** 3rd POV **
While Garrus was on vacation, Nihlus continued his investigation into Udina and his ties to the A.I and Cerberus. Due to the urgency of the investigation, the Council assigned John Shepard to help. Not that Nihlus needed help.
Nihlus had everything under control. Everything was going according to plan. John would only hinder him.
They couldn't afford for the human Spectre to step in and ruin all the planning they've done. But Nihlus knew he had to give him something to keep him out of the way.
"Nihlus," John greeted as he knocked on the doorway to get Nihlus's attention. "Can I come in?"
Nihlus glanced at him and gave him a small nod.
"The Council gave me instructions to help with the investigation," John said, shrugging apologetically. "Sorry for the inconvenience."
"Orders are orders," Nihlus muttered, putting together the final data files he needed.
John chuckled nervously. He cleared his throat.
"What have you found?" John asked as he took the liberty of sitting in the chair in front of Nihlus's desk.
"Plenty," Nihlus replied, typing on his console.
John waited for him to elaborate.
"I'm supposed to help," John began.
"I'm aware," Nihlus stated, continuing his work.
Nihlus kept his annoyance in check the best he could. He had to remind himself that John was only following orders.
"Is there a reason why the investigation is taking so long?" John questioned. "I was under the impression that the investigation was all but done."
Nihlus counted to three.
"You must be new," Nihlus commented. "Only a fool would rush an investigation against a human Ambassador. The anti-human group would revolt."
John kept his comments to himself. He admitted he hadn't thought about the implications.
Nihlus continued working, thankful for the silence.
"I'm not the enemy," John stated. "I can help you. If you let me."
Nihlus glanced at him before going back to his work. "I didn't say you were. But I don't think you know what you're doing.
"Are you sure you're suited for being a Spectre?"
John clenched his jaw in anger. Aster had always been the diplomatic one behind the scenes. In front of a seasoned Spectre, John was a greenhorn.
The only reason John wasn't exploding in anger was that he had heard rumors that Nihlus was looking to clear Aster's name. If those rumors were true, he wanted to help Nihlus.
Clearing Aster's name was more important to him than his ego.
"Rumors are going around about your investigation," John hinted. "Something about clearing Aster's name."
Nihlus stayed silent.
"I will help you in any way I can," John added. "Whatever story you're going to feed the Council, I'll back you up."
"I don't have a story," Nihlus corrected him. "I have evidence."
"Is that evidence fabricated?" John asked, assuming that it had to be.
Nihlus scoffed. "I don't need to fabricate anything. I have enough evidence to condemn the people involved."
"You make it seem like it's more than one person involved," John smiled.
"It is," Nihlus agreed. "You know one of the personally."
John was speechless. He was under the impression it was just Udina. Who else could it be?
"Your new mother is the mastermind behind everything," Nihlus carefully said. "She's the reason Udina targeted Aster."
"I-Impossible," John stammered. "How?"
"She's involved, but we don't have solid evidence," Nihlus explained. "It'll take too long to find it. Udina being the main culprit suits the Council better."
"Don't tell me you're going to let her get away with it?!" John exclaimed.
"Of course not," Nihlus said. "First, we need to clear Aster's name. Then the informant can make their move against Dr. Chakwas."
"Informant?" John asked, confused. "You have someone inside Cerberus keeping a tab on Dr. Chakwas?"
"An unexpected ally," John replied. "After the Cerberus attack, I started receiving anonymous tips. Everything I was given led to clues connecting Udina to Juxhi. Then I started receiving information on the Benefactor; all the evidence points to Dr. Susan. Or rather Dr. Chakwas.
"They are the same person."
"I can't believe it," John gasped. "Why? What's the reason?"
Nihlus sat back in his chair. "She's anti-alien. She doesn't agree with the rules, and we have reason to believe she is behind the creation of Cerberus."
John nodded. "I don't see her as my mother. She is the woman my adopted father married. Besides, Aster is my sister. As a big brother, it's my job to look out for her.
"That woman deserves to be punished for going against the Council and their rules."
"We'll present our findings in a few hours," Nihlus informed him. "After Aster is cleared, I'll send you the coordinates for finding Dr. Susan. You can take all the credit."
Nihlus sent a quick message to Garrus, summoning him back to the Citadel.
John nodded and sat back in the chair as Nihlus continued his work.
*
"Is there anything else you want to add?" Councilor Valern asked the Spectres in front of him.
"That's all the information we have," John replied, going through the data files. "It came as an anonymous tip. I had my best tech expert take a look at it, and everything checks out."
"So Udina was in league with Cerberus all this time," Councilor Tevos commented. "Dr. Chakwas coordinated all his actions behind the scenes. They wanted Captain Shepard to be taken and for the A.I to be implanted. After branding her as a traitor, they knew we would want to question her. Once she was in our custody, Cerberus would attack and take her from us."
"What about Councilor Sparatus and Garrus Vakarian?" Councilor Valern asked.
"Their actions are being investigated," Nihlus replied. "We know they weren't directly involved and just manipulated by false evidence."
"No one thought that Councilor Udina would be anti-alien," John said. "I don't think the Councilor or Spectre Vakarian knew they were being manipulated. From my interactions with Spectre Vakarian, I got the feeling that he just wanted to keep Captain Shepard safe until he figured it all out."
"I don't think they should be reprimanded," John continued. "We all trusted Councilor Udina."
"Thank you for your input," Councilor Tevos said. "Wait in the waiting area until you're called. Councilor Valern and I must decide."
John and Nihlus thanked the Councilors and waited in the waiting area.