Unseen: Mass Effect FanFiction

Chapter 18

"How can anyone think you are involved with this nonsense?" Solana asked after Shepard had shared a bit about the reason why Shepard had returned to the Citadel. "You were cleared by the Council of all charges, including knowing about the A.I. What happened afterward is not your fault, you're the victim."

"All I know is that someone is trying to frame me," Shepard replied. "I don't know why or how they found that clip but it's not true. I would never knowingly take part in anything like that."

"To think that two Spectres were sent to find you... I'm sure they're desperate to end all of this. I know you wouldn't do anything like that against your will," Solana replied finishing her beer. "I get the feeling they want you dead so that they can study the connection between you and the A.I..."

"Aster, I want you to know," she continued. "I trust you and I'll help in any way I can."

"I don't want you involved," Shepard immediately said. "You're a respectful doctor. You don't need this drama. I don't want you blamed if something goes wrong."

"Maybe I can get my brother to help you," Solana commented. "But I'm not sure if it'll work out..."

"You don't trust him?" Shepard asked curiously. She had never asked her who her brother was.

"I don't want to expose you," Solana replied. "I can ask if he is willing to listen but he's out on a mission."

"What does your brother do?" Shepard asked.

"He's a Spectre," Solana said, then hurried to add. "He's a good guy, he would never do anything that would jeopardize his moral code. He doesn't like to see innocent people get bullied."

"I-I don't know," Shepard answered truthfully.

"How about this," Solana proposed. "I'll see if I can't find out when he'll be back from his mission and then we can decide if we want to involve him...okay?"

"Fine," Shepard agreed. "I'll think about it."

The next morning Shepard woke up feeling different; having spoken to Solana for several hours to figure out a plan helped ease her load a bit. Shepard was still reluctant about involving Soloana's brother but it would be helpful to have a Spectre who could look into things.

'What do you think?" Shepard asked SAM as she rolled over and looked up at the ceiling.

'She has good intentions,' SAM replied. 'But I don't know if you'll want her help when you find who her brother is.'

'Who is her brother?' Shepard asked, not sure if she wanted to know with that comment.

'You should ask her,' SAM replied not revealing anything.

'You're such a tease,' Shepard mumbled getting out of bed. 'I'll ask her when she gets back.'

After a quick shower, Shepard got changed and picked up the apartment a bit; it was the least she could do to thank Solana for her hospitality.

'Solana should be off from work in about 10 minutes,' SAM informed her. 'Shall I look for quick recipes for dinner?'

'Let's look and see what she has in the fridge,' Shepard replied going into the kitchen.

By the time Solana had come home, Shepard had pasta boiling and the vegetables cut. All there was left was to cook the meat but that wouldn't take too long.

"Mina," Solana called out as she entered. "Are you here?"

Shepard got the feeling Solana wanted to be discrete since she was calling her by her fake name.