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[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dr. Tolus ran preliminary analyses on the samples brought back by the warehouse team and found they matched the results of those done on the samples brought back from the club. His heart sank.  He knew something was very wrong.  He began pacing around the lab.

 

“These prions strange. Origin mystery. Simulations show they lay dormant in brain tissue. Do nothing. But why? Why infect population without purpose? Unless…. Yes!”

 

VERA had finished running the simulations using the prions with the subsonics and electromagnetics. “Dr. Tolus. I have the results you were asking for. The prions become active when subjected to electromagnetic and subsonic frequencies. The prions then interact with the limbic system causing the infected person to become pliable to suggestion. Our team recorded parts of the music played and I isolated subliminal messages therein.

 

“The reaper gods will return soon. Spread the seeds and prepare for ascension. Those who resist must be destroyed.

 

“I have correlated this with a study brought back from Virmire by Commander Shepard. The study was performed by Dr. Rana Thanoptis under direction of deceased Spectre Saren Arterius.  They did not make the connection with the prions. We did.”

 

“Excellent! Good work, VERA.” Dr. Tolus was proud of their work.

 

“Doctor,” VERA said in a very saddened tone, “It would appear that 80% of that section of the station is indoctrinated, and considering the rapid spread, it will consume the rest within 48 hours. There is no cure.”

 

Dr. Tolus was puzzled by VERA. It appears to regret its discovery. Perhaps it understands something about the consequences? No. Still an AI. Still a machine. All tech. No soul. *sigh* Must make report to Spectre.

[Redbelle]

Jess felt her lips peel back as she walked Priss backwards along the deck plates. Then, giving a light shove, pushed Priss down onto the bed. "It's not like there aren't people I know out there already who end up on the wrong side of me time to time.....". She said as she planted a knee on the bedside and crawled up to follow Priss who was wiggling her up on her elbows to make space. "....That's business. My business is simple. I still need crew. And I need someone who knows how to make a deal.... how to be someone who want's someone else to make a deal. Most of my crew are people I swiped off the dock we bust out of. And it's looking like we'll have to go back. I can smooth over the ruffled feathers. Especially with that other ship as a prize. But when we get back and offload the dock workers we'll be severely understaffed again unless I can find others..... And if one of those other's happens to be someone who can be very persuasive....". She raised a hand and ran it over the tip of Priss's nose. "I need crew luv. And I need crew who want to stay. Some of the people have their own reasons but..... I'm to busy to provide much incentive myself these days..... If I can wrangle it, would you be interested in signing on with the Medusa"?

[Cainhurst Crow]

((Collab between SJ and JB ))

 

Essul had been walking to try and clear his thoughts before he tried to meet with naleena, hoping she wasn't occupied so they could go after what had been found. He didn't like the situation on omega, and it honestly made his skin crawl a bit. He walked the halls of the Janiri, giving a nod to some of the crewmen as they passed, but rarely bumping into another soul.

 

'Alone in a hallway, on a ship that serves as my new home, with a crew I've barely interacted with and docked at a station that seems on the edge of disaster...' He thought to himself breifly as he made his way into his quarters. He opened his door and walked to his desk, pulling out a dose of his medication as he brought the injection to his neck and shot it in. The station was in bad shape, even before the crazy cult drugging its own people came along. It was neglected, poorly managed, and lawless, the type of place essul hated most of all.

 

And the more they stayed here, the more essul felt like he was staring down a cliff into the sea, liable to fall at any minute by the change of the wind or rock below. Essul didn't like change, least of all sudden and unpredictable change like this station thrived upon.

 

It was in this moment as essul set down his injection that he got a message on his omnitool, curiously looking to it. It was from Nyreen, and as he opened it, a cold and icy feeling suddenly exploded in his chest.

 

[It is worse than we thought. They are going to attempt to take over the station and wait for ascension from their ‘gods.’ Arms shipments are arriving soon.]

 

The words he read over and over as he stood still, trying to understand the new change in situation. Chemicals in the food, drugs to dull the mind, a new boost of membership and a wide spread of food distribution, highly charged xenophobic messages reaching a large audience, a weapon shipment coming in to the situation, and a part of the station that was suffering loss of power for a long time, and that aria lacked proper eyes on.

 

It all seemed to click together. This wasn't some cult trying to push off all the humans from their territory. This was a coup, and it was a coup he'd been witnessing winning the preliminaries of its war left and right throughout the mission.

 

Essul got on his omnitool, and at the same time began to jog out of his room, the jog becoming a run, and than a full sprint. He needed to move, He needed to be doing something, anything, right now. He needed to think. He needed to...

 

He had to press send on his message, as he typed frantically and sent it to Naleena's omnitool, the message devoid of the usual calm tone and proper grammar of his usual messages.

 

[Preachers group is getting weapons. Omega in danger. Aria losing coup war. Cult "Gods" want Ascend Them. Briefing Room now please.]

Essul came to the elevator, pressing it as he waited for it to arrive, fingers tapping on his thigh as he remembered something, or someone, who could help.

 

"VERA!! I know at least part of is listening to this. I need you to contact everyone. The cult we investigated is planning on arming its members, and they've been giving people laced food and drugs to get them ready, and that we need to be ready. Tell them I'm going to be in the debriefing room, and that we need to get together and plan this now!" he said as the elevator arrived, essul rushing in as he went to the floor the debriefing room was on.

 

"I will alert the boss," VERA replied. "She is currently in a meeting with Detective Hagen from C-sec. Dr. Tolus is also waiting to see her."

 

"Good. Maybe the doctor can tell us what the hell this protien is they've been giving people..." Essul said almost as an after thought. He'd heard that Naleena was in a meeting, and didn't need to hear the rest. He was going to the debriefing room and making sure they didn't get caught off guard, not a second time.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

OMEGA – Aria’s Private Office

 

Aria sat alone in her darkened office, papers and data pads strewn on her desk. Not that it was light in there anyway. The walls were a dark green with walnut colored wainscoting. Her brass desk lamp directly lit her work area. She had a glass of Serrice Ice Brandy she sipped while conducting business. Or in this case pleasure.

 

The four interested parties had responded to Aria’s counter offer for mining rights in the sector. With the money she would receive, she would provide protection from pirates plus make a very tidy profit. Miners would be frequenting Omega and spending their money on drugs, alcohol and sex, adding to her coffers. What concerned her was that when the very rich came in they usually brought their own private security and took over things. With the Blue Suns, Blood Pack, and Eclipse devastated from the recent plague, that left only the Talons, and there was bad blood now between her and the Talon leader.

 

Nyreen wanted more done for the people of Omega, but couldn’t she see that? Aria had put up with the overcrowding , taking care of the people and making sure the displaced weren’t hungry. Naleena said it would be good public relations and raise her status in the eyes of the general populace of Omega. The Queen took care of her subjects.

