Unseen: Mass Effect FanFiction (ReWritten)

Chapter 17

**Garrus POV**

After Aster had left the apartment, Garrus packed a light bag and headed to his ship. Tomorrow, he would have to pretend that he didn't have anything to do with her. Tomorrow would bring a lot of questions.

Something told him that John would want to get involved. Maybe Nihlus would be told as well. Either way, he would find whoever was responsible for that video.

*

The next morning, Garrus headed back to Aster's apartment in the pretense that he was looking for her. He asked several of her neighbors, but no one had seen her. He put out feelers to get Aster's location, but none of them yielded anything useful.

Three days went by with no news. Garrus wasn't disappointed; he was glad no one was able to find her. Her ability to disappear didn't surprise him. She had always operated in the shadows. As long as he fed Councilor Sparatus some useful information, he wasn't inclined to give the contract to anyone else.

Garrus eventually made his way over to meet up with John and Anderson. That conversation was really short, and Garrus could feel the hostility coming from John.

"We haven't seen her since she left the trial," John had said. "I'm not interested in finding out where she went either."

The days went by without any news, and eventually Nihlus asked if he needed help. Garrus reluctantly accepted his help. He doubted that Nihlus would find anything either.

"What did you find out? " Garrus asked Nihlus as the two of them waited to be seated at the only good turian restaurant on the Citadel.

"Not much," he replied distractedly, eyeing one of the waitresses.

"But?" Garrus prompted impatiently. "Nihlus, what did you find out?"

"You know as much as I do," Nihlus replied, annoyed. "She left the Citadel after the hearing, and she hasn't been in contact with anyone since. Her apartment is cleaned up, and her things have been donated. No one can find any traces of her."

"Someone like her doesn't disappear," Garrus growled. "She's too well known. Someone must have seen her. Someone's covering for her."

"How long has it been since she left, huh?" Nihlus asked, still annoyed.

"It's been a week," grumbled Garrus.

"Yes, one week," Nihlus repeated. "Leave her be. She's innocent. Why are you looking for her anyway? Do you have something going on for a human?"

"No reason," Garrus said, keeping his sub vocals neutral.

Good, it doesn't seem as though Nihlus knows what's really going on.

"Yeah, ok," Nihlus replied, not believing him. "Does this have anything to do with Councilor Sparatus calling you to his office?"

"Vakarian, party of two," an asari called out, saving Garrus from answering.

"Let's go," Garrus said, in relief. "I'm hungry."

"Your waitress will be over momentarily," the asari said before leaving them with a pair of menus.

"So does it?" Nihilus asked, obviously not going to drop the conversation.

Garrus gave him a long look before deciding to tell him. Nihlus has been his childhood friend and has never done anything to betray his trust. Maybe Nihlus would be able to help him keep the Councilor off his back.

"I can't say anything here," Garrus replied softly so that only a turian could hear. "I could be under surveillance."

"Whatever," Nihlus said, leaning back in his chair. "Don't tell me."