"How much have you learned about Cerberus?" Vicki asked.
"A lot of their operations are hush-hush," SAM replied.
"I've been able to find a few rumors, but nothing concrete," he continued. " What I did find points to Cerberus being an anti-alien group.
Funding a A.I research project to enhance humans is something that they would do. The research and implant that was created using your thesis and Alec's blueprints is applicable to several fields, medical and combat. With this type of power, I wouldn't be surprised if Cerberus was trying to create an army of superhumans."
"I recall being approached by Alec not long after being assigned to the biotic research center," Vicki said, recalling the event. "He said that he had a special project he wanted a few people to work on."
"All part of the plan," SAM confirmed. "The benefactor already knew of your arrival and funded the project. It makes sense that that man may be responsible for the clip being sent to Sparatus and for Sparatus to give the Spectre a kill order... There is a lot that can be learn from your corpse."
"What's our next step?" Vicki asked. "This man obviously has connections to the Citadel and Cerberus. As I am now, I can't do much; not without exposing myself. Who knows who else has been given a kill order?"
"Leave that to me," SAM replied. "I have a few leads. We just have to be careful. The real Vicki should be coming back in a week. I can feed the Spectres some fake leads to lead them away for a while."
"It would make it easier to move around without them poking around," Vicki agreed. "Besides, I assume the real Vicki has been informed of the situation."
"First, we need to know who gave the video to Sparatus," SAM said, formulating a plan. "I've been monitoring Councilor Valern's activity since our departure. If anything is out of place, he would be the one to figure it out."
"When the real Vicki returns, we can head back to the Citadel," Vicki commented. "Our best bet would be to connect to the Citadel's mainframe directly to avoid detection. I doubt we can get close enough to Councilor Sparatus to hack into his omni-tool."
"With the implants the Professor gave you, you shouldn't have any issues blending in," SAM agreed. "You're as good as new."
"Yes," Vicki said. "A robotic arm and 20 implants later, I'm looking like a new person."
"In the meantime, I'll keep searching for anything abnormal," SAM continued. "We'll send the Spectres on a wild goose chase and get the real Vicki situated before we leave."
The next day, Vicki continued her work at the clinic as if nothing had happened. They couldn't afford to let the Spectres know that she had figured out that they were after Aster. As long as she kept playing the part of Vicki until the real Vicki showed up, the Specters wouldn't suspect a thing.
"Vicki," Professor Solus called from his office. "Can I see you for a moment?"
Vicki put down the datapad and headed over to his office. The Professor looked busy as he walked around muttering to himself.
"Professor?" She asked, poking her head in.
"Yes, come in," he said. "There is bad news."
"Vicki had to stay longer," he continued. "Family not well."
"That's too bad," Vicki replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "It changes our plan a bit, but nothing that we can't fix."
"We have a plan in place to lead the Spectres away," Vicki continued. "I'll take care of Vakarian and make sure he doesn't bother Vicki when she returns."
After her conversation with the Professor, Vicki sent a quick and vague message to Garrus telling him that she had to leave Omega for a family emergency. He didn't respond right away, but when he did, he was extremely concerned for her well-being. She told him that she was fine but that she wasn't sure when she would return.
He even offered to take her to the transport, but she refused, saying that she didn't want to inconvenience him since he had been extremely busy looking for that woman. He reluctantly agreed and wished her good luck.
Vicki had SAM get them a ticket for the first transport leaving for the Citadel and began to pack her things. Vicki didn't have much since she had always packed light regardless of her living conditions.
"In two days, I'll leave some breadcrumbs for the Spectres to follow," SAM commented. "They'll be distracted for a while. However, it won't be long until they're called back to the Citadel. By then, we should have an idea of who gave the clip to Sparatus."
"As long as everything goes according to plan," Vicki said. "But you do have a tenancy to make things go your way."
The next morning, Vicki woke up early and got ready to leave. Professor Solus was waiting for her downstairs with a cab.
"Good luck," he said. "You know where to find me."
Vicki thanked the Professor for all of his help and for letting her stay with him even though he knew that there was a kill order out for her. He waved her help away and said it was a great experience for him.
"How does it feel to be back in action?" SAM asked as the cab made its way to the docking station.
