Chapter 145: Tell Me

=== Summary ===
Shepard finds herself on the Crucible, speaking to The Illusive Man. When Shepard tells him how unhelpful he is, The Illusive Man replies that she hates just being handed answers unless she has first asked a question. She realizes as they talk that she suddenly knows his name- his real name, but she’s not sure how. The Illusive Man tells her that he doesn’t believe in human supremacy per se- rather that humanity is better placed to utilize the potential between synthetic and organic, and that he was successful. Finally, Shepard asks him to tell her what is going on.
Viatrix is missing her mama, and Hanna is trying to soothe her. Shepard “calls” her mother and Viatrix over to her before having a seizure. Dr. Chakwas is called, and manages to stop the seizing before calling Garrus to tell him to return immediately. She is interrupted by Shepard herself, raspingly calling for Garrus.
As Garrus tries to address her, time seems to stop- no, time DOES stop. Shepard is standing in front of him, looking far more healthy than she has in a long time, and the timestamp on the video is paused. She tells him that she has come to say goodbye, but he seems to be in trouble. Garrus breaks down, and finally tells her about his hunt for the Marquis, and that he has taken Solana and Khonine hostage. She is angry that he kept this from her; she reminds him that she could have helped him and that if she had known he was alive she wouldn’t have had to wonder. When Garrus tells Shepard about the Marquis’ demands, she tells him that he can’t hurt her any more than she is already hurting- let her do this one last thing for him. Liara calls Garrus with the news that she has the Marquis’ address on Bekenstein, and a plan starts to form.
Early in the morning Solana and Khonine are ready to implement their plan- Solana has almost gotten the pipe she is attached to loose. Khonine will draw their captor’s ire and Solana will attack him once distracted. They must implement their plan now- waiting any long and Khonine might not have the strength to hold out long enough to do what must be done.
=== Title Meaning ===
"Tell Me" is Shepard's demand. Garrus must finally confess all of what he has been hiding.
=== Easter Eggs ===
==== Discord Highlights ====
Inspiration from French chanteuses, the deep and abiding desire to do a Ctrl+F in real life, and stomping around waving the art flag.