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[Kel Riever]

(Note: The following was mostly Cknarf, as if you couldn't tell...)

...Earth, New York City

While Anika was on her way to the roof, while Morgan was beginning to talk to his family about leaving, a dark grey cloud blocked out the sunlight, the kind that was a harbringer for the flash flood thunderstorms New York was accustomed to in the late spring season.  Molly's part of the conversation was interrupted when her com went off.  It was Frank and she picked up, wondering what was happening.  She was greeted on the other end of the line by the sounds of heavy bumping and scraping, and another kind of conversation, very different from the one the Severns were having.

"Stop resisting!"

"F*** you!"

The sound of crystallization and heavy wind came over the com.  Cryo blast? Molly wondered.

"You little sh*t!"

"Mols! Arrrggghh! Come get ya boy!"

There was a sort of sound that Molly couldn't describe, but it reminder her of the ancient movie Rocky when Balboa was punching a side of hanging beef in a meat locker with bare knuckles.

"Richards is-- f***!-- hostile! He's workin' for the bro-- unh!"

"Freeze me one more--"

Now there was an electric zapping sound.  Molly's face went red with grief.  Frank's tech overload?

"For the love of god, Mols, help me!"

Putting two fingers to her forehead, Hagen said to the Severn's, "Be right back.  I have to take care of two little boys."

Morgan hadn't heard a thing, but he had a sense of what was going on.  "I'll take care of everyone down here."

Molly was already running for the elevator.  Realizing she'd have to wait for it to come back down, she found the door to the patio on the same floor and headed up the stairs that ran nearby along the outside of the penthouse.  "Frank Eli..."
 

[Kel Riever]

The top of the penthouse was a decent size, even if it was also the roof for the smallest floor of the Severn's home.  Twenty meters from end to end, it was pretty much all a landing deck, except for the elevator booth and the guardhouse near it. 

That put Anika nearest to Norman, who stood to her right outside the guardhouse.  Both the guardhouse and elevator booth were at one end of the deck/roof.  Then the civilian vehicles were pretty much lined up along the right side, to the midway point where the limo was.  The police patrol car was straight across from Anika on the other side of the roof, with the passenger side policeman next to it.

Anika was, therefore, talking to the group of three men about ten meters from her, near the back of the limousine skycar:  Frank, Officer Richards, and Cue Ball.  Like Norman, Cue Ball was standing in surprise at Anika, and a bit befuddled as to why one of the people accompanying the detective would try to direct the police, even if she was a rather intimidating figure in white, now wet, armor.  Officer Richards was on the ground, over Frank who was face down.  Anika saw the man was probably about twenty five centimeter shorter than she, had an athletic build, and had a generally unhappy expression on his face to accompany a large scorch mark on his NYPD armor.  He looked over his shoulder at Anika, and kept his knee on Frank's back, which must have hurt.

"Who the hell are you?"  Richards asked, his voice aggressive and not intimidated by Anika, unlike the guard and other police officer who seemed to be wary of her.

"Stand down!"  The officer still by the patrol car yelled across the rooftop at Anika.  He made a motion for his sidearm, but was interrupted by Richards.

"Hold it!" Pete yelled at the other policeman, and put his palm up to instruct his companion for calm.  "Hold it.  These are Molly's people, probably."  He got up slowly, stepped over Frank and around to face Anika.  "Isn't that right, miss?  Your friend here was assaulting an officer.  Stupid move on his part, I hope you aren't planning anything equally as dumb.  Where's Hagen?"

A voice called up from the side of the building, high, attention getting, and warbled as the speaker was running.  "I'm here, Richards!  Richards, it's all right."  Molly Hagen appeared then, as she ascended the outside staircase and came into view nearby Anika and to her right.  Norman was the other person closest to Hagen and turned towards her, his tension obvious in his tight movements.

"Molly!"  Pete Richards said, with some relief in his voice.  "Molly, who are these people and what are you doing here?"

Stepping next to Anika and a bit in front of her, Molly spoke to try and diffuse the situation.  Rain was splattering her drab coat and matting down her hair.  "Pete, it's okay.  The man on the ground, he's with me.  This woman is with me.  We're here with the Severns."
 

[Redbelle]

Anika's eye's were hidden behind her helm so it looked as if her whole head swung. First to Frank. Then to Richards. Then back to Frank. Then Richards partner before swinging back to Richards.

 

"Our driver's condition is your doing"? She asked, a hint of warning about what would happen if Richards didn't have a good explanation for Franks current condition.

[Kel Riever]

"Your driver, who decided it was a good idea to expose himself when I needed to check him for weapons."  Richards said, clearly looking annoyed even at the distance he was from Anika.  "Now who the f**k are?..."

"Whoa!" Molly interjected, now taking her turn at raising an open palm.  She stepped in front of Anika, in a protective way. It was subconscious, and she started moving towards Richards.  "Whoa, everybody take it down a notch.  Pete, these people are here to help, they aren't the bad guys.  You know me, you trust me right?"

