Aster laughed softly. She wasn't lying, technically.
"Well, I thought I had seen someone who looked like you," Aster admitted, shrugging. "I wasn't sure it was you."
"Sure, you didn't," Garrus said, taking a sip. "You're here with company?"
"Something like that," she answered, looking around.
"Expecting someone?" Garrus asked, a bit sternly, also looking around.
"Avoiding more like it," Shepard muttered.
Good, they're still dancing, she thought, seeing Anderson swirling Dr. Chakwas around.
"Avoiding me?"
"Of course not," Aster said, acting wounded by the comment. "I'm more wounded about the fact that you would think I would avoid you."
"Well-"
"Garrus," someone called out, making both of them turn around. "There you are."
Coming toward them was an older female turian with the same markings as Garrus. Anyone would assume it was a family member or at least a relative.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. I didn't know you had company," the older turian said, seeing Aster.
"Aster," Garrus said, introducing them. "This is my mother, Camelea. Mother, this is Aster."
"Nice to meet you, Aster," Camelea said, smiling. "I didn't know Garrus had such pretty friends."
"Thanks," Shepard said, smiling a bit embarrassed, "It's nice to meet you too."
"Oh, I hope I'm not interrupting," Camelea asked, looking at both of them. "Your father was wondering where you went."
"I imagine father and our guest weren't too happy," Garrus mumbled, sounding a bit irritated.
Aster was silent. The "guest" must be someone important if Garrus's family was meeting them. It was a well-known fact that turians made a big deal about meeting important members of the hierarchy.
"Garrus-," Camelea began in her mothering tone.
"Not now, mother," Garrus replied, glancing at Aster.
"I was just leaving," Aster interrupted, looking between Garrus and his mother. "It's been a long day, and I have to get up early."
"Here I was hoping you'll join us," Camelea said, grabbing her arm. "Any friend of Garrus is always welcome."
Aster hesitated slightly.
"Come on," she said, pulling her along.
"Perhaps another time, mother," Garrus tried to intervene, but he too was pulled along.
"Garrus," a familiar voice said. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
"Castis, this is Aster," Camelea interrupted, introducing Aster to her husband and their guests.
"You're Anderson's kid," Castis said, recognizing her.
"Good evening," Aster greeted. "I just wanted to say goodbye to Garrus before heading home."
It was clear to Aster that the family's guests and Mr. Vakarian weren't happy to see her. She doubted they wanted her to join them.
"Well, alright," Camelea said. "Have a good evening, maybe next time you can join us for dinner."
"Thank you," Aster said. "Have a good night."
Aster excused herself and checked on Anderson one more time before leaving the restaurant.
"She seems like a nice girl," Aster heard Camelea say before the noise of the dance floor drowned their voices.
After Aster got back to the apartment, she kicked off her shoes and went into the fridge to find something alcoholic to drink, only to find it empty.
Damn, she thought, slamming the fridge door shut. I should have gotten drunk at the restaurant instead.
With nothing else to do, Aster went into the bedroom to get changed. She noticed that some of the drawers were still empty.
Garrus hasn't stopped by, she mused, throwing her used outfit into the dirty pile. That guest must have been really important.
Aster undid the covers of the bed and went to lie down before checking her omni-tool. She saw several unread messages from the Council and one from Anderson. Still a bit upset about being blindsided, Aster read through the Council's messages first.
Council Tevos sent a message thanking her for safely transporting her daughters to Benning, a planet in the Euler System. The planet was mostly inhabited by humans, but there were a few wealthy asari who also called Benning their home.
Attached to the message was a wired transaction number for a hefty amount of credits, more than the required amount for the transport. Not that Aster needed any sort of special treatment, but she assumed that the Council wanted to treat her well so that there wouldn't be any rumors of mistreatment or otherwise.
There was another message from the turian councilor asking for help in the relocation of his family. Aster knew this pertained to relocating his mistress to a new location. It wasn't the first time he had asked for help in such matters. The other message was from Councilor Valern requesting her presence in the Citadel Tower as soon as possible. There were important issues that needed to be discussed and a mission requiring her immediate attention.
The last message was from Anderson; he wanted to speak to her, but Aster wasn't in the mood; she needed time to think. Aster set her alarm for three hours from now; a little sleep wouldn't hurt.
*
Three hours later, Aster woke up once more; the bed was still empty.
Aster shook her head and silently laughed.
