Vanessa sat and looked over all that Suul and Kas had found...none of it made sense...did she get too close to one of their operations?...was it about her mother?...she was nowhere closer to solving this than when she started *sigh*

“Not getting anywhere?” Le’Nassia walked in carrying dinner.

“Thanks,” she smiled briefly as Le’Nassia put dinner down, “no, it tells me Cerberus attacked the ambassador but still don't know who ordered the hit...not why I particularly was blamed...so just more questions to resolve.”

“Le’Nassia sat across from her, “was it personal? Get to close to destroying one of their missions?”

“That's the thing I'm not sure, I never knew I was involved or near one...wondered also if it was my mother, or about my mother..not sure there yet either.”

“So how do you want to proceed with the information we have?” Le’Nassia had no idea what to do next.

“I'm afraid to say it, but we might have to go to the Citadel.” Vanessa didn't like the idea but she wasn't going to find anymore answers here.

“Are you sure? That would be like walking into a snake pit...everyone knows who you are there?” Worried and concerned for her safety she couldn't see them just being able to walk into town like nothing.

“I'll have to borrow another of your huntress outfits and wear the helmet the entire time we're there, and not talk to many people.”

“How are you going to get past the bio-scanners at the entrance?”

“I'm a Spectre we have other entrances that most don't know exist, I'll sneak in.” She was confident they could at least get that far after that she wasn't sure. Admiral Hackett became Councilor after Anderson died from the Reaper attack, Ryker was always in good graces with him so she needed to get to him once inside, “if we can get in, Admiral Hackett is who I could trust, I would need to find him.”

“Alright, sounds like a start...we can prep the ship to go and we'll leave in the morning.” They'd formed their plan and proceeded to carry it out...this should work, it has to...there were no other options.

Morning came as it always did, bright and warm, Vanessa felt ready for what was to come but she also felt worried..anything could go wrong and she didn't want Le’Nassia to get caught in the middle of it.

“Ready to go?” Le’Nassia walked into her room.

“Just about...is Jineya alright with you leaving?”

“I explained it shouldn't be for long, and if she needed someone to get ahold of Kas or Suul and they'd watch her and to contact me immediately.”

“Sounds good, did your mom say anything about us leaving?”

“She was too busy to see me, but Penun looked displeased with me when she stated she'd share my message,” she shrugged, “not that it matters because I would leave anyway.”

“You know you don't have to, this is my fight...you could stay out if you truly wish to, I'd hate to ruin you because of something I did.”

Le’Nassia confused and slightly angered looked at Vanessa, “Ryker I said from the start we're in this together, you've helped me repeatedly do you not wish for me to go! To help you!?”

Vanessa knew she'd overstepped herself, “no I welcome your help I just don't want to destroy your life or future if things were to go poorly.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Whatever the results or consequences I will fully accept them, I'm with you till the end.” With that they both walked out of the room and walked silently to the ship to head to the citadel...and hopefully not their end.

After some time traveling the clouds began to part and they could see the giant space station floating with the orange hue of the sun behind it.

As they approached one of the open wings, Le'Nassia reached out to Central control, “Citadel command this is the Ajrakila, asking for docking permission.” Le’Nassia kept things casual.

“Ajrakila what is the reason for your visit?” An Asari inquired

“Just passing through, looking to fill up and resources.” Wasn't a complete lie they were there for resources, just not the edible or refuelable kind.

After some radio silence the Asari came back, “Ajrakila permission granted use docking bay 42.”

“Understood docking bay 42.” She turned left and they docked...now the real trial begins...to get inside.

Le'Nassia wondered how they were going to get in all normal entrances had bio-scanning technology that would immediately detect Ryker as she went through, so what place could she possibly have that absolutely no one would spot her?

“ Kon'nichiwa, Ramen! Delicacy on Earth!” the manager greeted the passersby.

“This? This is your secret entrance?” Le'Nassia couldn't believe they were sneaking in the back of the food joint through the garbage ejection port.

“I didn't say it was top secret...Mr. Toyomi has always been kind to me.” Vanessa now slightly embarrassed. She loved Ramen, made her think of home... though she ate a lot of Ramen because she didn't have money for much else...this place was her favorite on the citadel (non-shepard candid).

