Three

After saving Nihlus from Saren, the large ship that Wolf and her team saw earlier let out a booming sound that caused their radios to let out a screeching sound that caused them to remove their headsets.

"What the fuck?" Wolf said rubbing her ears the moment she removed her headset.

Before anyone could answer the sound of a ship taking off caught their attention. Turning to the direction of the sound they saw the large ship they spotted earlier taking off, once the ship flew out of sight they put back on their headsets.

"Any call signs, check in."

"This is Wolf, we read you Inferno." Wolf replied.

"Wolf, this is Captain Adams. Report."

"The colony is under attack from Geth forces. Heavy civilian and marine casualties." She told Adams, "we're on route to secure the beacon at the space port."

"Roger, keep us updated." Captain Adams told Wolf before the radio went silent.

"Sis, report?" Wolf asked.

"Shepard and her team met up with Nihlus. They took the tram to the space port."

"Get us a ride, we'll met you at the tram." Wolf told Sis before gesturing for the others to follow. The path to the tram seemed to be clear of geth as Shepard and her team cleared them out, arriving at the tram the team saw Sis waiting for them with the tram ready to go. Once on board the tram departed for the space port.

"Once we arrive at the space port, camo's on." Wolf told her team while she checked her rifle, "we'll assist Shepard and her team. Stay out of sight," she told her team. As the tram drew closer they could hear the sound of gunfire, once the tram stopped at the space port Wolf and her team activated their cameo's turning them invisible.

Wolf kept her weapon trained on the geth bodies as she and her team passed by them when she heard a sound coming from the direction of the beacon, looking to the direction of the beacon she saw a green haze. Fearing that something has happened to either Shepard or the beacon wolf ordered her squad forward.

Ashley did her best to hold back Lt. Alenko from going to help Commander Shepard, she didn't know what happened that caused the beacon to activate and pull Alenko towards it, now Commander Shepard seems to be taking the bullet for Alenko after she pulled him back. Commander Shepard is suspended in midair before the beacon, a green aura surrounded her that came from the beacon, she seemed to be suspended in the air for thirty seconds before the beacon exploded, the force of the explosion knocked Shepard out of the air and onto her back.

Alenko managed to free himself from her hold and run to Shepard's side immediately, the moment he knelt down to her side he was shot in the shoulder. Ashley immediately turned around with her weapon ready and saw five geth approaching her and the others weapons ready to fire, Ashley knew their odds of survival were low but she would go down swinging and hopefully take a few of the bastards with her. She put her finger on the trigger ready to fire when she heard five gunshots and the geth dropped to the ground. From behind the geth four people de cloaked holding their weapons down.

"Friendly," one person said to Ashley.

"Homer," Ashley said keeping her weapon trained on the group of four.

"Odessey," one person in the group said stepping forward. Since they answered the challenge question correctly she lowered her weapon.

"Preacher, check on them." the lead person said gesturing to Alenko and Shepard.

Wolf ordered the rest of her team to set a defensive position as Preacher went to check on Shepard and her wounded teammate.

"Who are you?" Wolf heard the marine who aimed at them ask.

Wolf turned around to face the marine, "did you contact the Normandy?" she asked the marine.

"I'll ask the questions here, who are you?" the marine asked this time putting more force behind her words.

"We don't have time to play twenty questions, Gunnery Chief." Wolf told the Gunnery Chief while staring her down. "Both Shepard and the Lieutenant need medical attention, so call the Normandy and tell them to prep the med bay." Wolf said turning her back to the marine and walking towards Preacher to get an update on Shepard.

"All of you are under arrest." Wolf heard the marine say, turning around she saw the Gunnery Chief aiming her rifle at her, she also noticed Oden moving toward the marine's back. With a slight shack of her head that the marine didn't notice Oden stood down. "I don't know how you knew the answer to the challenge question, but right now I trust you as much as I do the geth. So, weapons on the ground."

"How 'bout we do that once we're not in danger of being shot," Wolf suggested which seemed to placate the Gunnery Chief as she gestured for them gather.

"Normandy, this is Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams. Commander Shepard and Lieutenant Alenko have been wounded and need medical attention." Williams said over the comms, "I have four suspects that need to be questioned."

