Ch.17 - Arriving at Port Hanshan

Noveria.

A frozen world built up on the back of corporations.

This planet was owned by the Noveria Development Corporation, a holding company formed by using the combined capital of two dozen high-tech companies.

The goal behind the formation of the NDC was for corporations to have 'legal' zones to perform high-risk tests and experiments in isolated 'hot labs'. They rent out these laboratories to various other companies and maintain strict control, away from Citadel laws due to not being in its controlled space, using an administrator to oversee things for the Executive Board formed of various members from the 24 companies, which essentially govern's the planet.

It is a legal loophole to allow companies a 'free pass' to experiment as they wish, only permitted due to the strict protocols surrounding the hot labs themselves. Complete isolation in snow covered mountains and icebergs on a planet which never goes in the positive degrees, all rigged to explode or to be purged if necessary.

If that wasn't the case, then this planet would have been bombarded long ago.

An agreement for Council Spectres having permission to investigate on Noveria certainly helped as well, but they can attempt to bury whichever Spectre tries it in litigations and corporate bureaucracy in return.

After hearing of Matriarch Benezia's presence there, I began piecing information I had gathered together.

Corporate world.

Matriarch Benezia's investments.

Saren Arterius' investments.

Large enough for control.

.

.

.

Binary Helix.

Genetic Engineering and biotechnology.

Both Saren and Benezia had some measure of control over the company. Enough for them to obtain a Noverian hot lab privately.

Minimum risk of betrayal as long as they maintain payements, no harm comes to the company and the Executive Board does not grow a conscious, helping the Citadel with information regarding one of the most dangerous criminals in the Galaxy.

Available information indicates multiple Binary Helix labs on the planet at the moment.

Some more information needed to narrow down possibilities.

Reasons why a man working for synthetics would need the expertise of a company like Binary Helix is worrisome however.

Bioweapons?

A possibility. Machines do not get sick.

Maybe cloning?

Forming an army to support the Geth?

Little chance for researching possible enhancement to organic life forms or advanced biotics, so almost surely something with military applications.

Dangerous.

Matriarch Benezia's presence will mean Asari Commandos. Her support of Saren and her apparent presence in his inner circle would suggests the possibility of Geth as well.

This alongside whatever security was already in place and the risk of a purge.

Preparations are a must.

Fusion and High-explosive grenades, with Radiation and Armor-Piercing rounds for guns.

I will have to make do with the grenades.

Setting my shielding to anti-biotic protocols, enhancing my [Tech Armor] to compensate. Uploading new [Dampening] programs to hamstring biotic implants. [Neural Shock] would be useful to completely derail powerful techniques.

Must make sure to advise Tali.

Jane and Wrex have extensive biotic training and are rather powerful, hence know what to do, Liara is much less experienced so I should send her a list for her own preparations, Lt. Alenko should know how to best manage himself, Garrus will likely have experience handling rowdy biotics from his time in C-Sec, and after reading Alliance intelligence I know Ashley will follow their standard procedures.

Tali just doesn't have the combat or biotic training or experience most have, hence I worry for her when we are to face a Matriarch and her commandos.

I sent a quick report regarding the information I had found to Jane before finishing my prep work.

Only when we neared the planet did Jane call us all for a meeting.

"Already, so thanks to intel gathering Neo did, we found out that Matriarch Benezia is most likely on Noveria for something related to Binary Helix. Both she and Saren have quite a lot of sway as investors.

She is probably guarded by at least a squad of Asari Commandos and may have managed to smuggle in Geth too.

Aside from that, the entire planet is a bureaucratic clusterfuck with corporate greed as literally the number one driving force behind pretty much all of it. It's out of Citadel space and law, so we can't expect full compliance even with a Spectre and reinforcements or aid are unlikely." She laid out very directly.

"And to think I joined you to get away from red tape. Now we're going where it's practically a culture." Japed Garrus as he leaned back into his chair.

"I'm not spending a minute in that place without being drunk off my ass." Scoffed Wrex, his distaste clear for all.

"At least we will be fighting Commandos." I comforted him.

"Unless they block us, then I'm ripping their damned 'security' apart first." He harrumphed.

"Please try not to have an entire planet and some of the wealthiest companies in the Galaxy wanting to kill us. We have enough with a machine race trying to summon an even worse one to destroy the Galaxy." Jane half-pleaded and half-joked.

"Yeah Yeah." The Krogan dismissively agreed.

