You are doctor Henri Ford, presently a freelancer but otherwise a 'special consultant' affiliated with the Citadel Institute of Xenoarchaeology. With the interstellar travel crippled by still inoperable mass relays, you had been satisfying your thirst of adventure by solving various tasks and mysteries around the Sol system, an effort that had already yielded you two of your current crew members, much of your current armory stock and several cupboards' worth of secrets and conspiracies that would no doubt at some point come back to make your life more exciting, interesting and possibly short.

Some of those come together right here at this reunion. The man who gave the toast, a middle aged officer whose hair was already giving way from rust to silver, clad in utilitarian coveralls that would not be out of place on a construction site, was the current patriarch of a clan whose ambition of enterprise saw him run afoul of some very shady people. The same people, ironically calling themselves 'Ambition movement', had been stirring up trouble across the globe in anticipation of imminent election, seeking to disturb the status quo with any means necessary in order to give themselves a chance to seize political power.

And it was exactly because of your crew's work - most notably, Eve's daring intrusion into the headquarters of the Ambition where she had secured a stolen O'Reilly family heirloom and documents, evidence of the sabotage that had previously cost O'Reillys some of their close ones while also managing to find tangential connection to a nearby Cerberus cell, and ensuring the leadership of Ambition would be facing justice.

"Alright, I think neither Jane nor Jimmy would have wanted to see this much gloom under these circumstances." Jill, the woman who had also been infiltrating the facility as an undercover investigator, spoke up. "I'll go check on the food, Fred's at the tap with some real ale."

"Best part of the evening for you, eh?" Robert, Jill's brother, grinned at you. You may have let slip that you've subsisted on synthale for a while now, with the notable exception of that strange tavern in London. You reciprocated the smile with a nod, taking in the atmosphere of the gathering, where the bitter tones of recent loss could not smother the joy of a good ending of a tale that could have wound up taking quite a darker route.

Robert's grin faded somewhat, as if realizing something.

"Say, I feel we didn't exactly hit it off right proper in that pub. Let's do this again for real this time." The ginger haired man said somewhat apologetically and offered his hand for a handshake. "Robert O'Reilly, prospector corps."

You shake the hand. "Henri Ford, Citadel Institute of Xenoarchaeology."

"You know, don't take it wrong way mate, but are many academicians embracing those Indy Jones holos antics?"

"From those whose routine I was familiar with, about a half." You answer truthfully, professor Stahlberg did introduce you to a few more adventurers, some you knew ended up joining the faux N7 corps. "But in fairness, my colleagues may not be the most representative sample of the populace." You add, eliciting a chuckle from the man. However, before he can make another query, you note something from his introduction. "You said you served in prospector corps? As in, Attican traverse prospectors? That sounds like we may have chanced across each other in the past."

"That's right. Although I doubt it - I kept clear of prothean architecture, my job mostly took me to search for colony sites that would not be immediately contested by politics. We, me and the lads, still ended up chancing across some weird stuff from time to time, usually filing a report and moving to survey a different site."

"Interesting... do you perhaps remember specifics of any of those sites? Perhaps one of those reports found its way to CIX later..."

You spend a few minutes going over a few more memorable anomalous discoveries Robert's team had made, taking note of the worlds involved to cross reference it with your files later, but refrain from pressing for details on this occasion as the topic shifts eventually back towards the traveling rations of a spacer in the Traverse.

"Speaking of chow, I wonder what's taking so long…" Robert trailed off, casting a glance towards far side of the saloon...

As if on cue, a serving lady emerged with the amount of tankards that made you wonder if perhaps she was sporting some specialized mass effect device in her omnitool. Soon after, her two colleagues emerged from the kitchen with massive bowls of steaming soup, and gradually the conversations gave way to noise of cutlery and perhaps also some quaffing.

You were just about to take a sample - the heavenly scent reminding you that perhaps you could have taken some more chances of leaving the Chariot during your periods of downtime - when a presence makes you look up from your plate.

"Doctor Ford. I'm afraid I've been somewhat remiss in approaching you with thanks." It was the Malcolm O'Reilly, the patriarch of the gathering. "I'm not sure how or if I could ever repay your crew for what you've done for me, and for my... for my family." The grizzled ex-military man locked you with his gaze. His voice was deliberate, but there was a weary edge at his voice, a fragile quality - even though he was rejuvenated by the unexpected closure that John and Jill had brought to him, you could tell that recent days have not been easy for him.

You offered a small smile in return.

"It was Eve in particular who did the heavy lifting." You reiterate.

"Of course, she was the first I've approached. Nevertheless, she was quick to emphasize that as her captain, her conduct as well as her presence on the task in the first place was to be credited to you in no lesser measure."

You can't help but smile at those words.

"Well, to that I think I can speak for all of us when I say we're glad we could help." You say aloud, for a moment locking gaze with the retired officer, and as you did you felt like there was something particular on his mind, and what he said next all but confirmed it:

"I can tell there's something precious in the talent you keep in your crew, doctor - or captain. You do well to cherish it." It was more of an observation than an advice, and whether it came down to recognizing competence and camaraderie of your companions or an implicit recognition of Eve's true nature you were left guessing. "In any event, I've digressed. What I was working towards is this: you've made a friend this day. I can't tell if circumstance would ever come where I'd have chance to confirm this through deed, but I want you to know, these are not words any man of my family would say cheaply."

The old man offers you his hand. You shake it without second thought, his grip firm, perhaps measuredly so. And as you look in his eyes, you're reminded of a refurbished furnace reignited for a new purpose. That, or the look in madame Blanc's eyes after her family had been returned to her, few days ago.

As you were taking stock of the man, you don't doubt he was doing the same to you. Whatever his thoughts ended up, the handshake ended with him sporting a small smile. "Enjoy our hospitality before embarking on your next adventure, captain Ford."

With that the old officer turned to leave, and Robert seemed to have gotten caught up with some relative he hadn't seen in a while, leaving you to cast a quick look across the tavern - everyone seemed in good spirits, with Kris and Eve quietly discussing something, and Lea consulting her omnitool giving occasional glances to the nearest bowl of soup, the image reminding you that you better dig in while the meal was stil hot.

