Chapter 28: The Prisoner

The silence surrounded Shepard's team like a protective shroud. It was comforting. Omega was barely stirring in the early hours of the morning. Thane and Samara flanked the Commander as they walked, comfortably sharing the silence in sullen contemplation.

They had just investigated the murder of a young artist named Nef. Now, they returned to the Normandy, in order to await their prey. They had pieced together scattered clues and tonight they hunted...for an Ardat-Yakshi.

Maggie bought me the only civvies I owned, Shepard thought. I wonder if Jacob has something for me to borrow.

He stopped at the view-port, forearms on the railing as he stared into the middle-distance of Omega. With an uncanny understanding, Thane and Samara positioned themselves around him.

For a long while, no one spoke.

"An assassin won't find much work on Omega," Thane observed, casually breaking the silence. "People in a place like this tend to do the deed themselves."

"Vengeance is supposed to ease the loss," Shepard said quietly, weight behind his words. "We've all suffered loss. But, I don't know if it really helps. I can't imagine what that mother is going through."

"There is solace in justice. I know what it means to lose a daughter. I will avenge young Nef," Samara said sternly. Shepard could almost feel the biotic pulse that coursed through the Justicar at those words.

"Sometimes, revenge and justice walk the same path," Thane added with a razor-edged smile in his tone.

Shepard glanced at Thane and noted the odd blackness to his eyes. He must be reliving a memory again. But, a good one. He looked satisfied, pleased, and a touch more terrifying than usual.

Shepard waited until Thane's eyes had returned to their normal distant expression. He was always surprised that the Drell didn't miss a step despite his mind being somewhere else entirely.

"Can I ask you two something? As parents?" he asked as he turned to face his team.

Two pairs of alien eyes regarded him skeptically.

"I am uncertain that we are the greatest examples of good parenting," Thane frowned.

"Well, you're all I've got. You've trusted me with the fate of your children. I'd trust your opinions in return." Shepard paused and gathered his thoughts.

"If you were me, what the hell would you do with my sister?"

Thane and Samara shared a knowing smile with one another, as if replaying some unspoken conversation that did not include Shepard. He got the awful feeling that he was the butt of a joke.

"You may have to take away her freedom. Especially if it's for her own safety," Samara advised, the smile falling away from her face. There was far too much understanding to her tone.

Shepard sighed. "She might end up in prison anyway for everything she's done."

"You blame yourself for her actions," Thane observed.

Shepard dropped his eyes to his feet guiltily.

"Because it is my fault. If I hadn't died, she would never have changed like this. I would have been there for her. I raised that girl and I let her down. And, she's not the only one. Liara, Tali, hell, even Garrus! They've all changed so much. They've all become killers."

Thane's head twitched away from Shepard in a strange reptilian gesture and Samara just looked sad. The three once again shared a sympathetic silence.

"You can't change the past," Thane said after a long pause. "We must carry the weight of our decisions, Shepard. You, of all people, know this. All you can do is keep her safe now."

Shepard let out a weary laugh. "I'm trying to keep her safe. But, she's dangerous, too."

"Your sister is smart and strong. She would not accept defeat and she fought to the end. You should be proud of her for what she is, Shepard. But if she is truly lost, you must be strong enough to let her go." Samara voice was stern, yet sympathetic.

Shepard sighed. "I…. see."

Thane laid a heavy and reassuring hand on Shepard's shoulder meeting his eyes with a fatherly smile.

"Family is the calm in the storm, the light in the dark, the shield from ourselves. She is your family. That is all the guidance you require."

Shepard's throat was too tight to respond. He just gazed at the Drell in wonder.

"And, you are blessed Shepard to be surrounded by family." Samara smiled, pressing Shepard's hand tenderly with her own.

Shepard turned his head away, grumbling roughly.

"Goddamn Omega's smell. Makes my eyes all watery…"

A few hours later, Shepard and Samara sat together on the floor of the Starboard Observation deck. With the Justicar's careful instruction, the Commander was preparing to become a lure for the Ardat-Yakshi. They laughed together softly as they roleplayed in preparation for the well-laid trap. For a short time, Shepard had forgotten about the impending choice regarding his sister.

But, such peace is never long.

