"And what for?"
Kasumi was extremely dissatisfied that, instead of a skin-tight jumpsuit with a cloaking system, she had been shoved into standardized light armor. No, her jumpsuit also had certain protective properties, but in this situation, that wasn't the point.
"There's a chance Hock knows what you look like, or has descriptions by which you can be identified, so standard armor with a closed visor is perfect for hiding your identity."
"Tch..."
However, she wouldn't be the only one with a closed visor; all the other members of my squad would be too. I even dressed Samara in this kind of armor, as well as the huntresses Benezia had assigned to me. Only I would have a transparent visor. For identity verification, so to speak.
"Don't 'tch' me. Just accept as a fact that this time you'll have to follow my rules instead of acting the way you're used to."
"Yeah, yeah..."
She was very dissatisfied and showed it with her whole appearance. However, she didn't argue further, so we flew into Bekenstein space in silence.
"Captain, they don't want to let us in..."
Joker's voice came over the comms, and it sounded slightly tense. So soon I was in the CIC, looking at the holographic image of some pompous prick.
"The fact that you called your commander doesn't give you the right to fly into Bekenstein space on a combat Frigate. Leave Bekenstein space, or we will be forced to open fire on you."
"This is Spectre Shepard speaking, accept identification code."
"That means nothing."
"Joker, get me Councilor Tevos. Planet Bekenstein is threatening a Spectre, which means its residents don't just consider themselves not members of Citadel Space—they consider themselves in a military conflict with the Citadel. I think a fleet of ships conducting an orbital Glassing would be a good response to such insolence."
"Who would believe you..."
"Shut up!"
A blow knocked the guy off his workstation.
"I apologize, Spectre Shepard, this young man got here through connections. I've already given orders several times not to let him near the communications console, but apparently, his colleagues are too afraid of his mother and can't refuse him. Believe me, Bekenstein has no intention of obstructing your work."
"And what is this young man's last name?"
"Spectre, believe me, it's not worth your attention..."
"What. Is. The. Name."
I said the words separately and in a tone that made it clear even to the stupidest person that there was no need to evade the question.
"Syndrouse."
"I see..."
The name was familiar to me. This business lady moved in high circles and, I must say, she is quite sensible. Her only downside is that she spoiled her son. But when I last spoke with her, she said she had sent him for rehabilitation...
"EDI, while we're flying to the destination, get me Sindi."
"Executing."
"And you..."
I cast a glance at the hologram, and there was nothing good in that look.
"...don't you dare interfere."
"By no means!"
The man shook his head quickly.
"We can..."
"Stay on the line and bring that young man back to consciousness. Let him listen to a very interesting conversation."
A smirk appeared on my lips.
"Yes, John?"
Sindi's voice came through a second later.
"Sindi, listen, I just flew into Bekenstein, and I almost had to call in the Asari fleet to break through by force, can you imagine?!"
I even threw up my hands.
"And you're calling me for this? As far as I know, that's the duty of the control service... No..."
She shook her head, and in the look on her hologram, I saw horror.
"...no, don't tell me it's Peter..."
"Exactly him, and you, as well as all of Bekenstein, are very lucky that some guy knocked him out before I actually contacted Tevos."
"Damn it, I asked them!"
This exclamation was overflowing with a sense of disappointment.
"I asked them to keep him in check! I already cut his subsidies to minimum wage! So he couldn't flaunt money! So how?! How did he make everyone dance to his tune again?!"
"As I understand it, he used your last name."
"Mom?"
At that moment, the guy was apparently brought around after all, and he finally realized he was hearing his mother's voice.
"Mom, they hit me!"
"And they were right to do it! You idiot! Do you even realize that interfering with a Spectre performing his duties is a direct path to life imprisonment?!"
"Sindi, deal with your son later..."
"Yes, sorry..."
"It's fine, the reason I got in touch... I know you as a responsible woman who prefers not to get into the mud and to work clean, or relatively clean."
She gave a strained smile at my words.
"But I can't fail to react to your son's actions. So a report will be sent to Tevos and the Spectre corps, so prepare for inspections. You have... well, considering you're a good girl, three days. After that, I'll be reporting on the current mission and will report this incident at the same time."
"Thank you."
The girl smiled at me gratefully.
"And yes, think about putting your son in the army..."
I saw how much she didn't want that by her face, where her lips curled significantly.
"Well, if you don't want the army, let me sign him up for one of the colony Internal Security Forces. Believe me, I'll pick a leadership that won't give a damn about who you are or his threats. Actually, no, not just not give a damn—they'll run him so hard in training that in just a year and a half or two, he'll finally become a human being."
"I'll think about it, thank you for the offer."
I could only smile and cut the connection.
"I hope, kid, you're happy that you've brought a bunch of inspections down on your mother, which, believe my experience, will find something to nitpick and slap her with some pretty large fines."