 

But the old money of the galaxy along with the nouveau riche Ashland and Elkoss wanted a piece of the sector, and a bidding war was under way: each party worth trillions of credits. Aria knew what she was sitting on, and she wasn’t going to let go cheaply. The money from this would repair the fusion reactor, and she could get rid of the rabble that was crowding the halls.

 

Griss knocked on the door to her private office.

 

“What is it?” Aria asked in an annoyed tone.

 

“I have a report from the warehouse district,” Griss replied.

 

Aria unlocked the door. “Enter. Leave the report on my desk and leave. I’m in the middle of negotiations.”

 

Griss bowed his head to one side. “With all due respect, I need to speak with you.”

 

“Excuse me, Mr. Ashland. I need to put you on hold. Something urgent has come up in the club. I’ll only be a moment,” Aria said and put Ashland on hold. “What is it Griss?”

 

“That preacher you sent up? He’s got quite a following. ‘The Mission’ they call it. Thousands of people follow him,” Griss said.

 

“What?!”

 

“I think he set up food lines. Then started preachin’ to them. They put a big show on in warehouses. It’s like a cult with xenophobic messages.”

 

Aria’s brow furrowed between her eyes. “How far has it spread?”

 

“We ran into Nyreen.”

 

“How is she, and what was she doing there?”

 

“She heard about our missing teams, and decided to take a look. Our teams joined the cult. Nyreen insisted we make a flyby of the section of the station,” Griss said with his hands outstretched. “I’m tellin’ you. It’s all over the place. Nyreen had us drop her off where she was meeting her Talon shuttle.”

 

“What about Naleena’s team?”

 

“They’re back on the ship. Something about getting samples analyzed.”

 

“Let me know as soon as Naleena shows up. Goddess this is just what I need right now!” Aria said, putting her head between her hands. “Go on. Get out of here. I’ve got to talk to Ashland and act like nothing is happening.”

 

As they were speaking, the Normandy SR-2 departed. Most of Shepard's team found transportation elsewhere in the galaxy. A couple stayed on.

[Kel Riever]

“Well, it sure looks as if you remember what I like,” Miss Priss said, giggling.  “Oh, right, and then you’re talking about staying with ya’all.”  She finished wriggling away, and flipped over onto her stomach.  By this point, Priss was two-thirds of the way out of her suit, the remainder still hugging her legs just above the thighs.  Though visible only from the back, it was evident all she wore under her suit was a pink lace push-up bra and matching thong panties. “I can’t lie, and say I don’t want it, but I’m a fool if you don’t tell me all about the remuneration.  And I can’t leave my friends behind.  They’ll probably come along but it’s only polite to ask them.  That’s Mister Charles and Miss Dila, by the way.  We work better together as it is, so I can tell you it’ll be worth your while.  The rest I don’t know and I’ll leave it up to you.”  Priss threw a playful glance at Jess over her shoulder, then she frowned.  “Morgan, are you teasing me by staying back there?”

Morgan sighed, came over to the bed, and lay down next to the other two on his back, still in his suit and clothes.  “I just want to make sure nothing else is needed if I’m going off the clock here.  As an aside, it was somebody’s good idea to make sure I was…let’s put it this way, maybe now that you know we’re around, it’s best if we can cut a deal for you three at a minimum, and the rest if the Captain deems it necessary.  No doubt there’s a need for other hands, as long as they can be trusted.”

Activating his omni-tool, Morgan typed a message to Dahlia:

D-Light, if you need something from the Captain, say so now as this negotiation might ‘take some time’

Morgan jerked suddenly as he felt a hand grab between his legs.

Priss was smiling at him, and though Jess was over her, she focused on him for a minute.  “I know you’re typing a message to that little asari thing on the bridge.  Can’t say there’s a part of me feels lost with Miss Shiana gone.  You and Jess were with me, you know how it was.  Something like that doesn’t come back so quick.”

“I’m making sure there aren’t any loose ends,” Morgan said with a soft voice.  “Things have to keep running around here, and if it’s got to be me or the Captain watching over things, I’d rather Jess have the break.”

“And they say chivalry is dead,” Priss remarked, laying her head down sideways.  “I ain’t gonna be between anyone’s job, but there’s a lot of things people need sometimes, and you gotta break through the veil to get what you want.  Dontcha think that little thing’s got it all under control on that bridge?”

For the second time, Morgan realized the little bird that had been following him around was gone.  He thought it had come up on the lift with him but was he wrong? “It’s just about keeping…”

Another sensation from between Morgan’s legs shut him up.  Miss Priss had an unapologetically guilty expression on her face.

“That little encounter back on Duellos left its mark on me,” Priss cooed, “I can’t shake it, and I feel like it’s more important to go along with you since then.  My heart’s all there, Jess and Morgan, and we all need a job.  You better believe we can do it, too.  But my head might need a bit more comfort.  Maybe somebody’s got to make me say, ‘Yes.’ ”

[Kel Riever]

Molly was looking down at her omni-tool and almost ran into the batarian on the other side of the conference room door as she exited.  She had a start, partially from the surprise and partially from the topic of the conversation she had.

“Excuse me,” Hagen said, her weary eyes peering up at the batarian who was more than a quarter of a meter taller than she.  The image of Iyana was still displayed from the small viewscreen of the detective’s omni-tool.  She reached down to deactivate the tool as soon as her reaction had passed.  Molly stepped aside to make room.

[Redbelle]

Jess smiled and rolled over to lean her head on her hand as she reclined. "I'll take all of you, if I can". She added. "Needs must after all".

 

Her hand reached up and took hold of the faster on the front of her outfit. She slowly dragged it down, revealing more of her dark skin to the two in front of her. "Given our past.... association.... and what happened on Duellos with those Aspirants, I'm prepared to look at this as a desperation move to get enough credits together to get your lives back on track. And survivors tend to stick together. If there is any trouble back at dock that story will prove a good fallback.....  But I'd rather it not known you were crewing for that other ship at all.....". She thought as her hand stopped pulling. Started playing with the fastener instead.

 

"Morgan..... You know who was on the boarding party. I'd like you to sound out if they'd feel okay about swearing that there were no survivors on that derelict. Our computer systems have been spotty.... our personnel files not kept up to record, especially since we've been run ragged just trying to get the ship to fly. Surely we must have overlooked a few people coming aboard. Dogger and Sherie for two. I wonder....". Jess looked to Priss. "....If there weren't a few more".