"Shepard - As per your request to be notified, your sister has left the Main Battery," EDI interrupted, blinking into existence so suddenly that both Samara and Shepard jerked in surprise.

"By the goddess, she gets me every time…" Sarama laughed.

"She?" Shepard smirked. "It's just a computer."

"I am a fully formed artificial intelligence." EDI corrected, sounding affronted.

Samara inclined her head gently towards the orb, as if that was all the evidence she required to illustrate her obvious correctness.

"I should go," Shepard offered apologetically to Samara. "Maggie and I have a lot to talk about."

"I understand, Shepard. Good luck."

"And, don't worry. We'll find Morinth tonight."

"Thank you, Commander. There are no words to express what this means to me. If there is any way I can repay the debt..."

Samara trailed off and they stared at each other a long time. Some conversations don't need words.

It was well after lunch meal call, Shepard noted with faint disapproval. Maggie and Garrus hadn't left the Battery since the previous night. Shepard tried not to dwell on that as he stepped from Starboard Observation and ran nearly face-first into his sister.

Maggie let out an undignified squeak of surprise at her brother's sudden appearance. She was looking relaxed, the dark circles under her eyes had faded and the smile which greeted him was genuine and warm. It lit up her face and her eyes sparkled with the life and humor he remembered. Her arms were full of a bundle of clothing and a shower kit - she was heading for the women's restroom.

"Oh! Hey Jo-Jo!" She greeted him warmly. "When's chow time on this crazy boat of yours?"

"About two hours ago."

"Oh. Hah… Sorry, guess I'm still on Omega cycles. No one really stirs on that station until the night shift."

"...Right. I really need to talk to you, Maggie."

"Uhmm… can it wait for a bit? I was going to grab a shower and some grub."

Shepard frowned and studied his sister. He quietly reminded himself that the cheerful girl in front of him was the same ruthless murderer and assassin from his reports.

"Twenty minutes. I'll be in the Port Observation deck."

"Peachy," she chirped and headed into the Women's showers. Shepard stood outside the door, reviewing his options.

"Shepard. The Men's restroom is on the port side of the ship." EDI informed him helpfully.

Shepard cursed under his breath and turned away, calling after a nearby Cerberus crew member.

Maggie was humming to herself happily in the shower, feeling truly clean and relaxed for the first time in months. Garrus was alive. John was alive. They were all reunited on the Normandy of all things. Cerberus involvement aside, it felt like everything had turned a corner. After over a year of hunting, pain, loss, death and red-tape, Maggie began to experience something she'd thought she'd lost for good.

Hope.

She didn't even blink when the doors opened and another woman entered to use the restroom. Having grown up on military ships, communal bathrooms were pretty routine. She'd just finished smothering herself with suds when a bald woman dressed in only cargo pants and tattoos pulled back the shower curtain.

"So, you're what all the fuss is about…." The woman said sourly, openly inspecting Maggie from head to toe.

Maggie yelped in surprise at the intrusion, flailing to cover herself and grabbing for her towel simultaneously.

"HEY! What the hell?! Who are you?" Maggie yelped, splattering soapy water across the bathroom, much to the amusement of the bald woman.

"Meh - I've seen better," Jack grinned. "But, anyone who's giving Miranda such fits must have something goin' for them…"

Jack moved to one of the toilets, dropped her drawers, and a tinkling sound followed. But, Jack continued on conversationally.

"Name's Jack."

"Uhh… Maggie," Maggie fumbled dumbfounded.

"Right. Shepard's sister, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Well, just thought I'd let you know, there's a Cerberus guard standing outside the shitter right now and the ship is watching you, too."

Maggie's head jerked towards the door.

"I'm under guard?!"

"Yup," Jack answered casually. She zipped up her pants and kicked the toilet to flush with a heavy combat boot.

"No way… John would never allow it," Maggie mumbled half to herself, mind reeling.

Jack laughed.

"He's the one who ordered it. Look, if you're gonna make a move on Cerberus, I'll bring marshmallows for the fires - but you better not get in the way of my business. You won't live to regret it."

"He… ordered...guards?" Maggie repeated in astonishment, clutching her towel to her chest. The tattooed woman's threat was entirely lost in the face of her brother's betrayal.

