"When we dug up the Prothean outpost on Mars, Captain," Shepard said "We also found something like a lighthouse there. Anyway, thanks to the information we received from the Prothean outpost, we were able to locate and activate the Charon repeater and reach Arcturus. Does this mean that we Earthlings expect to have a share in the information obtained from the intact lighthouse, working in partnership with the main races of the Citadel Council?"

"As an ordinary person, Shepard, I wouldn't count on any share," Anderson replied. "But as an Alliance officer and frigate commander, I am obligated to be guided not by personal preferences, but by a more important level of interests. In any case, I don't know for sure yet whether such beacons have been found anywhere else in the galaxy. There are, of course, some reports of varying degrees of validity, but... our lighthouse on Mars is more than a lighthouse. This is not an ordinary transmitter with a receiver, but a repository of information. We humans have spent several calendar years reading several pages of a certain text, finding, guided by the information received, the Charon repeater, activating it and reaching out to Arcturus. And here, quite recently, as a result of excavations on Eden Prime, we find an intact lighthouse. Exactly as it most likely should be. Inactive, too. There are different scenarios for the development of further events in the circles of the Alliance's leadership," the ship's commander clarified. "I understand that this lighthouse would be very useful for us, earthlings and humans. Unfortunately, we are no longer alone in the universe and we must learn interstellar diplomacy."

"As far as I understand, Commander," Shepard said, "For the Citadel Council, finding a lighthouse in Earth's area of responsibility is undesirable, unless, of course, the lighthouse is transferred to the Citadel and, accordingly, handed over to the Council."

"Yes, Shepard," Anderson nodded. "We are too young a race for the Citadel," he looked at the omny-tool screens. "The Asari — three thousand years of space flight, the Turians — a thousand years of flight, the Salarians — two thousand years of manned long-range flights through explored and unexplored parts of the galaxy. Naturally, they will not want to give us, the people, the opportunity to make full use of the information that is undoubtedly contained in this lighthouse, either collectively or individually. No matter how good-neighborly relations between us, the people and races of the Council were now and in the recent past."

"Then, Commander, I'll ask you directly." Shepard straightened up, but did not accept either the "attention" stance or the position convenient for the fastest start of the "String" state. "Does the Council know about this ship?" He glanced at the screen, where an almost two-kilometer-long shrimp was crawling towards Eden Prime, covered by a six-kilometer "cocoon" of cosmic dust.

"They're keeping quiet about it, Captain Shepard," Anderson replied. "I believe that they are either hiding something securely, or they simply do not know how to explain it, or they are simply afraid, since even the "Path of Destiny" against such a superdreadnought is a boat."

"That's not what I'm talking about, Captain." Shepard did not direct his gaze at the commander of the ship. "I'm talking about the role you personally played in the fact that this ship is now roaming our areas of responsibility. And he is heading for the pearl of the agricultural colonial infrastructure of the Earth."

"You found out that, too," Anderson remarked emotionlessly. "Well. Since this is now part of our job, I'll tell you." He sat back in his chair. "To tell you the truth, it was quite unpleasant for me to see how easily you open something that I would prefer to keep as closed as possible, at least until my own biological death", The commander was silent for several seconds. "I know this ship, Shepard. His name is "Saveren", less often he is called "Nazara". It first became known as an artifact discovered by a scientist, Dr. Shu Chian. This doctor, for some reason, became obsessed when he was working with this ship artifact. The work was carried out at the secret base of the Alliance, located on the planet Sidon. It is a large planet with a thin layer of atmosphere. There, under the "dome" protection, an Alliance base was built, where research was conducted. Officially, in the field of artificial intelligence."

"Shu Chian? The Galaxy's leading AI expert?" Sheppard was interested. "Or at least considered a leading one?" The special Forces captain clarified.

"Yes, Shepard," Anderson confirmed. "This project on Sidon was very dangerous for the Alliance, because artificial intelligence, as too many people were convinced at the time, was capable of subjugating all of humanity, followed by all other intelligent organic races, if one did not learn how to control, limit, and effectively manage its development." Anderson hesitated. — "I wouldn't say that, but I had to intervene in this project, in its work, when Shu Chi'an came under the influence of this ship."

"A mental influence? Soft reprogramming? Indoctrination?" Shepard asked.

