"Wake up Ben. Wake up!"

"Mrm Kai" Ben murmured but his eyes were awake from the darkness and forced himself up.

"What were" Ben looks around seeing that he is in med bay of the Normandy.

"Oh, good, you are awake. You were unconscious for a good month or so" Doctor Chalkwas started with a calm tone as she walked over to Ben who was laying down on Med Bed.

"A month. Urg fuck. What happened?"

"Well from what Shepard told me Him; Jacob and Zaeed came back for you when you were not answering any of their com. They found you unconscious by the worker entrance. You used too much of your energy which led you to my med bay" Doctor Chalkwas explained.

Ben snorts "Pretty sure its joker Med Bay as he claims it's his ship."

Chalkwas smirks "Yes, he keeps telling himself that. Now I am just going to draw up some blood for some test and you should be free to go. Oh, and you cannot transform. I play it safe and wait for another before we confirm it is just exhaustion. I know it has been a month but as a doctor I am demanding not requesting."

Ben frowns but does not protest. He gets up from the bed after the docs draw his blood and starts getting up from the med table to walk out.

"By the way, I have to ask. Who Kai..." Ben paused for a sec "Look Ben you can hide behind that smile for as long as possible but you're wearing yourself out." Ben froze at what Chalkwas said.

"I spoke in my sleep didn't I" Chalkwas did not say a word but just stared at Ben.

"If I tell you my story, would you tell Shepard?"

"Only if it impacts the missions and your care. Your suffering Ben, everyone can see it. You need to talk to someone" Ben huffed but nodded in understanding.

"Fine but we better get samara here. She sort of read my memories" Ben goes to sit back down opposite Chalkwas who nodded then called Samara up to Med Bay.

"This is going to be a long day," Ben said, suffering in his self-pity.

Illum Liara Office

"Are you sure about this Shepard? This information" Liara asked, wanted to make sure.

"This information is solid. Why I intensely dislike the Illusive man. He does know how to extract information" Shepard grimaced when he said that thinking about his meeting with the said illusive man.

Flashback. SR2 Conference room

"Shepard. The information about the Shadow broker you wanted is all here Black and white. Sent to you through email" The illusive man puffed out.

"How legit is your source?" Shepard asks the man not fully trusting him.

"I have managed to get the intel from an agent of the shadow broker. Quite sure they are dead now. The shadow broker does not like loose ends" The Illusive man explained.

Shepard quickly grimaces before thanking the Illusive man and ending the call. leaving to talk to Liara.

Flashback End

"I…I Thank you. I need to make plans." Liara got up from her desk and started to walk to the exit. Shepard stopped her before she could leave.

"Let me help you, Liara. Please. Let me help your friend."

Liara nodded but eyes held some form of hesitation behind them "Meet me at my apartment. Here I am sending you, my address. Just take a taxi fare from Illum Transport. Meet there in a few hours" She now leaves, not looking back or letting Shepard reply.

Shepard looks down. Then turns to Garrus and Tali "Come on let us go and Finish are side adjectives. We still got the data to give out that Ben collected when he was recruiting Thane."

They both nod without saying a word. They can see the tension growing in Shepard.

A few hours later in Illum Transit hub

"Nassana. It was fucking Nassana that own the twins' towers. I regret killing her sister now. Then again it was still blackmailed and she was a pirate." Shepard exclaimed loudly. After going over the side adjectives. Two of them explained what happened at the towers.

Garrus and Tali were amused by Shepard's rant. Tali pointed out "ah but didn't you exploit her by influencing she gives you more money." Shepard coughs in response.

Garrus shook his head "Come on. I think it has been enough time. Let us go see liara."

Shepard smiled "yes lets."

They head to the terminal and call a cab.

Liara Apartment

Shepard and the gang walk up to the penthouse apartment seeing blue holographic police lines. They see a group of Illum officers scanning and talking.

"Spirits. Shepard"

"I know Garrus." Shepard walked up to the officer near the door "Excuse me. Can you tell me what is going on here"?

The officer. An Asari looked at him with a deadpanned expression "I'm sorry sir but please step back this is."

Shepard interrupted her as quickly as she spoke her words "Yes, I can tell it is a Crime scene. I do not think I went blind recently. I am commander Shepard Council spectre. So, I am fairly sure I am above your pay grade" Tali snorted in the back. Garrus chuckled.