Pete has rain dripping down his face.  He looked at Hagen hard through his open visor, before his face softened somewhat.  "I trust you, Molly.  Why wouldn't I?  Who asked me to look into the Severns while you were gone?  NYPD wasn't going to officially do anything.  So I did, because of you.  Didn't you find that out yet talking to Keith, or Jen, or their mom?"

"I did."  Molly confirmed.  "Only just.  These guys here don't know about you like you don't know about them.  I came in unannounced, I'm sorry, because I had to.  I didn't know if you'd been able to help and I had to assume not, plus I had my own concerns."

Richards looked somewhat exasperated. "Molly, you've got me with more questions than answers, here.  I'm looking at people in armor, an armed chauffer who is giving me s**t.  And, Molly, I don't know what's going on but I heard something about you being off the Severn's case.  It's got me worried, and if it wasn't for me, these guys around me would have drawn by now and maybe we'd have had something we'd regret happen.  What are you doing here?"

[Redbelle]

Stepping around Richards and Molly, Anika went over to Frank and checked him over. Picking him up she pulled open the side of the cab where sheet's of rain sloughed down the black waxed bodywork and Anika carefully dumped him on the back seat. "Take a minute. I need you ready to get us out of here..... Try....". She winced. Not quite believing she had to say something so basic out loud. ".....Try to keep your pant's on this time".

 

Pulling back she slammed the door shut and then turned and walked towards Richards. "Okay. you don't know me and I don't know you. I'm security. I'm responsible for the safe passage of my group and the family below. I'm private so I don't do things by the book because the people I have to face down read that book and know all the tricks..... That's why we came here in secret. So no one else would know we came.....". Anika took a breath and continued. "....So if you told anyone you were coming here and why, now's the time to tell me".

[Cknarf]

"F***ing a**hole..." Frank sighed, sitting forward in the limo's back seat. He looked down at himself, and shook his head.

 

Threads are all kindsa f***ed up...

 

"Tried to be respectful..." Frank winced, slipping off his glove, and squeezing his right hand out of the cuffs. "But noooooooo! Couldn't have just shook my hand, and been done with it. Gotta be a f***in' hardass... "

 

Pulling his arm from behind his back, he started working on his left hand.

 

"I need to frisk you, even though you're clearly not a threat, and there's already three people past security..."

 

There were some sparks, and the cuffs fell to the floor.

 

"That's why you're just a f***in' flatfoot..." Frank peeled off his jacket, and tossed it aside. "F***in'... pig a**hole. Quintus was right. They're all no good..."

 

'Cept maybe Taylor... and Träger. Maybe even Torres... Aaaand Mols. But that's just C-SEC. NYPD can go choke on a bag of d***s.

--------------------------------------------

 

Frank, by the time he was finished, had stripped down to nothing but his gloriously orange silk boxers. The rest of his duds had been laid out around the back of the car to dry. Sitting back, he brought up his omni-tool and typed up a message.

 

[Hey, Mols. When you're done bullsh*tting with officer dickhead, see if the Severns can hook me up with some duds. My suit has had enough punishment. F***ing cops. Grab my gun too, if you could. Thanks. --Frank] 

 

He pressed his head up against the window and stared outside. A smile crossed his lips, as he focused on the police cruiser.

 

Heh.

 

Frank turned back to his omni-tool and got to work.

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with RedBelle)

Previously...

Upon the ruins of a colony, lost during The First Contact War

Eyes of pallid blue glided between the woman and man as they spoke.  They analyzed, although unbeknownst to those in front of Iyana, they did not carry their usual, barely restrained intensity.  Rather the stare was distant, as if coming from leagues away. 

"The pets are a gift," Iyana said, her voice soft.  "I will leave them here with my attendants.  They will behave."

Iyana rattled the chains.  The knight-mechs stepped forward, to take the links she held, and then they promptly stepped backwards, into positions that aligned themselves with the columns of Tarballs' guards, one across from the other.  The Stalkers ceased their disgruntled sound and lay to rest on their bellies, while searching the chamber with their eyes and occasionally sniffing at the air.

"Your cordiality is appreciated.  The best part of the journey, I do believe, lies ahead."  Iyana straightened her arms, one to each the man and woman, palms upwards.  "Is it improper, amongst your people, to have a formal introduction?  While it is not a need, I have desires and shall I not know the names of the two magnanimous beings of which I am in the graceful presence of?"

The woman sketched a half bow. "I am of course, Amaya Baras de Trinidad. The left hand of our lord".

 

"Simon Burns". The man said, unconsciously straightening his tie. "Right hand....". He cast a knowing look at Amaya who gave the impression that underneath her exterior she was annoyed at his revealing that bit of information. "..... though really, the reality is that I oversee our operations and maintain profits.... Amaya here.... ah.... Motivates our more lackluster branches of our business".