"Family's a bitch," Jack replied with a shrug.

Maggie peered past Jack, dripping wet and shivering with anger.

"Fucking….Cerberus." Maggie cursed bitterly, venom dripping from her words.

"Amen to that."

"Jack, right? Thanks for the heads up. I owe you."

"Meh. Whatever. I just had to pee," Jack said casually, disappearing out the door.

Twenty minutes later, Maggie stepped into the Starboard Observation deck. A Cerberus crew member shadowed her with a drawn assault rifle, without the slightest hint of subtlety. The guard had followed her after she left the bathroom and watched seriously as Maggie scrounged a meal from the Mess Sergeant and now followed her again as she went to meet her brother.

Every moment the armed guard watched her, Maggie's rage built.

Shepard ceased his pacing of the Starboard Observation room when his sister entered. He nodded to the guard who saluted and stepped outside. The glare Maggie turned on him could have melted solid steel.

"Just a talk?" Maggie was actually trying to keep her voice calm, but the rage bubbled up even through her clenched teeth. "Didn't realize we needed an armed guard for a family reunion."

"I didn't instruct for him to be armed," Shepard said cooly.

Maggie crossed her arms over her chest defensively and sank into a hip, scowling at her brother. She said nothing.

Shepard mimicked the gesture and glared right back at her, like only a sibling could. The two Shepards mirrored each other, a silent conversation in angry eyes and accusatory glares.

"I need some answers from you, Maggie. And, I need them yesterday." Shepard broke the silence at last. "Why are you here?"

"Well, you see when two people love each other very much and don't use protection…." Maggie began.

John cut her off with a snarl. "Don't play with me, Maggie! Too much is riding on this for games. I need the truth from you."

"Depends on who's asking..."

"What? I'm asking!"

"Right. Are you asking as my brother or are as a Cerberus Operative?"

Shepard blinked. His mouth opened and closed wordlessly.

"Or…worse," she continued. "Do you think you're my brother and you're just some advanced AI in my brother's meat suit..." She jabbed an accusatory finger into the center of his forehead to emphasize her words. "...or maybe a clone?"

Shepard rolled his eyes. "Alright…If that's how we're playing it…Are you my sister today? Or a CISO Officer?" Shepard countered irritably, swatting her hand away.

"What CISO Officer in her right mind would willingly step foot onto a Cerberus ship? Especially one with that dirty bitch on it!"

"You tell me. An operative that goes AWOL on a killing spree on Omega, after being charged with treason and desertion? Or maybe one that blows up a research station with her brother on it? Getting on the Normandy would be the infiltration op of the century - breaking down Cerberus from the inside. I bet they'd drop all charges and you'd get a medal."

Maggie shook her head in disbelief.

"What kind of crack-pot bullshit have they been feeding you? Since when did I give two shits about medals?"

"You deny it, then? Did you know the Collectors were coming for Horizon? Is that why you left? Why didn't you warn the colony? Thousands of people were killed! Or was that just part of your mission?"

"You know why!" Maggie shouted in frustration. Then slowly realization dawned and she took a few steps back from her brother.

Unconsciously, she reached for her omni-tool on her wrist. She wanted to check for bugs and listening devices in this room, suddenly fearing that she may had already said too much. This whole thing could be some terrible trap to get her to spill the most highly-guarded secrets of Alliance Counter-Intelligence operations to Cerberus. They'd already tried to recruit her once, maybe this time they weren't asking nicely.

The pit fell out of her stomach. Her omni-tool wasn't there. Thane had never returned it to her after the encounter on Omega. Maggie swallowed hard and closed her eyes. The shakes were back with a vengeance.

"Answer me, Maggie!" Shepard growled. "Were you just using me...using Garrus... to get on this ship?"

No. Maggie wanted to say. No. No... NO! Cerberus Bastards! You could have anything… you could kill anyone… Why take them? It's too cruel.

"What were you sent to find? Who are you reporting to? Are you here to kill Miranda?"

John was yelling now, pressing forward with angry steps and looming over her. Maggie retreated, flinching away from his demands until she was pressed into the space between the two observation windows.

"Why did you try to kill me!?" he bellowed, slapping the bulkhead next to her head.