"I…"

A voice in the background continues things "Well, well, well Commander Shepard. Hero of the Citadel. Spectre Tela Vasir at your service. Officer Tila you and your men can leave now."

The officer in question gritted her teeth and left leaving no word behind with her men following behind.

Garrus whistle "She must not like Spectres"

Vasir who is an Asari with blue and white armour nodded with a smile a Smile Shepard does not trust "She does not. had issue with them in the past" She turns to Shepard "You are looking for your Asari friend Liara T'soni. We had not much luck here other than the Brocken shot window and the computer terminal" Shepard nodded.

"Let me look around. I might find something you did not" Shepard asked politely.

Vasir smiles gratefully and allows Shepard to look around while Tali and Garrus are stationed at the door. He does look around the Prothean collection Liara has. Shepard notices that they nothing of their time together on the first Normandy. He starts heading up the stairs and, in an instant, he sees a photo of SR1, the first Normandy. He walked towards it, picking it up only for a picture of Ilos to appear. His eyes widened, recognising the design. He runs back to one of the Prothean artifacts. It started beeping to which it revealed a disk.

"Hmm." Shepard jumps to who is next to Him.

"You scared me Vasir."

"Yes, well. You found something important." She grabs the disk with a hard snatch and heads to Liara console.

A video of a Salarian plays in view. "What have you got for me Sirket?" Liara voice played in the background

"What you wanted but the price is doubled. Do you know how much this information costs? How many enemies do I gain from this?"

"Do not worry Sirket. Just make sure the information ready"

"Oh, it is ready. Meet me at the Dracon Trade Centre. Usual office"

Shepard's eyes squinted "I need to get to the Dracon Trade Centre."

Vasir nodded "Come I know where it is" Shepard nodded and called for his two companions by the door as they headed out.

Dracon Trade Centre-Illum

As Vasir, Shepard, Tali, and Garrus arrive at the Dracon Trade Centre and roar "BOOM!" appeared. All four got out of the sky car and started to quickly run up to the centre.

Shepard shouted exclaiming "Liara in there!" seeing the explosion that took place and the injured civilians outside the building.

Tali muttered "Keelah."

Vasir was frowning "I jumped back in the sky car and headed up top. you work below, and we meet in the middle."

Shepard nods back "Keep in radio contact. We never know what we will find" She nodded back.

Shepard looked to his crew "Alright let's go!"

"Right behind you Shepard" Garrus said walking behind him with a vindicator in hand.

So, all three move inward to the Dracon Trade Centre. Inside the lobby they look around to see if there are any survivors of the explosion. All three walk toward the elevator only seeing that it is inactive. Shepard swore but that did not stop him and his two crew mates from walking up the stairs. They got to the next level seeing only more chaos and destruction. They look around further as they move forward. A Now dead civilian was shot with a Thermo clip. A Military grade Bomb that was served. Shepard reported this to Vasir who only stated this is sloppy work and that we should keep moving. They head out towards the corridor full of desks and cubicles. As they get to one of the windows they get hit with a….

"BANG"

"Dammit. We just got hit with a flash Bang." Tali shouted, holding her hand over her helmet.

Vasir over the coms "That commander Shepard is the shadow broker private army."

Garrus muttered snarky "Spirits. Of course he got a private army"

"Never mind that now Garrus, we got to keep moving" Garrus and Tali nod and follow Shepard into the firefight. They push through hitting overloads, warps, Combat drones, and firing from the respective weapons. They get hit with more of the flashbangs.

"I am going to shove my shotgun up these shadow brokers' forces ass. If they keep pelting us with Flashbangs" Tali angrily shouted.

After all that fighting Shepard, Tali and Garrus made it to Sirket office. All three walk in to see Sirket dead and a Shadow broker trooper dead next to the Salarian. With Vasir standing on top of both.

Shepard calmly asks "You found the data Vasir?

"No. It seems the Shadow broker forces have made off with it" Shepard eyes Tali. Who in returns opens up her Omni-tool. Vasir notices this.

"What are you doing?"

Tali answered, "Oh contact Liara" Vasir asari eyes widened.

"You've been in contact…."

Shepard snorted "yes. Not me specifically, I have been dead for 2 years. Lost contact with everyone. These two. However," Thumb pointing to Tali and Garrus "Not so much. So, while I was looking around the apartment, they got in contact with Liara behind your back."

Vasir Anger rose at the trickery "But I never heard you speak to those two whiles…."