After she thanked Mr. Toyomi, they made their way to the rapid transport to get to the embassy suites on the presidium.

They existed the transport and prayed the embassy was busy so they might have a chance not to be noticed, and by the goddess it was; luckily Ryker was still in the Asari huntress get up so she definitely didn't look herself...they headed up as if to head to the Asari ambassador, the human office was right next door...only bad thing, so was C-Sec.

“Lady Ateza,” both turned to see who had called Le’Nassia. It was one of the Asari Councilor’s Assistants, “I didn't realize you'd be here today have you come to see your mother?”

“Not at this time, I didn't realize mother was here today.”

“We stopped in to handle a meeting that came up, apparently Sgt. Ryker had been spotted close by and we needed to set up how to handle the situation.”

“Ah I see...well I hope the search goes well.” They both nodded to each other and she turned back to Vanessa, “ we have to be extra careful...and don't take that helmet off.” Vanessa nodded in agreement.

They walked into Councilor Admiral Hackett's office, he noticed the Asari, “look no disrespect but I've already told the council my stand on Sgt. Ryker so if you're here to dissuade me you're wasting your breath.” He waved them off.

“Hackett,” Ryker removed her helmet.

“Ryker? What in God's name are you doing here?” She walked up by him as Le’Nassia stood watch at the door.

“I need help,” she touched his arm

“Well that's obvious, the whole station not to mention the Galaxy is looking for you.” he looked around to make sure she didn't have followers.

“I have proof that Cerberus was behind that attack, I just don't know who ordered it or why.”

“Send me a copy what you have and I'll have someone dig into it...but please stay low and out of sight.”

“Yes sir,” she went to put her helmet on so they could leave.

“And Ryker,” she looked back at him, “it's damn good to see you". She smiled at him and out the door they went.

They left Hackett's office and headed down the hall trying to avoid C-SEC..it didn't work.

“Halt,” a turian dressed in blue approached them, “state your business here the Asari ambassador Chambers are on the other side of the embassy.” He looked stubborn.

“We were just visiting the human Council member to notify him of the N7 they are wanting, a sighting we had so to help apprehend her.” Le’Nassia in a sense wasn't lying they did go there to let him know she was ok and what they knew.

He looked over at Ryker, “why do you have your helmet on?” It was odd seeing anyone wearing there helmet or visor while on the grounds.

Quick to cover Le’Nassia spoke up before Ryker could, “forgive my counterpart here she can't speak at the moment and part of her face has been destroyed, she's in the process of recovering so needs to keep her helmet on to protect her face.

He seemed to by it and decided they weren't a threat and let them go. They continued on down the hall knowing the next time they get caught it probably won't go in their favor, they rounded the corner toward the elevators that lead to the market place...if they could get there Vanessa knew of a place they could stay, an old quarian friend that ran the ship sales here (quarians and their ships) she didn't want to go back to the flotilla after her pilgrimage. They’d almost approached the elevator when they heard voices and hid around the side.

“What do you mean you had her and lost? *Mechanical breathing* I want Ryker found now and dealt with,” an angry Volus was yelling at some turian guards, “I don't care what it takes she shouldn't have made it off that cruise line that was your mistake *mechanical breathing* I don't want to have to report to Cerberus that we failed to carry out.” With that the group took the elevators to the council tower… “her mother won't be pleased.” The elevator doors closed.

'Her mother’? Does he mean my mother? Vanessa contemplated all they heard; was my mother the one behind all this?

“Ryker, let's go before someone else comes.” She touched Ryker's arm knowing what she probably was thinking and they got on the other elevator.

“I wonder what he meant by they had us and let us go? Did someone tattle on us?” Was it Le’Nassia's mother? If they'd shown a Holo of her she'd know the figure that she housed was Ryker...but she protected her daughters so would she actually tell?.. And that last comment about my mother where does it all fit in. Ryker ran her hands through her hair.

“I don't know yet but we will sort it out once we get to your friend and can lay low, we're almost there,” she walked over and grabbed Ryker's helmet and held it a moment, “we will sort this out,” she smiled at her and gave her a kiss then put the helmet in Ryker's hands.

Vanessa knew she was right, and just as the elevator dinged she placed her helmet on, “here we go.”