Rebirth The Mass Effect is old

Matching gold high-heeled shoes. Dark red hair is pulled back into a high hairstyle. Light makeup in golden shades... On my wrists were wide bracelets of my personal shield, which provided me with protection and ensured that I would not get cold feet in these weightless rags! Liara looked much more modest in a simple dark dress made of shimmering purple starry fabric. Except that this very dress cost like a quarter of our ship!

I've been trying to convince Asari for half an hour that THIS is too much! Especially on NOVERIA! On this frozen cobblestone! The result is zero. Liara stuck her horn in, saying, "It's necessary." In the end, I managed to spin it up for clarification.

"Liara. We have half an hour before entering the Noveria security area." I said dryly. "And if you don't tell me why I have to look like... Anyway, I'm going to change into armor."

Regret flashed across the faces of the men of our squad. Liara blushed, but, thank all the gods, confessed:

"I'm a teenager by the standards of my race. For your age..." The Asari paused, calculating something, "About sixteen or eighteen years old. At this age, Asari are prone to impulsive actions, amorous, join dubious organizations, and often rush from one extreme to the other."

"How, for example, to bring a fancy mistress to a meeting with her mother?" I asked ironically.

"Yes. This is not the most... an original way of self-expression, although harmless."

"But why this particular dress? I'm going to die there!"

"But it does explain why Asari's companion is carrying a powerful combat model of a personal shield with a microclimate system. Besides, you look completely different from your pictures. To find out the Spectr of Advice in you... It's problematic."

You really can't argue with that. I didn't recognize myself in the mirror!

"Explanations are accepted. The Joker?"

"We're entering the security zone soon."

The joker did not disconnect the connection, and we perfectly heard the negotiations between the pilot and the dispatcher of the port of Hanshan:

"Control Room, this is the Normandy. Specify the vector and the berthing location."

There was a short pause and a distorted voice answered:

"Normandy, your arrival is not scheduled. Our defense system is tracking you. Name the destination of arrival."

"We have Dr. Liara T. Sony on board. She came to visit her mother, matriarch Benezia, on personal business."

The pause dragged on, but the expected answer came:

"Normandy, landing is allowed." pause, and data on the docking node and the landing vector. "Please keep in mind that we will identify your identities upon arrival. If your words are not confirmed, the ship will be requisitioned."

"Roger that. Normandy, over and out."

The connection with the dispatcher was interrupted, and the Joker's displeased voice muttered:

"Requisitioned... how so..."

The ship shuddered as the grapples went off and froze. We have arrived at Noveria.

"What are we sitting for, who are we waiting for? Let's move!"

I was walking out of the briefing room, safely hidden behind Rex's massive figure. I don't want the crew staring at me!

We underwent mandatory disinfection in the airlock, and I turned on the shields. The airlock swung open, and we stepped out into the hospitable... How fucking hospitable! Although the berthing areas on the real Noveria were closed from the weather, they were not heated at all, and the oak was simply terrible! I suppose if it weren't for the shield, a blue haze enveloping my figure, I would have rung in a minute! Liara, characteristically, turned pale to a delicate shade of blue and quickly turned on her shields.

An access vestibule led us to a large docking dock, divided into sections with one berthing platform in each. A long concrete platform with high metal railings led from the ship, which was suspended in its grapples. No extra boxes or other junk, just a bare strip of concrete, overhung by supports and lighting shades. Rex and Nihlus went first, followed by Liara and me, Garrus and Tali brought up the rear. After walking around the pier, we went out to a small security post. And, as expected, we were greeted by two human women and a Turian from the Hanshan Port security. The guards at the airlock didn't even move.

"That's enough!"

Maeko Matsuo, a short brunette in light armor, raised her hand, ordering them to stop. Our procession stopped obediently. Rex shifted slightly to the left, allowing Liara to step forward. Asari's fingers squeezed my forearm with unladylike force.

"Something happened?" Liara's soft, gentle voice echoed through the huge hangar.

"I hope not." the blonde with the shotgun in her hands replied dryly, looking at me with slight contempt in her eyes. I lowered my eyes in embarrassment, so as not to see the quietly boiling rage.

Whatever her name is... Kyra... I forgot my last name.

"You've arrived off schedule. Show me your documents."

"You first." Nihlus cold, rasping voice made his kinsman flinch and grip the assault rifle tighter.

"We are the law here! Show respect!"