This Garrus snorted "Yeah, we were lucky Shepard remembered the code, we made back on the SR1. Back when we were fighting Saren."

Flashback Liara apartment.

As Shepard was talking to Vasir back at Liara apartment. He gave out finger signals to Garrus, who in turn told Tali. Tali used to contact Liara.

End of Flashback

? "Indeed"

Shepard turned to the noise "Hello Liara" who had her gun out. Then Shepard, Tali and Garrus pulled out their respective weapons. Vasir gives Shepard a strange look "What, did you think I would not find it strange that a Spectre is investigating my old crew companion while looking for the shadow broker. I know the shadow broker has agents everywhere. Not wrong of me to assume that Spectre is one." Vasir flashes a cocky grin at that.

Liara had her hand out "So please can I have the Data, or do you want me to flare your mind."

Vasir grimaces "How about no! your Pureblood Bitch" She flares up her biotics and the glass behind her is destroyed. Shards chase after Shepard and crew while liara powers up a Barrier for her friends. Shepard charges and both he and Vasir bear hug fight each other till there reach the ground floor. Vasir managed to let go and runs away towards the exit. Liara jumps down and follows suit. Shepard gets up with Garrus and Tali catching up down the stairs.

All three get to leave only to stop by the shadow broker forces. They fight forward pushing back a reinforcement that appears out of nowhere. They made it to the exit seeing Liara and Vasir ducking it out through pistol fire. Vasir fires a shockwave to distract them, so she can get into a sky car and leave.

Liara notices and gets into another Sky car. She calls out for Shepard. "Come on, she is getting away!"

Shepard rolled his eyes "I am fine by the way thanks for asking. Come Garrus. Tali gets back to the Normandy and informs Joker of our impending car chase."

Tali nodded eagerly "on its Shepard" Garrus gave a mock betrayal look at her "Great now I have to deal with Shepard driving."

"Just get in archangel." He does so and they head off in the car chase.

Industry sector Illum- a few hours later

"Thanks Ben. I needed to speak to my sister" Miranda says, walking with Thane and Ben in his Amphibian form, side by side from helping her with her mission.

"Your welcome princess. I am sorry about Nicet."

She shakes her head "it all right. I do not think I really knew him, did I?" The two stare at each other for a bit in silence. Thane smiling in the background. That is until a ping is heard.

Miranda stops staring and looks at the omni-tool "A Sky car chase. Officers are leaving it alone due to the chase involving a spectre-on-spectre battle."

All three quickly stare at each other "Shepard."

Ben quickly hits the Omnitrix and turns into.

"Stinkfly" "I go on ahead" he does and flies up to catch up to the chase.

Miranda nods and looks towards Thane "We better get the shuttle ready for emergency pickup. Also did that form of his stink" Thane nods and follows Miranda back to the Normandy.

Car Chase illum Skyway

"Dammit what does this thing have?"

Liara responded, "it is a taxi, it has a fare meter."

"wonderful" Shepard muttered rolling his eyes.

Garrus Smirked "At least you're not driving the Mako" Shepard growled playfully.

"Oh, screw you. I am and always will be a…"

"TRUCK!" Liara shouted, interrupting Shepard's sentence. Shepard steered hard right to avoid it but still on Vasir's tail.

"Woah, which was close" Shepard chuckled mirthlessly.

Liara narrows her eyes "you're enjoying this aren't you" Shepard smirk in response.

"Sigh I miss that sofa on the SR1" Liara sighed. Shepard gulped at what liara said. She would punish him for being stupid and reckless on mission by sleeping in the Sofa and not on the Bed Together. Garrus was laughing in the background until he stopped.

"What that buzzing noise?" Both Liara and Shepard looked at each other. Then Shepard looked out the window, eyes widened. He sees the Omnitrix.

"Ben!" Shepard opens his omni-tool to call Ben out.

Stinkfly does the same only with his stinger. Liara muttered on how that even works.

"He Shep. Lovely weather for a car chase." He joked.

"Not the time. trying to stop the car ahead of us"

"Say no more. Stinkfly on the case or in this case chase."

Stinkfly does not go on ahead but climbs on top of Shepard skycar. Narrows his eyes and fires green sludge at Vasir engines. Exploding after a short minute. Causing Vasir sky car to crash. Shepard follows where she crashed and lands in Hotel Azure.

Hotel Azure

"Kinky" Stinkfly said, looking around the hotel. Clearly seeing what this hotel is for.

