Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 94

Milky Way/Serpent Nebula/Widow System/Citadel

Earth year: 2186 CE --- March

Kaidan had taken Vega directly to Anderson's office upon their arrival on the Citadel. He'd given Tanner and Mason the day off since he knew they had no other orders yet.

He was now on the Presidium looking for the bottle of tequila he'd promised the Lieutenant. Anderson hadn't mentioned what Vega's assignment might be, so he had no idea if their paths would ever cross again. He wanted to repay Vega for his help back on Omega now in case today was the last time they saw each other.

Half an hour and 500 credits later, Kaidan returned to Anderson's office, a bottle of tequila in his hand. The door was still closed when he arrived, so he took a seat in Anderson's remodelled waiting room. There wasn't much to it, but the seats were comfortable and afforded a view overlooking the Presidium through a nearby window. He was lost in thought when Anderson's door opened and Vega emerged, vibrating with energy.

"Looks like your meeting with Anderson went well." Kaidan said, getting to his feet.

"You could say that." Vega agreed, unable to keep the smile from his face. "Thanks for coming to get me Commander. I'd forgotten why I joined up after what happened on Fehl Prime."

"Just glad I found you when I did Lieutenant." Kaidan replied, handing him the bottle. "Your tequila, as promised."

"Holy shit!" Vega exclaimed. "I was just teasing sir. I didn't expect you to actually get that for me."

"Well things probably would have gotten ugly if you hadn't shown up when you did. I just wanted to show my appreciation."

"In that case, glad I could help. Thanks Commander." He said, shaking his hand. "I'd love to share this with you, but Anderson has me booked on a transport back to Earth. I've got to get going."

Earth? Kaidan echoed, why Earth? He wondered, even as he smiled and congratulated him.

"Well good luck Lieutenant. Maybe we'll meet again."

"You too Commander. Thanks again for the tequila. Appreciate it."

----xxx----

Once Vega was gone, Anderson called him inside and he took a seat opposite Anderson's desk.

"Commander." He greeted. "Good job bringing in Vega. I trust you didn't have much trouble?"

"No sir. Or at least, nothing I couldn't handle."

"Good." Anderson said, a frown forming on his brow. "Well things around here are still pretty volatile. I've received a briefing regarding the events in the Bahak system and it's not good news."

Kaidan's heart stilled as his mind went to Shepard, his body tensing in alarm.

"Calm down Commander." Anderson cautioned, noting the change. "Shepard's fine. It's what's in her report that has me worried. There was a science team out there who had tracked down a Reaper artifact. I'll forward you the brief later, but Shepard had a vision. According to her report, the Reapers are no longer in dark space. They're on the move now, searching for a a Relay to bring them here."

Kaidan tensed further. The Reapers were coming now? They weren't ready for hem, not by a long shot. "Damn." He said.

"Exactly." Anderson agreed. "Which is why I'm resigning as Councillor and returning to Earth. With the rest of the Council still calling for blood over Bahak and my involvement in that business with Grayson, I've run out of patience. Udina will be replacing me as Councillor."