The brunette interrupted Kyra by raising her hand in a well-known gesture of silence.

"I am Captain Maeko Matsuo, Elanus Risk Control Service."

"Liara T"Sony." Azari introduced herself. "Nihlus Kraik. My guards and escort. Information about our identities was transmitted to you from the ship."

We need confirmation! In addition, the carrying of weapons is prohibited on Noveria. Sergeant Stirling, take their weapons."

As soon as the blonde took a step forward, Rex, Garrus, and Nihlus raised their weapons in unison.

"Don't even try!" The Krogan growled.

"No one will take MY weapon." Naylus calmly reported, staring intently into the eyes of the startled sergeant.

Maeko sighed wearily.

"We have the right to use force. Hand over your weapons! I'm counting to three... one... two..."

"Captain Matsuo! Stand down!" A nervous female voice came from the speakers. "Their identity has been confirmed! They have the right to bear arms!"

"On what grounds, Gianna!" Kyra literally spat it out.

"A member of the Council and two of his escorts have the right to carry weapons on the territory of Noveria!"

"The spectr?" Maeko blinked in surprise.

Nihlus lowered his powerful pistol and grinned a little maliciously.

"Nihlus Kraik. The spectr of the Council. I arrived on PERSONAL business." the grin grew wider, turning into a terrible snarl, and caustic sarcasm splashed in his voice. "I am accompanying the daughter of Matriarch Benezia. In order to avoid... similar conflicts."

"You can go ahead, Spectr. I hope we can avoid confrontation in the future." Maeko waved her hand, calling off the guards."

Behind me, with a barely audible hiss, Garrus's rifle went into non-combat position. Rex spat and returned the shotgun to its magnetic grips and picked up the suitcase with my weapons. Nihlus, grinning cheekily, grabbed Liara and me by the elbows and led us to the airlock, accompanied by the openly envious glances of the men from the dock security.

As I walked into the airlock, I gave Nihlus elbow a little tug. The Turian squinted at me, giving me the opportunity to create a channel without breaking into his brain.

""Escorting the matriarch's daughter, then?""

In response, a sly look and a sly smile.

""It's more believable that way. Who would believe that the Council's Spectr JUST decided to give a ride to an unknown Asari, even if it was the daughter of the matriarch.""

""Taking advantage of the position?"" a slight irony splashed through the mental channel.

""I have the right, by the way. The Council turns a blind eye to our minor sins while we do our direct work.""

""Can I do that too?""

""Yes."" The doors opened in front of us, letting us into a wide hall. ""The council is interested in you.""

""What do you mean?""

Nihlus sauntered forward, heading for the reception desk under the curious and openly envious gazes of the security guards.

""I know Sparatus and Tevos well. They looked at you with SUCH eyes that I frankly doubt that you will be stripped of your Spectr status, even despite your alleged death and future connection with Cerberus. Especially if you manage to get Saren back. My mentor is a protégé of Sparatus.""

""I didn't know. How do they motivate it?""

""How-how... as usual. He was following a direct order from the Council. I was on a mission. Who knows what they can come up with?""

""I hope so. Will Saren be punished the same way?""

""Do you doubt it?"" a slight irony splashed from Nihlus.

""Not really.""

The light blue scanning beams of the drones passed through our squad and the alarm immediately went off. The beautiful girl standing behind the counter was alarmed, clicked on the terminal. The siren's wail died down.

"I apologize. Weapon scanners." The dark-haired girl forced a smile. "I'm Gianna Parazini, Anoleis's assistant administrator. We apologize for the incident at the docking gate."

Nihlus looked at the shrunken girl with a cold, arrogant look and said:

"Very friendly! Did your security chief get off on the wrong foot? Or is she always so polite to guests?"

Gianna blushed to match her dress.

"She is very responsible about her work." The girl said apologetically. "My duties include helping those who arrive. Do you have any questions?"

Nihlus gave her a skeptical look, but still condescended to talk.

"Your security system is too powerful for a small port."

"The Board of Directors does everything possible to protect the privacy of our clients." The girl's answer clearly raised a question.

Nihlus chuckled and replied casually:

"I have come on a personal matter and I have little interest in the affairs of your clients."

"This... nice to hear."