"Okay, what is that smell!" Garrus exclaimed as he got out of the car.

"Garrus, I am called Stinkfly. Take a gander at what comes with this form."

Garrus' birded eyes narrow "I think I found the one form I hate the most."

"Fascinating, you must be Ben Tennyson. The shapeshifter." Liara smiles widened at finally meeting the famed shapeshifter. She also ignores the smell Stinkfly producing.

Shepard chimes in "look you can convos later we need to get to Vasir."

Stinkfly nodded to a point at the upcoming vehicles. "True and it looks like she called in backup. I hold them off until you get to that Vasir person" All three turn to the mentioned backup. Shepard nodded and left with liara and Garrus to retrieve the data.

"It Hero time" he hit The Omnitrix again.

"UPCHUCK!"

Garrus' head turns back "Upchuck?" Only to see Upchuck eating the car the three came in and fired a "BUUUUUUURRRRRRP!" Blast from his mouth towards the shadow broker forces Skyvan, destroy it in the process.

"Spirts that disgustingly powerful."

Shepard shouts back "Come on Garrus" Garrus nods and follows.

All three move to find Vasir bleeding out and heading towards a group of humans on a balcony like resort.

Liara the first to react "it over Vasir."

Vasir sneered "is it" She vanguard warps over to the human female with short blond hair. "Well, we have to see about that now don't we. Now…..."

"Vasir. I am the first Human spectre. I sacrificed hundreds of lives if not more to save the destiny's ascension. So, for your sake you better have a good fucking way out of this situation." Vasir sneered and evaporated now seeing Shepard's confidence.

"Liara now" Vasir's eyes widened at the realization she was distracted. A Table slammed across Vasir's body pushing her towards the edge of the balcony.

"Shit I need…."

"Yeah, not happening. My friend is distracting the shadow broker forces for us. while we talk. In fact, he was the same one who shut down your car. You know, being a shapeshifter and all." Shepard chimed in. Vasir's eyes show a hint of worry.

"You want the data, here fine but you are letting me go in exchange."

Liara and Shepard looked at each other. A silent conversation is happening. Shepard looked back first to say, "Fine but the data first, then you go."

Vasir does not even hesitate when she throws the disk. Liara picks it up and starts scanning it "Here. Now can I get back to my spectre duties commander," She spits that last sentence. Shepard looks towards Liara who nods back.

"You can go, Vasir. Let us go liara, Garrus." All three started turning away.

"Wait that it. no tricks, no plan. You are just letting me go?" Vasir was confused.

"You kept your end of the bargain. So, I kept mine. I know people think humans are not honourable. Well, most aren't but there are a few who do stick to the deals." Vasir sniffed "well it seems Saren was wrong about you."

Shepard turned back "you knew Saren."

Vasir nodded with a smile "Yeah glad that bastard was dead. Believe it or not The Asari councillor and the Salarian councillor wanted him gone. He was becoming a liability when he became indoctrination." Vasir sees the shocked faces "oh please. Everyone in the spectres believe your story about the reapers. We knew Saren before he became well. Your story made more sense than what the council put out there."

Shepard was silent "I should attend those Spectre meetings."

Vasir shakes her head "Don't while you are still a respected spectre. Then an order by the council not work with you until you get your head checkout. No offence but until you can prove the reaper theory. Your crazy in their eyes"

Garrus rolled his eyes on the matter. Shepard just shakes his head "See you next time Vasir."

"You too Shepard"

Garrus, Shepard, and Liara head back to Ben. Shepard turned to Liara as they walked. "Liara are you alright?" He asked concerned written over his face.

Liara stops to look at Shepard "No Shepard, I am not all right. You had to help me again."

"And that a problem" As Shepard said this Garrus walked off towards Ben to leave the two in peace.

"Yes, because I am trying to save my friend. I am trying to prove I can do this…. I, I" A tear falls out of her eye. "I… It's been two years Shepard, I do not know if you…"

"Liara, I came back."

"It's been two years. Two years, John Shepard. You cannot take those two years of grief back."

"We have time, the Normandy can get us to those coordinates leaving enough time to talk."

"Please, I just want to save my friend. Then we can talk"

Shepard nodded but was frowning "Okay. Okay we save your friend."

"Thank you" Liara walks away, confidence booming leaving behind an empty Shepard. A short while after Shepard follows suit as the Normandy shuttle arrives. They all get in ready to face the shadow broker.