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[Redbelle]

Franks Yakuza pimped shuttle.

 

The lift off hadn't been a problem. Anika found Franks shuttle controls easy to work with.

 

The smell was gone to.

 

As were the stains. A lovely smell of rich leather now pervaded the cabin as the seat covers had been replaced with a faux leather alternative that somehow kept the look of skinned and waxed hide, with the usable functionality of space age seating material that stopped her from sliding around on her pilot chair.

 

The air scrubbers had been recharged. The decking had been shined to almost a mirror sheen. In short and in the small time they had been away from the shuttle, Hedeki had returned the interior and exterior of the shuttle to almost saleroom conditions while taking a few liberties to replace and improve several aspects of the shuttle that were worn and dogged looking.

 

Anika suspected Frank would hate that while secretly loving the opportunity to break everything back in. Frank style.

 

She wished he were here now. Complaining, making jokes, befuddling her with references she didn't understand while talking about things from his life that would never happen to a sane person. Morgan too. As it was, she was the only one who had gone on mission to be coming back. Both Morgan and Frank now stranded on Earth while an obviously infiltrated police force could very well be following up on the actions they'd taken getting the family to safety. What bothered Anika the most though was that one or both would likely be labelled as cop killers. the honest cops, not knowing that some of there ilk had been working for another player, would look at their downed officers and want retribution. And she'd simply left them.

 

The person sitting in the co-pilot seat fidgeted and Anika looked over to see Keith reaching for the harness as their shuttle approached the mass relay. The family were in the passenger compartment and Anika had left the intercom on "First time"? Anika asked him Keith as he managed to work out which end went in which. "Don't worry. The shuttle's good for jumps. The Medusa's last ident trace showed she was going to the Citadel..... Ever been there before"?

[Redbelle]

The Medusa - Crew quarters

 

Jess stood outside Priss's quarter's and rung the chime several times. When no one answered she sighed and toggled her comm. "Priss? Jess. Don't make me come find you. I need to talk to you".

[Kel Riever]

(ooc: Moved ahead for being concise)

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with Jensaarai)

Valhallan Threshold, Paz System, Garvug

The sound of running boots on gravel approached.

"Kill him, quickly!  Now's our chance.  Then we have to get out of here!"

"Right.  I'm putting a shot into his brain, point blank.  We have to be sure with this one."

Two men in sealed armor appeared from cover with assault rifles aimed at Machaera, assault.  There was no interest in hiding their affiliation; the Cerberus logo was clear to see over their breastplate.  Both stood near to each other and were at an ideal range, their aim dead on.  Even Machaera knew he'd be dead in his state before he could do anything.

There was the sound of a distant retort, then both standing men shuddered.  The helmet of each Cerberus agent was perforated by a single projectile, that shared the trajectory passing through their skulls.  Lifeless before they ever realized it, the men crumpled and fell.

Seconds passed as the blood from the men pooled around them. Then another figure appeared from the doorway of a war torn building, a woman in a dark brown, flexible protective suit.  In her arms was a long, thin, sniper rifle.  She, too, was fully sealed in her armor, and the white circular sensors over the eyes stared down with cold energy towards the wounded batarian. 

"I have placed my wager on you," the woman said to Machaera. "A wager that you will recognize my value."  She collapsed her rifle, holstered it, and  removed a medigel injector from a belt pouch.  The woman stepped towards Machaera. "I have a real name, of course, but you may call me Falling Leaf."

Falling Leaf examined the horrendous tears of flesh Machaera suffered.  "Your suits capacity was overwhelmed.  This will save you, and your people will be along shortly to bring you to safety.  Their inclination will be to capture me, perhaps treat me badly unless you intervene.  They will not kill me, however, unless you instruct them to do so.  I can handle the pain, but I will increase my fees, I hope you understand, based on the degree of my suffering."  The woman tossed the injector to Machaera, and she watched as he administered the critical dosage.  By the he was done, Machaera could already hear the orders of his fellow soldiers for her to stand down.

"I generally make good wagers, and sincerely hope I have not chosen incorrectly."  Falling Leaf stood and placed her hands upon her head.  "May your recovery be swift."

"There he is!" Machaera turned around to see some of the familarly dressed soliders coming out, guns raised as the look at horror at his current state.

"Oh gods, his...how is he-" one of them stammered as another of the soliders spotted the human neadby him, raising his gun.

"Get on the ground, now!" He barked as the others snapped out of their stupor, aiming for Falling Leaf as they closed in. They stopped in their tracks as Machaera calmly raised his only functional arm to wave them off.

"S-sir!?" one of the men said as machaera looked back towards Falling Leaf, giving a simple tilt of his head as he motioned for her to follow. The others backed off and made way for their commander.

"This is Gamma squad. We've found Commander Fay'yar. There's an unidentified with him. Escorting both to the ship on order. Prep the medbays, he's going to need immediate attention."

[Kel Riever]

…on Frank’s shuttle

Keith was fastening every belt available and triple checking the harness.  “Huh?  Oh, yeah!  Yeah…I mean no, I’ve never been there before…”  He looked confused momentarily and peered back into the passenger area.

Morgan’s mother had strapped Jen in her harness gently.  The young woman had fallen asleep, exhausted by the experience.  Mom gave her son a knowing nod and then stroked the hair of her daughter as she slept.

Keith, still looking like the last person anyone would have expected just escaped from death, turned back to Anika.  “Um, I hope you don’t mind me calling you an Amazon and all that.  Because I’m really gratefull for what you did.  I’m a bit, you know, mixed up right now.  Molly, she, uh, I thought she was just another cop.  Kind of.  And Pete…look, I thought he was my bro, like he referred me to my trainer and was always cool with me.  I mean, you should have seen me before, I was fat!  I mean, pear shaped.  Okay, so this is awkward for me.  I should be needing a change of underwear after all this.  Which I forgot to pack, by the way.  But something you, and my brother, and that other, really awesome pilot, you kind of made me believe we were going to make it and I haven’t lost my lunch yet over it.”

Keith smiled and looked doofy, but then he became serious again.  “So, I mean, my brother, I can’t believe him, going out there like some action hero.  He torched a gunship!  And I saw him get up again after he hit that rooftop.  You, uh, okay, look I believe you more because I don’t know you, all right?  My brother, he was a soldier.  He never, and I mean I never saw him…that was crazy, crazy, crazy what happened back there.

“And I’m thinking about Molly, and that maybe she died to save us, you know?”  Keith’s eyes watered but he wiped them and refused to cry.  “I don’t even think it started hitting me yet, and…and I don’t know anything about who you all are, or even who my brother is now, but I’m really, really grateful.  I may say that a lot, okay?

“Oh, uh, and uh, yeah.  I mean no.  I have never been to the Citadel.  I haven’t ever really been out in space before. So…yeah.”

~ ~ ~ ~

...on the Medusa, gun turret 2

Babe bit the side of her upper lip and appeared wildly uncomfortabel, all of a sudden.  She twisted her shoulders awkwardly and answered, "Um, you?  And...the Captain?...of who's here, now..."

Sparkling blue eyes stared worriedly at Sherie. "...if I must."

~ ~ ~ ~

…on the Medusa, crew quarters

They were searching.

“The other one ran.  What did you expect?”

“Shut up.  You don’t even know what, ‘Expect,’ means.”

“I do.”

“Did she run far?”

“She ran fast.  You aren’t going to catch her now.  I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“Shhh, did you hear something?”

“No.”

“You’re lying.  It came from over here.”

The blanket was pushed aside, letting the light from beyond seep into her hiding space.  Two pairs of blue eyes looked in, and found her.

“Go away!” Miss Priss shouted, as she was scared awake out of her nightmare.

The chime for the cabin rang again.

Aching, Miss Priss pushed aside her Stetson, and realized she’d fallen asleep, crunched up, under the table.

“Priss?”  Jess.  Don’t make me come find you.  I need to talk to you.”