It was every bit as delicious as it looked like, the sensation of warmth and contentment setting your frame of mind into right shape to begin considering your future once more, and that inevitably led your gaze towards the window, behind which night sky was peppered with what little starlight the cozy ambient lighting didn't drown out.

You had a job ahead of you. One issued by Hackett himself, and you've been putting it long enough. You had already agreed with your crew to embark next thing in the morning, but until then, perhaps there was still some matter of another to attend… what would that be?

>You could call Libella. As a SPECTRE, she may be in position to give you some heads up of what you were getting into, now that you had summons from the admiral. Additionally you could update her on the Cerberus link Ambition seemed to have.
>You could also try to reach out to one of the other parties you've been in contact with recently, try to feel them out for updates or interesting information (specify who)
>You could also take some time to get more of Eve's story, you had little time to get her full account with how you went almost straight to this gathering after Alliance Intelligence had debriefed all of you.
>Alternatively, you could browse the extranet news. Perhaps you could chance across something interesting.
>Or you could simply get a good night's sleep in a proper bed for once, tomorrow is going to take care of itself for sure.
>You could talk to one or more of your crew about something else (specify who)
>Other idea

If anyone of previous readers is still around, I apologise for the delay. And I apologise also in advance for my glacial pace as I strain my limited cerebral capacity to pursue this tale towards a conclusion...

Anyways!
Story thus far summarized:
https://pastebin.com/RMXUsvkr

Thread 1:
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2019/3369286/
(most of) Subsequent threads:
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Henri%20Ford

>>6357370
>You could also take some time to get more of Eve's story, you had little time to get her full account with how you went almost straight to this gathering after Alliance Intelligence had debriefed all of you.
>>6357371
So the curse has not claimed you?

Welcome back Wanderer.

>>6357370
>You could also take some time to get more of Eve's story, you had little time to get her full account with how you went almost straight to this gathering after Alliance Intelligence had debriefed all of you.

>>6357371
Good to have you back.

Against the backdrop of a lively jig that was picking up in a corner of the tavern while the servers finished collecting dishes, your gaze falls on an alcove where Eve and Lea seem to be chatting over a holographic projection and you remind yourself that you still owe Eve some glowing praise for how excellently she did her part in that infiltration. Made for it or no, it seemed she had virtually singlehandedly foiled quite a coup.

On top of that, some of the brief summary she shared with you prior to arriving to the party left some nagging questions in the back of your mind. As satisfying as it was to watch Alexander and Gerrard's seething expressions as they were loaded into Alliance shuttle by Graves' men, you felt there was still a piece missing there. Perhaps going over the things with Eve one more time would see it snap in place.

You make your way around the tavern floor, returning a few smiles and nods as you go and before long you are taking a seat next to Lea as the quarian shifts to make room for you at the table.

"Ford. I was going over the Ambition's base layout with Lea. Did you want a debrief as well?" Eve speaks, gesturing towards the image hovering above the table, woven with golden threads of light from her omnitool.

"I did want to hear more of that brilliant op you pulled off, yes." You nod. "And I mean that. Did I tell you how awesome a job you did?"

"Twice in those words, three more times in a more roundabout manner. I appreciate it, Ford, but I assure you I'm happy to have helped."

"Right. I just wanted - right." You nod. Your mind wanders briefly to the tempest of adventures you had shared over last few days - it felt so much longer than that - and have to admit this one fell well in line of previous adventures you've shared with your crew. "Anyway," You turn to Lea. "Would you mind if we started from the beginning?"

"Not at all, Cap. I was curious about the villain lair, but I wanted to go over the infiltration as well." Lea says, her bright and enthusiastic voice showing she had learned well enough of temperance when it came to the umbrella drinks, straw or not.

"Very well. Let us begin when you dropped me off... over here." Eve said and the model before her panned and rotated to highlight a particular area at the edge of the town.

"My incursion began with simply walking in and acting casually.

You watch and listen as Eve narrates her progress, nodding along as she reaches the point where you called her with an update about Jill as a possible ally, then to her ingress into basement of the constructed spire.

"...that's when miss Lea supplied me with some interesting data." Eve says, and a new overlay appears in lower part of the hologram. You look at the quarian with an unspoken question.

"Right, the survey data! Kris was showing me Livingstone's active sensor suite."

"And you fired it?" You ask. "That had to have been picked up by someone..."

"My records show no sign of alarm on the networks I was monitoring at the time." Eve says. "Either they were not paying to this kind of signal, or whoever in charge was not paying attention. In either case, the information came in useful. It showed potential entry points..."

Eve resumed her narration, her recount of the encounter with the guards eliciting a chuckle from both you and Lea. Soon after though, your moods grow somber as Eve tells you about the dirty mainframe.

"Keelah. I thought they were shifty but didn't expect this kind of children holovid villainy."

"According to some historians such practices were relatively common on pre-first contact Terra."

"Others would say that nothing's changed." You remark with a tinge of bitterness.

"That's a bit unfair. There were periods of greater and lesser pushback against sinister practices being the norm in politics, and a major popular movement came to fore during first contact war." Eve points out. "Even so, there were periods where wars were started and nations betrayed in order to keep a particular notable's depraved affair from being brought to light."

"Alright enough of that, we've only just ate." You decide to set the topic aside. Although if you were to be honest with yourself, tales of or complaints about corruption were not uncommon even in ancient history, human or precursor alike. Perhaps another recurrent pattern among sapient life.

"Very well. In any event, the machine is currently in care of forensic experts of the Alliance Intelligence, as are the data packets I've managed to back up in cloud." The synthetic woman closes the topic. When you nod in acknowledgment, she goes on: "With that I headed towards where I suspected the mastermind's office to be..."

Eve recounts her encounter with Jill, as well as her ingress into Johnson's suite.

"And they simply let you through?" You raise your eyebrow. Eve responds by adopting a pose you haven't seen her take and give you an intense look with naturally coloured eyes that sends shivers down your spine.

"I can be very persuasive." She says with a smirk.

Lea blinks.