Relief surged through his mind like a powerful wave. Nihlus saw Miss Parazini's condition perfectly and grinned. At that moment, he looked amazingly like his mentor, as I remembered him: cold, cruel, arrogant, domineering. Literally exuding contempt and disgust. The man standing next to me didn't even have a hint of the cheerful guy who had dragged us around the seedy places of the Lower City not so long ago. Liara's silent amazement clearly said that she had never seen SUCH a Nihlus.

"Matriarch Benezia arrived on Noveria not so long ago. Lady Liara wishes to speak with her mother. Where can we find Lady Benezia?"

"A couple of days ago, Lady Benezia left for the Vershina 15 research complex. As far as I know, she's still there."

"How do we get there?" The question asked in a raspy voice sounded like an order.

"You need the Anoleis administrator's permission to leave the port."

"Where can I find him?"

"His office is on the main level. As you go up, turn left."

"Can we go now?" Nihlus asked sarcastically.

"Sure." The girl replied hurriedly.

And we left in silence, followed by hostile glances.

The elevator quickly took us to the administrative wing of the complex and dropped us off, not forgetting to remind us on the way that the security service is working to ensure the protection of customers. Nihlus went out into the hall, lazily surveyed the huge room and led us up a wide staircase, followed by the gazes of the ERKS fighters. I, on the other hand, placed my palm on my kindly elbow and scanned the people around me. Liara just followed where she was being led. Garrus and Rex walked behind on either side of the silent Tali. Our band is very entertaining, and we attracted a lot of attention.

The Hanshan Hall is a huge three-tiered room with a solid glazed facade. The durable transparent material provided a wonderful view of the blizzard raging outside the walls of the complex. The water gurgled softly between the stones under the stairs, falling in man-made waterfalls and small fountains, but this time there was a murmur of water... It's threatening. Hanshan was alarming.

At the bottom of the stairs, Nihlus turned left. The office of the port administrator was located in the left end wall of the lobby, sharing it with two rooms closed to public access. Two human soldiers in full medium armor, armed with assault rifles, stood guard in front of the airlock doors.

The doors automatically swung open as we approached them, letting us into an unreasonably huge and empty hall, with a secretary's desk at the far wall, and a couple of square tables with chairs and benches for those waiting for an appointment along the bare stone walls. The pretty Salarian secretary looked fearfully at the armed Turian, looked at me, at Liara, smiled politely and uttered the phrase on duty:

"How can I help you?"

Nihlus gave her a hard, skeptical look, which made the secretary turn pale.

"I want to talk to Anoleis." There was a rasp of steel in the icy voice.

"One moment, please." The girl touched a button on the console. "Mr. Anoleis?"

"Yes! What. What?" a high croaking intermittent voice responded almost instantly.

Spectr Nihlus Kraik and Lady Liara would like to meet with you.

"Yes. Yes, it's good! Let them pass!" The irritation in the Salarian's voice was palpable.

Nihlus nodded his thanks to the girl and went to the door of the office of the administrator of the port of Hanshan.

Anoleis met us standing, gushing with apprehension and discontent. Bowing his head in greeting, he said:

"What brings the Spectr of Nihlus Kraic and the daughter of Matriarch Benezia to me?"

Nihlus stopped in front of the nervous Salarian, looked at him lazily and said in an impassive voice, completely devoid of even a trace of emotion:

"I am accompanying Liara T"Sony. The lady wishes to meet her mother. As far as I know, Lady Benezia is on Noveria."

Apprehension deepened, discontent was replaced by mild confusion: the administrator was frankly nervous.

"Lady Benezia arrived a few days ago, accompanied by a personal escort with cargo. She is currently at the Top of 15." Popeye reported, rolling his eyes.

I shifted from one foot to the other, swayed closer to the Turian, attracting the attention of Anoleis with my movement. Our eyes met for just a moment, but it was enough for me to establish mental contact and slip into the nervous Salarian's mind. I listened to the rest of the conversation distantly, passing through the prism of the victim's perception.

The mind of Anoleis in terms of protection differed little from the mind of the same Nihlus or Ashley: shields are also in complete degradation on the verge of disintegration, personality protection is rather shaky, but it protects personal imperatives very strongly.

Nihlus arrival caused him serious misgivings. Why? The associative chain unfolded quite quickly: Spectr-investigation-apprehension-personal interest-fear of exposure-memories-thirst to protect oneself and one's own. The usual and fairly standard fear of a dishonest official. The game information that Anoleis is a bribe taker has been fully confirmed.