 

Taking her hand away from her fastener, Jess took Priss's jawline and gently brought her to look directly into her eye's as Jess bowed till her lips were close to her's. "As for the benefit's..... Standard share of one share per crew. Plus one for the ship to cover it's costs. But I'm sure with your talent's you could find a way to boost that. Understand, if you crew for me, I'll be your captain. I will look out for those under me and I'll expect you to learn things you maybe never thought you could never do. This here ship is my home. It's crew my family. And don't doubt....". Jess said with a glint in her eye. "....I could bring you to scream yes more than once up here with a finger till your body caved in. But I don't beg. If you want to join me and mine, you'll say your mine. And you'll be mine till you say otherwise".

 

Jess's breath was hot on her chin, and ragged as the proximity between the two radiated energy as Jess's hand slid off and up, over Priss's body to slide a hand over the small of her back, going around and then flipping her over so she was laying down again. "I won't lie either. I'd like you on this crew. But I can't force you. But I need people who know the stakes of the game we play and know enough to get them and the person next to them through to the winning line. How about it luv..... You and yours want a spot on the Medusa"?

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena's head was swimming a little from the ambrosia on an empty stomach and had left to get something to eat in the wardroom. Her omni-tool flashed with communications from both VERA and Dr. Tolus. She read both of them, and turned around. She saw Molly run into Essul at the entrance to the conference room.

 

Essul didn't see her and entered the room.

 

"Molly!" Naleena said in a louder than normal voice. "I just received a communication from my team. The situation on Omega is unstable. I'm about to debrief my teams and hear a report from the lab."

 

"I was just leaving to clean up a bit and then return," Molly replied.

 

Naleena smiled. "Use our facilities on deck 3."

 

As they spoke Jenus and Iole had gone to the main airlock to relieve Mira and Tallis, and the two commandos who had been standing guard were passing by.

 

"Mira, this is Detective Hagen from C-sec. She is a guest on the ship. Would you be so kind as to escort her to the women's facilities, and stay with her?" Naleena said emphasizing women's because Asari commandos were not particular as were members of other species. "I'm sorry, Molly, you will need an escort. All visitors do."

 

Naleena told Essul she was going to the wardroom to get something to eat, and contacted the team for a meeting in conference room in 20 minutes.

 

***

 

Dr. Tolus' assistant, Tony, spoke to Frank with the results of his tests. "You were very lucky. The Royal Special contained some pretty vile stuff for humans - It was a combination of Asari Amber, Liquid Turian, and Krogan Ryncol. You're lucky you're still alive. You probably would have been alright with just the Asari Amber and the small amount of Ryncol. I knew an Alliance grunt who drank a Liquid Turian on a dare once. No one came out of that looking pretty. So here's the doc's prescription. Take one of these every six hours for nausea. You're okay now. And no alcoholic beverages,  greasy or spicy foods for two weeks - here's your diet - it's been forwarded to the kitchen.

 

Steamed chicken and white rice

Nutritional shake #3 with fiber

[Kel Riever]

“I trust Miss Priss in a business transaction that she can speak for her two companions,” Morgan said, checking if Dahlia had gotten his message yet.  “The other unknowns, I’ll have to judge for myself.”

Even Priss was blushing.  Her own breath was soft as her eyes couldn’t leave Jess.  “You pay the other no-names with enough shut up money, and nobody will even know to come looking to ask them, if you don’t want to take ‘em on, I can make sure of that.”

On her back, Priss was captivated.  She leaned up on her elbows.  “The pay sounds right to me, and I like working under someone who’s in charge, who’s got my better interests in mind.  You wouldn’t have to beg from me, I’d get a pleasure out of begging for you.  I’m all yours if you want me, and if the stakes are high.  ‘Cause I like high stakes.  I ain’t interested in the small time anymore.”

Priss’ long lashes batted now in both trepidation and excitement.  Her eyes rolled slowly towards Morgan and then back to Jess.  “But you don’t gotta lie to me, you know.  When you say you can’t force me and you know damn well you can.  Sometimes you gotta just take something that wants being taken, and that don’t happen with just words.”

[Redbelle]

Jess looked over to Morgan and winked. Then rolled atop Priss and pinned her hands to the mattress in a move that happened in a flash.

 

"Your hired". She growled. Teeth bared as she leaned in to smell the scent of the other under her. "You and your friends, if their willing. But if your holding out for a signing on bonus, well.....". She pulled back just enough to look into the others eye's. "..... Let's see if I can't give you some....extra incentive".

 

Jess's mouth came down ruthlessly on Priss's as she held the other immobile. Unable to do much more than squirm as Jess spent the time to wrench Priss into a tongue fueled, soul devouring kiss. Her own garment's flew off along with Priss's somewhere along the line and as the cover's became crumpled, Jess began making good on making Priss scream out in affirmatives as she bent to her task.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia saw Morgan's message. She rolled her eyes knowing what type of "negotiations" were going on. She left her station and told her understudy to take over, and walked over and sat in the captain's chair. If Jess wanted her to have the conn, that's where she needed to be. The chair was much more comfortable than her station chair, and she liked the view, even though she knew it was only temporary. She keyed a reply into her omni-tool. "Thank you, Morgan. I have the conn."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina sat alone in her quarters throwing a ball against the floor, off the wall, and catching it with a blank look on her face. The events in the bar haunted her. Another f*cking cult? What the hell is happening in this God forsaken galaxy? Apparently things still weren't patched up with Anika either. She tried, and the b*tch just continues to ignore me. I guess she just doesn't like my ways. Well, f*ck her then. I've got her back in a fight, but that's all. The message came over her omni-tool to report to the conference room. She threw the ball hard against the wall, and stood.

 

We're f*cked! I just know it. I know what the lab is going to report. It's bad. Just like Duellos. Save the people or save the structure. Military assets always take priority. People can be replaced especially in a sh*thole like this. I know the doctrine all too well. At least Zenon is safe. I was able to do that.

 

She threw her vest on over her tank top, walked out the door, and headed up to the conference room. She ran into Tallis on her way up.

 

"Hey Tallis, have you seen Jenus around?" Irina asked.

 

"Guard duty. Guard duty with Iole." Tallis replied and pointed toward the bow of the ship.

 

"Okay, where you headed?"

 

Tallis yawned and made a sleeping motion with her hands. "Rack time..... rack time."

 

"Have you heard anything? Any news from the others?"

 

Tallis shook her head indicating "no."

 

"Alright, get some rest." Irina said, patted Tallis on the shoulder, and went on her way.

 

When she arrived in the conference room Dr. Tolus, Essul, Naleena, and the rest of the team were there.... but where was Frank?

[Kel Riever]

Molly watched the Spectre’s team members pass by as she was led down the hall by the asari Commando named Mira.

“I need to get a com out to C-Sec, by buoy, before I take a break.  Nothing that needs to be hidden from anyone on this ship.”

Mira seemed uncertain.  “I am only authorized…”

“Detective Hagen has been cleared for sending the communication,” VERA’s voice sounded from an overhead speaker.