You close your mouth. "I believe you. Alright, what happened next? Wait, that was around that time when Robert and I were picketing in front of the compound, right?"

"That's correct. Your disturbance gave me enough of a window of opportunity to be able to investigate the suite and secure the evidence."

"The primary objective." You nodded. "Along with..." You bring up your own omnitool with the brief report Eve had sent you and as you scan the list of various clues she came across, one in particular clicks into place. That was the one that was nagging you from the back of your mind.

"Cerberus." You mouth the word without vocalizing. Eve picks up regardless.

"That's right. Between the note and some circumstantial patterns in investigated data, we have confirmed there were some ties with the organization, although from context it means they were not a cell proper. I estimate there was a relationship of partnership."

"Does that mean there is still an active cell in the area?"

"Insufficient data for a meaningful answer." Eve says. "The note suggests it may have been disrupted by forces unknown, but that is pure speculation at this juncture."

"What are you talking about?" Lea asks.

"The notebook." Eve reminds her and quarian's eyes light up with recognition. "Oh. Of course… do you think that the camp doctor Tufferson… Kris had found, had anything to do with that?"

"I believe I can shed some light on that." A gruff voice enters the conversation and Kris takes a seat, completing your crew.

"What did you find?" You ask your friend.

"Some gear left behind in a hurry, but relatively cleanly. But, as it turns out, not quite cleanly enough." The young krogan says. "There was something that was bothering me about it. Some familiarity that I couldn't quite put my finger on."

You knew Kris well enough to recognize where he was going and you couldn't keep a grin from forming.

"Well what did you discover?"

"I went and stopped by the camp again and ran another scan on the leftover gear. All top of the shelf stuff, not something a camper would leave behind, and not quite easy to source. That speaks to me of a very particular organization." Kris leans in. "I've seen some of the similar stuff around Shroud facility, back in the day."

Shroud. The terraforming spire that used to mitigate Krogan homeworld's war-ravaged environment. An artificial miracle with very mixed history of charity, atrocity and salvation.

"You can't mean..."

"Obviously I don't have solid proof. But I think we've come across an STG operation."

"Would Salarians really get that involved with human politics? Or were they after Cerberus?" Lea asks incredulously.

"It's not just human politics, the elections that are taking place will in one way or another shape policy of entire galactic community, given how concentrated it is right now." Eve predicts. "However, the other option is also possible. Didn't miss Libella mention collaboration with STG in her mission at some point?"

"Yes… I think so." You nod slowly, jogging your memory. "Perhaps we can mention it to her."

"Perhaps they were the third party that may have interfered with the dead drop you found mentioned." You venture a guess as your focus slides back towards Eve's infiltration mission.

"Possible. But there's no way for us to be sure, unless you wish to delay our… other committment, further."

"No, I'd rather not. For now I think we can take solace in knowing at least one problem has been neutralized, hopefully for good. And I'll drink to that." You add as a serving gal passed by with a tray of beers. "Thank you."

"Cheers." Kris nods at you, following suit.

"Well, returning to my report, there's little left to say. When the conspirators learned that their operation is compromised and Alliance is on the way, they sought to execute a very violent escape strategy, which we were able to thwart."

"Also great job by you. You saved a lot of lives, Eve."

"I know each of their names, faces and bios, Ford." She nods. "I hope they make the most of it."

"And I hope they learn from it not to trust such scoundrels." Lea adds.

"Hold on to that hope, Lea." You nod. "Oh boy. The news and extranet forums must be on fire."

"You have no idea, Ford. You have no idea." Eve says with a slightly bemused smile.

Well, this was hardly the time to bother with such trivialities. Which begged the question - what was this the time for?

>This was a good time to call Libella before you embarked on the priority mission, especially if her duty kept her planetside. Perhaps you could do just that.
>This was a good time to turn in and get some solid rest before embarking on Hackett's mission. Who knows what awaits you up there, and when would be the next chance to rest?
>This was a good time to spend some time with your friends. Relax and enjoy the ambience. It will be back into action tomorrow. (topics to chat about encouraged as write-ins)
>other (write-in)


>>6357552
>>6357681
Thank you, friends.
Worry not, I don't believe in curses.

>>6358829
>This was a good time to call Libella before you embarked on the priority mission, especially if her duty kept her planetside. Perhaps you could do just that.
You may not believe but it has claimed many a QM.

>>6358829
>>This was a good time to call Libella before you embarked on the priority mission, especially if her duty kept her planetside. Perhaps you could do just that.

For a few moments you simply sit there with your friends and companions, enjoying the atmosphere, but as you mentally go through what you were talking about, you realize this may be your last good chance to contact another friend of yours - Libella Tefar, the spectre you've first met during that incident on Quarian fleet. If she was already cooperating with the salarians on dismantling remaining Cerberus cells, chances are you would not be telling her anything new, but it couldn't hurt to support her with what you did learn.

"Alright," You say eventually. "I'm going to make a call to Libella. Eve, can you pass me some of what you've found that could specifically interest her?"

"Of course." She says and your inbox pipes up before she finishes speaking.

"Thanks."

With that, reasoning that perhaps this conversation would better not be overheard, you tak your leave and head out on lookout for a more deserted place. Doing so necessitates leaving the warmth of the tavern for crisp Yukon evening, fortunately the weather is not too harsh at this time of year.

Libella picks up quickly.

"Hello, Henri! Good to hear from you, I take it you've been busy?"

"You could say that. You've been keeping up with the news?"

"It's impossible not to, in this case. There are some calls to postpone the elections and some protests in various blue zones… Asari worlds were known to flip politically over such events, sometimes as far as declaring secession from Council authority. But you did not call me to discuss politics… I hope?" Libella asks with a tone you interpret as slightly concerned amusement. It's true that you did not really think too hard of possible political repercussions of bringing the law down on Ambition, concern for your friends and the objective sidelined those matters in your mind.

"Yeah, no. At least not in philosophical terms, not today - during our adventure here we've come across some references to what I assume is your current concern."

"Is that so?" She asks with noticeable increase in intensity. "Hold on..." There's a pause. "Okay, go on."

"In this case I believe showing before telling may be called for." You say as you browse your omnitool, forwarding to her the folder Eve just sent you.