"If you already know what's behind these terms..." said Anderson. "Then I hardly have anything to add. Yes, Dr. Shu Chian has fallen under the influence of this monster. It turned out that the ship possesses effective technology for influencing the mind, and, consequently— the behavior of an intelligent being. Simply speaking... he is able to subdue and control them. This ship was discovered not far from the space occupied by the Geth at that time. Kali Sanders worked next to Shu Chian, officially she was a representative of the technical staff, but unofficially... Who knows, who knows." Anderson paused with the continuation of the story for a few seconds. Shepard made a mark in his memory. "After noticing the inadequacy of Shu Chian's behavior, she began to try to report this "non-standard behavior" to the Alliance of Systems. Taking with her the data on top secret research being conducted at that time, Kali fled to Elysium, the largest human colony in the Skillian Reach. All the inhabitants there were obsessed with safety at that time, and Kali decided that she would be protected there too. And by the time Sanders was already on Elysium, the base on Sidon was attacked by the "Blue Stars". Shepard, you understand that Sanders, who fled the base shortly before the attack began, became one of the main suspects in its organization. Even the fact that the "Blue Stars" themselves wanted to capture Kali did not give the official, one might say, state law enforcement forces any reason to clear her of suspicion." Anderson was now saying "jerky," making frequent pauses in his presentation and sipping water from a large glass. "There was another character, Dr. Qian. He captured Kali, hoping that she would help him in his research. At that time, I was promoted to the level of a candidate for Spectr, and Saren Arterius was appointed my supervisor. It was I who, under a false name, of course, took Kali out of Elysium. And it was Saren and I who had to storm the plant for the production of element zero, in fact, a mining and processing plant, and I'm sure you, Shepard, know very well how huge and difficult they are to storm with small forces." Anderson was silent for a few seconds, gathering his strength and his thoughts. That's when Saren proved himself.... In all its glory. I refused to blow up the factory, because at that moment there were still workers in it, in its workshops and on the territory. And Saren... He not only blew up the factory, but also framed me, reporting and, I think, convincing the Citadel Council in his own way that it was my fault. Kali... she was there. That Qian kept her there." Anderson took a sip from his glass. A hostage, a prisoner. I don't know exactly who he thought she was then. But he held it tight. Kali and I only met a few times after I was stripped of my Spectrum candidate status. And every time I felt that she was moving away from me. She transferred to the Academy named after her father, Admiral Grissom. She worked there as a consultant." Anderson took another sip of water from his glass. — "It's complicated. I thought I'd never meet that monster, Shepard." Anderson looked up at the screen, where the silhouette of the monster ship was glowing. "And I... I hate to say this, but Kali and Saren... They're the same age. I don't know why, but it's unpleasant."

There was silence in the cabin. Shepard considered what Anderson had said. The commander of the ship continued to drink water from a large glass in small sips.

"John, go ahead. Take care of the crew and the ship. I need to be alone. Decide what to do next," Anderson said when more than half an hour had passed. "Anyway, we're going to have to fight. And if we can, we can win."

Shepard stood up without a word, nodded to the commander of the ship and left, closing the door of the commander's cabin tightly behind him. Lieutenant Alenko was already hurrying towards him.

"Captain, sir. May I report?" The officer stopped two steps away from Shepard and stood at attention.

"Report, Lieutenant." Shepard stopped and turned to Kayden.

"Corporal Jenkins has completed his training," Alenko said clearly. "Together with him, five military policemen partially completed their training. What are your orders, sir?"

"Continue training." — Shepard internally found the tuning of the "String". "Order all the trainees to put on a full set of combat suits and armor, as well as take real, but unloaded weapons. Continue training only in spacesuits, armor and with weapons," the captain asked, seeing the surprise on the lieutenant's face. "After the training is over, let everyone rest and have lunch. I order you to draw up a daily combat duty schedule. For our rapid response team. There are three to five people from the landing crew. All members of the group should be on duty in armor, spacesuits, wearing helmets and carrying combat weapons. Is something unclear, Lieutenant?"

"I'm sorry, sir. Maybe it's not that important right now, but I don't feel any migraines at all. Earlier, in the afternoon, she literally devoured me," Alenko replied.

