my mission. I view Cerberus branding as a liability." Shepard took a drink of her nutri-soda before continuing, "In order, Citadel Control, Ambassador Anderson, the Council, and Aria T'loak all commented about this appearing to be a Cerberus ship."

Miranda crossed her arms over her generous chest, "I hate to break it to you, but it is."

Shepard closed her book, "Mirnada. How will Cerberus handle a glactic invasion by an impossibly superior enemy?"

Lawson looked away, "That's not a fair assessment of our current situation, Captain."

Jane downed the rest of her nutri-soda and gently set the cup down, "If we only approach that invasion from what we knew yesterday, we're fucked." Shepard met her Executive Officer's eyes, "The Reapers consider us inferior in ways we can't even imagine. All this time before they invade is our time to train for a shitstorm of insanity. And we only get one chance."

Miranda tapped a few keys on the kiosk at the table, dispensing a nutri-soda for herself, which she shotgunned. "It's just… what's your justification for the repaint?"

Shepard smiled at that, "I'm hedging a bet with Joker: that this will be my ship in totality."

A laugh broke out from Miranda, "Ah, and I bet Garrus is in on it."

Jane extended figers individually, counting, "In no particular order: Garrus, Liara, Gabby, Ken, Joker, Tali, Mordin, Anderson, Aria, Kelly…"

Miranda's agape silence made Shepard chuckle.

Garrus' voice broke Miss Lawson's dumbfounded gaze, "This is rich. The last horse finally comes in."

Punching the kiosk's buttons for a huge nurti-soda, an exaspirated Miranda grabbed her drink and made for her room.

Later up in the Armory

Jacob Taylor said aloud, "Kasumi, I know you're in here. Decloak or I'll detonate a static pulse that will destroy your equipment."

The door leading to the Bridge opened, and Kasumi Goto briefly decloaked to wave at Jacob, "You're no fun. Later."

Wearing Alliance blues, Captain Shepard entered through the open door, "See you, Kasumi."

Jacob walked over to his fabrication table, "Here for some gunsmithing, ma'am?"

Jane shrugged, "Something like that. I'm ordering all uncustomized weapons reskinned to the Alliance designation N, drab grey digital camouflage. Make it the default when a new project is started."

Taylor saluted in response, "Yes, ma'am."

Shepard saluted and left.

Normandy Crew Deck, Executive Officer's Quarters

Jane strode into the office aiming for a chair at the window. Miranda took the other chair and said, "Captain?"

Shepard informed Lawson, "Because it will take care of a few things, I'm giving you a field comission of Commander in the Alliance Navy. At some point, you'll actually get an N7 rating."

"I can see this is important to you, but…"

"Having an official command structure abord will keep Alliance Command off my back."

Before Miranda could interject, Jane said, "Meaning they won't assign anyone."

Lawson looked out the window as the stars began to streak, indicating FTL speeds of the Relay, "Well, shit. Guess I better look the part at the Citadel."

Shepard smilingly mused to Miranda, "We might have to make up a uniform service medal for this mission."

Citadel, Zakera Ward, Markets, Level 28

Garrus Vikarian looked over the terminal at Sirta Foundation, "When did the Foundation start sharing a booth with a Human company?"

Jane Shepard gestured to the Sirta Foundation Asari employee, and said to the Turian, "When my company bought a section of stalls outright and offered a stall gratis to the Foundation."

The Asari bowed to Shepard, "The Foundation expresses our eternal gratitude."

Jane admitted, "Nth Industries armors and upgrades arms almost galaxy-wide, while the Foundation's work benifits everyone from the Destiny Ascension to the newest colonies, and everyone inbetween."

Garrus glimpsed to the Asari, "An improved dextro Medigel? When did that release?"

She answered him, "That's our newest product, and our first collaboration with Nth Industries. It's been out for three weeks and three days. This forumulation has a fifteen percent faster rate of wound closure. New versions of all our medigels have been announced for the next few months."

Tali either recognized a fellow Quarian or read the broadcasted ID, "Lia'Vael. I take it you haven't heard from the Fleet recently."

A Human male C-SEC officer interrupted, "This Quarian is under official investigation. Move along."

N7 armor glinting in the random lighting, Captain Jane Shepard crossed her arms, "Citadel Council Spectre Shepard. What's going on here?" She let her arms rest at her sides, waiting for the C-SEC officer.

After he visibly swallowed, he indicated Lia, "She supposedly took a credit chit belonging to this Volus, while they were both at the used ship dealer."

Jane looked over the trio, "Hold your opinions until I get back, and don't leave this spot." She said to the Human officer, "Ten minutes. I'll have a word with the shops. I will be back."

Four minutes later, Shepard returned and said to the Volus, "You left your credit chit at Saronis Applications. The manager is holding it for you." When he started making another suggestion to the C-SEC officer, Jane pointed in the direction of the shop, "Get going, or I'll have you in holding for a few days for a falsified report."

After the Volus left, Jane ordered the Officer, "Delete the case. Spectre authority."

He remained grumpy, "Alright, but I'm going to make a note." He told Lia, "Get something for an apartment, or I'll run you in for vagrancy."

Shepard smirked at him, "Delete that note. She'll be off the station later today." At that, he left with a groan.

Lia looked at Tali and Jane, 'Um, thanks, I guess. But how am I supposed to leave when I'm so broke I can barely afford nutrient paste?"

With a full grin, Jane handed a credit chit to Lia, "Because you're going home. Let's get you something to take with."

A message in Quarian script rapidly ran across Lia's helmet. Jane could only tell that it had come from Tali. With the realization of the end of the Geth war, Lia turned into a child in a candy store for the whole shopping trip.

Citadel, Alliance Docks

As a small freighter zipped out from the atmosphere containment shield, Tali said to Jane, "That was a hell of a lot more than a simple kindness you've done. I hope we'll see her again."

Turning back towards the elevator, Shepard said, "There might have been a few extra things thrown in after she picked out what she wanted."

Tali shook her helmet side to side, "What did Nth and Sirta have this time?"

Jane toothily grinned in response, "Yes."

With a groan, Tali uttered, "Keelah..."