"Received." Libella says. "You can keep talking."

"Alright, well, it seems Ambition had some contact with a Cerberus cell in this area."

"Did they now? Interesting… we found some indirect contacts here, through the anarchist commune - which is rather agitated right now, I might add - but there's also one in Noram?"

"So it appears. We don't know more details, I'm sorry to say. Maybe your friend from STG will be able to tell you more." You tell her.

There's another pause, presumably as the Asari reads the documents. "Libella?" You prompt her.

"I'm sorry, Ford. It's just funny you would mention them…?"

"I recall you mentioning you had a contact there, and Kris found something he suspects was an STG stakeout."

"What?" There's genuine surprise there, something you've come to see sparsely from her and with good cause.

"It's among the pictures. Of course we didn't see anyone so it's just guesswork on our part."

"...It checks out, though. Thanks for bringing this to me, Ford. I think I need to have some words with some people. Thank you, truly. Please do call again and good luck with your next venture. Sorry, gotta go."

With that she hangs up.

Well, that wasn't ominous at all.

You briefly consider whether not to call her again, but abandon that idea as a pointless endeavour. You had your mission ahead of you and for what it was worth, she seemed rather indignant than worried. In any case you probably currently knew no other person who would more completely satisfy the description of "can take care of themselves".

With that in mind, you look up at the evening sky, and up at a particular shiny splinter you would soon be visiting, surrounded by a cloud of smaller dots, blurred partially by a tangle of mass effect fields.

Your memory takes you to your last visit to Presidium.
To your last visit to the Wards.
To your last visit by your parents.

...

A lot had happened since then. And most of that time it seemed impossible like you would get the chance to return.

And when that became a distant possibility, you had thought you had already made your peace.

That all the regrets should be dealt with and shelved, filed away like recovered artifacts after analysis. That memories would be enshrined and curated like showpieces in the exposition. That you could return to considering what the tomorrow would bring.

Now, the tomorrow and yesteryear intersected once more.

You better rest up. There was, after all, no other which way but forward.

You sleep well in a cozy bed of the lovingly restored inn. Although the memories you cradle as you drift off to sleep have you worried, you end up waking up well rested and rejuvenated. After a hearty breakfast and some more friendly smalltalk with the O'Rileys on your way out you say your goodbyes, trade promises of keeping in touch and ultimately head towards the Livingstone skycar. From there you set out back towards Kinshasa where Chariot still rests on the spaceport.

During the trip you have time to catch up with the news, although part of you advises against doing so.

"This is Emily Wong, currently in front of recently raided headquarters of the Ambition movement, here to deliver news from the site. As you know, the Alliance Intelligence operatives have carried out a sudden and overwhelming operation against what was shaping to become a significant force in post-Reaper political landscape, even considering recent plummet in their polling. The action has been met with strong reactions from Ambition-aligned pundits as well as the movement's spokesman."

A new voice cuts in to deliver their outrage:

"This is a coup against democracy and an overt attempt to seize power by the secret services and an act of political persecution and terror. We urge all our supporters to rally behind us as the very concept of liberty is violated."

"Spokesman Zuckermann has not made himself available to take questions." Emily Wong comments as she takes the vote back. "Nonetheless the sentiment has been echoed in the extranet where even platforms supporting other parties have expressed their surprise at the sudden intervention, although most claim to withhold judgement until more information on the case is made available. Systems Alliance had already published a statement with list of charges based on which the decision to raid was taken, chief among them is said to be incontrovertible evidence of Ambition involvement in the recent fatal accident that took place at a competing corporation's construction site. Ambition supporters have already decried charges as political fabrication. Our team has arrived to the site to deliver our own investigation. We will soon get back to you with first findings, for now let us hear opinions of some of the locals…"

"I wonder if this event won the election to Terra Firma." Kris mused.

"That does not align with any of my models." Eve counters. "It is likely it will absorb much of the Ambition's voter base, but the shock is going to be eroded as more facts are being brought into light. Decapitation of the movement will also hamper any organized influence campaign. This event is unlikely to change the likely victor, considering the 'Old Guard' faction had already been falling behind, even if it may recoup some votes from those who will reassess their views following Ambition's unmasking."

"People admitting to themselves having been wrong?" Kris asks quizzically. "That will be the day."

"Human being is fundamentally capable of learning from mistakes. Their own and those of others." Eve objects.

"Thanks for having faith in us, Eve." You tell her with a smile. And on that note, you opted to switch away from the news to a music channel.

https://youtu.be/EgLdVM970TQ

Eventually you arrive at Chariot's landing pad. Eve helpfully connects to the freighter's system and opens the handlebay so you can bring the skycar directly in.

"Alright, let's get ready to launch. Eve, can you handle the startup procedures? Lea, Kris, check your gear for business and pick from the storage what you think may come in handy. Something tells me this is going to be a rough ride." You announce as you get out of the shuttle.

"Ominous when you're the one saying that." Kris grumbles. "But I think we'll have chance to gear up after we get briefed on whatever it is they want us for. Maybe they'll even lend us some gear?"

"We'll find out as soon as we reach orbit."

"Are we taking the Chariot, actually? We could stick with just the shuttle." Lea'fari asks.

And you end up pondering the question.

"They may want us specifically for the freighter." Kris offers.

"Unlikely. The wording and context of the request implies to me that we were requested for our expertise." Eve objects. "Even so, having the freighter nearby could be a boon."

"It may make hasty retreat awkward and impact our deployment options." Kris says.

"And expand them by giving us additional vehicle to work with."

"Isn't the place full of Alliance shuttles?" Lea asks.

"Presumably they are busy." You offer with a shrug. Perhaps that mystery at least will be soon resolved. In the meantime, though, you have a choice to make.

>Take the Chariot up. You will have a freighter available on-call, although you may need to pay attention to where to land or put it. You can still use the shuttle or split the party.
>Take the skycar. You will retain all flexibility of the shuttle and not have to worry about where to put your mobile base.
>Actually, there was one last thing you wanted to talk about with someone (contact someone, specify who)
>Other idea (write-in)

>>6360861
>>Take the Chariot up. You will have a freighter available on-call, although you may need to pay attention to where to land or put it. You can still use the shuttle or split the party.