Shortly after Williams radioed the Normandy the sound of the ships engine could be heard in the distance, before long the Normandy could be seen on the horizon. The Normandy landed in front of the space port, the cargo bay doors opening revealing a squad of marines in combat gear with their weapons at the ready. The marines moved with a purpose as they secured the area and pointed their weapons at Wolf and her team while the others tended to Shepard and her teammate, Wolf looked to the entrance of the cargo bay and saw a man with a Captain's rank step down the ramp and stop in front of Williams.

"Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams?" he asked.

"Yes sir," Williams replied saluting him. "These four are the suspects," she said gesturing to Wolf and her team. The Captain walked over to them.

"I'm Captain David Anderson, Alliance Navy. Identify yourselves," Captain Anderson ordered Wolf and her team when he stopped in front of them. Anderson looked at Wolf directly which she returned and didn't look away even as she said one word.

"Hat trick."

Anderson looked surprised for a minute before he went back to his neutral look. "Weapons down," he said to the marines aiming their weapons at Wolf.

"Sir?" Williams asked surprised as she looked at Anderson in disbelief.

"It's alright, they're not a threat." Anderson told her over his shoulder before going to the side of Shepard's gurney, he looked at her for a moment before nodding for the marines to take to the med bay on the Normandy. "How are doing, Alenko?" he asked Alenko when the wounded lieutenant passed by him.

"I'll be fine sir, nothing the med bay can't fix." Alenko replied while grimacing due to the pain of where he got shot.

"True enough, I expect a full debrief from you when Dr. Chakwas clears you." Anderson told him to which Alenko nodded.

"Sir, Jenkins body needs to be recovered. Also Nihlus needs to be picked up." Alenko told Anderson, "he stayed behind to protect some civilians."

"We'll handle it, right now head to the med bay and get that wound checked out." Anderson once again told Alenko who nodded and went up the ramp into the Normandy. Anderson ordered his men back into the Normandy and gestured for Wolf and her team to follow, "you and your team will remain here." Anderson told Wolf before heading to the elevator. After a while the cargo bay doors opened again and this time a turian came on board the Normandy, the same one Saren tried to kill, Nihlus she remembered his name. Nihlus cast a look on their direction but otherwise ignored them as he went straight to the elevator.

"I guess now we play the waiting game," Sis said leaning against the wall and casting a look at some of the personal in the cargo bay looking at them which caused the onlookers to look away.

"Wonder what we get if we win," Oden asked also leaning against the wall and crossing his arms, taking a casual stance. Though his question did cause Wolf to smile under her mask as she looked to the elevator wondering what is going through Anderson's mind.

Too say that Anderson is pissed is like saying water is a liquid, he didn't like being half briefed on things he felt like he should know, otherwise bad shit could happen in an op like the death of Corporal Jenkins. So as he waited for a secure connection to Admiral Hackett, he pondered the reasons why there is a spec ops team in the cargo hold and why they were on Eden Prime. 'Something to do with the beacon?' he thought to himself before the holo form of Admiral Hackett appeared in front of him.

"Anderson, what can I do for you?"

"Why was there a spec ops team on Eden Prime?" Anderson asked straight out of the gate. Hackett didn't show any response to the question as he regarded Anderson.

"No such team was sent to Eden Prime," Hackett answered.

"I have four soldiers in the cargo bay who said the code word normally reserved for covert operations." Anderson told Hackett.

"You didn't question them" Hackett asked crossing his arms which confirmed Anderson's suspicion that a second team was sent to Eden Prime.

"Not yet."

"Under no circumstances are you to question those four," Hackett warned him.

"Then why wasn't I told about a second team," Anderson asked annoyed that he wasn't getting answers but instead getting stonewalled. "Steve, for old times,"

Hackett sighed before answering, "the Alliance couldn't take any chances with a discovery this big. We're still on thin ice after the First Contact War." Hackett told Anderson, "that's all I can say at the moment."

Anderson nodded realizing that is all he's getting, "any news on the colony?" he asked changing the subject.

"The Seventh Fleet moved in and secured the colony. Search for survivors have been slow, the body of an Alliance was recovered. A Corporal Jenkins," Hackett told Anderson uncrossing his arms and letting them fall to his side. "Where are you headed?"