Both Mira and Molly looked up.

“Fine,” Mira agreed.  “There’s a terminal this way.”

Hagen typed away at a message to her C-Sec captain while Mira stood by.  She couldn’t reveal anything the Spectre had said was a secret, but she didn’t need to.  All the captain needed to know was that following Morgan’s trail had led her to a discussion with the Spectre and that the conversation pointed to Iyana as the Shadow Broker handler that needed to be hunted down.  With a proofread to make sure nothing sensitive was given away, Molly added her requests for information, a small team to help her investigation at Citadel Security, and some time to continue her questioning until she was complete. 

“There we go,” Hagen remarked with some satisfaction.  “Now I really need to get myself sorted out.”

Mira brought Hagen to the showers, and pointed out where everything was that she’d needed.  Given the condition of the detective’s raincoat, the Commando also offered her a chance to have a crewmember press it, clean it, and assured her that it would be ready when she was done washing.  Hagen agreed, removing her articles from her most traveled article of clothing, and sent it with Mira.

Forty-five minutes later, Molly was a different woman.  She didn’t pull her hair back this time, and let it fall neatly.  Her coat was waiting for her just outside the stalls, still warm from the cleaning.  It felt good as she slipped it on again over the armor, and repopulated its pockets with her items.  Once again, lip balm finished off the simple and clean look the detective favored, and when she stepped out into the Janiris’ passageway, Mira was gone but the asari crewmember that brought her coat back was waiting.

“The Spectre is still in conference as is the team.  Come with me to a waiting area.  You’ll have access to the extranet and we can bring you something to eat.”

Molly followed the crewmember into what was, by any standards, a small but elegant view room with a portal on the starboard side.  Omega’s spear-like downward spires, cast in red light, reminded her of something ancient and akin to war.  Still, to see it from the safety of a comfortable room gave it a different feel.  Two other crewmembers were on break here, keeping to themselves and sitting at computer terminals, surfing or catching up on messages.

Hagen’s guide left with the promise of bringing her something hot to drink and a snack.  The detective nodded and thought about where to go with her case.  It was only a few minutes later that the comfortable chair she was in was too much to resist and Molly fell asleep.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Janiri - Conference Room

 

Naleena signaled to Dr. Tolus to begin the meeting with his report, and she noticed Essul squirming in his seat. He wanted to speak, but didn’t want to interrupt the doctor.

 

Dr. Tolus presented his findings to the group. The reaction was pretty much shock.

 

VERA interrupted the doctor with an update on the indoctrination projection.

 

Naleena recorded the full report on her datapad. She turned to Essul. “You were the one who requested the meeting. Tell us what you found out.”

 

Essul stood, a solemn look on his face as he looked between his fellow squad members. "During our investigation of the preacher's activity, we encountered a woman named Nyreen, who was also investigating this movements activities independently from Aria's orders. The church has been supplying food laced with a mental degredation drug, and have been using the music to brainwash their follows, as the good doctor said..." He said as he gave a nod of his head to Dr Tolus.

 

He seemed to take in a breath before he continued, tense as he spoke to the group, "I received a message from Nyreen a short while ago. She has uncovered that this group has now begun efforts to smuggle in weapons in order to arm the group, and to prepare for the ascension by their new gods..." he said as he let the implication of his words sink in with with they'd been informed about earlier.

 

"Given what he know, we cannot let this happen. We cannot let this group get hold of any weapon shipments, and if not that...we cannot let them take over the station. This group is obviously being used by a larger force at work. If they take over, they will not doubt launch purges of humans or human sympathetic races. Krogan and Vorcha included...but I am doubtful they will stop there. And I will not stand back as thousands of lives are left to die because of one well spoken pawn..." he said, fist clenching and eyes narrowing at that part, looking around the room as if to search for anyone who might dare disagree with that sentiment.

 

Naleena for once felt helpless. "Essul, I agree with you, however, I don't think there is much we can do. There are gangs all over that section of the station and they are well armed already. What Nyreen must be warning about is heavier arms," she said, "With the demise of the main merc groups on the station from the plague earlier this year, the only mercs standing in their way are the Talons. I must alert Aria and we must send for outside assistance. Assistance that will in all likelihood arrive too late."

 

"The boss is right," VERA said. "You would be overrun by sheer numbers. There are thousands of people they could send at you. Even if you made our stand at the choke point, you would run out of thermal clips before you reduced their numbers significantly."

 

"My kingdom for a Lancer right now," Irina said.

 

"Nor do we have the resources to evacuate the station, and I cannot imagine that Aria will let the station fall. She said she knows some secrets about this place that she hasn't told anyone," Naleena said, "I must speak with Aria immediately. Everyone, stay on board the ship until further notice. Team dismissed. VERA, load the Essul's report onto my datapad."

 

"Yes, Boss."

 

Naleena left the room. She had what she needed to see Aria, and it was grave.

[Cknarf]

Janiri Armory

 

"Ooh gah ma omi too?" Frank mumbled, with a hunk of chicken clenched between his teeth, as he pulled on the lower parts of his white armor.  He didn't waste any time getting back into his usual duds.

 

Septerax just shook his head, and slid Frank's Savant onto the counter.

 

"I heard you had a little trouble with your Savant, so I looked into it.  Looks like the previous owner had disabled ECCMs for some odd reason."

 

"Mmmm." Frank nodded. Using a free hand, he pulled the chicken from his mouth. "Picked it up on the Citadel. Probably so it could pass for a civilian model." He bit into the chicken again, and began sliding his chestplate on.

 

"I doubt it would pass either way, to be honest. It's rather obvious what this is..."

 

Frank just shrugged. He fastened the rest of his upper-body armor.

 

"I'm heading back up to the lounge." He shoved the rest of the chicken into his mouth. "Gonna go get-" He chewed, and swallowed. "more of this stuff."

 

There's just so much space to fill...

 

"Here." Septerax held out Frank's usual helmet.

 

"Thanks." Frank placed it on his head, without latching it.  It would just get in the way of food. "Hey uh... I kinda lost my other one..."

 

"I've already located a replacement."

 

"You're a good man, Septerax." Frank smiled with a nod, before heading back towards the elevator. Septerax followed him a short distance before stopping.

 

"Glad you made it back in one piece, Eli."

 

Frank just nodded again, as the doors closed.

 

I always do.

[Cainhurst Crow]

((Mass Compilation Post))

 

Essul watched Naleena as she departed, continuing to stand as he looked around to the others, "Even if the odds are stacked against us, we cannot simply do nothing. There must be resources we can call upon, something to help..."

 

"What resources? The council? Out here in Terminus Space?" Vayne asked as he interrupted essul, looking both angry and grim as he spoke, his voice low as he spoke, "The big 3 merc bands who got their flanks kicked hard on this station? We already got the biggest resource of them all, and she's the one we're talking about protecting here." He said plainly, the situation looking more like a trench war with every new fact they raised.