>>6360861
>Take the Chariot up. You will have a freighter available on-call, although you may need to pay attention to where to land or put it. You can still use the shuttle or split the party.

"Let's take her up. It will be better to have the extra options." You say after brief consideration. "Eve?"

The synthetic woman looks at you. "We're cleared for takeoff."

"Then let's." You nod and immediately hear the subdued hum of ship's systems pick up, then in quick succession feel the gentle lurch as the thrusters push the freighter, now enveloped in the dark energy field, off the ground and towards the orbit.

With that you file out of the handlebay, with exception of Lea who heads to the storage compartment where she put some of her things, presumably to adjust her gear. Afterwards Kris likewise heads to the storage section where you store most of your equipment, followed by Eve. You on the other hand head to the cockpit and, after one last look back towards the shrinking landscape, bring up communication subsystem. It was time to let Hackett's men know you were on your way.

After a brief conversation with a comm officer of the Orizaba you see your course refined towards a particular approach vector towards the flagship. You punch the trajectory into the nav system and rise to join your companions in updating your gear. With no more point in subtlety you get yourself into your full expeditionary kit, and by the time Chariot pulls itself alongside one of the few remaining dreadnoughts that made it through the Reaper crisis, the four of you are gathered ready for business in front of the airlock.

"Did you learn anything new?" Kris inquires as you wait for the umbilical to connect.

"Not really, just that we've picked a good time. No further elaboration." You say.

"Fair enough. Let's see what this is about then." The young krogan nods.

At that moment the airlock opens and you walk across onto the larger ship. Dreadnought's airlock opens, allowing you to board and enter the staging area you've seen once before. As previously, a junior officer flanked by a pair of marines is there to welcome you.

"Welcome aboard, doctor Ford, miss Ferrum, miss nar Namek, doctor Tufferson." The young man says as you approach distance where conversation no longer feels awkward. "If you would follow me without delay, we will join admiral Hackett in the conference room."

"Lead on."

The officer nods with a small smile and then turns on his heel and sets brusque pace as he heads towards the door.

It looks like you arrived during something interesting, you think to yourself as you move to keep up, your companions and the marine escort falling in behind you as you follow the officer down the labyrinthine corridors. After a few minutes you make it to the conference room that feels familiar - it seemed unlikely there would be more than one, even on a vessel of this size.

The room was much the same as when you were party to resolving the Enceladus situation. You recall vividly the Leviathan hologram Hackett had shown to you - presently, an image of the Citadel was hovering above the table, with some sections in the wards coded in varying colors, with Presidium ring along with upper wards being monochromatically red. Now inert structure of Crucible remained connected to the council spire, though the mysterious superweapon was shown at reduced opacity, possibly not relevant to data currently overlaid. You feel your attention drawn towards a particular location in the upper wards - two of them, actually - but force yourself to maintain focus on the gathered attendees.

The attendees in question being all strangers to you, with single exception - Admiral Steven Hackett stood at the head of the table, his focus shifting from the hologram to the new arrivals.

"Doctor Ford. You've chosen a good moment to make an appearance. It will save us some time in briefing if you simply joined us for rest of this discussion. We have enlisted aid of some additional minds to help us overcome a... challenge. First, some introductions are in order. Lieutenant, if you would?" The admiral nods at an officer, a young man who looks to be fitted in combat engineer gear.

"Certainly, sir" He says and turns to other people assembled around the table - an Asari in a scientist's outfit, a short, mousy looking human woman, a salarian and a volus. Quite a diverse cast, you think to yourself. "Doctors Henri Ford and Tuferson Kris, CIX, and their team have been called upon for their expertise in handling anomalous precursor tech." The engineer introduces your group, then turns towards you and indicates the other guests in turn: "Matron Scallandra, Thessia medical research hospital." The asari nods with a small smile. "Specialist Paula Lovelace, Alliance Engineering corps, Crucible project contributor." The human woman smiles shyly. "Chorban and Jahleed, independent researchers." The salarian and volus give their own nods of recognition. "As for myself, lieutenant René Maison. I work for engineering corps as well."

"A pleasure, all." You return the pleasantries and take some free seats around the table as Maison bids you. The engineer looks at Hackett, who nods and turns to specialist Lovelace."

"Miss Lovelace, if you please?"

"Of course, admiral." The woman takes the vote and stands up, omnitool alight.

"Doctors, allow me to bring you up to speed. As you're aware, the Citadel has been under quarantine since deployment of the Crucible. This has been done on Council authority to prevent panic while the coalition fleet scrambled to contain the situation." She makes several gestures with the omnitool and the Citadel hologram zooms out and realigns itself. "The situation in question being an overlap of phenomena we are stil struggling to wholly encompass. But if I were to offer a simplification, it seems like the Citadel is alive."

You lean back in your seat and scan other attendees for reactions to that statement. Your own companions respond with surprise not unlike your own, but the others in attendance seem to have already gone over this and none gainsay the young engineer.

"To elaborate, following the Crucible deployment, Citadel has reassumed the form most of us are accustomed for, save for the bulk of the Crucible remaining in position where it has docked, however the power level across all portions of the superstructure remained well above what was thought possible, presumably activating subsystems along entirety of the Citadel hull, with prominent increase in the Presidium ring." Specialist Lovelace narrates, and highlights sections of the Wards with patterns where anomalous energy flows have been detected.

"What about the Citadel citizens, are there survivors?" A voice asks and you recognize it is your own.

"I would get to that, but there are indeed survivors. Our knowledge on them is spotty on per section basis, and matron Scallandra has more to say. But please let me finish first, doctor."

"I apologize. Please continue."

"Thank you. I was going to speak of the structural phenomenon - emergence of structures of unknown composition and purpose across all sections of the Citadel wards, with the Presidium ring being entirely sealed off by them."

On the hologram an overlay coloured all six wings of the precursor space station with highlighted patterns presumably reflecting the mysterious constructs. Presidium ring had been recoloured entirely.

