by Cole Price
The Shadow Broker’s inbox was not so full, but I considered the messages there somewhat more critical. Most of my network could be expected to fall into line, so long as my money remained good, but a few critical operatives and analysts needed my personal attention.
Barla Von turned out easy enough to handle, once he understood that he had already been working for me for the better part of a year without realizing it. It helped that he already had close working ties with David Anderson and with Shepard. He understood the need to work together against the Reapers, no matter who stood at the center of the network.
Tazzik presented more difficulty. The enormous salarian had no doubt of my ability to lead the Shadow Broker’s network, and since taking over I had already rewarded him well for his service. The problem came from his tendency to hold grudges. Almost three years earlier, I had gotten the better of him in the matter of Shepard’s remains, and he had not forgotten. I had to take a very hard line with him, not threatening him as such, but making it clear I would not tolerate rebellion. Imitating something of my mother’s manner seemed to help. In the end, he agreed to stay on as one of my leading operatives, commanding the Normandy-class ship he had once again named Dark River.
Submerged in negotiations, I barely noticed when Garrus poked his head into my office and murmured a polite farewell, when Vara and the other acolytes appeared, when Nerylla returned from taking Shepard to Normandy. Hours passed.
I did notice when my omni-tool chirped, the tone indicating a text message from Shepard.
Liara, I have a place for us to stay. Are you free yet?
I smiled, and tapped in a response.
I’m afraid not, love. It may be two or three more hours before I can close up for the evening. Where shall I meet you?
Kithoi Ward. Tiberius Towers, suite five-gamma. It’s Admiral Anderson’s apartment, but he’s offered to let us stay there while we’re on the Citadel. Doesn’t want it to go to waste, I guess.
That’s very thoughtful of him. I will come as soon as I can.
If you’re still tied up, Joker and I are going to go ahead and have dinner out. Here’s the door code if you arrive before I get back.
Be careful, love.
I always am.
I smiled, and then touched a control on my desk. “Vara?”
Rather than answer over the intercom, she appeared in the doorway. “Yes, despoina?”
“Shepard has apparently found quarters for us: Admiral Anderson’s apartment, in the Tiberius Towers. Unit five-gamma. I imagine you will want to send someone over to ensure the place is secure.”
She nodded in agreement. “I will see to it. But that brings up something else I need to discuss with you.”
I sat back in my chair to watch her closely. I had come to recognize that tone of voice. “What is it?”
“Given all that has happened today, I think we should consider setting up a permanent security detail for you.”
That suggestion provoked a surprising surge of resentment. I had to reflect for a moment before I understood the reaction. “Hmm. Vara, I’m not sure I’ve mentioned it, but one reason I cut off ties with my mother was that I felt stifled by the constant presence of her security detail.”
“Yes, I know that. I’m sorry, despoina, but in my professional opinion you can no longer do without. Especially if you and your bondmate are going to be spending significant time in asari space.”
I smiled affectionately at her. “You do realize, Vara, that Shepard and the rest of the Normandy crew already constitute very formidable protection?”
“True.” Her answering grin was infectious. “Although your frequent insistence on accompanying him onto the battlefield does not help.”
“No, I suppose it doesn’t. Vara, I don’t think I’m going to resist you on this point. I think Shepard would agree to permit a few of our people onto Normandy, although it would have to be only a few. Let’s assume we can bring three asari onto the ship. That would permit at least one to be on duty at all times. Who would you choose?”
“I would come myself, of course.” She must have caught something in my expression, because her own face became very sober and still. “We’ve had this discussion before, Liara. Your bonding with Shepard is not an issue for me.”
I nodded slowly, knowing her well enough to hear the bare truth in her voice. “I will admit, it would be useful to have you close at hand to help me run the Broker’s network from Normandy. Who else?”
“Nerylla, I think. She is the best of the lot, with superb training and tactical instincts. I would have to spend a little more time with the rest before I could choose among them.”
“All right. We’ll discuss it with Shepard as soon as we get the chance. I think he will agree.”
“I know he will.” Vara grinned again. “I’ve already discussed it with him. He was quite enthusiastic. I think he is eager to see what a few asari commandos could do in partnership with his Marines.”
I shook my head in rueful admiration. “If the two of you are starting to conspire, I fear I’m doomed.”
“Nonsense. We both have nothing but your best interests at heart, despoina.”
“Thank the Goddess for small favors.” I smiled to take the sting out of my words. “Now shoo. I need to get through this stack of messages.”
She made an ironic half-bow as she backed out of my office.
* * *
I had almost reached a reasonable end-point, when Vara called me over the intercom. “Despoina? I think you should have a look at something . . .”
I rose and stretched for a moment, then paced into the outer office. Vara sat at a desk of her own, a holographic screen up. Apparently she had been watching the news, skimming for further commentary on the day’s events.
“What is it, Vara?”
“Something’s happening down in the Wards.”
She pointed at the screen. I looked more closely, read the banner on the current story.
Outbreak of Violence at Popular Restaurant.