"Nihlus wants us to inform the Council about what happened on Eden Prime. So, we're headed to the Citadel, then we'll join up with the Fourth Fleet." Anderson told Hackett.

"Stay on the Citadel, I'll meet you there. How's Shepard?" Hackett asked.

This time it was Anderson's turn to sigh, "She's unconscious. I'm waiting for Dr. Chakwas report."

"Keep me informed," Hackett told Anderson before ending the call, his holo form fading.

Anderson shook his head before running a hand through his greying hair, his thoughts drifted to the four soldiers in the cargo hold he couldn't help but wonder who they are and reported to. Their gear is too high tech for N7's and their uniforms were clear of any identifying marks, the sound of an alarm drew him out of his musing, turning around he saw from the security feed that Alenko is trying to enter the comm/war room. Anderson let Alenko in and noticed that his right arm is in a sling and he's back in his BDU's.

"Captain, here is the report of the events of Eden Prime, and Dr. Chakwas's as well." Alenko said handing him two data pads which Anderson took.

"How are you Alenko?" he asked.

"Dr. Chakwas said I'll be fine but I won't be on active duty, until my wound heals. Her words," Alenko told Anderson which caused him to smile.

"Chakwas is more dangerous than any gun or mercenaries out there." Anderson told Alenko, "it's better if you do what she says. Personal experience."

"Yes, sir." Alenko said before grimacing in pain and putting a hand on his wounded shoulder.

"Get some rest, Lieutenant. That's an order," Anderson told/ordered Alenko who nodded in response before leaving Anderson. Deciding to read the reports Anderson left the room and went straight for the elevator, pushing the button for the second level. Once he arrived on the second level and the elevator doors opened he exited the elevator and went to his room, entering the dining area he cast a look toward the med bay before entering his room, once inside he went to his desk and sat down.

Deciding to read Dr. Chakwas's report first which just reported that Shepard doesn't have any wounds, yet she is unconscious and has yet to wake up. Anderson felt better after reading Chakwas's report, he felt responsible for Shepard as he promised her late father that he would look after his daughter. With one report done he now had Alenko's to read.

After reading the report from Alenko first, Anderson now had a clear picture of what happened on Eden Prime from the moment Shepard's squad encountered the geth, the death of Corporal Jenkins, Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams, Nihlus thanking Shepard for saving his life which she denies. And finally the incident involving the beacon. By the time he finished reading the report there was a knock on his door, setting the data pad down Anderson answered the door and found Williams waiting for him.

"Sir, Dr. Chakwas wanted me to tell you that Shepard is awake." Williams told him before saluting him and going to grab a seat at the dining table. Anderson immediately went to the med bay and was surprised to see Alenko talking to Shepard after he gave him an order to rest when he entered.

"How's our X.O. holding up?" he asked looking to Chakwas who smirked at Alenko who looked down suddenly finding the floor panels interesting looking like a child who got caught doing something wrong.

"Physically the Commander is alright, mentally however is another story. I'll be adding the details of your vision to my report, just in case." Chakwas told Shepard who nodded in response.

"I'd like a word with Shepard," Anderson told both Chakwas and Alenko who immediately left the room. "How are you holding up?" he asked Jane who sighed and leaned back on the exam table, crossing her arms.

"Like the first time I had a hangover," she answered closing her eyes and opening them again. "The images from the beacon play in my head on a loop."

"What are they about?" he asked curious and worried at the same time. Anderson listened to Jane as she did her best to explain the details of her dream to him, after she finished explaining he remained silent for a minute. "We need to bring this up with the Council."

"What do you mean?" Jane asked confused as to why they're heading to the Citadel.

"Nihlus intends to tell the Council of Saren's betrayal and of his attempt to kill him. He wants us there to tell our side of the story." Anderson told her.

"So, you want me to tell the Council that I had a bad dream while unconscious," Jane said looking Anderson directly in the eye which caused him to smile.

"Ever the smartass, Jane." He said before his face went back to its usual expression, "how much did Alenko tell you?"

"Not much, just that Williams is requesting a transfer to the Normandy and that we have four guests in the cargo hold."

"Williams transfer is pending, I wanted your opinion on the matter." Anderson told her.