“Honey Bee…,” Miss Priss softly uttered.  She crawled out from under the table, and wiped her eyes.  Doing her best to compose herself quickly, she then stood and looked into her personal lighted mirror at her vanity.  Fast as she could, she put on a stick of non-permanent lipstick, cocked the Stetson on her head, and sighed in her best attempt to get her sobs out of her system.  Put a little swagger in that, Priss, she said to herself.  Miss Priss faced the door, put one hand down on the vanity, kicked out her hip in the opposite direction, and put the other hand on it.

“Come on in,” Priss said, then realized she’d locked the door.  “Sakes!  Hold yer corn-juice, I’m a’comin.”  She went to the door, unlocked it, threw her best smile at Jess and said, “You ain’t just the dear comin’ and checkin’ in on me, but I got a bit of the frights is all.  Please accept my apologies for acting downright unprofessional.  Rest assured, you won’t have to worry about it again, Honey Bee.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Citadel - Huerta Memorial (Kel & SJ)

 

Spectre Xanthe Remi had just donned her evergreen Justicar armor and was preparing to disembark for the Presidium (unescorted by her Serrice Guard this time, she had no need), when she received the message on her omni-tool.

“The bureaucracy is insurmountable,” Xanthe complained aloud as she saw the contents.

Huerta was only a few minutes away by skycar transport.  In the lobby, Xanthe almost passed by the gift shop kiosk, then on second thought, she scanned the list and picked up something.  This will do.

Only a few minutes later, Xanthe was at Naleena's door.  She was granted entry by the C-sec officers.  Remi seemed to have a judgmental expression; the white diamond facial marking in the middle of her forehead tended to have that effect.  She was actually simply concerned, however, as she saw the extent of Naleena's injury.  She stepped into the room with her gift.

“I hope you are on your way to a quick recovery, Spectre T’sarius.  Hospital stays can get tedious I believe, so here.”  Xanthe walked up to Naleena's bedside and handed her the book she'd purchased.  “It's a collection of Tennyson poems.  I thought they would keep your mind pleasantly occupied.”

 

Naleena accepted the book, and set it down on her makeshift desk. “Thank you. Please sit.” she said feeling a bit irritable, and Xanthe sat in the chair next to the bed. “Sorry for my demeanor. They won't let me smoke. Said it will slow the healing process, snickered and left the room. If it weren't for all these pain meds I'd probably kill something. The doctor told me I'll be back on my feet in a few days. Miracles of modern medicine - 'the nanites are hard at work repairing damaged tissue,' she said. And fortunately the shrapnel missed my spine.

 

“You look well, Xanthe,” Naleena said. “And please, can we dispense with the titles in here? I think we know each other well enough to be on a first name basis, don’t you? So, is this a social call, or did the Council get my message and send you? In any event, I could use your help.”

 

“Thank you, I prefer to stand,” Xanthe replied.  She hesitated a bit, then said, “This is business.  The Council sent me to see you regarding your message.  It came at a convenient time for my travel as I was about to report to them on events in the Terminus Systems I have been investigating.  But apparently they would prefer you brief me, given your condition and your inability to make a presentation in the Tower.”

 

“Suit yourself,” Naleena replied, and handed her a data pad. “Let me begin, then. The Krogan member of my team, Kadavar Vayne, received a message from Garvug from one of his contacts, Quill, that an artifact had been discovered. The complication was that it was under the burial grounds for the Krogan who died in the rebellions. You can see how this could get tricky. He mentioned that there had been some activity by a few Earth based corporations on the planet and that they were in conflict. We later heard news reports of an aborted coup attempt against the Krogan clan leader Hailot Wrund, and that there was at the time an uneasy cease fire and peace demonstrations led by the late Isaac Rows of Twin Spirals. My assignment is to investigate and obtain Prothean artifacts for the Council, so I went to Garvug. I should mention that at this time I have a second ship assisting me, the merchant ship K&Q Medusa.

 

“When I took the job as Spectre, I knew I would be doing a lot of work in the Terminus, and Councilor Tevos pointed out that it was imperative that it be done ‘with a deft touch lest we provoke open war.’ We entered the Paz System with stealth systems engaged. The Medusa, on the other hand is simply a merchant vessel with a very creative captain. There were no less than four corporate cruisers and one carrier in orbit over the planet. They were enforcing a blockade. The Medusa created a diversion and we slipped past and positioned ourselves in orbit 200,000 km over the capitol. We used my personal shuttle for the mission,” Naleena looked away from Xanthe momentarily. “It has non-standard equipment: a VI, optical cloak, and a GARDIAN Laser. I wanted to be sure.”

 

Naleena looked up at Xanthe making eye contact.  She related all of the events in detail to Xanthe covering everything up to the point where she was shot. “Essul Ran'perah dragged me to safety. I owe him my life.

 

“The transcript and the suit camera recordings from my armor and from that of Essul during the peace talks are in the file labeled ‘Garvug Negotiation’; the one marked ‘Battle’ is where I was shot and clearly shows Sonax and Guanghui forces in action,” Naleena said. “It is here where the proof that Wrund had no intention of turning over the artifact exists, and the proof that the corporations were after the artifact for themselves, and were willing to kill for it. The possibility of having a Council Spectre know of its existence and their treachery could not be allowed. “Under Council Law, members of a Spectre’s team are working for the Council. I recommend the following sanctions be brought against Sonax, Guanghui, and Binary Helix:

 

1. Illegal possession of a Prothean artifact – granted we don’t know who has it, but whoever does will turn it over to get the conspiracy to possess sanction dropped.
2. Conspiring to illegally possess a Prothean artifact
3. Conspiring to assassinate Council Officials
4. Attempted assassination of Council Officials

 

“I gave my hospital team the order to secure the artifact and wait for extraction,” Naleena continued shaking her head. “Everything else I know is from the live suit cam recordings. I just saw them for the first time earlier today. It appears the team at the hospital was successful, but the situation had deteriorated too much making extraction with the artifact impossible. It was a miracle we escaped. I want to bring your attention to something here on this vid. It’s a Batarian frigate. Someone, I don’t know who, brought in the Batarians. Lucen’s Razor says it was Wrund.”

 

Xanthe Remi listened and watched attentively, but retreated from the conversation slightly.  ”Naleena, this is...not in relation to what you were speaking with me about when we last talked, is it?  Even if it is...which would likely make explaining this more difficult, if I went at this, I would need the Council to approve the transition of my current duties.”

Remi searched Naleena's expression.  ”You and I have not seen eye to eye, but you understand the application of resources.  Are you aware, beyond this particular instance, of what is happening in the Terminus Systems?  Military incidents between Warlords are steadily rising.  The shipments of illegal arms are on the upswing.  There has been a spike in the number of criminals and ne'er do wells to the region of space.  Is it at the critical stage?  No.  But the reason has not been determined yet.  If I pursue these inquiries, and that is a large 'If' as the Council would still need to provide at least their tacit agreement, then my other investigations are put by the wayside.  So, before we go any further, what is it that you are seeking my specific help with, that would justify pulling my attention away from what I have at hand?  At least give me a summary so I may consider this data in more detail, please.”

 

Naleena listened to Xanthe speak and misunderstand her intent. “Xanthe, you wanted this at most to be a social visit with one of your own, right? HQ brought you into this, didn’t they? If I could just get out of this damned bed, I would.

 

“The bottom line is this: the corporations can’t be allowed to get away with what they did. They are as we speak fighting over that artifact, and whoever has the biggest army will get it. Representatives of all three corporations shot at me: an Office of The Council while I was mediating peace negotiations. I have them red handed with multiple suit cams: both audio and video. They need to be punished. This evidence needs to be delivered to The Council. That’s all the help I ask,” Naleena said with her palms up. “I don’t think the Batarians will risk another foray that deep into the Terminus. They were outgunned as it was. I think their presence was a coincidence and more personal. As for Hailot Wrund? He’ll get what’s coming to him even if it takes a couple hundred years, but I don’t think he’ll last that long.