"Thank you. So, any questions?" She asked the room.

"Do we know what Benezia wants? Or what Saren is after?" Liara asked as she did her best to keep her conflicted emotions in balance.

I feel her pain at her mother's actions and decision to stand beside Saren. It hurts her.

"We don't. Best guess is maybe some kind of clone army or bio weapon due to Binary Helix's specialties." Jane answered with a shake of her head.

"You think it's a Clone Wars situation?" Ashley asked with disbelief.

"Clone Wars? I never heard of humans having a war involving clones." Garrus replied with interest.

"It's a movie. An old one." She quickly replied.

"Oh. Any good?" He then asked with a different kind of interest.

"Kind of a classic about a far away Galaxy a long time ago." Ashley answered with some kind of knowing smirk.

"Huh. Maybe we can have that instead of those during Joker's next 'cultural appreciation' night." The Turian suggested with a shrug.

"Heck yah!" She cheered before realizing that many eyes were on her, making her blush and then sit down in embarrassment while some chuckled at the exchange.

"Now that the next movie nights are settled, back to Noveria." Shepard said as she made everyone focus again.

"If Benezia is visiting Binary Helix's facilities, then she'll have needed to pass through the systems there, and so would her escort or anything she brought in." Lt. Alenko pointed out with a thoughtful look. "You think they'll tell?"

"Maybe. It depends on who is currently bribing the Administrator." I answered for Jane, gaining looks of surprise and shock.

"The guy running the place is being bribed and you know it? How?" A baffled Ashley asked.

"The Board of Directors, which is the true power on Noveria, expects the one in the Administrator position to be bribed or to participate in all manners of inappropriate behavior. It is part of the fallacy in intelligent beings they expect. They simply require that any corruption not impact Noveria or the companies the Board of Directors represents." I informed everyone.

"Meaning, if Saren, Matriarch Benezia or Binary Helix are bribing the current Asministrator…" Tali began.

"Then they could stall us almost indefinitely." Garrus spat out in disgust.

"That's not the only problem." Lt. Alenko said. "From some of the reports, there's currently a severe snowstorm in the area of Port Hanshan. Meaning travel is restricted."

"But that also means Benezia probably hasn't been able to either leave the Port Hanshan or come back to it." Garrus optimistically pointed out.

"The Mako can take it, but it would be too dangerous for a shuttle." Ashley grumbled with squinted eyes.

"That'll limit our options." Lt. Alenko commented with a frown.

"If it comes down to it, I'll take Neo and Liara to handle things while the rest make sure we don't get any surprises from the enemy or whoever on Noveria." Jane responded firmly.

"C-commander?!" A surprised and nervous Liara stuttered.

"It's your mother Liara. We have to try and reach out to her or at least get some answers." Jane answered with softened eyes.

Though Liara was very conflicted, her emotions in turmoil, she nonetheless steeled herself and nodded.

"So I don't even get to shoot anything?" Wrex almost whined.

"Sorry Wrex. Gonna need someone who can handle the tech side of things and take hits like a Krogan. Plus his natural biotics will help a lot to resist whatever Benezia and her Commandos can do." Jane explained with an apologetic grin.

"Fine." He grumbled with the Krogan equivalent of a pout

"If that's everything," Jane said as she looked around to find no one seemed to wish to add anything, "let's get ready."

While I was putting on my armor, Tali came by with worry waving off of her quite strongly.

I was surprised when my Quarian friend actually pushed it all aside in a moment and hugged me.

"Be careful Neo. We don't know what Saren and Benezia want here." She softly said as she kept her head down in embarrassment.

I was rather stunned as I did not know how to react to the sudden contact. The only thing I could do is follow my instincts and mimic her gesture to reassure her.

"I will return safe and sound Tali. Maybe even stronger than before as well. Trust in me and our squad mates." I told her as I wrapped my arms around her much smaller body.

I felt her shiver for a moment, stiffen, then relax.

"Promise?" The vulnerable sounding Tali asked as she looked up.

Her softly glowing eyes blinking at me as I felt a desire to… protect her.

"Always. I will always return." I promised without any doubt. "And when I do, I believe it will be time to tell you more about myself."

"About you?" She asked in confusion.

"Yes. Some secrets only a few on board know. I do not feel… good about my closest friend not knowing anymore." I answered.

"What secret? Who already knows?" Tali hurriedly asked.