 

"There has to be something more. Even if it's as small. Maybe researching how these protiens can be neutralized? Or find out whose pulling the strings?" Essul asked as he looked about the group. He had no contacts he could call in, but he'd seen this group pull through tough times before. He knew they could do it again.

 

"What? No. Wait, yes. Maybe. Would take time to commence trials. Even than, many attempts and trials. Too long to wait. Much longer than days..." Dr. Tolus informed the group, mulling over possible chemical combinations that might work against a dormant protien. Or a way to keep the subsonic frequencies from affecting the altered brains.

 

Arian had no idea what to think of Essul's report. It was hard to imagine that Omega was in danger. One of the most famous space stations in the galaxy, ruled by the pirate queen herself and the refuge for anyone who was involved in illegal activities was now threatened by a fanatic cult whose members were subliminally controlled by some sort of drug? If he hadn't been there himself Arian would not believe one word.

 

As usual he listened to the conversation from the background without saying anything but he was actually concerned. The thought of some cult taking over Omega made him cringe. If it was just another gang of mercenaries that tried to bring down Aria he wouldn't care at all but with these fanatics... There was no doubt that this wasn't going to end well, not after what Arian had seen in the warehouse. He agreed with Essul that something had to be done.

 

"What about the weapon shipments you mentioned?", Arian asked the batarian. "Theses cultists can't do much without them, can they? Maybe we should intercept them before they arrive on Omega."

 

Irina sat with her feet on the table surfing the extranet on her omni-tool. "Except for a few curly problems like identifying which ships are actually carrying weapons, that's a good idea. But we don't have the resources for it. This situation is enough to drive someone round the twist.

 

"But this? I'll admit it's out of my area of expertise. I just shoot things. I just hope the boss comes up with something."

 

"Trying to keep them from getting these weapons could help the situation. But that is something we will need to trust Aria to be capable of, her network could cover much more than we could..." Essul said as he kept up his frown, not liking their options. Most of them seemed to require Aria doing most of the work, and while he might have some respect for the strength of omega's matriarch, he did not share that confidence in her followers. They'd be the ones doing most of the work, not her, and they'd already lost to this cult once already.

 

Over all, the situation was looking worse and worse by the hour.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

OMEGA – Aria’s Office

 

Aria laughed. “Mr. Elkoss, you can’t be serious. Come back with a better offer.”

 

There was another knock on her door.

 

Aria was irritated. She’d been involved in these negotiations for hours and wanted to get back to the club. “Yes, what is it?”

 

“It’s me, Naleena.”

 

“It’s about time,” Aria said unlocking the door, “Come in.

 

“You wouldn’t believe the idiotic offers I’ve been receiving. These people think that I will sell this system cheaply. I know what’s here, Naleena. I know the strategic value of this system,” She continued. “So what do you have for me?”

 

Naleena tossed the data pads on her desk and sat in the chair across from her. She threw one leg over the other and watched as Aria studied the information.

 

Aria’s aura began to glow blue. A rage was building inside her and she picked up one of the data pads and threw it across the room smashing it against the wall. “No!” She screamed. “We’ll set up defenses on at the choke points. Wear them down, and fall back. The Talon mercs will help. I know they won’t let the station fall.”

 

Naleena shook her head. “VERA already ran the simulations. We’d run out of thermal clips before we made a dent."

 

Aria poured herself a drink and offered Naleena one. Naleena passed. She’d had enough and she knew it. It was a miracle Aria didn’t smell the alcohol on her as it was. Her com lit. It was Ashland.

 

Aria slammed down her drink. “I’ll bet that bastard has another offer. Excuse me while I take this.”

 

“Wait, maybe he could help us?” Naleena asked.

 

“Ashland? Are you kidding? We’re in negotiations. I don’t want to owe the person with whom I’m negotiating. It’s bad business.”

 

“We don’t have time to be choosy, Aria. What if the gap gets breached while we’re waiting for real reinforcements from the Council? You know how long they take. Plus they won’t want to risk war with the Terminus Systems.”

 

“I’m not running to Cerberus for help, either.”

 

“The Normandy left about an hour ago.”

 

“Fine,” Aria said. “Go ahead, Mr. Ashland.”

 

“Aria, I’m sending you a copy of my latest offer. I think you’ll find this one satisfactory.”

 

Naleena got on the line. “Mr. Ashland, this is Spectre T’sarius. I may need your help. You know the real truth that my team was the one that saved your dome regardless of what the press said.”

 

“What does that have to do with anything?” Ashland inquired.

 

“How about it being the truth? We have a problem.” Naleena said, and then she explained and forwarded the data to Ashland.

 

Ashland made a deep sigh. “Troops?”

 

“Insufficient.” Naleena replied. “Even with the Aria’s mercs which are needed to maintain order around here. The remainder of the Blue Suns, Bloodpack, and Eclipse will not be enough even if we throw in the Talons and add my elites. We’ve run the numbers.”

 

“What about the Council?” Ashland asked.

 

“By the time they get here? If the insurgents breach the dark zone it’s all over.” Naleena replied with a sigh.

 

“I see. I’ll have my engineers do a quick survey, and I’ll contact you,” Ashland said, “Aria, I would advise evacuating the districts bordering the dark zone.”

 

“Why? What’s going on?” Aria asked.

 

“Based upon the data I’ve been given, the only effective way I can see that we can stop this is to cut the station at the dark zone and destroy the other side.” Ashland said in a matter of fact tone.

 

“That could spark an open revolt on the station. Absolutely not!” Aria replied.

 

“Think, Aria. You lose only part of the station, but you save the rest.” Ashland said.

 

Naleena put her hand over the com mic and spoke softly. “Aria, think about this very carefully. We’re running out of time.”

 

Aria removed Naleena’s hand. “I need to consult with my advisors.” Aria disconnected. She had no advisors. She’d run the station with an iron fist for a couple of centuries, and she needed advisors now. It was lonely at the top.

 

She couldn’t let her lieutenants see her vulnerable. Naleena was there, and she understood. She was the one time the Council didn’t screw up in an appointment.  She looked up at Naleena with a questioning look.

 

“It needs to be done, Aria. There is no other way.”

 

Aria stood and began to walk around her office. “Ashland is a greedy man. He’ll do this, and then he’ll walk away and take what he wants. He’ll leave me to fight off the revolt. I’ll have to escape with my life.”

 

“I won’t desert you,” Naleena replied.

 

“I know.”

 

“You once told me there is something very special about this station – a secret that only you know,” Naleena said, she took her cigarettes out, “Do you mind?”

 

“Yes, I do mind,” Aria replied, “It seems I have no choice but to trust you, however.”

