Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 48

Milky Way/Serpent Nebula/Widow System/Citadel

Earth year: 2185 CE --- August

Kaidan, Tanner and Mason headed for their respective Alliance rooms on the Citadel to change, unpack and settle in. They were on a three day leave as ordered by Admiral Hackett, starting immediately after their debrief with him regarding the attack on Horizon.

After a shower, Kaidan dressed in his BDU's and made for the Alliance offices for his debrief with Hackett. That Hackett was even on the Citadel was beyond unusual and he was more than a little surprised. Given the tense conversation he'd had with Anderson, he had no doubt that Hackett knew everything he'd said.

Knocking on the door, he entered when he heard Hackett's clipped response and stepped inside a comfortably furnished room. Hackett rose as Kaidan entered, giving him a slight nod and indicating he should take a seat.

"Commander Alenko," Hackett acknowledged, taking his hand in a firm shake. "Good to finally meet you."

"Thank you sir."

"Do you know why I've called you here?"

"I would guess it has to do with what happened on Horizon sir."

"It does. This is a highly classified situation. Colony investors are in a panic, but no one is talking about the Collectors."

"They're talking about Shepard aren't they?"

"Unfortunately yes. It seems the Alliance and the Citadel Council are more interested in her return than they are of those responsible for the attack on a human colony."

Kaidan clenched his jaw in frustration. This was not what he wanted to hear. Hackett was confirming Shepard's assertion that the Alliance wasn't taking the Collector threat seriously. Hackett watched Alenko with interest as a range of intense emotions washed over the Commander's face, even as he fought to remain neutral.

"But that's not the main reason I've asked you here today. I'm aware of your history with Shepard and as such, I wanted to inform you personally that I will be forwarding her Alliance missions while she's in the Terminus System."

"Alliance missions?" Kaidan repeated. "While she's working for Cerberus?"

"As I'm sure you're aware, the Alliance has no jurisdiction outside Alliance space. With the destruction of the original Normandy and the battle of the Citadel, the Alliance does not currently have any suitable stealth ships that can enter the system without causing serious problems for human interests."

"I understand sir, but..." Kaidan began before Hackett interrupted.

"But is it really Shepard?" Hackett finished for him. "Our intel from the DNA scanners here on the Citadel indicate that she is Commander Shepard. What we don't know is where she's been, how extensive her injuries were or where her current loyalties lie."

"Are you saying these missions will test that?"

"In a sense." Hackett nodded. "You know Shepard as well as anyone. The Commander we both remember would never intentionally betray the Alliance. Whether by choice or circumstance, I can't imagine she's happy with her current situation. I'm offering her an olive branch of trust with these missions, letting her know the Alliance is here for her if she's interested in coming back."

"I see." Kaidan said, his mind reeling. "Sorry sir. I guess I'm just not clear on what this has to do with me."

"I have my reasons." Hackett replied, refusing to elaborate. "In any case, given the current situation with the Alliance's stance regarding the events on Horizon, your orders will now be coming from Anderson. For reasons I can't get into, I can't have your missions going through Alliance channels."

"I understand Admiral." Kaidan replied, feeling his jaw clench at the mention of Anderson's name.

"Good." Hackett said, rising and walking him to the door. "You should know that Anderson was under orders not to tell you about Shepard. I gave the order personally."

"I see. Thank you for telling me Admiral."

"If I have anything else for you Commander, I'll be in touch."

"Understood sir."

Milky Way/Crescent Nebula/Tasale/Orbit

Aboard the Normandy, Callie saw Samara settled in the Starboard Observation room before heading to her cabin. She was exhausted. Not just physically, but emotionally drained. As the door swished closed behind her, she stripped off her clothes and headed for her private shower.

The heat of the water beat down on her back and shoulders and she pressed her hands into the wall, willing the water to wash away everything that was weighing her down. Dimly, she heard the ping of an incoming message and groaned.

Closing her eyes she returned her awareness to the heat of the water and breathed deep of the cleansing effect it was having on her mind. She didn't want to know who or what needed her now. So many people and things were constantly vying for her attention, she felt she'd been running a marathon for which there was no finish line.

The shower clicked off with a quiet hiss of power and she stood a moment, listening to the quiet drip of water as it trickled down the drain. Reaching for a towel, she took her time drying off, massage the kinks from her arms and legs before dressing in her BDU's.

Dry and feeling somewhat refreshed, she stepped to the mirror to apply a modicum of colour to her features. A swipe of dark shadow for her eyes, a bit of liner, blush for her cheeks and a tinted gloss to her lips. As a child of the streets on Earth, she hadn't cared for the trappings of vanity and rarely spared a thought for her appearance. Only after reaching the rank of Commander had she begun to see the importance of how she looked.

What little time she spent on her hair and makeup was enough to show she cared about how she looked and that she valued the impression it made on others. As an Alliance officer, care of her appearance reflected her attention to detail and her understanding that how she took care of herself, reflected how she would care for and lead a squad of her own.

None of that was on her mind now though. The makeup she applied here was more a tool of disguise than anything else. Without it, she looked pale and wan, almost ghost-like in how tired she felt. She didn't care what others thought of her at this point, but she didn't need anyone – especially Dr. Chakwas, questioning her health or ability to lead.

Frowning at herself in the mirror, she left the room and checked the messages on her terminal. It was a thank you from Admiral Hackett. Surprised, she read through it twice just to be sure.

"Commander Shepard,

Thank you for your assistance on Alchera. The Alliance was grateful to receive the information you recovered at the Normandy crash site, and we've sent it out to the affected families. By finding those dog tags, you have provided peace of mind for a lot of people. I thank you on their behalf Commander.

On another matter, I have a proposition for you. I have a list of N7 missions I would like you to handle. They are deep within the Traverse and require a stealth ship to avoid unwanted altercations with the various criminal elements in the area. If you're agreeable to this arrangement while affiliated with Cerberus, simply reply in the affirmative via this message and I will forward missions to you as they become available.

Admiral Steven Hackett, Fifth Fleet, Arcturus Station"

Callie hesitated only a moment before firing off a response. She understood instantly what was being asked of her and she didn't care. She felt so adrift working with Cerberus that she would do whatever was asked of her if it would help remind her the Alliance still valued her as a soldier. She had no love for Cerberus, but if she pulled off a miracle and survived the Collectors, she had no intention to stick around.

Whatever Hackett's motive, they were immaterial to her goals. She wanted to go back to the Alliance. For her, it was the only home she'd ever known and she wanted it back.

"Commander Shepard?" Kelly's voice came over the comm.

"What is it Kelly?"

"The Illusive Man wishes to speak with you Commander."

"On my way."