 

"I cut out the dead wood to allow new growth". Amaya said turning her gaze back on Simon, clearly indicating which she imagined him to be. "But enough our roles. If you will follow me I will lead you to our lord". She swept a hand behind her to indicate a large section of floor that appeared to be cut out but remained in place thanks to a beam that ran down and at an angle from the top of the roof, down into the floor. Amaya turned with a swish of her dress and sashayed towards the elevator with two of the Knight guards turning to follow.

 

Simon gave a courteous smile. "Please forgive our theatrics. I find them somewhat tedious myself but Lord Tarballs insists on.... how shall we say.... A certain corporate identity to those who discover this level of the Kings and Queens. It is somewhat exciting however to meet the one who one upped one of our captains. Perhaps its a sign to look beyond our current talents to seek new". He gestured for Iyana, clearly indicating that she go before him.

"The Captain," Iyana said, drifting off while she strode forward with Simon's direction.  The poignant heels of her armored boots kept her feet at a near vertical position, seemingly rather uncomfortable despite their dramatic appearance.  A shrewd observer noted that Iyana clenched her teeth beneath her dragon helm, giving her doll like face a momentarily hard appearance, but she softened before she spoke again.  "I trust The Lord is up to date on current events regarding the Captain.  If not, I will oblige to inform him."

Taking her place on the lift, Iyana's frosty eyes came to rest once more upon Amaya and Simon.  "Control is paramount, I find, for the most luminous of futures.  Call me a believer in first impressions, but I like you two, and would be disappointed if you should be anywhere but close at hand should your presence suddenly become useful in our meeting.  These are the rarest of gatherings for me, and I strive to accomplish as much as possible in what little time there is."

Iyana then smiled genuinely with her thin, flawless lips.  "To The Lord Tarballs and his health, which I hope will perform throughout our session.  I, in fact, desire to relieve him, and you lovely creatures, of any regrets in events gone past.  Verily, I wish we had met sooner."

[Cknarf]

“2182?” Frank glanced back to the car, and squinted a bit. “Nope! ‘84…”

 

Ain’t been inside a four… yet.

 

He brought up a diagram of the cruiser.

 

Year: 2184

Make: Ford

Model: Crown Victoria (CVPI)

 

“Seven-oh-three, gawt dayum.” Frank made a ‘not bad’ face, while looking at the specs.

 

“Alrighty…” He looked back outside. “Sup?” He winked at the car

 

The cruiser’s headlights flashed twice in quick succession. The second officer looked back for a moment, before shrugging it off.

 

“Aaaand we’re in…”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Garvug - Twin Spirals Compound (demonstrators) - JB & SJ

 

Naleena noticed some disposable plastic cups, removed two of them from the stack, and took the silver flask of bourbon from the inside breast pocket of her coat. She poured two drinks and handed one of them to Isaac.  “This will help take the chill out of you,” she said and took another drag from her cigarette as she sat in one of the chairs and flung one leg over the other at her knee. “I’m Naleena T’sarius. I’m a Council Spectre. I came to this world on Council business. As for how I approached the planet, there was a carrier, and a few cruisers apparently engaged in some sort of blockade. It only made sense to approach with stealth.

 

“One thing I’ve learned in this business is that things aren’t always what they appear, Mr. Rows, or may I call you Isaac? You imply that my business is shady. I could say the same about Twin Spirals,” she said and took a sip from her cup. “Your organization’s funding is quite substantial considering it is a startup and its funding source… well let’s just say it is untraceable at the moment.”

 

Isaac shook his head as he held out his hand, turning down the offer to drink, “It's not the cold, trust me. Alcohols probably the last thing I need...” he said. He reached into his pocket, pulling out what looks like a simple container of mints, taking one and swallowing it. “If you want to know how I got all the credits to pull this off...thank Guanghui...” Isaac said simply, taking his time talking as he spoke, “Back when I was working in the alliance, I got stationed to safeguard one of their iridium mines. The facilities climate monitors were defective; they couldn't detect the contaminants in the air as it spread through the mostly automated facility....”

 

“Xeno-silicosis. Dust particles from the local rock and ores. I got it; most people who worked there got it. Guanghui settled instead of going to court, with a NDA conditional to receive money. I couldn't keep serving, so I took the money instead...” He said bitterly, “Figured a good use for it would be screwing them over, next time they did something stupid. I got my chance here, and now...”

 

The office had a view outside and Naleena looked out the window. “All of these people are penned in and safe for now as long as this story remains at the top of the news. But as soon as it drops off the radar the corporations will make their move.

 

“There’s an item on this world that I want, and I can’t get it unless there is peace. That stipulation was attached by Hailot Wrund.”

 

His eyes widened at the last part, “That psychopath was the one who proposed peace? No wonder you got here in one peace...” He said with plain humor instead of coughing. “He must be more desperate then I thought...that's good though. One less obstacle to worry about...” he said with a sigh.

 

“Truth is, Ms. T’sarius, I don't got much choice in the matter. I have to keep the protesters out there, because it’s the only way we can get Guanghui's, Sonax's, or Helix's attention. We contacted them before, with offers to mediate some sort of truce, but they turned us down. These protests..., they're what we need to make them know this won't go away anytime soon. But like you said, they'll only work for so long...” He said as he opened his eyes once more, trying to think of some sort of plan.