"We lack means to record exact mechanism by which those appear. They do appear to be tended to by Keepers - more on that later. Size of the constructs vary in size from equivalent to a network node to those displacing entire districts of manmade structures. What happens to what was occupying he place prior to construct emergence is not known as no detritus has been consistently spotted in the vicinity above what Reapers had wrought upon capturing the station. Despite both of those, we have come across pockets of survivors. The fleet is rendering them aid as we are able, but other circumstances inhibit those efforts. "

A new overlay is added, highlighting what looks like battle damage. You find your gaze drifting towards a particular spot in the upper wards.

It appears unmarked.

"Aside from raw technical readouts and a number of speculations we lack means to confirm or disprove this is about what we know of this aspect of Citadel situation. With this I yield floor to matron Scallandra." The engineer resumes her place and the asari stands up.

"Thank you, miss Lovelace." Scallandra says and activates her own omnitool. "The other aspect of Citadel situation, and the one that prompted the quarantine to be placed into effect, is a strange malady that seems to be spreading among survivors as well as among those who come into contact with them."

Another overlay appears, one resembling a violet miasma permeating every corner of the station.

"Symptoms range from solid extrusions across body of the afflicted to a state reminiscent of petrification."

At this, the citadel image grows dim and new set of images appear - holos taken of the afflicted of various species and extent of the affliction. Out of corner of your eye you spot Lea shudder slightly.

"In addition, the symptoms also include loss of mental and motoric control of varying severity, from paralysis to what has been dubbed, for lack of better terms, as a possession."

An animation is played of a man covered in anomalous growth lumbering towards the holocam until an unseen biotic restrained him, at which point the man grew limp. You feel a chill run your spine - the showing was visually distinct, but still evoked your own memory of facing husks and coming across dragon's teeth during your own deployments. You had hoped you would not have to deal with this ever again, even though you've had to deal with that biological entity or the mind controlling orbs. Upon the recollection you briefly consider whether you should ask about it, but unsure of what clearance the experts actually had, you shelved that idea.

"No records of successful communication are available." Scallandra preempts one question you did consider asking. "However, aerial observation of possessed appears to see them converge around constructs described by miss Lovelace, supporting the notion that the phenomena are connected. Unfortunately our ability to study the disease is hampered by the fact the affliction seems to be contagious by vectors unknown."

You frown at that. What did that mean for anyone exploring? Well it definitely meant that Lea was going to stay on shuttle duty, that was for sure.

"How contagious are we speaking here?" Kris asks.

"We speculate that active kinetic barriers inhibit transmission to some extent. Some Alliance personnel have contracted the affliction, we were unable to discern possible openings that would help us pinpoint transmission method. They are being cared for on the vessels that have joined the quarantine." Scallandra pauses to think for a moment. "Onset of symptoms can take anywhere between hours and days, rate of subsequent progression varies greatly from individual to individual. We have made data available to offsite experts, but so far results are not forthcoming. There is no record of recovery to date."

With that the matron resumes her seat with a sigh.

"That's about all I can say at this time except my personal speculation that we are dealing with a gray goo scenario."

The chills return.

"I'm surprised - pleasantly, mind - that you haven't torched down the place in that case." Kris says aloud what you were thinking.

"Doctor! That was unc-" Lieutenant raises his voice but falls silent at gesture from Hackett.

"That contingency is obviously being considered, but there are compelling arguments against it." Admiral says. "We didn't defeat a galactic enemy against impossible odds just to jump back to nihilistic expedience. Additionally, we have some reasons to believe that whatever is currently running the Citadel is not actively hostile against us… yet."

"Reasons?" You repeat.

"Some are classified secret even for present company." Hackett says.

"And I reiterate my protest. How can I be expect to help without all relevant information?" Scallandra says.

"Respectfully, matron, you can trust us to give you all information that is actually relevant, or you can ask the Council to give you more."

"That also requires me to trust you are capable of making the distinction."

"Yes."

The asari pouts, then sighs again. "Alune give me strength."

Hackett gives her a commiserating look, then turns to remaining guests at the table. "I believe it's your turn to present your findings, mister Chorban, mister Jahleed."

"Uh, yes. Right." Chorban, the Salarian, is the first to speak. "Well, we don't actually know that much. It's more of a-"

"That's… not how you present… what we've learned!" Jahleed interrupts. "We risked our lives to... gather those data."

"You were doing field work?" You ask with raised eyebrow.

"Yes! Well not right now. Right, you're worried about the nanoplague… no, he's speaking about our previous research. He's a bit blowing things out of proportion… although if Shepard didn't help us then…"

"Ahem." Hackett made his presence known.

"Right, sorry, let me start from the beginning. It's about Keepers, you see. I and Jahleed were studying Keepers, and were actually able to figure them out! A little bit, that is. You see, they are really biological constructs with a particular role. As stewards of the Citadel, obviously, we all know that. But they had hidden protocols that we were able to crack! Well, one of them, anyway. They were actually meant to recall the Reapers-"

"Let us skip to the present." Hackett requests.

"Right. Well, essentially Keepers were sort of reaper tech and most expected them to just drop the same way husks did, right? But it turns out, either because of their biological nature, or perhaps thanks to changes apparently made to them by Protheans, they were able to endure whatever it was Crucible did when it de-reaperified the galaxy!"

"You're still… missing the most... important part." Jahleed reprimands his colleague. "The new paths!"

"Yes, yes, I was getting to it. So we got some data from our experimental scanner, the one we loaned to that scouting party. They came across one of the keepers and managed to get a peek before the connection was cut... abruptly. The scanner is probably gone, along with the guys who carried it... but it got us some data! We compared it against our old readouts and we found that whatever is happening to them, it fitted right into their biological makeup, as if it was always meant to be there!"

You and everyone in the room listens attentively, expecting the salarian to continue.

"What?" You ask when nobody else does.

"Er... we don't know. Not yet. Maybe... if we could get more scans." Chorban says a bit despondently.

"Do you have another of those scanners?" Lea pipes up.

"Um... not... really? It was kind of illegal to begin with."

"I assure you that you will not prosecuted if you produce another." Hackett says dryly.

"I... guess we can hack another one together. But it will take a while." the volus scientist offers.