 

“I think it’s time to put our cards on the table, Aria. If you’re holding a red Ydra, now is the time to play it.”

 

Aria pressed a button and a screen descended. “What I’m about to show you are images from an exploration I made of areas deep within the station. These passageways were unused for centuries maybe thousands of years. I was alone. This one was collapsed. I used my biotics to clear it.”

 

“Wasn’t that dangerous?”

 

Aria laughed. “Dangerous? For a near matriarch? I hardly think so. Besides I was confident and I’d just left a Krogan with half his organs functioning, and some of the other half damaged.

 

“I found this chamber. You see the desiccated corpses of these creatures that look like the keepers on the Citadel? Why are they here?” She asked rhetorically, then put up the next picture. “The next chamber is a control room of some sort. I couldn’t make out everything because it was dark, but from what I saw there are thousands of switches in here. The power connection to the panel was severed. If I'm correct, each of these switches controls a mass relay.”

 

Aria turned off the display and raised the screen. “That is the secret of Omega. The Protheans must have started to build it as a secondary relay control system before they vanished.”

 

Naleena’s complexion paled. “This is all the more reason we cannot let this station fall.”

 

“Exactly,” Aria leaned forward on her desk. “I hold the card, and I need to call the shots.”

 

“What do you intend to do?”

 

“You have a QEC aboard your ship with the capability of speaking to multiple Council members? That means four separate connections plus your own. I need to use it,” Aria demanded. “I’ll bring all four bidders together, and the two of us will call the shots. You, of course, represent the Council.”

 

“Aria, I can’t represent the Council like that,” Naleena retorted.

 

“Oh, yes you will.  If you're going to start telling me what to do with my station, you're going to put your heels down and play your part. We need to do this and you know it.” Aria replied.

 

“What’s your proposal?”

 

“It is in the interest of the galaxy that Omega not fall. It is the second most major hub of the relay system next to the Citadel,” Aria said while walking around the room. “All four bidders invest in Omega, rebuilding and modernizing the structure. We make this public to the people that I arranged this because of what we have to do to save their lives. You and Ashland make the cut on the station at the dark zone.  The four bidders share the mining rights to the system. Their miners and engineers do business on Omega bringing in needed credits. Omega’s economy booms, and I make a huge profit."

 

Aria stopped and planted her hands on her desk again. "The condition is that I remain in power on Omega. This station is full of thugs and miscreants and I am the only one who can keep them under control. Meanwhile you find me some engineers to study that room, and connect it to the power grid.”

 

“If you think it will work, I’ll arrange it. Let’s go. We don’t have much time.”

 

Aria and Naleena left Afterlife and headed to the Janiri. Naleena contacted VERA to set up QEC links to Matriarch Alestia, Primarch Parthan, Ashland, and Joran Elkoss. Everything was going to be handled directly and at one time.

[Kel Riever]

Miss Dila awaited in the hanger with Mister Charles.  The latter had more looks tossed his way but for those who stared at the former kept their heads turned for longer.

“Promising?”  Mister Charles said, lingering on his consonants.

“I’d say Miss Priss taking her <HISS> time is a positive indication of such.”  Miss Dila tossed a finger wave at one of her admirers.

Largo disembarked a shuttle making trips back and forth to remove resalable items from the crippled vessel.  He wasn’t alone moving crates of the valuables, except that he chose not to use a loader.  His long hair flowed since he had removed his suit for the lifting, his muscles were bared.

Both Dila and Charles gawked.  Charles put out a fist.  Miss Dila, familiar with the human gesture, bumped his fist with her own.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Janiri – Conference Room

 

Aria and Naleena walked through the forward part of the ship and past the CIC and entered the conference room. The table lowered into the floor leaving two chairs with small side tables, and holo terminals in front of them. The images of Ashland, Matriarch Alestia, Elkoss, and Parthan appeared across the room.

 

Matriarch Alestia stood in her dark blue and red high collared dress and spoke in a very sharp tone. “What is the meaning of calling us here all at once?” 

 

Joran Elkoss was not amused either. “Yes, *fsssk* our bids are supposed to be confidential.”

 

Aria sat calmly in her chair. Naleena stood and spoke first. “I am Naleena T’sarius,  a Council Spectre.”

 

“So, you’ve moved up in the world, I see,” Alestia remarked, “Since we’ve had prior dealings, I’ll listen.”

 

Naleena continued. “Thank you. It was my idea to bring all of you together. I am sending a set of files to each of you containing a summary of data and intelligence uncovered during a recent recon mission on this station. I suggest that you look them over. We have a bit of a problem….”

 

Naleena sent data packets to each of them, and explained the situation the best that she could. “… As you know Omega is the second largest hub in the relay network. It is imperative that it not fall to the insurgents. The plan is to use the Janiri and the Zorya to cut the station at the point marked on your map. This will end the insurgency before it begins. There will be some fall out on Omega that only Aria can handle….”

 

Aria abruptly cut her off. “Here’s the deal. I know that none of you have the resources to handle the population on this station. They’re a bunch of thugs and miscreants, and only I know how to control them. For example, do you know how to deal with Vorcha? No. Krogan? No. Pirate gangs? No. You’d come in too heavy handed, and have an uprising on your hands on a scale beyond that which you can imagine. People come to Omega to get away from the uptight bureaucracy of Citadel Space, and when they want something, they all come to me.”

 

“You made your point, Aria,” Joran Elkoss replied, “*fffssk* What is it you want?”

 

“The Spectre and I have agreed that the best course of action is for the four of you to commit to investing in Omega and rebuilding the station after she and Ashland take action,” Aria said, “But I must remain in charge.”

 

Primarch Parthan leaned forward. “And why should we do that?”

 

“Because there are secrets within this station that you cannot even imagine,” Naleena emphasized, “You can choose to be part of the solution or be left behind, because any one of you does not have the resources necessary to rebuild this station, but together? You do. Think big for a change.”

 

“And what exactly *fffssk* are these secrets?” Elkoss asked.

 

Aria sat back in her chair. “I need a commitment before I give you any details.”

 

Ashland became irritated. He felt he was being squeezed out. “And I need to hear the rest of the deal before I do anything.”

 

Naleena stepped forward. “This is a large cluster, and a very rich cluster. Surely there is enough here for everyone. We’re talking about a four-way split of the resources after Mr. Ashland and I take care of the problem present on Omega.”

 

“Four-way split?” Ashland asked, and shook his head. “No. I didn’t come all this way for that. And none of this can happen without the use of my ship.”

 

“Mr. Ashland, do you know that I can commandeer your ship under the authority granted to me by the SPECTRE office?” Naleena said.

 

“I’d like to see you try,” Ashland laughed, “I have a cruiser sitting out there and she’s well-armed.”