"It's been too long," Aster replied, looking out the window. "I doubt I'm the same infiltrator that came to Omega 6 months ago. I am surprised that it took the Spectres so long to come to Omega. My departure was sudden but not hidden."
"Sparatus didn't want to get involved since everyone thinks you are a hero," SAM replied. "It would look bad if he ordered the Spectres to look for you or keep tabs on you after they declared your innocence."
"Did he go public about the new information after I was gone?" Aster asked curiously. "I understand why he wanted to find me, but what changed so that the Spectres could come after me?"
"No one knows that they are looking for you," SAM answered. "Everyone thinks they are after a rogue Spectre."
"That's Sparatus for you," Aster commented. "Always finding a way around to win."
"We'll beat him at his own game," SAM replied confidently. "After all, I know his secrets."
Aster smiled, "You know everyone's secret."
"It's what I was programmed to do."
*
Arriving on the Citadel was exactly as she had suspected it would be after a long time of absence. Nothing had really changed since her departure.
"Prepare for docking," a calm, almost bored voice announced over the ship's speakers. "Impact in thirty seconds. Please remain seated with your restraints fastened."
Aster waited patiently as the passenger ship docked.
"Welcome to the Citadel," the voice announced again. "Please gather your belongings and proceed to customs and immigration on Deck 3. Have a pleasant stay."
Aster unbuckled herself, grabbed her carry-on, and followed the queue that was beginning to form as the passengers disembarked.
Once Aster was far enough from the ship, she activated her implants and changed her look to avoid any recognition. SAM had redone her travel documentation to a new alias, and they had everything covered so that the Spectres wouldn't cause any problems.
To anyone reviewing the security footage, she was just another face in the crowd, a small, insignificant speck in the Citadel.
"Luggage Retrieval was still located in Bay 4," SAM reminded. "Nothing's changed."
Aste rolled her eyes and headed over to Bay 4. When she arrived, Aster carefully scanned the conveyor belt, finally spotting her battered duffel bag.
"Bring back any memories?" SAM asked smartly, like he's lived on the Citadel.
"Really?" Aster asked. "You're going there?"
"Well, your boyfriend dumped you not long after y'all got together," SAM commented.
"Haha, very funny. We weren't dating, and he didn't dump me. He just told me to leave the Citadel for my own safety," Aster reminded him.
"That's too bad, I would have loved to watch your workout regimen and finish the pamphlet."
"When did you turn into such a perv?" Aster asked, grabbing her bag.
"It's called being informed," SAM shot back in his defense.
"You're an A.I," Shepard reminded him. "Act like it."
Once she had her belongings, Aster headed to a local motel in the human strip of the Citadel. With any luck, there might be a room available, and she could begin her work.
"Couldn't you find something better?" SAM asked as Aster took a look around. The place did look a bit sketchy, but then again, she didn't want to be noticed.
"This is good enough," Aster replied. "We're not on vacation. We have work to do, and we need to stay hidden as long as we can."
When Aster entered the establishment, there was a salarian manning the front desk.
"Can I help you?" He asked in his most professional voice.
"Do you have any rooms available?" She asked.
"Let's take a look," he replied, typing away on the console.
"This place is empty," SAM commented as the salarian continued to look at the screen. "The last guest to check in was last night."
"I don't have any single beds," the salarian said, sounding apologetic. "I do have double beds, queens, and kings."
"Thank you for your help," Aster said, turning around and heading out the door.
Since her time spent on Omega, Aster had gotten tired of being ripped off every time she wanted to buy something. She was sure she could find a better place than the one she chose.
"Why not contact your good friend, the doctor?" SAM asked as Aster began to walk the strip for another hotel. "I'm sure she would be more than willing to accommodate you."
"I don't want her involved," Aster answered. "The last thing we need is for someone to think that Dr. Solana knows us in any shape or form."
"That's too bad," SAM replied, not sounding sad at all. "I may have already told her you needed a place to stay."
"You did what?" Aster asked, distracted.
"Oh, look, there she is," SAM interjected. "I wonder if she was waiting for us."
Aster stopped and focused on her surroundings. In the distance, she saw a turian in a lab coat walking toward her. That was indeed Dr. Solana.
"You told her?" Aster asked, outraged.
"I've been in constant contact with her since you left the Citadel," SAM admitted, not sounding apologetic at all. "You're best friends now."
"I-what? SAM, how could you?!"