 

“This item of yours...do the corporations know about it?” Isaac asked as he thought of a potential plan, “Using your authority as a Spectre might not be enough to get them to come to any sort of truce. But if they have something they want as incentive...they just might agree to a sit down.”

 

With no ash tray in the immediate area, Naleena dropped her cigarette to the floor and crushed the butt under her boot. “The corporations did not know I was here until I entered your compound. They’re probably scurrying around trying to figure out how I slipped past their blockade and how I managed to land undetected under their noses.

 

“Who are the contacts for Guanghui and Sonax?” Naleena asked. “Without buy in from either one of them, any peace agreement is going nowhere.”

 

“Cervus Venator's the head of Sonax Industries's forces, the majority of the ones you see flying those gunships and mobilizing the guards. He's a hard man, even for a Turian, but fair to deal with, and he keeps his subordinates like Lt. Commander Speight from, in her words, ‘showing us what an excessive use of force’ really looks like. Guanghui Solutions has Byron Gascoigne, human and ex-alliance. Earned the rank of colonel before retiring and going into the private military business, he's got most of his forces in reserve, and he's a shady bastard. He'll probably be the hardest to deal with. Then there's Binary Helix, they've got forces here to, though mostly to protect their own terraforming projects. They've got a Hanar named Payatpri, and believe it or not, he's been the one willing to see Wrund die the most. Apparently he has a thing about Krogan in general.”

 

Naleena stood, walked to the window, then turned and faced Rows. “I have a couple more questions. I’ve received conflicting reports. Prior to my arrival, official news reports said there was an aborted coup attempt against Hailot Wrund. Another said it failed. And now I see there is a Vorcha calling himself President Kyll running around in your compound. Perhaps you can enlighten me as to what really happened?”

 

Isaac let out a sigh as he tussled his hair in frustrations, “Situation's a mess, I know, especially when every sides trying to make theirs out to be the one in the right. But here's what me and my network's been able to piece together...” He said, getting ready to begin the tale of Garvug.

 

“Apparently, Hailot Wrund's been in charge of Garvug for centuries now, his clan being in charge back during even the end of the Rachni wars. In all that time, his family and followers managed to screw up this planet’s whole ecosystem. The story, from what I hear, is that Binary Helix approached Wrund asking him to let them fix the planets ecosystem, or at least try it. Wrund agreed at first and let them set up new facilities and pre-fab bases, until he changed his mind and took all those as his property. Evidently, he does that type of thing often. The companies got pissed, which is when Kyll there made his move. I don't know how, but that Vorcha convinced binary helix to help support his campaign to reform Garvug's government. Soon Sonax and Guanghui joined in as backers as well, giving him enough credits to flood the planet in anti-Wrund propaganda and pro-Vorcha advertisement. There was an election organized, and Hailot didn't put his name forward on the ballot. Kyll had 1 other competitor, a Turian named Hrode, who he beat pretty well. Things looked like it'd work, till it didn’t...”

 

Naleena sat in silence, and she ran a background scan of the office for security devices on her omni-tool as Isaac continued.

 

“Hailot launched a military offensive against his own people, leading his Krogan and Vorcha to seek out and kill anyone who participated in the election. The corporations decided enough was enough, and sent in military forces and take out Wrund and stop his bloodbath. Kyll apparently had similar thoughts, and organized any loyalists he had, and used any funds he had, to try and get Wrund killed. Bribed his whole guards if rumor has it,” He said as he couldn't help but shake his head and brought his left hand to his forehead.

 

“Corporate forces managed to dig in, but couldn't get close enough to the palace to do anything. And from what I hear, Hailot killed half his own guards before the Krogan loyal to him stormed the place and took out the rest. Twin Spirals came because we caught wind of a corporate backed project going f*cked up in the terminus. When we got here, it was a damn near war. The corporate forces backed off when they heard a civilian ship was touching down, and the Krogan took to licking their wounds. Kyll heard about us and offered to lend his forces as security for us till we left the planet. Ever since, we've been here, stuck in limbo...” he said and threw his arms in the air.

 

“Everyone trying to kill everyone else all fueled by corporate credits and interference where they shouldn't be...,” He said with a stiffed cough again, wiping off his mouth as he continued, “Like, I get trying to make planets better. But this world, where they're Krogan of all things? Would have saved a lot of lives to just leave them here, and help another world. Your scan won’t turn up any devices, Spectre.”

 

Naleena raised a brow. “One can never be too careful. I thank you for your information. Would you mind if I used this office to meet with my team? This situation is very complex. I need to brief everyone.”

 

“Not at all. Thank you for listening. I hope you can do some good. Natalie will send in your team,” Isaac replied. “Let her know if you need anything. I'll be with my people.”

 

Isaac stood, walked to the door and left.

[Cainhurst Crow]

The team filed into the office building, Vayne taking a positon near the door and leaning against the frame, while essul stood with the others, arms crossed behind his back as he looked to their commander.