The guy was silent.
"Well, look at that... did he learn to shut up that quickly when necessary?"
"I'm afraid someone just covered his mouth with their hand."
"And who did that?"
"A worker..."
"Well then, show her to me."
"Why you, I'll—!"
The guy immediately regained the ability to speak, and I examined the girl with a critical look. EDI immediately brought up her file. An orphan who worked like a dog and achieved everything she has on her own. She hadn't achieved very much, of course, but only because she was too honest.
"Why didn't you stop him earlier?"
"I went to the restroom."
Answering, she blushed slightly.
"And when I came back, they were already bringing him around, so..."
"I see... Want to work for me?"
"Huh?"
"Your choice: Bali, Limis, Eden Prime, any of my colonies of your choice. An apartment for personal use immediately and a salary about twice as high as it will be here."
"I... And what will I have to do?"
"How should I know?"
Shaking my head, I decided to give her an explanation.
"I'll give the order, and the HR department of whichever colony you choose will decide where to place you, but the conditions will clearly be better than here."
"Is that... really possible?"
"Of course."
"Then I would like Eden Prime."
She said these words in an extremely quiet voice.
"EDI..."
"The message to Eden Prime will go out in a few minutes. A Kodiak Shuttle for the girl will arrive within a week."
She reported quickly, though she had likely already sent the message.
"Did you hear all that?"
"Yes."
"Resign without notice and prepare for the move; I already have your data, so they'll contact you."
"Thank you!"
There was so much gratitude in the girl's voice that I couldn't hold back a gentle and satisfied smile.
"The best thanks from you will be if, once you're at your new workplace, you work with total dedication."
"Don't doubt it!"
"Joker, cut the connection, we're arriving in a couple of minutes—and I understood correctly that you ignored that guy's demands and we're already hovering over Hock's house?"
Naturally, as soon as I ordered it, he cut the connection, so no outsiders heard the rest of the sentence.
"That's correct."
"Well then, let's descend. I think it's time to start our work."
"With great pleasure."
The SSV Normandy began its descent, and I returned to the cargo bay; soon the ramp opened, and huntresses with weapons in hand ran out of the ship first, taking aim at the guards and Hock, who had come out to meet us.
"What is going on here?"
Hock's voice was extremely authoritative.
"Do you even realize whose home you've flown to?"
While he was asking the question, I walked down the ramp and stood exactly opposite him; seeing my face, he turned slightly pale. He clearly recognized me.
"We realize. I am Spectre Shepard; I have a Council order for your inspection."
"And why suddenly is the Council interested in a simple former businessman?"
"It's simple... a routine inspection by law enforcement forces discovered traces of records deleted from the database. They managed to be restored. They stated that you were suspected of possession and distribution of narcotic substances on an especially large scale."
"What nonsense!"
"Maybe it is nonsense..."
Carelessly shrugging my shoulders, I showed with my whole demeanor that I didn't give a damn about how things actually stood.
"...however, the data was deleted. Not the case closed for lack of evidence—the data was specifically deleted. And that raises big questions, not only for the law enforcement agencies but for you as well. Others will deal with the agencies, but I was sent here for the investigation."
"Spectre, perhaps we... can come to an agreement and postpone your activities for a few days? It's just that I have guests right now..."
Hock spread his hands somewhat helplessly.
"I'm afraid not."
Shaking my head, I showed with my whole demeanor that he simply had no chance of reaching any kind of agreement with me.
"Furthermore, all your guests, before leaving you, will be recorded, and if the suspicions against you are confirmed, searches and inspections will already be conducted against them."
"They are not ordinary people..."
"I don't really care. I have an order, and I am executing it."
"Shepard, come on, be a human..."
"I am a human. I even have a certificate to that effect. Want to take a look?"
Hock grimaced as if he'd eaten a lemon.
"Shepard, you're not an ordinary person yourself... you must understand that people of this caliber are extremely vindictive. And they'll be dissatisfied not only with me, but with you. Believe me, it will be better for everyone..."
"It will be better for everyone if you don't create obstacles. Joker..."
I pointedly addressed the pilot, activating my Omni-tool.
"Hover over the mansion. If anyone tries to fly out without permission from our side—shoot them down."
"Understood, Captain!"
Joker's voice was full of anticipation.
"Shepard, you're making a mistake..."
"Hock..."
Sighing, I looked at the man, who was clearly still confident in his power.
"...I'm on duty. If I were just Shepard, all this talk would make sense. But I am a Spectre, and I was specifically given Asari reinforcements who, among other things, make sure I'm not too soft on humans. So let's not complicate things. I do my job, you don't interfere, and if you're not guilty, we'll finish all this quite quickly."
"Fine, please..."
With a gesture, Hock invited us into his mansion.
"You know what to do."
I nodded to my comrades and subordinates, and the work began immediately.
***
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