[center][h1]Mass Effect: What Came After[/h1]
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Blake finally had a break in her case. Spending upwards to three months following a particular set of presumed gang activity, she was convinced this was bigger than the Reds or the Back Alley Gentlemen.

The news of the Reapers, and the legendary feats of Commander Shepard’s deeds, had spread throughout Earth. Alliance activity had been picking up while space docks worked day and night to output more ships to the fleets patrolling the Sol system. An increase of protests of Alliance military brutality was on the rise as well. It was silly really. Blake was a part of the task force that vetted the Citizens United group. Their mission was to challenge the recently instated Alliance policies that infringed on some human rights. Humanity, the universe, was at war. Why the protestors couldn’t see the necessity of the limitations on rights astounded her. Luckily, the protest didn't escalate to violence. Things like that were ill tolerated. 

Showing her badge to a guard at the Alliance London Military Headquarters, Blake strolled right on in. Her uniform matched that of the Alliance military personnel. The only distinction was instead of the Alliance military sign, a silver shield with three stars underneath it took its place. The mark of the law enforcement branch.

Walking up to the reception desk, Blake stood patiently until the receptionist looked up. “Appointment?”

“Agent Bellastrum here to see Commander Shepard.”

The receptionist typed away at her screen. “The Commander isn’t seeing anyone. Honestly, if you--” The woman grew silent as she looked at her screen again. She grunted. “DID. I’m surprised a blue’s allowed in here. I suppose we’re all fighting on the same side. Take the elevator to the sixth floor. Here’s the Commander’s room number.”

Blake wanted to smack the woman but thought better of it. It took significant pull to arrange the meeting with the Commander. Cerberus was the prime suspect in her investigation so far. She needed an expert to piece together and validate their MO. Ensure she had enough to go on to start coming up with a direct intervention protocol. The organization was as tangible as mist. There was barely anything on them. Her only concrete source was the woman she was about to meet. 

Giving the receptionist a forced reply, Blake went and entered the elevator and pressed the button for the sixth floor. Once she was on the sixth floor, she prowled about until she came upon the Commander’s door. Pushing down the unfamiliar sensation of nervousness that filled her, she pressed the call button to the side of the door controls. 

“Commander Shepard,” she said into the intercom above the call button, “Agent Bellastrum. I’m your 1500 appointment. Whenever you’re ready.”