 

“The other matter I need to see The Council about can wait until I’m out of bed. I want to deliver that in person,” Naleena smiled.  

 

“You want me to bring the evidence to the Council, simple as that?”  Xanthe seemed suspicious.  ”This I can do.  Are you sure that is all you require, Naleena?”

 

“That's it, my report summary, and convey my recommendations for sanctions against the corporations. Let them see the evidence. I tried to extend the Council's influence,” Naleena said. “The situation on Garvug is too big for a single Spectre or two. Financial sanctions are the only way. Thank you, Xanthe. And Xanthe, be careful out there especially dealing with warlords who have axes to grind.”

 

Xanthe took more time to contemplate in silence, then accepted.  ”Fine.  Then I will deliver the information to the Council as you requested.”

With an uptick in the urgency of her tone, Xanthe added, “But I will tell you this, Naleena.  There is more than whatever this is going on in the Terminus Systems.  Baron Garlath went dark.  This volus was a broker out there in the Systems, a real wheeler and dealer, but he had the trust of his peers around him.  A guy like him doesn't go down unless someone out there wants war, or is making a power play.  And there's more, Blood Pack lost one of their top commanders.  Vanished without a trace, him and his unit.  These things happen from time to time, but there's something about this that I won't like until I get to the bottom of it.  You watch your own back, Naleena.  It's clear that whatever you are doing is dangerous enough.  But I think more is coming, and it will get worse from all angles before it gets better.”

 

“And Xanthe, can you come close. I need to show you something,” Naleena said and tapped her omni-tool pulling up a picture and sanitized dossier. Sanitized in that Morgan and his family have been removed from it. “Here is a side investigation of mine. This is Iyana. She is an agent for the Shadow Broker. She is highly charismatic, psychotic and extremely dangerous. She is wanted for multiple counts of homicide, piracy, and other capital offenses. C-sec had been investigating but mysteriously shut down the investigation. I would not be surprised to find her behind some strange things happening in the Terminus. If you get any leads on her, would you please forward them to me. Do not attempt to investigate without backup.”

 

Xanthe looked at the ivory skinned woman and gave Naleena a look of disbelief.

 

“Xanthe, I'm serious.” Naleena said, and transferred a copy of the dossier to Xanthe and closed her omni-tool. “And if I find get any leads about Garlath or anything big happening in the Terminus, I'll let you know. Thanks for stopping by.”

 

With a cursory examination, Xanthe said, “I'll look it over.  Get well and get back on your post, Spectre.”  Xanthe gave a slight but formal bow and left for the Presidium Tower.

[TheMajonese]

Remember that those talons are your best melee weapon and you always carry them with you, so don't be afraid to use them whenever possible!

 

But Arian had no idea how he could attack with his talons. He could remember every single word from the lessons on Omega and still he had no idea how this could ever work in a real fight. Arian performed a heavy kick against the leg of an invisible opponent that, in a real fight, could easily break the leg of a salarian or human, followed by a series of fast blows. During the last two weeks Arian had intensified his workouts in the gym and the simulator and he could really feel a difference. After Caleston he had felt weak and slow, as if parts of his body had been still asleep, even though it had been enough to beat Jenus in a duel. But now he moved much faster and...Arian froze in his next attack, when felt a sudden pain at his spine seemed to completely paralyze his body. It was just for a second but he didn't dare to move to not cause a new wave of pain. He had completely forgot about this injury that Dr. Tolus had warned him about.

 

"What are you looking at?" Arian glared at the dragon head on his bed that seemed to watch him. Of course there was no answer from the helmet and the turian let out a frustrated sigh.

 

He was angry. But it wasn't the usual rage that always seemed to be part of him, this time he was furious about their mission on Garvug, disappointed by his own performance down there. It hadn't been his fault that the mission ended as a complete failure, Wrund's act of treason and the appearance of the unknown batarian and his ship had caught everyone off-guard. And still...Arian had been in the hospital, the tank with the artifact had been there as well. During his time on Omega, he would have just created a distraction so he or his team could steal the tank and then get out of there. But instead...he did literally nothing. He did nothing until Wrund's forces attacked them but it was already too late then to get the artifact.

 

The artifact had been the mission objective, the primary reason for this whole operation. And now the young krogan was dead, Naleena wounded and the artifact still somewhere on this frozen planet. Even worse; Wrund now had it...

 

With a grumble Arian turned around to leave his quarters. He was tired of sitting in this room, being lost in his somber thoughts. There were always people who felt responsible if something went wrong, who felt guilty if a comrad or a friend got wounded or killed during a mission but Arian wasn't like that. The mission on Garvug was a failure but not because of him. Maybe he could have done better, maybe not. It didn't matter now.

 

Since the Janiri just arrived at the Citadel, he could just as well do something useful.

[Cknarf]

Earth, New York City. Three days later.

 

Frank checked the time on his omni-tool and sighed. His ride was now over an hour late.

 

“They musta forgot about me, lil buddy.”  He spoke to the rough looking tabby that had taken a spot on the bench next to him. It was missing bits of an ear, and appeared to be blind in its left eye.

 

Frank stroked the ugly cat, possibly feeling a little empathetic towards the animal. It was too friendly to be feral. It had obviously been a stray for quite some time, but it likely had a caring family at some point.

 

“I know that feel, bro. Things’ll get better.”

 

The cat rolled over, and exposed its belly. Of course, as Frank began to scratch it, the animal attacked his gloved hand. It is the feline way.

 

“Heh. A**hole.” Frank smirked, as the cat gnawed on his synthetic fingers. He pulled his hand away and reached into his jacket pocket. He withdrew a pack of cigarettes, and examined them.

 

WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, and May Complicate Pregnancy.

 

“Eh.” He shrugged, while opening them and placing one between his lips.

 

Surely one couldn’t hurt.

 

He flicked open his souvenir ‘I NY’ lighter, and lit it. Bringing the flame to the end of the cigarette, he inhaled…

 

“Mmph. Smooth.” He coughed, holding it out and away from his face. He cleared his throat. “Don’t see how she does it…” He shook his head, and leaned back on the bench, while the cigarette continued to burn.

 

The drone of an approaching skycar caused him to look further down the street. Looking over the top of his sunglasses, he instantly recognized the metallic red paint of Marius’ personal car. He rose to his feet as the car set down in front of him, nothing at all visible through the darkened canopy.

 

When it opened, Frank was surprised to see a pair of human women step out. One was rather attractive, the other not so much. He could tell from their clothes and ridiculous heels what kind of work they were involved in.

 

“Sorry honey, we’re off duty.” The first said, as she passed.

 

“You got another one of those?” The other asked, referring to Frank’s cigarette. He just handed it to her.

 

“Thanks kid.” She took a long drag, and went to catch up with her friend. Frank watched them leave with a raised eyebrow.

 

“Sorry I’m late. Had some business to take care of.”

 

Frank smiled at the sound of a familiar voice. He turned and looked up at the turian. “Quintus.” He held out a clenched fist.

 

“‘Lil Frank.” Quintus pounded Frank’s fist with his. Frank did the same, before they held out their fingers and wiggled them.

 

“Good to see you haven’t changed.”

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with RedBelle)

Previously...

...in the presence of The Lord of the Kings and Queens

The elevator lowered, with Iyana standing in the middle and slightly in front of Amaya and Simon. It was only one level down, but with the high ceilings, it took some time. Descending below the entrance chamber brought the lift into a cylindrical walled enclosure, with two large doors providing an exit. Those doors opened only when the elevator came to a halt, and when they did, they revealed a floor with no partitions, with light focused predominantly on the one lone figure in the spacious area.

Upon a throne that levitated sat a man at the center of the room. He was old, wrinkles extending over his features save the tight, sun kissed scalp that crowned him. Two bushy eyebrows were his only visible facial hair, framing dark, intent eyes. The man wore a suit of armor, yet his was gunmetal, decorated, but not ostentatious.