"She's a good marine, she'd do well on the Normandy." Jane said with conviction.

"Alright, I'll approve the transfer." He told her before sighing, "turns out that the Alliance sent a second team to secure the beacon."

"We weren't briefed about a second team," Jane said pushing herself off the exam table and standing in front of Anderson. "Why?"

"I know about as much as you do right now, Jane." He told her rubbing the back of his head while Jane looked at him in disbelief.

"What division are they with?" She asked.

"We're under orders to not question them by Admiral Hackett. He's meeting us at the Citadel," Anderson told her. "Speaking of which, now that you're awake. Go up to Joker and tell him to let me know when we're approaching the Citadel."

"Yes, sir." Jane said saluting him before leaving the med bay to head for the bridge.

Wolf stood next to Sis leaning against the wall and doing her best to ignore the stares that she's been getting from the crew of the Normandy. Oden and Preacher sat on supply crates next to them, Wolf passed the time by going over the events that happened on Eden Prime to get ready for the debriefing that she knew was coming. A small jolt could be felt throughout the ship signaling that the ship exited FTL.

"Attention, we'll be docking with the Citadel shortly." A voice announced over the intercom, shortly after the announcement the elevator dinged and out stepped Captain Anderson who immediately went over to them.

"You four will remain here, I suspect you're the reason why Hackett is coming onboard," Anderson told them before leaving the cargo hold.

"Hackett is coming?" Sis asked pushing herself off the wall and looking to Wolf as did the others.

"Looks that way," Wolf told them still leaning against the wall and wondering how long she and her team had to wait before Hackett arrived. As it turns out not long as Hackett arrived via the elevator ten minutes after Anderson left, the marines and crew immediately saluted him the moment he stepped of the elevator. Making his way over to where Wolf and her team stood.

"Follow me," Hackett told them once he reached them, Wolf nodded and her team followed Hackett as he led the way back to the elevator. Once inside Hackett pressed the button for the CIC, "We'll be taking a shuttle to the Olympus, where I'll expect a full debrief from you." He told Wolf staring at the doors to which Wolf nodded which Hackett saw from the reflection on the elevator doors. Once the elevator opened Hackett once again took the lead with the others following, once again Wolf and her team received stares and whispers about them and why they're with Hackett.

Exiting the Normandy Wolf saw Captain Anderson, Commander Shepard and her team, along with Nihlus entering the tram that would take them to the main hub. Noticing the way Shepard regarded them with curiosity while Williams seemed suspicious of them, Wolf ignored them as they entered the shuttle that would take them to the Olympus. Arriving on the Olympus Hackett told them to get out of their gear and for Wolf to report to the briefing room, after changing out of her gear and back into her BDU's Karen went to the briefing room and saw Admiral Hackett already seated on one end of the large table in the center of the room.

Karen took the seat opposite of Hackett, "tell me what happened on Eden Prime." He asked and so Karen explained everything that happened from the moment they left the Inferno, she even downloaded the footage from her helmet and eye cam to show. Hackett reviewed the footage and paused it when Karen and her team first spotted the massive ship, "the Inferno detected a ship leaving the colony but lost track of it when it went FTL." He said rising from his seat.

"You made a good call, saving Nihlus and Shepard." Hackett said looking at Karen, "we don't need another incident like Anderson."

"What's going to happen now, sir?" Karen asked curious placing her hands on the table.

"Right now Nihlus is informing the Council of the events of Eden Prime." Hackett told Karen but before he could continue the door to the briefing room opened and Hackett's assistant entered.

"Pardon the intrusion, sir. Captain Anderson and his crew are out of the Council's session and are meeting with Ambassador Udina in his office." The yeoman told Admiral Hackett and Karen.

"Thank you, Lance." Hackett said, Lance saluted before leaving the briefing room. "That'll be all Major," he told Karen who rose from her seat and saluted before leaving the room.

Jane Shepard felt pissed after the meeting of the Council, they refused to believe that Saren had turned traitor and attacked their colony Eden Prime, even when Nihlus testified that Saren tried to kill him and they even had an eyewitness to back up the story. Even then the Council refused to believe them stating that the dock worker had been under extreme stress and that Nihlus didn't have enough evidence to accuse his mentor of trying to murder him. So, in the end the Council threw out the case stating that they didn't have enough evidence.