"It's about why I am as strong as I am Tali." I softly answered. "Only the members who were there when I was recruited know and Doctor Chakwas. Wrex knows a bit, but not the whole story."

"Doctor Chakwas? Are you hurt?! Or sick?!" She hurriedly asked as she pulled away to try and find any damage even though I was armored.

It was…heartwarming to feel and see.

"I am more than ok Tali. It is simply that what I wish to discuss involves some matters regarding my biology and origins, both of which were looked over by the doctor." I reassured her as she looked up at me in search of lies. "You will understand once this mission is over."

"Fine. You better keep your word." She finally said as she hugged me again. "You're one of the only people who's ever truly supported and understood me. So go kick Liara's mom's butt, ruin Saren's plan and come back."

"Yes ma'am." I replied as a fond smile unconsciously made its way onto my lips before putting my helmet on and heading for the cockpit.

On my way, I could hear how uncomfortable those controlling Port Hanshan's traffic were at the mention of a Council Spectre coming.

"What a fun bunch. You know, i think I'll take my next leave here." Joker sarcastically said after hanging up.

"Let's just make sure nothing stupid happens." Jane responded with a look a resignation regarding the oncoming annoyances which will surely plague our visit here.

"Do be advised that they may not instantly believe in a human Spectre or you being that sole human Spectre, Commander." I said from behind her.

"Right, I keep forgetting people don't really know about that." She replied. "Thanks for the reminder. I really don't want to start shooting people or have them trying to impound my ship because they don't believe me."

"No problem Commander." I nodded as we made our approach.

The blizzard would truly be a problem.

On a frozen world such as this, blizzards could last days and are very dangerous. Travelling through one could have people 'disappear' down hidden ravines, freeze after a transport malfunction, suffer from sudden avalanches or any other means. The dangers are even more pronounced due to the winding roads used to reach various labs as well.

What we could see of Port Hanshan was of a complex built into the side of a cliff and then expanded on.

From the latest information, it housed around 361'000 residents, mostly employees and their families, with many influential corporate offices forming the complex.

The port serves as its name implies, to receive and send cargo and ships.

There are large storage sections and garages for the transportation necessary to reach all isolated laboratories. But there are also many areas to 'unwind' such as bars, to help keep workers 'productive', hotels for various levels of importance and shops from the many companies involved in Noveria.

Indoor agricultural sections to ensure a food supply in case of emergencies, water systems and generators help keep the port self sufficient as well.

The defenses are relatively strong, using money to compensate for expert users, but they rely completely on a private security firm to police everything.

Liara joined us as I took in everything I could, meaning our landing party was ready.

We would go first, make sure the local authorities wouldn't be a problem, then have the rest of the squad spread out to search for information or dangers.

Exiting the Normandy, we found a standard example of functionality with security cameras tracking our movements.

Sensors were scanning the Normandy and the hangar itself was ready to lock everything down.

We followed the obvious path, finding ourselves faced with three armed beings.

Two human females, one of Asian descent with her black hair done in a tight bun and the other Caucasian with shoulder length blonde hair, and their third member being a male Turian in armor.

"That's far enough." The Asian female firmly ordered with a raise of her hand as the other two became ready for conflict.

I could feel the negative emotions rolling off of the other female, but the Asian one and the Turian were neutral. Professional, but determined.

"We're not here to start trouble." Shepard calmly said as she did her best to appear non-threatening.

I kept my silence, but my presence itself seemed to be unnerving for the trio.

"This is an unscheduled arrival. I need your credentials." The Asian woman informed us.

"You first." Shepard almost snorted.

'Shepard did say she's had some issues with people trying to assert their authority over her.' I thought as I briefly analyzed the instinctive response. 'Maybe not directly, but she has talked of conflicts she's had with some past senior officers and now how she butts heads with the Council.

It might link to some unresolved issues with her family being so military focused.'

"We're the law here. Show some respect." The blonde female growled aggressively.

'Anger issues. Need to assert dominance. Lack of restraint even in front of superior officer. Likely bribed based on temperament. Poses minor threat.' I analyzed before dismissing her.

"I'm captain Maeko Matsuo, Elanus Risk Control Services." The Asian woman introduced herself with some hints of pride at her rank.

"I'm a Spectre. My name is Jane Shepard." The Commander responded with more courtesy this time.

"Load of horsecrap, Ma'am." The blonde replied to the Captain.

"We will need to confirm that." Maeko said with a small glare to the woman before turning back to us. "Also, I must advise you that firearms are not permitted on Noveria. Sergeant Stirling secure their weapons."