And to say it was a throne was almost to make an understatement. The seat of the man extended well above him, threatening to touch the ceiling of a normal room. Then, wide as it was tall, it showed in its black form and gold trim that enclosed within it were electronics, visible from the varied lights that worked amongst its surface. Enigmatic and awesome, the throne commanded attention as the man who sat upon it.

The cold blue eyes of Iyana shifted, coming alive with a barely contained energy within. Waiting for no order or instruction, she stepped forward, presuming the two who accompanied her to follow. Each step in her gleaming alloy armor was soft, yet severe, whispering its ‘hish’ and the slight click of her heel falling. She stopped as she barely passed the doors to the lift, at a well safe distance from the throne and man, and she glanced to each Amaya and Simon before staring ahead. Upon her angelic face the hint of a smile revealed itself and without preamble, Iyana spoke.

“I am Iyana. I have come as unkind disruptor and setter of all things right. I am she who faces those that would crush her and seeker of forgiveness from the same. But most of all, your Lordship, I have come to give you what you wish, and much, much more.”

Tarball's turned his throne on it's Grav cushion. It's Eezo fueled core turning the massive slab of golden metal on it's axis in silence till he faced her. "Iyana......". Taballs intoned. His deep voice reverberating impossibly in the room until one realized it was his own gravely tone that rumbled at the bass level.

"Iyana.....". Tarballs repeated. "Welcome". He raised a hand as the golden throne turned slightly towards the window he'd been staring out of and made a sweeping gesture. "I hope my choice of location is pleasing to you. It used to be a human colony of course. Long, long ago. It fell, and those who conquered it simply used it as a stepping stone to reach other human settlements that faced the same fate. They never stopped to settle themselves though..... Leaving just the remains of what could have been.... The ones who funded the colony found themselves bankrupt. Their means of generating a return for their investment destroyed along with the hopes and dreams of the colonists. Thus it was abandoned and left in the wake of history......".

Tarball's arm thudded heavily against the rest of his chair as he turned his head to her. "An object lesson I have always thought..... But in what I have always wondered..... Perhaps in humanities naivety in which it looks to a future among the stars? In greed? By imagining that investing everything you have will result in more? Only to find that what you invest means nothing in the greater galactic picture..... Or perhaps a lesson in bad luck. That no matter what you attempt, there will always be something to set you back..... What do you see when you look out over the colonies remains"?

Iyana reflected, her cool expression showing nothing until finally a thin, white eyebrow twitched downward. "Aside from a certain je ne sais quoi, I see...renewal."

The woman in gleaming armor began to pace, so that she could bring Amaya and Simon into her view but she never turned her back on Tarballs. "What is anything if it cannot rise from its ashes? I am flawed, your Lordship, sometimes naïve, sometimes greedy. I let Jess Stone remove the Medusa from my hands, a foolish underestimation of her ability, although perhaps this works to your favor. Is that failure? I suppose it would be, if it was the end of the subject."

Moving her hand slowly and well within view, so that all could see what she was doing, Iyana reached into a compartment built into the belt of her shining armor. The box like contraption opened at her fingertips, and out slipped a data cube, the same data cube that had led her to the Kings and Queens. "But it is what rises anew that matters to me. A ship, that is important. A fleet, much more so. The time and ability to replace that which was lost and make it greater than before, most crucial of all." Iyana spun the cube in her fingertips and came to a stop, facing Lord Tarballs with Amaya and Simon also well within her view. "The greatest achievement Captain Stone will ever be is a well placed cog. The machine is much more important, and that which guides it. You asked me to bring you a ship as recompense. However, does not your Lordship deserve higher reward?"

Iyana swept her open hand, palm upwards, from Amaya, to Simon, and finally to Tarballs. "What is a building compared to a city? What is a ship compared to a fleet? You will have the ship you asked for, your Lordship, but I will come to terms that will clad your fleet in its armor! You are wise and so you must have thought of this, the difficulty in reverse engineering the Silaris armor, the limited production facilities even with the technology. Shall this stand? Or does your Lordship wish his entire kingdom to be renewed, its potency to grow. I have in my grasp the knowledge of the armor. All that it requires is a facility to produce it. Then your entire Kingdom may travel the stars garbed in the diamond robes of its proper station."

With a last spin of the cube, Iyana returned it to its compartment. "And if that is the extent of your desire than so be it. But if there is more to tell, let me savvy your vision."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

Serpent Nebula - The Citadel

 

To: Yalson Sao, Supervisor Illium Branch

 

From: Naleena T’sarius, Spectre

 

RE: Archaeological Find

 

I am doing much better and have been cleared to return to duty. This is to notify you that I am scheduling an audience with The Council regarding an archaeological find on Eingana in the Omega Cluster.  Please find the details in my attached report. I think you will be pleased.

 

ATT: Eingana Report. 10 TB

 

….. SEND

 

Naleena closed her omni-tool and waited for her discharge documents to arrive. It felt good to get back into her leathers again, although they felt a little loose on her. Clearly she would need to gain back some weight. Finally the nurse showed up with the documents and a wheelchair. Naleena signed the docs and walked out on her own power with the nurse shouting in the background.

 

It felt good to get out of there and breathe recycled air from another part of the Citadel. Her appointment with the Council was in the afternoon, so she decided to stop at the gift shop and buy some cigarettes. She opened the pack, drew one out, and lit it. The first drag was heavenly, although it did make her cough a little. She put the pack in her coat pocket and left.

 

Her omni-tool vibrated , and there was a text message from Barla Von to go to his financial institution. They  needed to talk. Barla Von is a known representative for the Shadow Broker. Why would he want to see me?

 

She took a taxi to the First Bank of the Citadel which was on the other side of the Presidium Ring in the financial district. She parked the taxi in the lot nearby, exited, lit a cigarette, and entered the building. Von’s office was in the back.

 

She approached one of the administrative assistants, a human male in his twenties with dark hair. “I need to speak with Barla Von.”

 

The AA looked up. “Excuse me, this is a non-smoking establishment.”

 

A voice came over the intercom. “hsss… That’s quite alright…. Hsss… Send in Spectre T’sarius.”

 

“Go right in, Spectre.  The office with the windows.”

 

“Thank you.” Naleena said and walked back to see Barla Von.

 

The door was open when she arrived at his office, and she closed the door behind her. Barla Von was a Volus, and no one knew what he really looked like because of his environment suit. His voice was quite distinguishable, however.

 

“Please, sit down.” Von said.

 

“You’re an agent for the Shadow Broker,” Naleena said as she took her seat in a leather chair. “One of his agents has tried to kill me and several of my companions. Why would he want to speak with me through you now?”

 

“The Broker conveys his sincere apologies,” Von replied, taking another breath and walking over to his desk. “That agent has gone rogue and is no longer part of the network. As a gesture of good faith, the Broker wishes to provide you with some valuable intelligence.”

 

Naleena took another drag off her cigarette.

 

“In the Fathar System in the Omega Cluster on Lorek, there is a Hegemony Official who oversees the operation of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation outside of Jalnor.” Von paused to take a breath.

 

“Wait, isn’t that a human name?”

 

“That is a good catch, Spectre,” Von replied. “Weyland-Yutani operates on Lorek outside of Council Laws. Lorek is in the Terminus and a Batarian controlled world. <hsss> The official has run up huge gambling debts and has contacted one of our operatives. <hsss> He is looking for a way off world and a new identity.”

 

“What’s he offering?”

 

“He says he has information regarding a secret military research facility. He will divulge its location when he is safe.”

 

“Do you have a name?”

 

“Branith Cardah,” Von replied. “Another thing. <hsss> The population of Lorek is primarily Batarian and Asari. The few free humans in Jalnor work for Weyland-Yutani Corporation. <hsss> My sources say his time may be short.”