"Just tell me what you need fabbed." miss Lovelace says.

"In the meantime, I believe we've reached the point where we're on the same page and can determine our next course of action. Before we do, though, are there any questions on the situation?"

>The survivors. How many are there? What is being done to help them?
>What attempts have been made to communicate with whatever we're dealing with?
>What do we know about the state of Presidium?
>Yes, you do have another question to ask (specify who and what to ask)
>No, at least not for the specialists present (hint that you wish to ask about something more secretive)
>No, everything is clear so far. Let us discuss our objectives.

>>6363212
>>What do we know about the state of Presidium?

>>6363212
>What attempts have been made to communicate with whatever we're dealing with?
Maybe a Leviathan-made AI custodian that was being suppressed by the Reapers? The Crucible firing freed it from it's digital cage and now that it's awake, it's just doing some spring cleaning and pest control. Or maybe the Leviathans have regained control over the Citadel with the Reapers disabled and they're up to no good?

Also, I looked up the Leviathans and I find it really funny that they apparently looked at all the AI rebellions occurring in their empire and decided the solution to the AI problem was creating their own super AI and giving it a vague command to "preserve life at all costs" or whatever. Stupid fucking molluscs.

>>6363368
>Leviathan-made AI custodian
Meant VI not AI.

>>6363212
>What attempts have been made to communicate with whatever we're dealing with?

In the few moments of hesitant silence that follow your gaze once again gravitates towards presidium ring, the holographic image once again shining with combined data overlays. This time you don't let yourself linger on areas of personal interest to you - the Presidium ring was lynchpin of the Citadel, if there was a focal point of whatever was going on aboard the ancient station, it would be there.

"What is known about the state of Presidium?" You ask.

"Very little." Specialist Lovelace takes it upon herself to answer, tapping her omnitool, and the holographic image zooms onto the ring section of the ancient space station. "The Presidium Ring shows most extensive changes that to our understanding began shortly after the Crucible fired and have since enveloped the Presidium entirely. Our shipboard as well as planetside sensors are unable to make sense of the structure."

The image highlights a singular protruding feature, the Tower, as it extended towards middle of the toroidal section where it gently touched the tip of the Crucible.

"Visual imaging shows no available points of ingress and we have not yet attempted to make our own."

The image zoomed in further, showing the connection to take form of a vaguely monolithic pillar of arcane machinery that looked like it was always meant to be there.

"It looks like the Crucible has been integrated into the structure." Lea remarks.

"Indeed. It may be possible that the Citadel could access the device's systems. Our own communications with the Crucible have gone dead." Lovelace nods. "Returning to the topic of Presidium, the structural alteration seems to have affected every access route from the wards, although the upper wards themselves have not been transformed in all that greater extent compared to rest of them."

"Ha any discernible pattern been observed relating the structural changes to known Citadel infrastructure networks?" Eve offers a question of her own.

"Frustratingly, no, and the new structures are proving opaque to our attempts to discern underlying changes. Life support infrastructure that has been to large extent built and maintained by Citadel inhabitants seemed to have no significant relation to new structures, for good or ill, allowing some basic amenities for the survivors to be available, for the time being.

"The unexplained activity seems to be slowly picking up the pace, that is one trend we've been capable of noticing." Lieutenant Maison notes, then looks back to specialist Lovelace.

"That about sums up what I can tell on topic of Presidium. Is there anything else?" The woman says.

"Yes, I'd like to ask… assuming that there is an agency behind what's happening on the Citadel, what attempts have been made to communicate with it?"

"We tried most ideas we could come up with short of opening fire on the station, or making wide area broadcasts that would do little aside from breaking the information embargo as space around Earth is already saturated with communications. We did attempt various methods of directly interfacing with Citadel control systems but they remain unresponsive. We've tried to establish a protocol with various first contact methods incorporating a range of cues and patterns, to no effect. If anyone is listening, they seem to be wholly ignoring us." Specialist Lovelace says. You were nodding along as she mentioned first contact approaches, there was a set of patterns that sapients tended to be able to figure out and respond to, as long as they were willing, and fell under routines you were prepared to exercise when coming across a working piece of precursor technology. Having heard that Alliance already gave that a shot would save you some time.

"We've also tried, as mentioned before, to communicate with the 'possessed' afflicted, but they too seemed to not be receptive at all." Scallandra reminds.

"I see, thank you."

"Did you perhaps see something similar during your travels, doctor Ford?"

"Similar to what?" You ask. "I mean, the situation is quite complex. In broad strokes I'm sure we all remember dragon's teeth and reaper husks, but I understand this affliction works differently."

"That was the first thing we've confirmed. The growths and transformations are clearly distinctive from Reaper corruption and implants, but we haven't been able to discern their workings or purpose."

"...I see. And as for ancient technology reawakening under specific circumstances, that sometimes happens as well, but the circumstances in question tend to be unique."

"And that's why you are here now, doctor." Hackett concludes. "In fact I believe it's time to move on to briefing for your team. Thank you, doctors, for your insights and attendance." The admiral looks across the other guests who realize they are being dismissed. There is some shuffling around as they pick themselves up and head out of the conference room, the Asari physician being the only one to stop before leaving.

"Admiral, please, don't be quick to give up on those people down there." Scallandra says.

"Noted." Hackett takes the request with calm, unperturbed by the insinuation.

"Don't worry, doctor, this admiral is an upright sort." Lea offers her opinion freely, prompting a small smile from the Asari and a slight grimace from the lieutenant Maison as he escorted the experts out.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, miss Lea'Fari." Hackett says dryly as the door shut behind them. The young woman blinks but thinks better of talking back, and the admiral picks up quickly enough. "Very well then, let's get to the point. Specialist Lovelace." He nods at the woman who taps her omnitool and the hologram refocuses on the entirety of the citadel. "Doctor Ford, you and your team have been summoned for your experience and track record of dealing with sensitive issues effectively and with measure of discretion. Your task, should you choose to accept it, will be to determine the cause and nature of changes to the station. Our - the Council's and mine - expectation is to at least to make a breakthrough in understanding of what's going on."

