This is a follow on to the story New Discoveries. I'm continuing to write these stories as episodes in a larger story. I'd appreciate feedback on this format as well as the story.

All characters, etc belong to Bioware.

Destination Voyager

Commander Shepard stood to the left of Joker as he initiated the lift off sequence. As the Normandy pulled away from the Citadel bay, the spectre breathed a sigh of relief.

"Feels good to be off," the pilot commented, his words echoing her thoughts.

"But, Hades Gamma?" he asked.

"I thought we were going to Ilos."

"Eventually, but first we have to lose ourselves," she responded, her thoughts elsewhere.

Everyone was aboard, billeted down and assigned their specific tasks. Dr. Chakwas had graciously given up the med bay lab and storage area. It had quickly been transformed into a science lab, a high level of activity already underway as the research team formulated their plans. The med bay was not as quiet as it once had been. Shepard smiled as she thought back to the assignment of space.

"Pressly and I have found every inch of available space on this ship and have it allocated. Everyone should have enough room to get their jobs done and coexist while we are on board," the spectre had explained the new layout to her research team leader.

"Where will my team work while we are on the ship?" Liara asked curiously, following the commander through the med bay to the far door.

"Look here, the storage area has been refurbished with desk space and terminals to support your whole team," Shepard replied, watching for the asari's reaction.

"Oh, this is an excellent area to work in," Liara's dejected tone betrayed her feelings.

The asari had come to regard that spot as her own, sharing it with her team was not something she relished. She was also not accustomed to having many people around constantly. She quietly resigned herself to the situation, barely paying attention to the commander.

"However, leaders usually need their own space," the spectre continued, walking back through the med bay toward the center of the ship.

The doctor's interest perked up as she followed the commander to a familiar door. Shepard pushed the control to her quarters and ushered the asari through the open door. She couldn't resist a smile at the asari's delighted response when she saw the second desk and terminal in the commander's cabin.

"Of course, I may need to evict you every now and then, but with all the time we'll have to spend together keeping the teams in sync, I thought this arrangement might suit you."

Liara spun around and threw her arms around the spectre's neck, dragging her into a smothering embrace.

"Guess this means you like it?" the commander whispered into the doctor's ear.

"How could I not?" Liara responded.

"But I am not sure I will be able to concentrate, I may get distracted."

"We'll have to work on that then for both of our sakes," the spectre replied, pulling Liara into a passionate kiss.

"But not quite yet," Shepard breathed as she guided the asari to her bunk.

"Um, Commander?" Joker's voice brought Shepard back to the present.

"Sorry, Joker, my mind was on something else," she apologized, her color rising at the details of the memory.

"Sure, ma'am, whatever" her pilot mumbled.

"I was just saying that the chief and Dr. T'soni are both looking for you," he continued.

"The doc was acting very excited and the chief looked like she was about to bite someone. You decide who you want to see."

"Thanks Joker, I'll keep that in mind. Please have them both meet me in the comm room."

"Yes, ma'am" he responded, shaking his head.

"Guess that's why you're the spectre," Shepard just grinned at her pilot as she turned and left.

The commander had just powered up the front extranet terminal when Liara burst through the doors, the exuberance in her eyes confirming Joker's assessment.

"That girl's cognitive powers are amazing!" she gushed, her works coming quickly as she gained the spectre's attention.

"I take it you're referring to Rayn?" the commander asked.

At the mention of her name, the girl materialized through the door, with a furious gunnery chief close behind. The marine's blazing eyes caught Shepard's as the three all started speaking at once.

"Enough!" the commander's battle honed voice brought a quick stop to the chaos that had erupted and she motioned them all to seats.

"Ashley, you first," Shepard commanded.

"Yes, ma'am," the chief's tone held barely suppressed anger.

"This whelp has been deceiving us," she accused, tossing a small cube to the spectre.

"She's no biotic," Ashley continued.

"She was lying all the time. I'm glad we'll be dropping her off before we continue on the mission."

"I can explain, "Rayn quickly responded.

"And what do you mean you're dropping me off?"

"Care to tell me what this is?" Shepard asked, tossing the cube in the air while watching the girl's face.

Rayn's eyes anxiously traced the cube's flight and the child breathed a sigh of relief when the spectre effortlessly snatched the cube from its downward path.

"It's mine, I built it." Rayn answered, eager to have it returned.

"It gives off what feels like a biotic push," the chief explained.

"She's been using it to make us think she was talented. She's no more a biotic than I am," Ashley seemed to calm down a bit, the accusation off her chest.

"The Matriarch told us you were a biotic, Rayn. Why the deception?" Shepard quietly asked the girl, catching her eyes with a piercing stare.

Rayn looked down, unable to bear the spectre's scrutiny.

"She thought you wouldn't take me unless you thought I could take care of myself," the young human seemed close to tears.

"But I did build it; I based the design on data I extracted from a Prothean disc. It seems to work well enough in small amounts, but I haven't been able to build a functioning one in larger dimensions yet."

"Anyway, what's the difference if I have the power, or I build it?" Rayn said defensively.

"Because of this, " Ashley growled, snatching the girl by her ankles and holding her dangling.

"Use your power now," she challenged.

Rayn's face fell as she realized her vulnerability without the cube in hand. The chief looked in her eyes and gently flipped her upright, lowering her to the ground in one graceful move.

"But Commander," Liara finally spoke up, "perhaps there is a way that she can remain with us longer. We need her for our study."

"I'm sorry; Dr. T'Soni," the spectre replied seriously, "but we cannot take this child into uncontrolled territory."

"Then it is very advantageous that her discovery will keep us within our own boundaries," the asari added smugly.

"This child has begun to decode the Prothean data discs that we have been collecting in our travels. Rayn," the asari addressed the girl directly, "please tell the commander what you have discovered."

With all attention turned her way, the youngster seemed to forcibly gather her courage before continuing.

"I started looking for any references to the Reapers or to Sovereign. There were hints that there is more data within the Prothean pyramids. So I went to work on those too," the girl continued, her confidence growing.

"I can open them, I deciphered the key. The most likely one will be on Binthu in the Voyager Cluster."

"But please, you must take me with you," Rayn's voice took on a pleading tone.

"I want to help, don't make me go back," she added quietly.

The commander crouched down, bringing herself to Rayn's eye level.

"Anything else we need to know, Rayn?" the spectre asked.

The child could not meet the commander's gaze. "I think I'm in trouble too, that's why the Matriarch wanted me gone."

"We need to know the truth, Rayn, if we're going to be able to protect you," Shepard's voice had taken on a soothing tone as she tried to get the girl to open up.

"I think I know who the Shadow Broker is, or at least one of them. I didn't realize he'd be so quick to respond," her voice quivered as she tried to maintain control.

"I sent a message from one of my friend's portable extranet terminals, you know, the ones with no long term memory? I thought that would be safe," Rayn took a deep breath, then continued.

"We didn't even know he had left the University. The Citadel patrol found his body near the Financial District, his terminal was gone."

Tears started to fall.

"He was always nice to me. It was all my fault. And I'll be next," Ashley grabbed the girl in a bear hug as she started to sob.

"Take her to see Dr. Chakwas, Ash, I'll catch up with you."

The chief gathered up the small girl and headed out the door. Shepard could hear her murmuring comfort as they left.

Flipping the cube from one hand to the other, the spectre's mind was made up as her eyes met Liara's.

"What now, Commander?" the asari's quiet question seemed loud in the silence.

"We see what's on Binthu and keep her safe," Shepard quickly answered.

As she headed for galaxy map to change course, the spectre felt energized as her mind formulated plans. Finally, the hunt was on.