 

“Thank you,” Naleena said, stood and left the bank for her appointment in the Council Chamber.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

... Later - Council Chambers

 

 

Naleena stood before The Councilors and Councilor Tevos opened the meeting. “Spectre T’sarius, I’m glad to see that you’re up and about. Spectre Remi delivered your report on Garvug and your allegations are quite serious.”

 

“This is an outrage!” Councilor Udina said. “I will not allow these proposed sanctions to be placed against all three Earth-based corporations. The economic fallout will be staggering.”

 

Naleena turned to face Udina. “With all due respect, Councilor, the evidence is clear. We cannot allow corporations to start shooting at Council mediators simply because they’re not getting what they want.”

 

“You were not officially assigned as a mediator,” Udina replied.

 

“Spectre T’sarius is right, and Spectres have wide latitude as to how they can act. Your people need to learn their place.” Councilor Sparatus said. “But what of the artifact? You lost it?”

 

“Councilor, I was unconscious when that call was made. Sanctioning all three with conspiracy and possession of the artifact should get the guilty party to release it if we agree to drop the conspiracy sanction against them,” Naleena said looking Sparatus in the eyes, and then addressed all three of them. “In this case it’s the principle. In the bigger picture it’s trivial. During the previous mission, we had a major success.”

 

Councilor Valern leaned forward.

 

“I received a request to search for a missing person from Dr. T’soni, a renowned Prothean expert. She’d sent someone to Eingana to check out a lead on something potentially big. It proved to be big. It was an Inusannon Archive. The archive was dated around 110,000 years old, and it contains all of the information about their civilization. And here’s something interesting. The Protheans discovered it and used it for research. They added to it.”

 

“Our surveys of Eingana showed that it has a very unstable isotope of eezo prevalent in its environment. How did you land?” Valern asked.

 

“Actually the Janiri crashed.”

 

“You nearly destroyed a ship?” Sparatus scolded.

 

“This is quite interesting, Spectre, but if it is impossible to get to, what good is it?” Tevos asked.

 

“You don’t have to. I downloaded the entire archive to my ship’s data storage,” Naleena saw the looks of disbelief. “When I took command of the Janiri, I went to Illium and purchased backup data storage and computer processors. I had them installed on the ship. Don’t look alarmed. And yes there was file compression involved, but any competent Quarian programmer can write the algorithms. So, where do you want this delivered?”

 

“I think the University of Serrice has the finest group of Prothean experts in the Galaxy. It should be delivered there,” Tevos said.

 

“Definitely not! Johns Hopkins University on Earth is where it should be delivered.” Udina said.

 

“Vilnius University on Palaven.”

 

Naleena was shaking her head. “Look at you! This is shared knowledge and now you’re fighting over who gets the prestige of where it gets studied. I have a solution. Since it was my ship and my crew who discovered it, we decide,” she said with a smirk. “I say it goes to Thessia, to the University of Serrice, since it was Dr. T’soni who told me about it. And each of you can send research staff to study the data. And a copy of the data remains aboard my ship. Fair enough?”

 

The Councilors voted unanimously. “We accept your proposal, Spectre. Thank you. Is there anything else?”

 

Naleena put her hand behind her neck. “As a matter of fact there is. I received some intel earlier today that a Batarian national is willing trade some highly classified information in exchange for extraction from a former colony of ours, now known as Lorek, and a new identity. I suggest we do this and see what he has to offer.”

 

“Absolutely not. We cannot risks sending the Janiri or a large team into Batarian space. Things are tense enough with the Batarians. It would provoke war,” Sparatus said.

 

“But a civilian shuttle and one or two people at most should be sufficient for this job,” Naleena replied. “And I know the rules. If I am caught or killed, the Council will disavow any knowledge of my action.”

 

“What is your final destination?” Valern asked.

 

“Illium.”

 

The Council voted and approved the operation. “Spectre, Supervisor Sao issued a positive appraisal of your performance, and this recent development tells us he was not wrong. We have an additional assignment. Please wait outside in the antechamber upstairs.” Tevos said.

 

“As you wish, Councilor.” Naleena turned and left the Council Chamber.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

The Councilors had finished their daily agenda, and were now handling their appointments in the Council Chambers. First on the docket was a potential replacement for Commander Shepard. The candidate's name had been put forth by Councilor Udina. Two Alliance officers walked up the steps and stood on the pedestal facing the four Councilors.

 

Captain Richmond was an average height mixed race human, primarily of African-American descent, educated at the University of Connecticut. He commanded the Systems Alliance Cruiser Cairo. “I would like to introduce to you a soldier whom I think would make a fine addition to the rank of Spectres.  He served under my command during the Battle of the Citadel, and has been involved in several special operations, on three of which he received decorations. He has completed the N7 program. Lieutenant, please step forward.”

 

A well-conditioned Marine, about 5’9” and 175 pounds stepped forward. Todd Roman’s dark brown hair was parted on the left and his steely blue eyes looked straight ahead at Councilor Tevos when he snapped to attention.

 

 

“Given recent events, humanity would like to replace its position in the Spectres, and we feel that this officer is best suited to the task,” Councilor Udina said.

 

“Lieutenant Roman, you realize that becoming a member of the Spectres is no easy task,” Councilor Tevos said. “Like all candidates, you will undergo an evaluation. Spectre T’sarius, would you enter the chamber.”

 

Naleena entered the Council Chambers from the side entrance in her black commando armor and black leather coat and stood on a platform overlooking the lieutenant and his captain.

 

Roman looked up at Naleena. Great. An Asari. Why couldn’t it be a Turian? Roman thought. Asari were known throughout Alliance Space as dancers and diplomats, and he couldn’t imagine one being a Spectre. Roman had participated in cross-species training exercises with Turians and knew they were brutal.

 

Naleena read his body language, tipped her head toward him, and raised her brow.

 

“Spectre T’sarius informs us that she has received an important, yet basic assignment that requires immediate attention. It is not without danger, however, and is typical of most Spectre assignments,” Councilor Valern said. “We would like you to work with her on this.”

 

“I am honored, Councilors,” Roman replied.

 

“Save being honored for when we’ve completed the assignment,” Naleena said in her smooth contralto voice. “Things in the galaxy are not always what they seem, Lieutenant. Meet me aboard the Janiri after the meeting. Bring your gear. I’ll brief you then. Councilors,” Naleena nodded, turned and left.

 

Roman turned to Captain Richmond who shrugged his shoulders.

 

“If there is no further business, this meeting is adjourned,” Councilor Tevos said.

 

Richmond and Roman walked down the steps to exit the Council Chamber and take the tram out of the Citadel Tower.

 

“What was her problem?”

 

“T’sarius? Reports are that she was shot up pretty bad on her last mission. She might not be feeling that well, yet,” Captain Richmond replied. “Still I would keep an eye on her. I’ve read her background, and it’s quite shady.”

 

Roman gave Captain Richmond an inquisitive look.

 

“She was a contract killer for a number of years if you look back far enough, then suddenly everything gets hush hush. It’s pretty recent, too. Next thing you know she’s a Council Spectre on a special assignment with a fancy new ship,” Richmond continued as they walked. “I wonder whose back she scratched to pull off that?”

 

“You think there was a deal made?”

 

Richmond sighed, then stopped and faced Roman. “I’m not sure. Just… be careful out there. You’re a fine officer and a soldier. Remember your honor as a Marine, and congratulations. You have a chance to do humanity proud.” Richmond smiled.

 

“Yes, Sir. I won’t let you down, Sir.”

 

“Don’t let yourself down, either, Son.”

 

The tram arrived, and they stepped onto it and departed The Tower.

[Cknarf]

Earth

 

“Are those blood stains?” Frank asked, looking into the back seat of the skycar at the dark smears on the upholstery.

 

“Yup.” Quintus replied nonchalantly, before inquiring about the creature in Frank’s lap. “What’s that thing?”

 

“They call 'em  cats. Guess people on Earth keep ‘em as pets.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“Uh-huh.”

