Terminus systems. Station "Omega".

- The captain went ashore. The second assistant took over the watch. “He announced the metallic voice of EDI and the doors of the transit gateway swung open. Shepard, accompanied by Miranda and Jacob, came on board the first point on the way to gathering the crew - the Omega station. According to the Ghost, it was here that two of the alleged candidates for recruitment were at once - Dr. Mordin Solus and the mysterious Archangel. Already at the exit of the gateway they were met. Pushing away the nervous, obviously frightened than the salarian, a tall batarian, clearly one of the local queen's sixes, Aria T "Loak, without hiding his neglect, suggested that he immediately go to the" Afterlife "to his hostess. Shepard gritted his teeth, but restrained himself. Of course, it would be foolish to drive the insolent man of his tone back to the throat, like that annoying journalist from the Citadel, but Miranda prudently kept the captain by the hand and advised him not to waste time on such a trifle.

At the door of the club, near the parapet, Miranda fell a little behind. Going up to the railing, she leaned on them and looked down thoughtfully for a long time - at the anthill that opened to her gaze from the headhunter. I didn’t want to go to the club, she was sorry a hundred times that she and Shepard had gone on this task. Well, he would cope together with Jacob, in the end it all ... No. Stupidity. We must go with him, all right. On the "Way of Freedom" everything went fine, but all the necessary tests did not pass. The ghost was in a terrible hurry, and Shepard, having heard about the Reapers and Collectors, also did not want to sit still and wait. Who knows how the implants will behave in the next mess? Shepard does not, of course, give the form, but it can be seen how the neural nodes begin to shine through the skin when it starts and starts to get nervous. Brrr ... It will be necessary to order a plastic surgery kit aboard the Normandy, and then from such a life it will soon be like that hack ...

“Miranda?” The woman shuddered at the voice of Jacob and touching her shoulder.

- Are you okay? Is there something wrong?

- No, it's ok. Just do not like this place. A cesspool full of a wide variety of garbage, otherwise you cannot say ... Every time after visiting this garbage heap, I need at least a shower, not to mention the standard decontamination procedure ...

Terminus systems. Station "Omega". A few years before.

- There is! I found someone who can help us. - Nikket threw the jacket on a hanger and flopped into a chair.

- Found someone? Another stupid coop who decided to cut down loans on a simpleton earthling? Or, again, the krogans, who, instead of the promised information, will be shoved under the barrel of a shotgun? - Miranda grimaced skeptically.

- Miri, calm down! This time it is exactly who you need. He is a resident of batarian intelligence, I went to him through that type of Blue Lights.

- Togo drunkard? Well, you're certainly a genius Nick ... I, too, found a source of information ...

- Yes, everything is in order this time, Miri! Today I met with this batarians. His name is Trask. And I can assure you - he owns the information. As an example, he told me something about your dad's business. And you can be sure - the data is correct, I myself led the deal.

- Let us suppose. - Miranda sat on the armrest of Niketa. - Suppose he knows something about Oriana. What does he want in return? I hasten to remind you, my dear Nick, that after that incident with the krogans, almost all of our cash went to pay off Aria, and I cannot withdraw money from the deposit. My father will instantly calculate us, but I do not want to go again to bow to Gray to intermediary, especially after he threw his agent into space, who thought of me blackmailing.

- He is not interested in money.During our conversation, he clearly made it clear that he was not constrained by the means and that the extra few thousand credits to him would not make the weather.

- Then what? Information?

- I don't know, Miri. He said only that the details of the transaction will be discussed only with you personally.

- That means how ... Where can I find it?

- He said that he will be waiting for you in V. I. P zone “Afterlife” tomorrow at six. Only you know ... You'd better not walk alone. I will agree with those mercenaries from level 14, they ...

- Calm down Nick. - interrupted him Miranda. - I can stand up for myself, and I don’t think that he will start to buzz in such a place. I do not want to attract excessive attention. I will go alone. You will be waiting for me at the exit from the club. If that - communication on the 4th channel. Got it?

“Good, but be careful.” I think he has personal scores for your father and I don’t think his daughter will make him like him. - Nikket shook his head, got up and left the room.

Station "Omega". V.I.P zone club "Afterlife"

- Where we are going? The security guard asked blankly - a turian at the entrance, stroking the machine gun forearm.

- I was told that the main dance floor could not be compared with the V. I. P zone. - kindly smiling answered Miranda.

- It was probably someone very clever. Do not remember who?

- Jarut.

- Come on in. The turian stepped aside. - do not create problems for others, if they attack you - defend yourself.

Nodding, Miranda passed into the gloom of the corridor. Before entering the hall, she again critically looked at herself in the mirror, straightened her dress, checked her make-up. The meeting, although it was scheduled in the most "scorching" place of "Omega", but implied a business character, so she picked up clothes and style appropriately. A tight-fitting slim figure black dress to mid-thigh, with open shoulders and medium-sized neckline, favorably emphasized the outstanding forms of women, but they were not vulgar as the outfits of local dancers - asari, and would have looked good both in the club and not in the secular reception somewhere on Earth. High-heeled shoes and a discreet, businesslike makeup complete the image of a sexy but business woman who knows the value of herself and her word. Sighing, Miranda resolutely stepped into the hall. After the silence and twilight of the corridor, the pulsating light and the basses hitting the membranes first stunned the woman. She froze at the entrance, letting her injured sense organs adapt to the surroundings. Then someone cautiously touched her by the elbow.

“Miss Lawson?” Come with me, they are already waiting for you. - the salarian in a suit of the waiter politely addressed her.

Following him, Miranda was near one of the V. I. P booths, in the wall niche of the main hall. At the table sat a richly dressed batarian. In the hall, nearby, Miranda noticed four more throwing glances in their direction, apparently a guard.

“Sit down, Miss Lawson.” - He nodded on the sofa next to him. - I think we have something to talk about.

- Trask? - Miranda clarified, carefully examining the batarian and his accompaniment.

- He is. Yes, you sit down, do not pay attention to my guys, they will not interfere with us, just by the nature of the activity it is unhealthy for me to go out into the world without protection.

“So they told me that you know the location of Oriana Lawson?” - went straight to the case of Miranda, crouching on the sofa at the table to Trask.

- I know. - he nodded. - I know where to find her. I know the codes of security systems, the number of guards, patrol routes. Yes, take a fuck, I know even what shampoo the head of the guard uses and what is his cat's name. Are you interested in this?

- All except for the cat and shampoo - yes. - nodded Miranda. - What is the price of the issue?

“You tell me, dear,” Trask grinned.

- In terms of? - The woman raised an eyebrow in surprise.

- In direct. What are you ready to do to save your sister?

- I have enough funds, besides, if you are interested in information ...

- Not. No, no, no - the batarian shook his head. - It's not that. Your friend had to tell you that I am not interested in money, and I am quite able to get the information I need myself without your help.

- Then what? Let's not walk around ...