At her order, the now named blonde stepped forward with a smirk, causing Shepard to draw her pistol, Liara to ready her biotics and myself to activate my Omni-tool and point my shotgun at the now not so cocksure sergeant.

The Turian and blond did raise their rifles, but the Captain stayed rather calm.

"According to the NDC's agreement with the Citadel, those rules do not apply to Spectres." I said to them.

"How about we don't start a fight?" Shepard suggested to everyone.

"As you wish Commander." I simply replied.

These three were no threat to me at all. Their weapons too weak and they lacked explosives.

I would just need to protect Liara.

Luckily the situation did not devolve as a voice was soon heard from the PA system.

"Captain Matsuo! Stand down. We confirmed their identity. Spectres are permitted to carry weapons here, Captain." A woman's voice ordered.

I felt the Captain and Turian relax at avoiding conflict, but the Sergeant was not pleased. Frustration. Anger. Will likely attempt something.

Will send Shepard a message to keep an eye out for her.

"You may proceed, Spectre. I hope the rest of your visit will be less confrontational." Captain Matsuo said as she acknowledged the order. "Parasini-san will meet you upstairs."

"Behave yourselves." The Sergeant almost growled.

With that, we were permitted entry.

We found a reception area with multiple security cameras and even mounted guns tracking our movements. It was slightly distracting us from the small water feature as we went up the stairs to a welcome desk.

Behind the desk was woman with tanned skin, dark brown hair tied in a low bun and a tight, one piece, red dress which looked rather limiting.

"Commander. I am Gianni Parasini, assistant to Administrator Anoleis. We apologize for the incident in the docking bay." She said with some level of sincerity.

But I felt something interesting from her.

Caution. Focus. Determination. Calculating. Interest.

All directed at Shepard.

Odd combination for a simple assistant. Possible target to investigate.

"I appreciate your help." The Commander genuinely replied as she desires to avoid bloodshed if generally possible.

"You're welcome. You understand our Security Chief is just doing her job. One of my duties involves helping new arrivals. So any questions?" Assistant Parasini offered with a practiced smile.

"Yes actually. Since you're the assistant of the Administrator, I would think you would know about some important visitors." Shepard said with some caution.

"I am sorry commander, but I can't just reveal such information." Parasini replied with a more awkward smile.

"Oh, I get that. I mean, we're here to track a known associate to a rogue Spectre. This associate is Matriarch Benezia and we have some questions for her." The commander followed up with as she adjusted her approach.

"Lady Benezia? At the best of my knowledge, she left for the Peek 15 compound a few days ago. She should still be there." Assistant Parasini answered with much more helpful information.

I could feel Liara's anticipation and mild dread at facing her mother however. I felt for the maiden Asari. This was going to be a trial for her.

"How do we get there?" Shepard directly asked.

"You'll need Administrator Anoleis' clearance to leave this port." Was the answer.

Predictable.

"And where I can find him?" Shepard asked.

"His office is on the main level. Left at the top of the elevator." She informed us.

"Thank you." The commande replied. "Can we go in now?"

"Of course. If you need any further assistance, you can find me in the Administrator's office." Assistant Parasini offered before taking her leave.

"Well, let's get the rest of the squad and spread out. I'll go talk to the Administrator myself." Shepard said as she reached for her comm.

Time to begin my first true foray into the corporate world.

_______________________________________

EXTRA AUHTOR NOTES:

Alright, let's start the last of the three main missions before shit starts to ramp up.

The next bits are going to have pretty canon-y events due to Neo being part of Shepard's party.

He essentially serves as a techie Krogan with master assassin, hacker and soldier skills, sporting powerful innate biotics and a built in sensor. Really good choice when you have N7 badass vanguard Shepard and Liara for Biotic support.

I thought having that briefing before the mission was common sense, and that Liara having more time to process the fact that she would very likely face her genocide courting mother would save some dialogues and the likes. It also highlights information I can later skip instead of writing out BioWare levels of dialogue, which would be… torturous even if I loved them before they were turned to the dark side.

A little bit more development for Tali as she gets a bit bolder with 'physical contact'. She is essentially a teenager going through her first crush, so it's slow for her, especially with the 'leaving so due to pilgrimage being over' bit. It's before she matured during the two year gap too.

I have a few plans for Neo on this trip, which will help him quite a bit in the future.

No spoilers.

Hope you guys enjoy.