 

“Smells funny.” Quintus opened the vent window on Frank’s side.

 

“Yeah, maybe a little.”

 

“Toss it out. It’s stinkin’ up the car.”

 

“I ain’t just gonna toss it, you sick bastard!” Frank looked out the window at the streets below. “‘Sides, I don’t think it’s all from the cat...”

 

Quintus brought a talon to his nose and sniffed.

 

“Hm. Suppose you’re right. Still, Marius ain’t gonna let that thing on his ship. Our ship.” Quintus’ omni-tool flashed with an incoming call alert. He just ignored it.

 

“You gonna take that?”

 

“Nah. It’s just Marius callin’ to chew me out. Might as well wait ‘til we get back to the ship.

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

 

“There she is.” Quintus pointed at the Vepr as they neared. “Aaaaand there he is...”

 

Marius was standing at the top of the ramp, with his arms crossed. He just shook his head and followed the car as it pulled in.

 

“H-hey, bro, sorry we was late.” Qunitus began, as he climbed out. “I uh… we had to…”

 

“It was my fault. I was late to the meeting point.” Frank covered for him. “Sorry about that.”

 

“Welcome aboard, Eli.” Marius nodded. “Quintus, show him around.”

 

“I… yeah. A’ight. Let’s go, kid.” Quintus walked on. “This, obviously, is the cargo bay.” He said, stepping around the elevator that ran down the center of the bay.

 

“Looks pretty bare.”

 

“Yeah, we had to space a lot of it before we entered the system. All the good stuff’s under here.” Touching his omni-tool, Quintus caused a section of the floor to open, revealing a cache of high-end weapons. “Sold some to the humans you were dealin’ with too.”

 

“Neat.”

 

“Yeah, it’s pretty fuckin’ sweet.” Quintus nodded. “On the other end of the bay, behind those doors is the drive core. Nothin’ real excitin'.”

 

Frank followed him back to the elevator. Quintus hit the button for deck two.

 

“He didn’t seem that upset.” Frank said, once the doors closed.

 

“Nah man. He was pissed. He’s just keepin’ it cool ‘cause you just got here.”

 

“I’m sure he’ll be chill by the time we leave.”

 

“I fuckin’ hope so.” Quintus chuckled a bit, while stepping onto deck two. He really didn’t feel like dealing with his brother.

 

“A’ight. This is where we sleep, shower, and take sh*ts.”  He led Frank to a room nearest the elevator. “Here’s yo digs.” He opened the door. “I’ve kinda been usin’ it as a gym, among other things.”  Frank went in for a look.

 

“Ho-ly sh*t.” Frank waved a hand in front of his face.

 

“Yeah, it’s kinda rank.”

 

Frank just shook his head and stepped out.

 

Walking back behind the elevator, they came to the bathroom area.

 

“One on the left if for chicks. Right’s for dudes.” Quintus pointed at each room. “And this…” He leaned up against the wall, and elbowed the door controls. “Is the shower.”

 

In the center of the massive shower facilities sat Kira, meditating in the nude.

 

“Sh*t.” Frank covered his eyes. “Sorry, Kira!”

 

“Relax child, it’s nothing you haven’t seen before.” She smiled, not bothering to open her eyes. “It’s good to have you aboard.”

 

Quintus closed the door. “Heh. Yeah… she does that.”

 

“Ugh. That’s weird.” Frank said, as they headed back to the elevator. “It’s like seein’ your grandma naked. Not that I ever had one, but still...”

 

“I wish my grandma was that fine.”

 

“Really?”

 

“What?”

 

They rode the elevator to the top deck.

 

“Kitchen, livin’ room, all that sh*t.” Quintus waved his hand, while heading straight for the cockpit. “I’ma show you my office.” He ascended the small flight of stairs to the cockpit. “Got it it set up like a fighter, ‘cause well, you know.  I flew for awhile ‘for I got discharged and…”

 

Frank started up the steps after him, as he went on about the ship.

 

“Over on the left here, we got the controls for the main gun, which is like, damn. Heh. To the right we got--”

 

“Adir!” Frank smiled.

 

“Frank Eli!” The old quarian rose from his station, with open arms. “It’s good to see you again.”

 

“You had me worried...” Frank hugged him.

 

“Why didn’t I get a hug?” Quintus muttered, while taking the pilot’s seat.

 

“I know. I received all of your messages. Come, we have much to talk about.” Adir guided him towards the stairs.

 

“Quintus, everything’s ready down here. Take us out.”

 

“A’ight, bro. Where to?”

 

“Just set course for the relay. We need to talk."

[Redbelle]

Medusa - Priss's Quarters

 

Jess inclined her head as she took in Priss's appearance. "You sure? That was one unsightly blowout you had on the bridge. Not something I'd expect from you.....". Peering around Priss she looked inside the crew compartment. Seeing the covers off the bed and under the table. Her eye's slid back to Priss as she leaned back and fixed her with a stern glance. "...... Priss". She said at last. "I may be lax in discipline, but if one of my people is having issues I want to hear them". She paused. Then stepped forward. Sliding past Priss and walked to the table. Stooping to pick up the blanket and held it up.

 

"What? The beds aren't hard enough for you"?

[Kel Riever]

Miss Priss bit the side of her lower lip as Jess came in, then she shut the door behind the Captain.  She went to her own bed, now without its warm covering, sat on it, pulled off her boots and got herself up fully on it to sit with knees up, back against the wall.  She tilted her Stetson in front of her eyes momentarily.

"Is that all you did was to come and as me questions, Honey Bee?  I thought you were gonna put me in my place for being unruly."

The tone was a bit insincere, and after a pause of silence, Priss gave in, pushing her hat up to peer at Jess with eyes that tried to hide fear and failed.

"I'm sorry, I just had the thought it'd be nice to go back and knock around, like nothing had happened.  But there ain't no coming back from that now, is there?"

Priss looked hopefully at Jess, then sighed and went on.

"Look here, I'm young, lived just a couple summers over twenty, but I seen that lady before...we were under the same tutelage, with the Consort.  I mean, the Consort, at the Citadel. Sha'ira.  People come to her in all ways to train.  Countless apply, some from very well-off types.  Some are just lucky, like me.

"You ain't gotta have a broken heart over this here girl, Jess.  I was abandoned, left for nothing, a baby with a pretty face, understand?  Cute as a button they say.  Suppose it was a bit more than that because somehow Sha'ira had her feelers out and they adopted me.  Just when I was a bit over one years old, I got taken.

"What do you remember since you was so young?  Nothing much, right?  But you don't forget what you can't forget.  One years old went fine.  It was when I was two that I seen them sisters.  I liked them, at first!  They were introduced to us, newcomers.  Everybody liked them.  But things changed over whatever time it took.  I don't know when exactly but I remember the others started staying away from them.  And then I wanted to, as well, because thing started getting creepy."

Miss Priss shifted uncomfortably.  "The nights, there was girls who had gotten up and gone missing.  I'd wake up because I heard something bad.  Somebody'd be gone, plus those two.  The next morning, the girl would be back, and the look on there face was...I can't describe it, Honey Bee.  I won't.  I saw the dread is all, let's leave it at that.  The mentors knew something was up, they sure did.  They even knew it was with those two sisters, but they couldn't figure it out.

"The one call herself Babe, or was called Serendipity by the olders, she never looked happy.  She looked always like she didn't want to be there, like she wanted to leave.  But she was maybe six when I was two.  The other one, Midnight, the white haired one, she was much older.  I want to say she was a teen.  She was mean and it was that look she had, like she was all sparkly eyed until she had you in her trap, then she'd get this look, like a skull was gonna come flying out of her face.  And in front of the mentors, she was kind, kind, kind.  But when you were with her, it was no good.  Anyway, like I said, nothing changed but the mentor were trying to figure out what was going on."