 

"So...what did you two discuss?" Essul asked, curious what it was naleena had learned from this issac person.

 

"Yeah. Is he going to try to help us get peace and this relic?" Vayne asked, cutting to the chase.

 

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

"The ships staying in orbit sat in silence as they waited for their communications to be resolved. The air was tense as Captain Chase stood at the helm, trying to work with fixing the com problems Kirkwall experienced, and keeping a less then paitent turian from acting.

 

"SSV Kirkwall, if they won't send a transmission to us, then maybe you can act as a mediator of sorts. Over." He said, as he waited for confirmation, "Morgan this is Milgrom. They've yet to reply to us. Is Kirkwall getting the message relays still, over?" the milgrom asked.

 

"I've had enough of this nonsense." Mithrado Aulus's voice came onto the morgans line, and dropped out the second he finished. "Adamant, this is Morgan. Respond. Over?" He asked, but got no reply. "What is that turian doing?" He demanded, as the morgan's crew got to work coordinating with kirkwall to get contact with the ship.

 

"Unidentified ship. This is the Adamant. I am Captain Mithrado Aulus issuing you a warning. Fix your com systems, or you will be treated as hostile..." The captian for Elanus Risk Control Services had evidently gotten tired of waiting, and had taken matters into his own hands. He sent his message to the Medusa, as well as a warning, letting their systems know they were targeted by the Carriers guns. While no where near as powerful as a dreadnought, the carriers still packed enough of a punch to defend themselves, or deliver a strong blow if need be.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

“Do you think I’d tip my hand like that?” Naleena snapped. “Wrund thinks it’s a hunk of junk. Valuable, but a hunk of junk. The corporations and Twin Spirals? As soon as one of them know there’s a relic all of them will know. And we lose what little edge we have, and right now, it’s slim.”

 

She pulled a cigarette from her case and tapped the end. “Vayne, what would do if someone said that they thought Wrund was playing us,” she said and lit her cigarette. “That they thought he was lying about wanting peace, and that they thought he was using us to get everyone in one place so he could attack it? Cut the heads off the vipers, I think the saying is?”

[Cainhurst Crow]

"I'd say your giving that tin-pot warlord too much credit intelligence wise. He's the kind of guy who would say something like "Strategy and Tactics are for the weak"...." Vayne said, however the look on his face said that even he doubted it, "Then again, him asking for peace in the first place doesn't match him at all. So your probably on to something."

 

"A false declaration for peace? That's a dishonor of the highest caliber..." Essul said with clenched fists, "I'm sure not even the krogan could be so shameful. Even they must have some value of honor?"

 

"Double-crossing someone to get the drop on them? It'd be 50/50 in all honesty." Vayne replied with a sigh, "And Wrund's not someone I think who cares about honor. Otherwise he wouldn't have damned his krant to wander the afterlife as a headless ghost for a cup."

[Cknarf]

Bachjret Service and Repair, Bachjret Ward, Citadel, 2178.

 

“I don’t see why they don’t just work on their own s***...” Frank walked along the line of C-SEC cruisers. “I know they got their own techs.”

 

“Not all the way out here on the dick-tip of Bachjret, they don’t.”

 

Frank raised an eyebrow at the quarian’s choice of words.

 

“The fact that we’re across the street might have something to do with it as well. Easier than driving them all the way across the ward.”

 

“I guess.”

 

“Hey, it could be worse. At least we don’t have to check them individually.”

 

Frank pulled up his omni-tool,  simultaneously running diagnostics on all ten squad cars.

 

“Gotta love fleet diagnostics.”

 

“For sure. Heard they’re making it standard for all of ‘em within the next year.”

 

“I know it saves a sh*t ton of money, but being able to access the CM remotely sounds a little risky, especially in police applications don’t ya think?”

 

“Hardly. You can’t directly control anything other than the more basic components. Although I could probably get into the flight controls, given enough time…”

 

“Looks like Two and seven are throwin’ codes. Rest of ‘em are just here for regular maintenance.”

 

“Seven? Again?”

 

“Don’t look at me, man. You worked on that one last.”

 

“Piece of sh*t…”

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Present day.

 

Satisfied, Frank kicked back in the seat.

 

“Heh. This’ll be good.”

 

Officer Richards was in for quite the surprise.

[Redbelle]

Not long ago on a ship called Medusa.

 

Jess fell back into her chair and sank into the acceleration protective molding. Rubbing her temple she felt another small headache threatening to erupt.

 

Babe and Iyana?

 

Nooooo.

 

Although....?

 

It couldn't be.

 

But then....

 

Jess chewed her lip as she reached for the comm and contacted Dogger.

 

"Dogger".

 

"Cap'n".

 

"Remember that woman who killed the crew and wrecked the ship and nearly killed the new XO and tried to make us plummet into a gas giant's gravity well to kill us all? I think we have her sister aboard".

 

A strong of obscenities erupted from the speaker that Jess had to mute him for a moment while he vented. When she turned him back on she interrupted his rant. "Anything happens to her it's your hide".