Somewhere, in the back of her mind, Maggie's old training kicked in. It overrode the fear and pain. She opened her eyes and looked at her brother. A single tear slipped down her cheek and her voice came out a strangled whisper.

"Margaret Lynn Shepard. Systems Alliance Counter-Intelligence. Lieutenant Commander. Service Number: 983-77-5324."

"What? What are you saying?"

Maggie repeated the litany as a comfort. As a prisoner of war, it was all the information she was authorized to give.

"Margaret Lynn Shepard. Systems Alliance Counter-Intelligence. Lieutenant Commander. Service Number: 983-77-5324."

Shepard stepped back from his sister; his anger evaporating as slow realization dawned. His hand fell to his side and his voice cracked.

"Mags… I-I'm not your enemy."

This time her voice was hard and cold.

"Margaret Lynn Shepard. Systems Alliance Counter-Intelligence. Lieutenant Commander. Service Number: 983-77-5324"

"Fine!" Shepard thundered, throwing up his hands. "Have it your way." He turned on a heel and stormed towards the door.

"Don't forget to cuff me, Commander." Maggie spat after him. The doors whisked open as he left.

He didn't look back.

The Cerberus guard gave her a dark smile, brandishing his assault rifle in mock salute as the door whisked closed. The panel immediately blinked red. Maggie kicked at the door uselessly.

The lights dimmed and she was locked inside...alone. The newest Cerberus prisoner slumped into the couch, glanced around the darkened room, and sobbed.

From the cursing, Shepard knew exactly when Garrus learned about the newly created brig aboard the Normandy.

Shepard was in his quarters, studying himself in the mirror as he adjusted his borrowed civilian clothes. Jacob had a surprisingly extensive and stylish wardrobe. He tried to make himself look like whatever Ardat-Yakshi bait was supposed to look like. Shepard suavely adjusted his cufflinks.

I look like a Buddhist monk crossed with a penguin. Shepard was thinking when Garrus arrived.

The locked doors to his private cabin were overridden and the furious Turian stomped inside, spewing more curse-words than Shepard's translator could even pick up.

He'd stopped paying attention at "soft-plated, dirty, barefaced, short-fringed, terrorist sons-of-whores."

"Are you finished?" Shepard asked casually, checking himself again in the mirror.

"They made a brig for her! With ARMED GUARDS! You gotta straighten this out, Shepard. You can't let them arrest her."

"I am well aware of her accommodations, Garrus. I ordered them."

Garrus gaped at Shepard. His mandibles were practically dangling by his knees.

"You did… WHAT?!"

"If she's going to act like an enemy combatant, then she gets what she deserves."

Garrus shook his head, pinching what would have been the bridge of his nose on a Human.

"By the Spirits, Shepard! You can't just lock up your sister because the two of you are having a spat."

Shepard turned on his friend with sudden fury.

"This has nothing to do with sibling rivalry, Garrus! She's in danger. She's wanted by the Alliance and Cerberus both. Did you know she's listed as Kill on Sight for all Cerberus personnel? Could you imagine if it was some other Cerberus team that caught her?! They'd be putting bullets into her, not letting her watch vids and eat chocolate in a lounge. I've detained her for her own protection and for the safety of my crew!"

Garrus shook his head, growling.

"She's not some kid that needs a time-out. You have no idea what it's been like these past two years, Shepard. What your death put her through...put us through. You can't really think she's just using you for an op. She didn't even know you were alive."

Shepard sighed. "I don't know what she knew or didn't know. But, it doesn't matter. It's done now and she's safe."

Garrus stepped up to Shepard, gently laying a taloned-hand on his shoulder.

"She's your family, Shepard. You had each other's backs no matter what. You gotta trust her. Family doesn't take prisoners."

Shepard brushed past Garrus roughly, shoving the Turian aside.

"In war they do. If that's what I have to do to keep her safe; so be it. I got a job to do. Either fall in line, or get out of my way."

Garrus stepped aside as Shepard stomped past him, mandibles clicking with concern and worry. His avian eyes stared at the door for a long time after it had closed behind Shepard.

Garrus glanced around the empty room and sighed.

"Spirits. I just do not understand humans."