There was a bit of a tremor in Priss' voice, suddenly.  "But  they came for me one night.  I must have known something was up because I couldn't catch a wink.  We all slept together in a big room, a suite.  I was near the door end, they were across the room.  I saw the first pair of blue eyes staring at me when I looked over at their beds, then I saw the other pair.  I knew everything was gonna head bad and I got up and ran.  You gotta understand that Shi'ara's place at the Citadel is big, much bigger than most see.  There's quarters for everyone to live in.  And I was two, so to me it was like a whole big world in the living area.  I ran and hid, because I knew they were coming for me.  But they got me, they did."

A tear ran down the side of Priss' face, however, she didn't seem to notice it.  She had her hands wrapped tightly around her knees.  "Okay, so, here Jess, here I don't know how to tell you what happened, cause I was two.  But, all right, the one, Serendipity, she sounded like she wanted no part in it, yet the other one, Midnight, kind of made her.  It was like Serendipity, and I guess that's why she was called it, could always find whoever it was that was being looked for.  Then, I don't know I'm gonna ramble because I'm....I'm having a bit of a hard time now.  But then that Midnight, she held me down, and she'd look at me with her eyes, and she....she..."

Color had drained out of Priss' face.  No more tears or trembling came, just paralysis.  Only her voice went on, and it sounded as if someone had taken all the life out of it.  "I lost a part of myself that day, Jess, because it was stolen from me by her eyes.  I'm telling you it went right out of me, like breaths you could never get back.  Cold, so cold, Jess.  And I fought back, I did.  I clawed her, I bit her, hard!  She would smile, like it felt good.  Like she was having the time of her life.  Jess, I took a circle of skin off her, she was bleeding.  She didn't care not one ounce, and made these...these happy sounds.  The other one was too scared, Serendipity, but she didn't say nothing while I was there being...lost."

Looking up at Jess with glassy eyes, and dilated pupils, Priss said, "One of the mentors had come in, I guess found us 'cause she heard something.  She yanked Midnight off me, and there was yelling.  But I don't remember much because they took me away from them.  Shi'ara was real worried about me, and she melded with me though I was so, so young.  I felt healed, but not fully, you know?  I felt Shi'ara's love come back into my heart, to try to build what had been lost, but there were parts that never did come back.  Those girls were gone after that, or what happened to them I don't know.  The records on them were wiped, I think on purpose by Shi'ara.  I never cared, because I think she felt bad...those girls, you know, were an accident.  They should have never been there, and whatever Shi'ara saw in them, she felt this horrible regret.  She never would talk about it neither, but she always checked in on me, through my training and all that.  I didn't want to make her mad, so over the years I tried to find out about the girls a bit in secret, when I was brave enough to, and when one of my peers from that time was brave enough to, even though I think they were told not to."

Miss Priss relaxed her arms but pushed herself further up on the bed.  "So that's all I can say for now, Jess.  It's bad spirits, okay?  You call it what you want.  I know that there's a storm of evil that goes wherever that 'Babe' is.  Maybe she don't mean it to, or worse, maybe she's got this way of foolin' people.  But you ain't got to worry about that.  You got people to look after, see?  You got lives to be responsible for.  You got...you got Morgan to think about.  Well, I don't know, but you gotta think about this, Captain, and I ain't telling you what to do.  But you heard the story about the snake, right?  And how it's in it's nature.  I'm sorry, Jess..."

[TheMajonese]

Since we got nothing to do at the moment anyway, I thought it's a good opportunity to spend some money on some new equipment. If you're looking for a reason to get off that ship, you could join me and also give me some advice. I'll be just outside the ship at the docking area.

 

 

 

While he typed the message for Irina, Arian stopped several times, not sure if he should erase everything and go alone. It felt as if he had forgotten how to write a text like that and he knew that it had to sound somewhat ridiculous. But in the end, he just pressed Send Message and closed his omni-tool, then Arian headed towards the elevator. He wasn't even sure what he was expecting but Arian didn't want to spend the time on the citadel in a bar getting drunk and accidentally breaking things again. At least not at the moment. 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina saw the text message. She was up for some shopping and needed some time off the ship herself.

 

Sure, I'll meet you in the Starbuck's across from the ship before the security check in. Give me ten minutes.

 

-- Irina

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

The Citadel - Janiri

 

Naleena was in the shuttle bay of the Janiri checking over the repairs that had been made to her private shuttle after the Garvug mission. Her insurance didn’t cover the damage, so she charged the repairs to the ship’s maintenance budget over Han’Breizh’s objections. The repairs were completed to her satisfaction.

 

Next she checked her weapons locker to make sure everything was stocked, then headed over to Septerax.

 

“I need four pounds of Semtex and detonators, six EMP grenades, and two magazines tungsten jacketed 9mm rounds, and two magazines of 9mm hollow points,” Naleena said.

 

“When are you gonna give up on that old piece of crap and go with the modern stuff?” Septerax asked.

 

“When they make a decent suppressed weapon. So far I haven’t seen one on the market. And don't forget my usual loadout,” Naleena said as the quartermaster had his clerk gather the materials and deliver them to her shuttle. Naleena looked around. “I haven’t done a small assignment like this in over a year. It’s kind of exciting. The only wild card is the Alliance officer. The Council wants me to evaluate him. This is as good of a mission as any, and besides it will give me a chance to observe him on his own and not depending so much upon others.”

 

“Where you headed?”

 

Naleena laughed. “Septerax, you know I can't tell you. I’ll see you around.”

 

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

 

Todd Roman stepped onto the Janiri. It was his first time on an Asari ship. Luxury on a military vessel? He asked himself after noticing art work on the walls, and that the railings were hand carved and polished. He almost found it repulsive having been used to a Spartan environment on an Alliance cruiser. An Asari technician met him near the airlock.

 

“I’m Lieutenant Roman. I believe Spectre T’sarius is expecting me.”

 

The technician smiled. “I’m Triana. Follow me Lieutenant.”

 

“This ship…”

 

“Is quite luxurious…. I hear that from everyone who comes aboard for the first time,” Triana said. “It isn’t strictly a military vessel. It is partly a research vessel, and it is civilian comfort by design.”

 

Roman raised an eyebrow.

 

“Don’t let that fool you. It has state of the art weaponry and can take on most cruisers,” Triana said as she led Roman to the port side observation lounge. “Please, have a seat in here. There’s coffee or tea available. The Captain will be here shortly.”

 

And leather seats. Real leather. He rubbed his hand on the material before he sat.

 

Naleena rounded the corner wearing her leathers and full length coat and entered the room. Roman stood at attention.

 

“As you were, Lieutenant,” she said and closed the door behind her. “I’ve read your file and it is quite impressive. I can see why Councilor Udina put your name forward. Next, everything you see or hear aboard this ship is Classified. That means what you see and hear on this ship stays on this ship. Is that understood?”

 

“Yes, Ma’am.”

 

Naleena walked toward the window overlooking the terminal, lit pulled a cigarette out of her case, lit it, and turned around to face Roman. “So I know what I’ve read about you, Roman, the question is do you have what it takes to be a Spectre?”

 

Roman looked a little uncomfortable, as he stared at Naleena’s cigarette. “I graduated from the Alliance N7 program. That’s as tough as it gets.”

 

“But that’s a combat program. Spectres investigate, too. We also get stuck in mediations. How good are you at reading people?”

 

“Permission to speak freely?”

 

“Of course,” Naleena replied

 

“How good are you? I heard your last mission went south in the middle of a mediation.”

 

“Touché. But what isn’t in the report is that I had prepared my team with a plan B. Feel free to ask them. I’d start with the Krogan.”

 

“So you’ve grown from wet work to a team leader, then?” Roman commented.

 

Naleena smirked as she took a deep drag off her cigarette and exhaled downward off to the side. “And you’ve read my file. Good work.”

 

“Since we’re speaking freely, do you mind?” Roman asked making a motion with his hand.

 

“Yes, I do mind. I spent the last week in a hospital and no one even brought me one nicotine patch no matter how many times I requested one.”