We could see the front of a restaurant, with people milling about, C-Sec and emergency responders on hand. I realized I knew the place: Ryuusei, an upscale establishment managed by humans. I had eaten there occasionally on past visits to the Citadel, enjoying a cuisine called sushi that resembled some Thessian seafood dishes.
“Vara, I don’t understand. Why is this important?”
She tapped at controls on the screen. The image froze, zoomed in, and increased in quality. There, in the center of the zone she selected, I saw a male human in Alliance undress uniform, wearing a cap with the characters SR2 embroidered on the front, apparently arguing at length with a C-Sec officer. “That’s the pilot from Normandy, isn’t it?”
“Hmm.” I leaned close to be sure. “You’re right, that’s Joker. Shepard messaged me earlier that the two of them were going to eat out this evening. Is there any sign of him?”
“I haven’t seen him.”
I touched my omni-tool. “Shepard?”
Another channel, higher priority and with encryption on the link. “Shepard?”
Still no reply.
“He’s in trouble. Come on.”
I rushed out of the office, Vara seconds behind me. In the outer room we collected two more asari, Nerylla and Kyriake. The moment they saw our urgency, they seized weapons and gear and moved to follow.
Fortunately an aircar stood ready to go outside, and the pertinent region of Kithoi Ward was only a few minutes away. We bundled into the vehicle, Nerylla taking the pilot’s seat, and soared into the air.
I took the time to attempt contact with others from the Normandy crew. With very little success.
Damn it! With the ship in the yards and everyone on shore leave, they’re scattered all over the Citadel and out of official communication.
Suddenly I felt a great deal of suspicion.
This is a perfect time to attack Shepard. Someone knew.
Finally I got through to Ashley, although I ha
d to use a Spectre channel to do it.
“Liara? What’s wrong?”
“Shepard is in danger. I think he’s in Kithoi Ward, at a restaurant called Ryuusei.”
“Hey, that’s my favorite sushi place on the Citadel.” Her voice changed, became cool and professional. “Never mind. What’s the threat?”
“Unknown. The news just says there was an outbreak of violence. Someone may have attacked him.”
“You want me to gather the troops?”
“I’ve been trying that. You’re the first one to respond.”
“That’s not right. I made sure everyone took a comm with them when they went off-duty.”
“Then someone is interfering with Normandy channels. Perhaps it would be best if you came at once.”
“You got it. I’ll grab my gear and be there ASAP.”
Vara and I exchanged glances. I could tell she thought along the same lines.
Nerylla hurried. We landed a short distance from Ryuusei just a few moments later, a C-Sec vehicle flashing lights and sounding its siren at us in warning. Officers moved to intercept us as we approached the scene, a human sergeant taking the lead.
“Sorry, ladies, you’re going to have to step back,” he said. “This is a crime scene.”
“Sergeant . . .” I glanced at his jacket, saw his name embroidered on the front. “Sergeant Collins, my name is Liara T’Soni.”
“Yeah, I know who you are.” The policeman’s face softened slightly. “You’re here about Shepard, aren’t you?”
“Is he here?”
“Afraid not. Come on, I’ll let you through the cordon. Guy here saw the whole thing.”
What I saw inside the restaurant shocked me. No simple bar brawl had taken place. An armed force had invaded the place, with a liberal application of gunfire. I saw bullet holes everywhere, and the great fish-tank that once made up much of the restaurant’s floor had been ruined. Gaping holes yawned in both the top and bottom of the tank, and all the water in one section had escaped. Sergeant Collins led Vara and me carefully around the abyss.
The guy here turned out to be Joker, of course. A look of relief spread across his face the moment he saw us. “Doc, thank goodness. These yahoos haven’t listened to a word I’ve said.”
Collins shook his head in disgust. “Mr. Moreau, we’ve been listening, it’s just that you haven’t been saying anything we can use. Maybe with Dr. T’Soni here, you’ll be a bit more coherent?”
I tried to project calm. “Please tell us what happened, Joker.”
The pilot put on a long-suffering expression, as if he was about to begin a recitation for the fifth or sixth time. “Commander and I were just sitting down to eat. Hadn’t even gotten our orders in yet. Then this crazy lady in Alliance uniform gets past the head-waiter and comes stumbling over to our table. Says someone is trying to kill Shepard.”
“Who was this?” I demanded.
“Said her name was Brooks. Staff Analyst Brooks.” Joker shrugged. “I dunno. Never saw her before in my life. If she’s typical of Alliance intel staff, then I can understand why people say military intelligence is an oxymoron.”
I glanced at Vara. She made a microscopic nod and opened her omni-tool.
“Anyway. She warned us that someone was hacking into Shepard’s information. Identity records, military records, comm channels, everything. Like they didn’t just want him dead, they wanted to own him somehow.” Joker shook his head in amazement. “Then these guys in armor just walked in and started shooting up the place.”
I looked at Sergeant Collins. “Guys in armor?”
“We’ve got a few of them over here.” Collins gave me a sharp-edged smile. “Meat for the morgue. Far as anyone can tell, your husband came in here unarmed and without any of his gear, and he still managed to take down four heavily armed mercs on his way out the door.”
“Only because he used me as bait,” Joker muttered.
“All right. Where is Shepard now?”