 

“But you won’t because you do a lot of business with the Council, and would have fired on a Council Spectre. How would that look for future dealings?” Naleena countered, “No one has to get a bloody nose here.”

 

“You made your point, T’sarius, but be careful where you tread,” Ashland said, “You’re taking full responsibility for this op.”

 

Aria sat in her chair smiling. Naleena had dug in her heels as instructed. “So do we have a deal?”

 

The four parties looked at each other and agreed.

 

Matriarch Alestia, being the richest person in the galaxy spoke for them. “Yes, we have a preliminary deal.”

 

“So, Aria, what is this ‘big secret’?” Ashland demanded using air quotes.

 

Aria threw one leg over the other, rested her chin on her right hand with her index finger up alongside her head. She gave the four of them a wicked smile. “It appears that the Protheans were building a secondary switching station for the mass relay system deep within Omega before they disappeared. I know where it is. Do you know what this means? Corporate access to unlocked mass relays without Council approval simply by paying me a tribute. So are you in?”

 

The corporate leaders, each representing the major economic powers in the galaxy faced each other, tapped out text messages on direct links, and nodded. It felt like a Council meeting. This group apparently met regularly and along with other old money and new money represented a driving political force of the galaxy. They held huge influence over key members of political parties. This in turn, influenced a number of Council decisions. Still they had to tread carefully within Council space and not overreach. This however was an opportunity to gain leverage.

 

Alestia spoke for the group. “Well played, Aria. You may inform your populous while there may appear to be hardships, that because of you, things will be improving for them soon. Spectre, we expect you to deal with the insurgency in an expedient manner. Mr. Ashland will remain here and assist.”

 

The QEC went dark, the room lights turned on. Aria stood and faced Naleena. "Thank you for the use of your conference room. I need to prepare."

 

Aria left the ship and returned to Afterlife. Bray had handled the evacuation order before the meeting. She made an announcement to all of Omega about the future rebuilding of Omega.

[Kel Riever]

When Molly snapped awake, she had to remember where she was. The red spires of Omega out the window of the room she had fallen asleep in. None of the Janiri’s crewmembers were around. A muffin on a saucer had been placed next to her and a cup of tea that had gone cold.

Hagen rubbed her eyes and sat up. As she pulled her hands away from her face, she noticed her omni-tool was in standby status, but was blinking an alert light that indicated she had received an urgent message. Quickly checking whom it was from, the detective smiled as she realized it came from her captain. Those Spectre priority messages move fast! She fully activated her omni-tool and began reading the message, eager to hear what he had to say about the giant leap in the investigation:

To: Detective Molly Hagen
From: Captain Sulla Ferrata

We’re ordered to pull the investigation. You did great work, which can’t go without saying. However, your case is being put on hold for now, pending other work we need to do. It isn’t my choice, but the Shadow Broker case is being pushed aside from higher ups.

You’re going to have questions, I understand. But your first job is to get back to the Citadel immediately. You’re one of my best, but I expect you back without delay.

Staring at the screen, Molly was frozen. When she finally moved, it was simply to get up, walk to the window, lean on it with her free hand, and try to breathe.

Molly wasn’t feeling well.

~ ~ ~ ~

“Boss,” VERA’s voice came from above, addressing Naleena. “Sorry for the disembodied voice thing, but I thought it was important to inform you of an event. There was a message that came in for the detective from C-Sec. Here are the contents.”

VERA sent the message to the viewscreen nearest to Naleena.

“I would not necessarily have bothered you about it now, boss, but Detective Hagen’s has experienced a highly negative reaction shortly after receiving the communication. While not life threatening, symptoms include an elevated blood pressure level, and an irregular heart beat. Further observation indicates possible dizziness and a visible, uncontrolled shaking. This condition does not seem to be subsiding, so I thought I should bring it to your attention.”

[Redbelle]

Anika was strapping into her armor. It was like coming home.

 

Actually, coming home would have been meeting Naleena in her quarter's like she'd said she would and heaving each other in between the sheet's till both were cross eyed and sweaty. But she supposed Naleena had gotten waylaid on the way back to their quarters. The demands of her position and the recent action they'd taken snowballing, as things tended to.

 

So she'd decided to go and find a target range. It was always a good way to relax. Shooting a big gun at something that shredded to pieces with every soft caress of the trigger. She needed something to let off steam after the Salarian debacle.....

 

Goddess knew she couldn't keep on taking the showers. VERA had noted she'd almost used up her allotted water supply.

 

Taking her helmet under her arm she got up and slung the typhoon onto her back. She paused, and then added her SMG and collector rifle to the mix.

 

She had a lot of shooting things to get out of her system.

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with Shotgun Julia)

"Thank you, VERA," Naleena said, "I'll go to see Detective Hagen. Please have the team and commandos assemble in the conference room in one hour."

"Yes, Boss"

Molly Hagen stood staring out the portal with a blank look on her face. Report back to the Citadel. The case put on hold just when I'm getting somewhere. I...

The door opened to the lounge and Naleena walked in. "Molly."

Hagen saw Naleena's reflection in the window. The Spectre knew, the detective figured, she had to. Molly's hands were shaking and she quickly jammed her fists into her pockets to hide them. But there was no hiding the pit of emptiness behind her voice. "Nobody shuts down the most promising case on finding the Shadow Broker. It makes no sense..."

A pause, as Hagen tried to calm her unsteady words. She was standing, but she felt as if someone kicked her legs out from under her. She even looked down at her feet to make sure she wasn't falling as her sensation of balance seemed to get progressively worse. With a slight turn, so that one distraught eye could seek Naleena, Molly's voice was a full octave lower than it normally was. "It stinks."

Naleena was well aware the detective wasn't simply indicating her displeasure. She was insinuating something shady had gone down.

 

Naleena sat in the chair near the detective and offered her a cigarette. Molly lifted a shaking hand out of her pocket to wave it away and mouthed the words, 'no thanks', before becoming conscious of her hand again and jamming it back in her pocket.  The Spectre lit her own.

 

"So, C-sec shut down your case?" Naleena repeated, "My next guess would be that they want you to return immediately so they can keep an eye on you. Unfortunately, Omega is under quarantine. You're stuck here.

 

"But bear in mind that looking for the Shadow Broker is very dangerous business. It could get you killed. The Broker goes to great lengths to remain hidden. With you dead, what hope does the family have? However, this operative is different. She wants to make a statement. She won't stay in the shadows like her boss. We'll find her. Sooner or later someone like that is going to rear her ugly head."

"Quarantine?" Molly said, confused on hearing the word. Her state overrode her curiosity, however, and her glance shifted out the window.  She near collapsed in a chair next to Naleena, and her brow was so creased to look like it had been scarred by black lines.  "N-no, the whole case is on hold...I know what my captain meant...it includes looking for that woman."