After the meeting Anderson told her to meet him back at Udina's office, Nihlus told her that he would meet them there so she and her team took the elevator down to ground level and summoned a sky car to take them to the human embassy.

"That was a load of bullshit," Ashley said the moment the sky car lifted off and flew into traffic, referring to the meeting.

"Well, Nihlus did say that Saren is one of their best agents." Kaidan said leaning against the glass with his good shoulder.

"Favoritism isn't strictly a human thing it seems," Jane said looking at the passing scenery and cars. Ashley seemed placated for the moment but Jane figured that she would find fault with something as that seemed to be her thing, she would need to talk to her about that later. Looking over her shoulder to Kaidan who also looked at the scenery, she looked at his arm that is in a sling and wondered how long it would take for the wound to heal.

They arrived at the human embassy in record time, exiting the sky car and after paying the fee they showed their military ID's to the receptionist who let them through and informed them that Udina is expecting them. Walking up to Udina's office on the second floor, as they neared the office Jane heard voices coming from the office.

"It was a mistake letting you into the meeting. You and Saren have too much history," she heard Udina shout. Entering the office, she saw Udina, Anderson, Nihlus, and Admiral Hackett which struck her as odd as the last time she saw him was when the four soldiers were following him. 'What are you doing here?' Jane thought to herself as she walked further into the office with her team following.

"And it was a mistake to mention Shepard's vision. How was that relevant?" Udina asked berating Anderson for his decision to mention her dream.

"What's done is done, there's no use in pointing fingers." Hackett said stepping in to defend Anderson.

"Agreed, our primary focus should be in exposing Saren for the traitor he is." Nihlus said with venom as he said the word 'traitor', Jane knew little about Turian culture but she knew that traitors and deserters were considered criminals by Turian law and that he seemed to be taking this personally.

"How do we go about that?" she said, "according to Garrus. A C-Sec officer, everything Saren touches is classified." She told Nihlus getting his attention as he looked at her.

"Garrus Vakarian?" Nihlus asked.

"Didn't get his last name." she answered honestly.

"Grey skin, blue markings on his face, eye visor over his left eye?"

"That's him, he seemed conviced that he could find something on Saren." Jane said telling them of her encounter with him when they arrived at the Council tower.

"That sounds like Vakarian alright," Nihlus said with a chuckle. "He's a good officer, has good instincts. If he says he can find something on Saren, then chances are he already has a lead."

"Then we need to find him," Anderson said.

"I have a contact in C-Sec, Harkin." Udina said placing a hand under his chin.

"Forget Harkin, he's an ass and a disgrace to our species." Anderson said looking to Udina first then to Shepard, "he was caught drinking on the job and taking evidence. Word is that C-Sec is going to fire him. You're better off talking to Barla Von."

"Who's that?"

"He's a merchant in the Financial District. He's also an agent of the Shadow Broker." Anderson told her, Jane knew of the Shadow Broker and anyone who didn't is either living under a rock or working for him.

"I can get Harkin to talk," Nihlus said crossing his arms. "Where can I find him?" he asked Udina.

"He likes to spend his free time at Kora's Den." Udina told Nihlus, "it's a shitty dive bar that's located in the wards."

"Alright, we'll talk to Barla Von then." Jane said getting the attention of Udina, Anderson, and Nihlus. "Just in case Harkin doesn't want to talk."

"Nihlus go with Shepard to talk to Barla Von." Hackett said causing the turian to look in his direction, "Lieutenant Alenko is in no condition to fight." This caused both Jane and Nihlus to look at Kaidan who wasn't in his gear but his BDU's.

"Sorry, ma'am." Kaidan apologized.

"Don't worry about it, Alenko." Jane said with a soft smile, "besides I'm sure Chakwas will hurt me if I put you in a combat situation without her consent."

"Knowing Chakwas, she will do that and more." Hackett said with a slight smile before going back to his neutral expression. "I've already sent a team to 'talk' to Harkin" he told them.

A/N: So, this story will be told from the perspective of Karen and her team. Although the perspective will change to Shepard depending on the situation and the need for it. That is all and thank you for reading.