I can't believe I'm thinking about Garrus like a love-sick fool. He must have made an impression on me.
She laughed once more and got out of bed. Grabbing a change of clothes from the drawer, Aster went to take a quick shower and packed a bag of clothes for a week before setting it by the door.
I wouldn't be surprised if I get a mission tonight.
Aster headed into the kitchen and grabbed a quick breakfast of Blast Oh's. She loaded a load of dishes in the dishwasher before looking around one last time. After much thought, Aster decided to leave a short message for Garrus before grabbing her bag by the door and heading to the Citadel Tower. A transport was waiting for her outside the main lobby, and in no time at all, she was walking into the Tower.
"Captain Shepard," an Asari attendant said when she saw her. "Are you here to see the Council?"
"Mirithea," Aster said in greeting. "The Council is expecting me."
"Of course," Mirithea replied. "I'll let them know you're here."
"Thank you."
Mirithea left to announce her arrival and was back a short while after, "They're ready for you."
"I can take care of your bag while you go in," Mirithea said as Aster adjusted her bag on her shoulder. "I'll make sure you get it back."
Aster thanked her again and walked into the Council's personal chamber. All three Councilors were sitting on separate couches with a drink in hand.
"Councilors," Aster greeted, standing at attention.
"Shepard," Councilor Valern greeted in response. "Why don't you take a seat?"
Aster was surprised at the familiarity the Councilor was showing, and took a seat on one of the couches close to Councilor Sparatus. She knew something was going on.
"We called you here today because there are a few things we want to discuss," Valern said, taking a sip of his drink. "These matters concern Citadel Space and all of its inhabitants."
"What do you know about Artificial Intelligence?" Councilor Sparatus asked, stepping into the conversation.
"I know they are illegal to research and attempt to create," Aster answered, looking at all three Councilors. "After what happened with the Geth and Quarians, anyone caught will be put to death or worse."
"That's correct," Sparatus said, nodding. "Any knowledge of A.I is forbidden in Council Space."
"We have reason to believe an A.I is being researched and created," Sparatus continued, handing her a datapad.
"How do we know this?" She asked, taking the datapad.
"A researcher in the V.I program came to us with probable cause that one of the main researchers may have been creating a A.I," Councilor Tevos said, speaking for the first time. "The researcher managed to grab the datapad and a couple of paper notes."
Sparatus handed Aster the folder. She took a few minutes to look through the datapad and the notes. Most of the notes had equations, formulas, and mathematical diagrams. The datapad explained the purpose of the implant and how it would be connected to the spine for the nervous system and the brain to speak to one another.
"There is no mention of how the A.I will be created," She said. "Just how it's going to be housed; well the possibility of it being housed."
"The notes aren't complete," Sparatus admitted. "We don't know how far the research has gotten or if they have started building it."
"We need you to go in and find out," Valern said after a few minutes of silence. "I have compiled a file with everything we have on artificial intelligence. It will help you when you go undercover."
A few seconds later, Aster received a notification for a file transfer.
"I don't think we have to remind you of the importance of keeping this information safe," Valern continued.
"I understand," She replied. "Is there any more information on the program and the researcher?"
"It's run by an Alec Ryder," Tevos replied. "It's not much to go, but we know that he likes to visit the Science Academy, and that's where our researcher got recruited."
That name sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it.
"We are working on getting you assigned to the program as an intern receiving her doctorate," she continued. "You are going in as Ms. Laura Lang."
Aster received another email notification, no doubt containing her new identity. It appeared she had everything she needed.
"Does Udina know about this?" She asked out of curiosity; she never liked the guy.
"He's not involved," Councilor Sparatus replied. "You shouldn't concern yourself with him."
"When do I start?" She asked, looking at all three Councilors. It was best to change the subject.
"In a few hours," Tevos replied. "Mirithea will show you to your temporary quarters and will be accompanying you on your mission as your assistant."
Aster stood up, thanked the Councilors, and made her way back to the main office. Mirithea was already waiting for her, bag in hand.
"Dr. Lang," Mirithea said, in greeting, "I am Ms. Ka'li Shaana, your assistant. I am happy to make your acquaintance."
"Nice to meet you," She said, assuming her role as Dr. Lang.
"Are you all set?" Ms. Ka'li Shanna asked, smiling. "I have made some reservations for you. I do hope they are to your liking."
"Lead the way, Ms. Ka'li," Dr. Lang replied, following her.