Mads couldn't believe how Turian spoke to the Council. This was supposed to be his commanding officer. Hard to respect a man who doesn't respect the chain of command. But once the councilors started discussing the Genophage, they had his full attention. Mads had heard rumors in STG about the genophage, nothing concrete, but that was STGs job, protecting the dirty secrets. But Skal'kus that was interesting thought....

"Mads Tao and Pai Min I want a report on everything you can find about Skal'kus and the STG garrison there. We need to find out if they are capable of defending themselves."

[i]STG not capable I highly doubt it[/i] the salarian thought, but "Yes sir," was response he gave.

While on assignment in Krogan space there team would occasionally return to council space for shore leave. However instead of returning to salarian space, the citadel, or one resort worlds, there crew founds themselves visiting smaller out of the way worlds, or places with less watchful eyes like Illium or Omega. The crew knew it was a way for the commanding officer to pass data or evidence under the radar. 

Skal'kus was one of these stops 4 years ago, 2 week shore leave, uneventful. Small garden planet with only one small city serving as space port and refueling center for for the iridium mining on two of the moons. A majority of the planets surface is covered by water but the capital sits on the largest continent on the coast and only small farming settlements dot the landscape.

"I thought we would get to see the ship before we'd have to work. Where do you think we should start," the woman asked as the Crew began to disperse.

"Well I have contacts in STG, more likely to be loose liped without, mixed company."

"If you say so, maybe there will be time to see the ship after all," she turned and walked away with a Smirk on her face. 

Solan was waiting outside the chamber, just the man Mads wanted to see. "Interesting crew," the captain said as he shook his hand, "I'm sure your assignment must be an interesting one. They cut vid stream before the interesting part."

"Actually I have something to ask you. Let's go back to my apartment."

---

"Skal'kus?" The captain repeated, "Unremarkable. Only been there when we stopped for shore leave."

"Me too, when Pammon Yun was command. Our first two days I didn't see him at all. " 

"Intel drop." 

"At an STG facility," Mads smiled.

"Never heard of one on Skal'kus--"

Mads interrupted "-The KRUC has, they believe that's where we're developing the genophage."
 
"Our last mission before shore leave Yun and I collected Krogan tissue samples we left for salarian space and arrived at Skal'kus only 36 hours after, could have easily been the drop and tissues would have remained intact."

"Well my friend it looks like I'll be placing a call to Pammon Yun, but have little time, Normandy departs soon and and Galen wants a report on Skal'kus. Thank you again." The two embraced then the captain left. Mads placed a call at his communications terminal to Pammon Yun...

---

"Skal'kus eh, it was only mistake we went there. Discovered a strange anomaly in Krogan blood, contacted STG command. Required further examination. Drop arraigned on Skal'kus"

"Where was the drop?"

"Took shuttle to STG compound. Small island chain, small research center, small staff lead by Biology specialist Dr. Egan Larus was my drop contact" Yun said.

"And what was the facility working on?" Tao asked

"STG Black ops. Need to know only, couldn't tell you more even if I knew"

"What about a location, not listed in STG files"

"For the newest Salarian Spectre, uploading coordinates. Small isolated archipelago in the southern continent just a couple small buildings and shuttle landing pad. Good luck with your mission Spectre what ever it may be."

"Thank you sir"

Mads ended the call and began to gather the personal effects new gun and armor. And with a travel case in one hand and a briefing for Galen in the other Mads headed to the Normandy's dock. He arrived at the elevator that lead to the docking pad and he saw Pai Min was walking from the other direction and greeted him when they met at the elevator.

"Turn up anything on Skal'kus?" He asked the human woman interested to see who he was going to be working with.