"We have already gone over and most likely eliminated some possible scenarios. For one, there has been no evidence that would suggest tat Reaper patterns were re-emerging, in either material or digital domain."

That was a relief, even though perhaps it was a bit arrogant to assume unknown could not possibly be worse than the greatest threat sapient life had faced over countless galactic cycles. Even so, you allow yourself a small smile and a glance at Eve, who smiles back.

"Our next concern is one those in this room are cleared to hear about now." Hackett says and the holographic image of Citadel moves to side to make room for a pair of unnerving visuals you were not particularly fond of revisiting.

"The Leviathans have assisted us greatly in the battle for Earth, but have cut off all communications around the time Crucible had been successfully deployed. Your experiences, doctor Ford, have essentially confirmed that we cannot assume they shared the fate of their synthetic lookalikes, and their disappearance had been an effort to return to at least apparent isolation."

"Or they want us to think that." Kris grumbles.

"Without a doubt. Be that as it may, our intelligence shows no active effort on their part neither on planet's surface nor aboard the Citadel. That of course doesn't mean we are not taking the threat seriously. You should be on a lookout for the orbs such as the one you've already encountered. However, if they are involved in the current state of Citadel, it's by means that are entirely unknown to us and warrant suitably careful approach."

Hackett gives you a few moments to process, then gives another nod to miss Lovelace.

"Now, we do have a few leads you may choose to pick up." He says turning back to you and a data overlay appears over the Citadel hologram which has once again moved into focus. The overlay, you suspect, was the one highlighting anomalous constructs.

"There are several areas that have been marked of particular interest." Hackett continues and three reticles appear on the citadel. Although two of them appear in locations that also register as familiar to you, it's the third one that give you pause. In fact you barely listen to the admiral drone on.

"One of those areas is the C-Sec Academy around which much of the emergency operations have been focused and is serving as operating base for those of our men who have volunteered to help on the ground. It is also where Shepard's team is operating from."

This did stir your attention. Of course Shepard would be down there, helping. There had been speculations around that he didn't make it through the battle of Earth, but Libella did mention him. And now you were going to work alongside the living legend, saviour of the citadel, destroyer of the Reapers.

No pressure.

Your peers did not remain unresponsive either.

"Huh." Kris gave a grunt of admiration. As far as you knew his expressiveness, this was as close as he got to a "Squee!".

Lea maintained silence, though she did lean forward, a glint in her eye at the prospect of meeting the heroes of the galaxy.

Eve, naturally, maintained her professional composure.

"It may be to your benefit to link up with them and coordinate, or lean on their support if you come across that would call for it." Hackett adds, suggesting that you requisition the Spectres' assistance. Then he moves nonchalantly on. "The other location of interest is the access port to the Citadel Archives. The area sees Keeper activity and most survivors have evacuated it after structures began appearing, but the entrance itself remains conspicuously open. To my understanding Shepard's team have already investigated the place and found nothing actionable, but perhaps you would have better luck." The admiral makes another pause and this time rests his gaze squarely on you. "The third area is a particular block of the upper wards that has been strangely free of Keeper traffic, or the anomalous structures, despite being surrounded by the same. We have found nothing that could suggest a reason for this, but I believe you are familiar with the area, doctor Ford?"

"I do." You say. "It's where my parents..." You trail off, unsure which tense to use.

"Doctor Ford. I am going to be blunt. Did you, during your previous career, leave any prothean, or otherwise, artifact as a memento with your family?"

That one was easy. You shake your head.

"No, I have not. All artifacts we've recovered have gone through very thorough analysis carried out by CIX. I would never leave any unknown alien technology as a civilian mantelpiece, much less with people I care for." You respond without offense, it was after all not an entirely unreasonable guess for a semi-independent adventurer. However, warnings of the many exotic dangers unknown ancient technology could pose were a sort of copybook heading you've come across often in your education, with subsequent adventures only confirming its wisdom.

"I can confirm that. We may take chances out in the field, but we don't play fast and loose with lives on inhabited worlds." Kris supports you. "...when we can help it." He adds on a quieter note, possibly reminded that one time on Illium. But really there was no way that would allow you to get away while observing all the air traffic regulations that time.

"I see." Hackett does not press the issue. "Well, it may be worth for you to investigate the area. Our capacities are stretched too thin with other, larger centres of civilian survivors."

"Noted." You nod.

"Good. With that being said, as I don't expect you to back out despite the dangers, you have, as I said, freedom to choose your approach. Be advised though that we are relying on you to avoid more… forceful… methods of containment. If situation begins to develop into a clear and imminent threat to the planet, you will be asked to evacuate - if said situation allows."

The old admiral spoke firmly and you returned his gaze, feeling both the gravity of the insinuation as well as the man's inner hope that it would not come to that, much as he was well seasoned in keeping such emotions to himself.

"Understood." You confirm.

"In that case, I will leave you and your team to decide your next steps. Unless you do have another question, or perhaps a request?"

>Yes, you'd like to ask about… (specify)
>No, you're good.

And with that decided you would…

>Stay for a while and go over your options in greater detail here in the conference room. Perhaps you could even try to contact Shepard's team.
>Head out and begin investigating - starting with the suspect apartment block. You can't in good conscience claim you're not eager to look for very specific survivors, but you do have good reasons to begin investigation in what may be time-sensitive area, too…
>Head out and towards the C-Sec academy. Shepard's team may have found some new leads that didn't make it to this briefings and coordinating with him might help.

You briefly consider going to Citadel archives as well, but that seemed… premature, at this juncture. And a voice in the back of your head telling you you would not do much discovery as distraught as you were right now.

Hackett did also touch subtly on one more point to address, rather than a question to ask… your gaze drifts towards Lea. The Quarian senses your gaze and looks back at you.

She blinks.

"No. Way."

What?

"I am NOT sitting this out. You cannot make me."

She was not wrong at least in reading your expression. The idea of exposing the quarian maiden to hazard of a suspected nanoplague was a horrendous one.

>Do make her sit this out.
>No, seriously. Do make her sit this out.

And what about Kris, and Eve?

>Decide who to take down to Citadel with you. This CAN be changed later.