 

This time Dogger's anger was manifest through the speaker. "Cap'n...."!

 

"Anything Mister". Jess growled. "No action. No accidents. No sending anyone who claims they acted alone. If Babe get's a hangnail I'm taking it out of your hide.....". She took a deep breath and, calmer said. "She's not the one we should be angry at Dogger. Fact, I think she's had it bad. She needs a place".

 

"That place don't have to be here"!

 

"Here's been the place where we don't kick out the undesirables. The Medusa's still that place. Isn't it Dogger".

 

"........Aye Cap'n".

 

Jess nodded and ended the call. Then called up Sherie.

 

"Hey luv. Could you whip up a bite to eat and send it to the gun officer".

 

"Yes, but the midday meal will be in an hour".

 

Jess rolled her eye's. "We're on alert status luv. People may swing by but don't count on anyone stopping for long. As for the gun officer, you had kid's right"?

 

"Why yes".

 

Jess looked down at the speaker and imagined Sherie's confused face. "Ever bandage them up and comfort them when they got hurt"?

[Kel Riever]

After Hagen had gone, Jen's face had a hurt expression on it.  "I don't want to go anywhere right now.  I don't feel safe.  And what is going on outside that has Molly running for the roof?"

"I don't know.  I want to answer your questions, talk to you, but I can't do it here," Morgan tried to put his sister at ease.  "I didn't come with these people because everything is..."

"Normal?"  Jen interrupted.

Morgan sighed.

"Baby, go easy," Rosanne said to her daughter, "This can't be easy for your big brother."

"I know," Jen acquiesced some, "I know.  I love you big bro, but I don't feel good about what's happening.  It's too intense.  I want to stay here.  Tell me something that makes me feel better about this, that you didn't just appear from the dead because this Shadow Broker stuff is true.  Or that you are in danger, or that this place we're living in is some sort of illusion now, propped up by something you did that was wrong."

Morgan was quiet.  He didn't know what to say to his sister as she looked at him with eager eyes for hope.  As his silence began answering some of her questions for him, Jen's hope faded.  Morgan tried to at least bring her back to reality, even as he watched the admiration Jen had of him begin to break.  He went over to the sofa and knelt next to her.

"Everything I've done I did for you, for Mom, for Keith.  Please don't let go of that, if you believe it.  And if not, I can prove it to you.  With time.  But I can't do this here, I can't have us here now.  Don't make me answer everything at this moment, I ask...if you can trust me this one more time.  I didn't cross the galaxy to ruin our family.  I came to try and save it."

~ ~ ~ ~

Anika got a good look at Richards and though only what would normally be a handsome face showed through his open visor, his hazel eyes were on guard, wary, and with a tinge of aggravation.  But she was surprised to see that he hadn't a hint of fear, which was unusual.  It was generally smart to be scared, not to mention she was trained to get that interaction out of people.  And then there was the simple fact that she was a giant armed woman in power armor. 

"Miss, you just stop moving and stand right there," Richards said to Anika, backing away and mirroring her pose so his sidearm was hidden.  Richards did have a shotgun on his back, Anika notice, probably a Katana, though it was neatly collapsed and holstered.  "I'm a police officer, miss, do you understand?  You may be security, you may know the detective, but she isn't in charge here, and neither are you.  Quite frankly, you look dangerous.  You need to stay put and stand down."

Molly placed a hand very gently on Anika's side and stepped in front of her again.  "Pete!  Pete, we're not escalating this.  She's asking the same question I would, because we need to know.  I can settle everything if you let me, you know I can, Pete."

Richards took a long look at Molly.  "Precinct always is informed of where we are, you know that.  There's no emergency reported, just us blues checking into things.  Like you wanted.  I came here to find out if there was a problem and I wasn't expecting to find this.  Or you.  You said you are all here to help the Severns, what does that mean? " 

Then Richard's eyes squinted in caution.  "Where's your fourth?  Norman told me you showed up with a driver plus two.  Your the one who had me watch the place, and you don't have one of your security with you?"

"It's not a problem, Pete.  You said you trust me..."

Pete nodded.  "And you trust this other person to run around here without you watching them.  No backup.  Not now as you come up here to find out what's going on?  What exactly am I supposed to make of that, Hagen?"

Frank was busy commandeering the police interceptor when a panel slid open on both the front dashboard and under a video screen in the back of the Yakuza's limousine.  The panel revealed another screen, in subdued light, the kind of thing you'd find on a war vehicle.  In dim red letters, something was flashing:

Off-frequency mode detected.  Non-standard communication alert.

Molly had her gut feeling shift.  Something wasn't right.  She spoke quietly enough so only Anika, Richards and Cue Ball could here.  She didn't prefer the security guard be able to be part of the conversation, but it couldn't be avoided. "Pete, don't say anything else, just answer my question.  Forget my people; have you looked into yours?"
 

[Redbelle]

Anika, taking her cue from Molly, lowered her voice. "We need to be moving detective. We've spent to long here. If you trust him get him onboard. Otherwise I'm telling you, as someone in this business, we need to go now".