"I'm glad for you, Lieutenant," a faint smile touched Shepard's lips. "I believe that by getting rid of migraines, you will now be able to spend almost a full day working with the crew. And especially with the landing party. Any other questions?"

"Not at all, sir. May I go?" — Alenko stretched out even more, saluted.

Go ahead, Lieutenant. Shepard gave a military mirror salute in response to the lieutenant's greeting and walked slowly towards the pilot's cabin.

Unlike many crew members, Jeff Moro, nicknamed the Joker, was more imbued with the danger posed by the commander of the landing crew, so as soon as John Shepard touched the hologram in the lock of the entrance hatch leading to the cockpit, Moro was already standing next to the chair facing the entrance and tried not to show much how he felt. It's inconvenient.

"I wish you good health, sir!" Moreau greeted Shepard as he entered, giving the required greeting salute.

"Hello, Lieutenant." Shepard mirrored the greeting clearly. "What's the situation like?"

"On the ship or on the course?" — Moro couldn't resist teasing and realized too late, to his regret, that he shouldn't have done it.

"Ley-te-nant?!" There was a distinct edge to Shepard's voice. "I have a destroyer pilot in my squad of policemen. With five years of practical experience. And participation in military operations. Or do you still believe that you cannot be held accountable for hijacking a spaceship?" Shepard was turning into the very figure that had scared Corporal Jenkins half to death. And if Jeff Moro had previously seen this figure radiating a deadly sepulchral chill on the screen of a remote monitor, now it was no more than one and a half meters away, completely real and quite tangible. "I need a pilot in your place, not a voyeur, Lieutenant Moro. And I'll get it." Shepard excelled without exclamations and without shouting. The captain went to the copilot's seat and typed a short command on the console. "I will not allow you to fill the computer system's memory with "porn"." The XO watched Jeff slowly turn pale, realizing that the collection he had lovingly collected was being erased, and the erasure was complete, with a wild gibberish of symbols blotting out the vacant space. "Since the CIC now has a full complement of specialists, your task, Lieutenant Moro, is not to monitor what is happening on the ship, but to perform purely piloting functions." The fingers of both Shepard's hands performed a complex dance on the keyboard of the other console, and Moro saw the additional screens go out. Calculate the approach course to the repeater in the Utopia system, but so that we stand to the side, in a safe zone and can conduct covert reconnaissance. I'm waiting for your report on the course and planned and calculated approach maneuvers in fifteen minutes. On my omny-tool." Shepard, ignoring the pilot's amazement, said through clenched teeth, barely opening them. "If you want to stay in this chair with your rank and position, you will work hard and efficiently," with these words, Shepard turned to the entrance to the cockpit. "And just try to gossip with someone on the Extranet.," he typed a complicated command on the side console. "Consider that you no longer have an Extranet in the same volumes." Shepard stepped over the threshold of the cabin. The hatch cover cut off the noisy exhalation from the pilot's seat.

After leaving, Shepard mentally thanked the teachers of the n-Seven Academy, who instilled in him a love of programming and learning all kinds of techniques. If he hadn't had such draconian training, which he had to go through in just a year, the conversation with the pilot might have dragged on.

"Erich Goeben to Captain Shepard." The commander of the landing crew spoke softly into his shoulder speaker. A minute later, one of the policemen stood in front of the XO, confirming his diploma as a destroyer pilot to Captain Anderson. "Erich, I'm ordering you to take the co-pilot's seat and monitor the actions of Lieutenant Jeff Moro. At all times, he should be engaged only in his immediate duties. I instructed him to calculate the course to the repeater and determine flight maneuvers to clarify the location of the hidden parking of the ship with the condition of conducting remote reconnaissance activities in the Utopia system. In the future, he is obliged to devote all his working time to improving his professional skills and abilities. You are an outstanding pilot yourself, so you can chase him in the tail and mane. Now the position of co-pilot of the frigate Normandy is assigned to you, Goeben. If Lieutenant Moreau fails, the position of first pilot will pass to you, and he will take care of other things. Not related to piloting. In accordance with paragraph two hundred and fifty-four of the Combat Regulations of the Alliance MSF, you are assigned the rank of Lieutenant of the MSF during the performance of your duties as a co-pilot. Any questions?"