“Don’t know, Doctor. I’m afraid he didn’t actually use the door when he left.”
I frowned, letting a bit of anger show.
Collins pointed to the gaping hole in the floor of the restaurant. “He went that way. Floor panels must have been weakened by the gunfire. God only knows where he ended up.”
“Goddess.” I glanced through the gap. Ryuusei projected out from the face of the building it occupied. I saw nothing but open space beneath us, for well over a hundred meters. “Vara, get the others. We have to go after him.”
“Doctor, C-Sec has locked down that entire precinct,” Collins objected. “You can’t go down there.”
I gave Collins a very cold glare. “My husband is down there, and he may be badly hurt. I would not advise you to try to stop me, Sergeant. One last question: where is this Brooks person?”
“She got shot. By the time I saw her, she was positively loopy on medi-gel. I sent her to evac.”
“Here’s the Alliance military dossier,” said Vara, showing me an image from her omni-tool. A young woman stared out of the hologram at me: in uniform, dark brown skin, dark eyes, hair neatly tucked up into a bun. “She appears legitimate.”
“All right. Come on, Vara.”
We four asari gathered outside the restaurant. Nerylla and Kyriake visually scanned the sides of the great valley of glass and metal that yawned beneath us.
“It doesn’t look good, despoina. See there?” Nerylla pointed down, thirty meters or so. I saw what must once have been some kind of electronic advertisement, lit panels forming a great symbol many meters tall. Now it was shattered and dark. “That assembly is right below the hole in the restaurant floor. Something struck it hard and kept going.”
“Shepard could have caught himself there,” I said.
Nerylla looked unhappy.
I gave her a grim smile. “You’ve only been in my service for a few hours, Nerylla. You haven’t had time to become familiar with my bondmate. He is very physically capable.”
She glanced at Vara, got a nod of confirmation. “Yes, despoina.”
“Assume that Shepard survived the fall and is now following his escape-and-evasion training. Where will he go?”
My acolytes glanced at each other in chagrin, and then Vara spoke up. “Despoina, this is very unusual territory for escape-and-evasion. I’m not sure that human training would be the same as ours in any case. You know Shepard better than any of us.”
“And of course I’m the only one of us with almost no military experience.” I sighed in disgust, looked down to scan the area once more. “We’re going to split up,” I decided. “We can cover more ground that way.”
“Are you sure that’s wise, despoina? There may be more of those mercenaries out there.”
“True, but we need to search quickly. Shepard could be injured, unable to communicate, even dying.” I looked around at my acolytes, and decided to appeal to their pride. “Besides, you three are commando-trained. Stealth, evasion, and ambush. It would take more than a few mercenaries to stop any of you.”
“Very well, despoina.” Vara set her jaw in determination. “What are your orders?”
“I suspect Shepard will try to put obstacles between him and his enemies as part of his evasion strategy. He may try to cross over to the other side. You and Kyriake divide up this side. Nerylla and I will cross over and search there. Whoever finds him, or evidence of him, call and we will gather there.”
They exchanged glances once more, clearly still unhappy with the situation, but then each nodded in turn. I turned and marched for the aircar, hearing Nerylla fall in behind me, and hoped I wasn’t making a grave mistake.
Chapter 34 : Faceless Enemies
24 May 2186, Lower Kithoi Ward/Citadel
Nerylla dropped me off in the lower Wards. After we divided our attention, I began working my way through the locked-down district. The streets seemed quiet enough, with citizens safe in their homes and every storefront abandoned for the moment. I moved cautiously, ghos
ting from cover to cover, maintaining the best situational awareness I could.
From somewhere in the distance, I heard the sound of small-arms fire. I stopped and listened carefully, but I couldn’t place the noise. A maze of buildings and narrow streets surrounded me, and sound carried in strange ways.
When the noise stopped for a moment, I crouched in an abandoned storefront and opened my omni-tool. I had enjoyed no luck reaching Shepard through Citadel or even Spectre channels, but perhaps we were now close enough that a direct link was possible.
“Shepard?”
An indistinct sound, like words buried under too much static.
I tried again. “Shepard? Can you hear me? Are you all right?”
Finally his voice came through clearly. “I’m fine.” Even through the low-quality link, I could hear tension in his voice. “Might need a little backup.”
“Thank the Goddess. Joker explained what happened. Where are you?”
“Not sure. In a market, quite a few levels down from the restaurant. I’m trying to get to the . . .”
“Commander!” A new voice, human female, rather high-pitched with tension. “Don’t give out your location!”
“What?” I frowned. “Who is this?”
“I could ask you the same. You’re on an unsecured channel, and you’re putting Commander Shepard in danger!”
“He’s already in danger, you fool!”
“Hang on,” Shepard ordered. “Joker mentioned Staff Analyst Brooks, right? That’s her. Everybody play nice.”
“If you say so.” I opened my omni-tool, checked a map of the area, made a guess as to where Shepard could be found. “I’m on foot, but I should reach you soon. There is other help on the way as well.”
“Good to know.”
I rose to my feet and hurried. The streets still stood empty around me, so I took a few chances about moving out of cover. “Vara, any luck?”