[Kel Riever]

...on the Janiri

Jenus opened the door to the team's cabin, to find Iole sitting on the edge of her lower bunk, following whatever she could about the people away from the ship with a linked datapad.  The room was neat and lived in, but the presence of those who were gone was clearly missing.  Most of all, the absence of Mira's personal affects still struck Jenus.

"Did you find anything out about Frank, Goldie?"

Iole looked up with her speckled eyes.  "Not a thing.  They've been gone and haven't updated, not that they were supposed to.  They're still within the expected time window.  How about you?  You hear anything slip about the group on Garvug?"

Jenus sat down with a slight bump on the edge of Iole's bed.  She'd also been able to get back into her standard uniform, and looked thoughtful for once with her dark eyes.  Despite not having been cleared for the mission, Jenus felt fine, just as she assumed Iole had.  The Spectre had taken great precaution, or perhaps didn't trust them to come along just yet.  "No.  I'd thought you'd find out before me, since you're our best hacker."

"They're pretty busy up there on the bridge," Iole replied, putting her datapad aside and turning it off.  "I don't really have a good excuse to go snooping yet, and VERA would probably shut me down before I got anywhere.  You could ask her yourself, you know.  VERA, I mean?"

Jenus shook her head slightly.  "It wouldn't be right, asking about Irina during a mission, really.  I was hoping maybe you'd have gone ahead and found out anyway, but that's dumb of me.  If something happens that's important, we'll be told.  Have to cool our heels until then."

Iole laughed slightly and pushed Jenus in the shoulder gently.  "Isn't that a human phrase?  Irina rubbing off on you?"

Jenus' purple facial markings seemed to enhance her own amused expression as she smiled back.  "I like their language."  She playfull stroked Iole's crest back in response to the shoulder shove.  "Even if you don't thinks so, Goldie, I'm trying to keep an open mind.  I miss someone next to me."

"I know what you mean," Iole agreed. "It's been longer for me, though.  Too long.  I don't know how Frank feels.  I gave it my best shot."

"Goddess, Goldie, I swore that you two in that shuttle had..."

"He wasn't ready.  I would have sworn too."

Jenus nodded.  She caught Iole's eyes and the two asari understood each other.

"Lonely?"

"Very much so."

"Nothing to do about it but wait, right?"

"What can be done?"
 

[Redbelle]

They were taking to long. The longer they stayed increased the chances of something happening. Probably nothing would but such a mindset in body guards often resulted in them not lasting in the business.

 

And that was the problem she realized as she reached for her comm. She was surrounded by amateurs. People who were treating the safety of the family as a matter of course instead of an assignment where time mattered.

 

"XO....". She began. "... Get the family up here now. We're moving out in two minutes. Tell them to grab toiletries and a change of clothes and that anything else they need will be provided to them when we get to our destination but we need to go now. If they and you are not up in two minutes I'm coming down to get you. Acknowledge".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia heard Jess mention that about Babe to Dogger. "Jess, I'm sorry for the way I behaved with her. I was afraid. After everything I saw on this ship. I was afraid. I don't want anything to happen to anyone here. But I think you might be right. Babe might be her sister. I feel like I owe her an apology."

 

She checked her board. "It doesn't appear the ships have discovered the Janiri yet.... Wait! Jess. I have an incoming transmission. It's from the carrier. They're targeting our weapons and drive systems."

 

"Unidentified ship. This is the Adamant. I am Captain Mithrado Aulus issuing you a warning. Fix your com systems, or you will be treated as hostile..."

[Redbelle]

Jess indicated for Duncan to route comms to her chair and she toggled the transmit switch.

 

"Adamant this is K&Q independent trading vessel Medusa. Please accept my apologies for the comm problem. I've been informed the duty officer was drunk at his post and has been relieved. We've just recovered the messaging logs. I'm looking over the logs now and..... well, hope he didn't cause you to many problems.....".

 

Jess cleared her throat and went on. "Adament, I'd appreciate being informed as to when this blockade will be lifted? We were scheduled to drop in on this system to drop off building and power supplies after returning back from Micah. If this blockade's going on for awhile I've got to contact the office and see where we stand".

 

Flicking off the transmit switch she shrugged at Dahlia. "I got no problem with you pointing a gun at her luv. Well maybe a little problem but it was understandable. Reason your still on the bridge is you didn't pull the trigger. Things were tense and you reacted the way you react. Wasn't wrong, wasn't right. The important thing is, you did what you felt you had for the sake of the ship and crew". Jess idly stroked the transmit switch without actually turning it back on. "Besides.... if it hadn't have been you it would have been Anika. Good to know the more things change the more they stay the same".

 

Jess sat back in her chair and awaited the Adament's response.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia smiled at Jess. "Thanks. I'm wondering, Jess, after this mission, do you think we should look up Sha'ira? Serendipity? That's Babe. I think she's okay, and I agree with you that she's fragile. We have images of Iyana and perhaps the Consort might know what happened. She might know something about whom Priss calls 'Midnight.' I'd leave Babe on the ship unless she wants to come with us."

