Chapter 29: Ancient Foes, Part 3

Shepard and his team departed, heading for the port's Mezzanine where there was a bar of sorts situated. Shepard could find someone there who could help him by the name of Lorik Qui'in. As he walked across the port past it's inhabitants, he could hear their hushed remarks and their suspicious eyes. Most were "polite" enough to keep it quiet, but others were more… vocal about their opinion.

Shepard shut out the whispering voices and snide remarks, his mind fully trained upon his task. Something about him had changed. Something in his mind had clicked, and he suddenly brooked no nonsense from anyone.

Tali and Liara could sense the tension. Shepard was not his usual cheery self. Wrex, as always, seemed uncaring and unperturbed. They shuffled into an elevator leading up to the mezzanine, silent as a graveyard.

The elevator slowed to a stop, and the doors opened, revealing a happier area, with dancing, light drinking, and quiet music. Shepard stepped out of the elevator and scanned the crowd. None of them seemed to stick out in particular. Mostly humans, male and female. Only one stood out. A turian.

Shepard walked briskly over to where he sat.

"Lorik Qui'in?"

The turian sighed contently, drink in hand, and smiled up at Shepard.

"Why yes I am. You must be the Spectre. Been hearing a lot about you, and you've only been here, what, an hour?"

Shepard relaxed a little, not knowing he had been tensed up.

"May I sit?"

"Of course, of course. What can I do for you, friend?"

Shepard rested his elbows on the table, and leaned forward slightly.

"I need to get access to the garage."

Lorik nodded knowingly.

"Ah, then you must want a garage pass. Luckily for you, I have one right here."

Lorik withdrew from one of his suit's pockets a card, twirling it around slightly. Shepard narrowed his eyes.

"What do you want in return?"

Lorik put the card back. He leaned forward off the back of his chair.

"Until recently, I worked in the Synthetic's Insight department. I discovered that our good administrator Anoleis is corrupt. However, before I could do anything with this information, the ERCS quarantined the area. Fortunately, I managed to hide the information on my computer. All I need you to do is go in there, and retrieve that information. The ERCS still guard that area, so some bloodshed may be inevitable."

Shepard leaned back, a grin slowly creeping across his face.

"Alright, we'll do it."

If a turian had eyebrows, and could arch them, Lorik would have done just so.

"Well, that was easy. I thought I would have to persuade you some more."

Shepard smiled.

"Anoleis was less than hospitable to me and my friends earlier. This will help us more than help you."

"Fine by me. The office is just around the corner."

Shepard nodded, and stood up, making to leave. Lorik called out as he crossed over to the elevator.

"Oh, if you can, do try to keep the bloodstains of the carpet."

One short walk and elevator ride later, they were right outside the office door. Shepard could see shadows moving within, and silent unclasped his rifle. Liara, Wrex and Tali followed suit, making as little noise as possible.

Shepard motioned the doors open, and they stepped in, safeties off. There were 3 guards, their backs to Shepard. They spun around, shocked looks on their faces, and brought up their own guns. The middle guard was a blonde female, and she stood defiant, still holstered.

"This floor is off-limits. Clear off."

Shepard shook his head.

"That's not going to happen."

The woman sneered, and drew her pistol, but it was too late. 4 bullet holes appeared in her chest. Seconds later, her companions fell with her.

The world was silent for but a moment, when gunfire shattered it like broken glass. As they all bound for cover, Shepard took the opportunity to see where they were being fired upon from.

3 down bottom, 4 up top.

Shepard yelled into his com-piece over the roaring thunder of spraying bullets.

"Liara, Tali, take the 3 down here. Don't take any risks. Wrex, make a run for the stairs leading up. I'll follow up after and we'll take care of those four. Hop to it!"

They had sought refuge behind a large office wall, and Liara and Tali split up, going to opposite ends, alternating pistol fire with shotgun pellets. Meanwhile, Wrex charged up the stairs, his thick plating and armor proving him to be near immune to the standard rounds of the ERCS. Shepard followed close behind while Wrex had their attention.

As they reached the top, Shepard slid into cover, but Wrex was not so careful. He charged straight into 2, smashing one into the railing and blowing a 2 inch hole in the chest on another. Further along the second floor, a walkway separated a single office from the rest of the second floor. Two more guards were stationed there, suppressing fire towards Tali and Liara, who were struggling with the odds against them. Shepard sighted the two up top and dropped them, one of them falling off the walkway down onto the bottom floor.

As the body hit the floor, a temporary lull followed as the security guards turned around to look. Tali took advantage of this pause, and rushed forward, punishing the two remaining enemies for taking their eyes off their opponents.

Screams rang out as they were pumped full of lead, and all fell silent. Tali trembled slightly, her heart beating double it's normal rate. Liara gaped slightly, her face paler than usual. Only Shepard and Wrex showed no signs of distress at the bloody messes covering the floor.

Shepard was now on the walkway, with a blood-splattered Wrex behind him. Shepard leaned over the rail, and murmured softly.

"So much for keeping blood out of the carpets."

Wrex chuckled, a fearsome and grotesque sight to behold.

"I think he'll live with it."

Shepard let out a sharp whistle, catching the attention of Tali and Liara.

"Don't stick around. Go back to the mezzanine and wait for me there. Go with them Wrex."

Tali and Liara nodded, walking back to the elevator. Wrex grumbled, before leaping off the walkway down to the bottom floor, landing on the body of a corrupt security guard. There was a sickening crunch, followed by a not so pleasant squishing sound. Wrex scraped some blood off his foot, and padded down to join the girls in the elevator.

Shepard walked into the office, the lights and computer humming to life. Shepard strode over to the computer and withdrew the prized information, a satisfied smile on his face. He tossed it up in the air, catching it deftly. He couldn't wait to see the look in Anoleis' face.

"Spectre! Good to see you again."

Shepard nodded.

"Lorik. I got the evidence you wanted."

The turian smiled, revealing his small, sharp teeth.

"Fantastic news. Would you like the honor of dropping this off to Gianna for me?"

Shepard arched an eyebrow.

"Sure. But I'll be wanting that garage pass now."

Lorik sighed.

"Alright, I guess you deserve it."

Lorik withdrew his garage pass, sliding it across the table to Shepard. He pocketed it, and nodded to the turian before getting up to go see Ms. Parasini.

"Gianna Parasini, I believe I have something here that might interest you."

Shepard placed the small device holding the evidence onto secretary desk. Gianna opened her mouth, but Shepard put a hand up, stalling any questions. Gianna plugged the device into her computer, a small measure of suspicion written in her body.

That suspicion quickly changed into shock as the evidence condemning Anoleis was irrefutable.

"This is amazing, Commander Shepard. This will make Anoleis lose his position and any credibility."

Shepard smiled briefly, and flicked his head towards the Administrators office.

"Let's go, Ms. Parasini. I wouldn't miss this for the world."