It was clear that whatever was eating at Molly wasn't going away.  She looked down in contemplation for a time, then said, "There's something wrong...this doesn't happen.  Get me off of the informant, fine, or Morgan fine.  But you don't throw the lead investigation out on a mass murderer for nothing, except an order to come home."  It was her gut, and it was telling her something bad. "I'm telling you that it could be a mistake, all right?  But somebody doesn't understand what I do...the way I do.  By the time that monster rears its head, it'll be too late."

The detectives vision locked forward.  "Tell me about those people who died on that ship, and what if you could have gotten to that woman before they suffered from what happened to them.  What would happen if you knew you could stop it, or had a chance, and someone told you not to do it...What if you were close to that blade that cut, watching it cut through your own limb, or worse...someone you loved...that you held in your arms...someone could have stopped it but they were told not to...."  Molly frowned, but her frown was creased hard until her teeth were clenched and her lips quivered.

Naleena rolled the ashes off her cigarette. She sat in the chair, one leg thrown over the other, looked outside, then turned to face Molly. "I did what I did... what I could do. I couldn't stop it. Choice is an illusion," Naleena said, "If you think differently, it'll eat you up inside like a cancer. I don't know much about you, but you're a good cop, and the system is going to start working you and beating you down. And the more you fight for this family, the more the system is going to fight back."

 

She stood, walked to the portal, and pointed out, "Do you see the rabble out there? To your bosses that's who the Severns are," she said and turned to face Molly again, "But to you this is personal. I've listened to you talk about the Severns. You crossed the line. Once you did that there was no turning back. They're your family now.

 

"Where you're in conflict is that you're still looking at this as a choice. Will you be a good little detective with a spotless record and return to C-sec? Or will you protect your family?" Naleena said, and she took a drag from her cigarette and blew the plume of smoke upward, "In reality there is nothing but a straight line. The illusion of choice comes afterwards when you ask 'why me?' and 'what if?': when you look back and see the branches like forked lightning or like a tree. If you had done something differently, it wouldn't be you. It would be someone else looking back asking a different set of questions."

Before Molly realized it, the switch had been thrown. She sprung up from out of her chair.

"I have to go."

It was the truth, something true that she didn't want to admit and the Spectre had nailed it.

"I have to get off this ship!"

Molly rushed to the door, which didn't automatically slide open for the sake of quiet and privacy for the people inside. She slammed her hand on the panel to open the door and completely missed the palm sized hard light plate. Her head was hitting her with impossible thoughts and she rapidly slammed the panel three more times before the door opened. Molly's hands went to her face and she staggered out, trying to leave as quickly as she could, without falling over.

"I can't let this be!"

"Molly! Wait! I can help!"

A sense of being in a tunnel had the Spectre's words sound like she was far away from Molly.  This wasn't her; she knew about the hard decisions.  But the decision sent through her captain was different.  This was someone shutting her down, stopping her.  And people were going to die over it.  Molly felt every pillar of her power to change anything breaking apart.

"They're already inside..."  Molly felt her knees weaken.

Someone from the Spectre's team, or perhaps more than one of them, walked through the passageway Molly stumbled into.  Then she collided with another person.  In a haze of her emotion, Hagen realized it was the asari who had kept tabs on her, Iole.

[Kel Riever]

Doctor Amy Hayashi took some time to recover from her reaction to the damage done to the comet, her comet, but the coffee seemed to be helping her recover from her binge.  It occurred to her that it might be so, since she now bothered to notice the hair that had popped out of the bun sitting in front of her face.  But of course, she was still intoxicated enough to not care.

The doctor looked around the bridge, which had resumed a more normal state of activity.  There was an asari in the command chair with the most amazing violet eyes.  Amy looked at her for a while, wondering if she should bother her, then the interest in the status of the comet and where the Captain had gone sparked enough bravery to speak.

Amy asked Dahlia, “Pardon me…but may I be released from my seatbelt now?”

~ ~ ~ ~

Babe was done with the best part of her job.  She was still in the GARDIAN control room, and it was the third stand down check on the system that made her conscious about her procrastination.

The Medusa was awesome.  Stuff was made of metal, or hard plate ceramics, all old and full of character.  Things had edges, and running wire, and well, they were beautiful.  Bolts, levers, buttons, things that just weren’t on ships anymore.  And the grapeshot cannons…the grapeshot cannons!  What more could Babe ask for?

People to shoot the guns, of course.  And parts.

That was where the procrastination set in.  Babe didn’t want to go down to the hangar or one of the cargo areas, and search for the parts to give the guns on the Medusa a good service checkup, especially when she didn’t know exactly where everything was.  She’d have to get in front of people and that always caused the predictable problems she preferred to avoid.  If only the tools and parts she needed could be magically at her side.  Eventually, she could set it up that way, but for now…

Babe looked down at herself.  Then she sighed.

“Might as well get this over with.”

Babe pulled the gum from her mouth that had gone tasteless and stuck it under the main GARDIAN control panel.  She pulled another blowpop from the belt slung low over her black, tight, leather pants and put the lollipop in her mouth.  Mmmn, grape.  Then Babe exited the room and entered the passageway, heading for the first place she thought a good machinist’s toolkit would be. 

Heading fore, away from the bridge, Babe ran into a trio of crew at the first intersection she came across.  She decided to try her best and give a no nonsense greeting before she would whisk by.

“Hey.  Good haul, huh?”

Two of the three, who had not seen Babe before since they were part of the Alliance troops the Captain had brought aboard, came to a dead stop.  Their jaws opened, and one dropped the datapad he was holding with a loud clatter. 

The third, a salarian dockhand who had been with her group, still slowed to a halt and stared at Babe.

“Oh, come on!”  Babe cried out.  She felt the temperature rise in her cheeks and strode past.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia smirked at Amy's question, stood and glided over to where she was seated. She grabbed hold of a metal fastener holding the two sides of the seat harness together. "It's simple, Doctor. You see this button? Put your finger on it and press. But really, I think you might want to remain seated a while longer."

[TheMajonese]

Arian was on the way back to his quarters but this time he was confident to find the way without getting lost on the ship again. The recent events were still bothering him but also the impending attack on Omega by these insane cultists. He was glad that it wasn't his responsibility to come up with a plan to stop them as he had no idea at all. Except for blowing up half of the station.

 

If he was in charge that would probably be his plan but he kept silent about it. There was no need for anyone to know about Arian's time as a mercenary and the way he dealt with problems, even if it meant getting innocent people killed. 

 

Immediately in front of him there was an asari walking down the corridor. Lost in his thoughts he didn't pay much attention to her until she suddenly stopped because a human collided with her. Surprised, Arian didn't even react and just bumped into the asari.