[Kel Riever]

Morgan heard Anika on his com.  He looked earnestly at Jen, "Sis, I'm out of time.  Will you come with me?"  He reached out and put his hand on hers.  "Please?"

Jen saw her brother's face and she began to nod, slowly.  Then, nodding faster, she said, "There's no choice, really, is there?"

Morgan shook his head.

"Okay."

"Get all your treatment gear that you can.  The rest doesn't matter." Morgan got on his com to respond.  "Anika, we're on our way up, fast as we can.  Two minutes."

Rosanne nodded as well.  "We trust you, sweetie.  We'll go with you until we can sort everything out.  I'll help Jen get what she needs."  Morgan's mother then followed Jen to her bedroom to get the medical device she needed.

Keith, who still had a look of surprise all over his face from the time his brother took off his helmet said.  "Is this dangerous?  Do I need a gun?"

"You have a gun?" Morgan asked.

"Bro!  You gave us billions of credits!  What do you think I did with the money?"

Morgan grinned slightly.  "Go ahead, Keith.  Get whatever you can use.  You do know how to shoot them, right?"

~ ~ ~ ~

Frank looked closer at the screen with the flashing alert.  There was a touch screen button for extended information.  He pushed it.

Off-frequency mode detected.  Non-standard communication alert.

Band 101.3.
Source:  Immediate location, sent to relay
Relay: Boosted interplanetary communication system
Relay Source:  10m, sent to unknown location
Transmit time: 45 seconds, start to receive
Transmitted Message:

"Police. Backup. Now."

~ ~ ~ ~

Outside the limousine, Richards stared at Molly.  "I trust my people completely.  Your soldier in white who won't listen is talking to the one person who isn't here that I don't know.  This isn't hard to figure out, Hagen.  I really didn't expect this from you.  I thought you were a good cop."  He made an unpleasant laugh.  "Can't believe I thought the things I did about you."

There was the distant sound of an eezo engine accelerating.  It wasn't hard for Anika to pick out, since the traffic patterns kept speeds consistent.  Nothing was close, but sound travelled far in the skies above New York.  The source was from below the altitude of the penthouse and behind her, several hundred meters away, but closing.

 

[Cainhurst Crow]

There was silence for a full 30 seconds for the Medusa, when the adamant sent a transmission back. "This blockade will be in place for the foreseeable future. Garvug is to be considered off-limits to all unauthorized private vessels. Inform your K&Q they are not welcome in this space." The turian voice informed, before another voice came on the line, audible by the crew of the medusa.

 

"Adamant this is Morgan. Return to your orbiting pattern now. We are handling this situation. Over." The voice from earlier, captain chase, came on the line.

 

"Do not order me on how to command my vessel, Human. Our contract is with binary helix to protect its interests. Not with your Sonax Industries." The turian sharply replied, anger evident in his voice as he spoke, "Now remove yourself from this communication channel, Over."

 

"I am in charge of the extra-planetary defense of this planet, Aulus. Not you, and not ERCS. Binary Helix and Sonax share their forces, same as guanghui. Over!"

 

"Evacuate this com channel, Captain Chase. Or The Medusa will not be the only vessel treated as hostile..."

 

For days, the ships had been in orbit, stuck around the planet with no orders other then to protect it from a threat that seemed it wasn't coming. Now they'd been through an extended state of heightened alert, merely to now find it was nothing but a trader vessel. Tensions and tempers were high, and even with the credits being paid, it was obvious these competing private forces did not get along, even at the best of times.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia was monitoring the comm chatter and flipped the switch to main speaker so that Jess could hear what was going on between the ships.

 

"Sounds like there's a bit of disagreement between parties," she said. "Have a listen. Care to stir the pot?"

 

Jess heard it all... from Captains Chase, Morgan, and now Aulus.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Garvug - in the six story building

 

".... Not quite, Tallis, but you're getting there," Ereba said and grabbed her shoulders. "It's like this. You take your head back, make sure you lean your neck forward and smack your forehead into the other person." Ereba demonstrated.

 

"Ow! Not fun! Not fun!" Tallis said.

 

"But it can be. Use it on your other squadmates, well maybe just Jenus for now. And do it to fire them up before a mission," Ereba said. "That's what I did with my squad. They hated it at first, but the sarge loved it. And then the squad loved it. Usually you do it when you get mad. It's kind of a challenge to a Krogan, so you gotta be careful with it. Now you try it."

 

Tallis was wary of doing it. "Okay. Okay." She gave Ereba a head butt.

 

"Ow! Not so hard!" Ereba complained.

 

Tallis laughed.

 

VERA turned and made a digital sound. "There is a squad of Vorcha approaching."

 

Ereba jumped and brought her scope up to her eye. "Where?"

 

"That was a joke."

 

"You know VERA, there's and old story about a Krogan who yelled thresher maw." Ereba said as she dropped the scope.