 

Roman sighed then refocused. “So what’s this mission we’re going on?”

 

“My source tells me that a Batarian national has run up very large gambling debts, and he obviously can’t pay them back. He is willing to trade information about a secret military research facility in exchange for his transport off world and a new identity.”

 

“Your source?”

 

“The Council doesn’t assign us missions. We uncover them. We’re agents of the galaxy protecting the balance between order and chaos therein. We make life and death decisions. Didn’t they tell you that? My source is reliable and The Council approved the mission. If you pass this evaluation I’ll introduce you.”

 

Roman shifted in his posture on the couch, becoming more relaxed. “Fair enough.  So how do we get this ship into Batarian space undetected?”

 

“We don’t. We’re taking my shuttle.”

 

“How will we know when we meet him?”

 

“VERA?”

 

VERA’s hologram appeared over her terminal. She was in her office seated on her desk with her left leg slung over her right at the knee wearing a wool hound’s-tooth suit. She held a steno pad and a pencil in her hands. “Yes, boss.”

 

“VERA, I’d like you to meet Lieutenant Todd Roman. Lieutenant Roman will be going to the Fathar System with me on this mission.”

 

“What’s this?” Roman asked as he abruptly sat straight.

 

“This is VERA, my synthetic assistant.”

 

“You mean artificial intelligence. Do you have any idea how dangerous these things are?” Roman asked pointing at VERA.

 

“I don’t recall saying anything about an artificial intelligence,” Naleena replied.

 

“Then why are you conversing with it in such a familiar tone?”

 

Naleena let out a sigh. “You caught me red handed. Yes, this is an artificial intelligence. I had the entire computer system that the Council installed on this ship ripped out and replaced with an artificial intelligence that I bought with my own personal finances on a Spectre’s salary,” Naleena replied dripping with sarcasm. “I prefer speaking in a familiar tone because it is easier to collect my thoughts. Now can we get back to the briefing?”

 

VERA winked.

 

“Did it just?”

 

“No. VERA, were you able to obtain the complete dossier on Branith Cardah?”

 

“Of course,” VERA said and brought up a picture of the Batarian. “Branith Cardah usually leaves his office at 20 00 hrs. He prefers to take the walk past the company’s research lab, sit on the bench in the garden and smoke a cigarette. Then he walks past this structure here to the parking lot. It is here where he is out of company surveillance, and where you have the greatest chance of making contact without being seen. It is recommended that you land your shuttle in the hills surrounding the facility.”

 

“Won’t the Janiri’s shuttle be flagged by Batarian sensors as hostile?” Roman asked.

 

“That’s why we’re taking my shuttle. It’s still civilian registered. We’re tourists. If we’re stopped by a patrol, I will be your companion.” Naleena replied.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne walked along the halls of the janiri at a casual pace, letting out a sigh as he passed by the observation lounge, glancing inside to spot a familiar person, conversing with an unfamiliar human. He blinked and smirked, walking along with his hands in his pockets.

 

"She gets new members, even when laid in the hospital..." Vayne said to himself with a grin, assuming the human was some new member of the Janiri's ever expanding crew. The thought saddened him a bit as he thought about the garvug mission, how badly things had went, and how hard it was on all of them. It had taken him a few days, but the krogan was finally getting over it.

 

He had an idea though of what he could do to help move on, heading out towards the janiri's exit as he kept his mouth shut, not wanting the AI to overhear. Citadel shopping, here he came.

 

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

 

Essul rubbed away the sore throbbing of his eyes as he continued to work on his terminal, scrolling through whatever data he could on the extranet and with his own data scrubbing and decryption programs. Simple tools, but good enough as he searched the dark net for anything of worth. His eyes went over to the side once more, a still image from his own suitcam of himself, holding the unknown and hooded batarian with a clear look at his face, and the 4 glowing red optics.

 

"Who are you...." He mutters to himself as he keeps digging, trying to find his answers.

 

//////////////////////////////\

 

"My, my...look at the state you're in..." Ren'Danna said as she stood over the injured commander, strapped into the medbay operating table. She shook her head, her tone one more of amusement than concern as she looked over his wounds. "Nasty amount of shrapnel you've got inside your body...looks like a bit of dirt to. That's going to be a problem..."

 

"What's the prognosis?" Captain vaith asked as he stood nearby, "Can he be salvaged?" Secretly he hoped for a no. The man was a monster, impulsive and reckless, and even worse was his insistence on having come here in the first place. If he died for his folly, vaith would be all too happy.

 

"Salvaged? Of course he can. This isn't the dark ages..." Ren said with a smirk beneath her faceplate, looking back to Machaera as she continued, "He may not have all the same pieces once I do what needs to be done, but he'll be more then capable of serving the hegemony. Maybe even moreso..." She commented with a smirk as she moved towards his right arm, peeling away a small shredded piece of weaved armor, seeing the punctured skin, "Nasty wound. Might not be able to save the arm...what a pity." she said, chuckling to herself as she did so.

 

"Hang on one moment. There are other ways to save him. All we need is to...is to..." Vaith began, bring a hand up to cover his mouth as a coughing fit came upon him, "J-ust stabalize...proper treat..." He shook his own head as he stumbled back, ren not even looking to the man as she spoke.

 

"You seem unwell, Captain. I hope you haven't contracted anything during your time on Garvug...." She said as she began taking scanned measurements of Machaera, making a list of the proper tools and calibrations she'd need for later, "Binary Helix wasn't kidding when they said that planet needed help. Radiation, Chemical Pollutants, even a few Tuchanka based bacterium...it'd be a nasty way to go if you got any of it in your system..."

 

Vaith stared at her as for a moment, he wondered what this technological witch might have done. If she had done something to him.

 

"It's why treating the poor commander here is so important. He's been exposed to all three, I'm afraid..." She said, quickly changing the subject as vaith collected himself. The thought was ridiculous, that some quarian would be able to get one over on a superior batarian like himself. No, he was giving the suitrat too much credit as is, and it was affecting his mind.

 

"See that it gets done..." Was all vaith said as he left the operating room, Ren still looking down at Machaera as she smiled beneath her helmet.

 

"Don't worry...." She said as Argos decloaked beside the table, opening his chest cavity as a number of surgical tools and parts revealed for Ren's use, "I can keep my patients alive for a long...long time..."

 

With Machaera unconscious and under, she went to work. Wasting no time as she picked up a scapel and began her cuts.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina stepped off the ship and entered Starbucks where she saw Arian waiting for her. "So you wanted to spend some money? I'd like to spend some myself. There's a couple of gun shops in Zakera Ward. Let's see what they have."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

Aboard the Naleena's Scythe Shuttle

 

Roman followed Naleena to the shuttle bay and loaded his gear onto her ship. He was taken by how luxurious it was inside.

 

“Stash your gear in the portside locker,” Naleena said.

 

“I take it this is your home away from home?”

 

“It used to be. I prefer comfort when the trip between star systems is 20 hours under FTL,” She replied, “Do you know how to fly?”

 

“I was checked out on fighters and the Kodiak, yes. Why?”

 

“If anything happens again it’s good to know,” Naleena said. “Why don’t you take us out of here?”

 

Roman flipped the switches on the main board and the shuttle bay door opened. Naleena’s Scythe MK2 shuttle’s engines whined as they began their pre-ignition sequence. The thrusters engaged and the craft left the shuttle bay. “Setting course for the mass relay. Our course is cleared by Citadel flight control,” and the shuttle accelerated toward the outer tips of the Citadel arms.

 

“Once outside the arms, I’ll plot an FTL jump to the relay,” Roman said.

 

“Excellent,” Naleena said and reclined in her pilot’s chair, pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Roman shot a dirty look. “If this bothers you, why don’t you crank up the air recycling? It should take care of the problem. So tell me Roman, do you have any family?”

 

“I have a wife, Jennifer, and two kids: A boy, Brandon who is 5 and a girl Lisa, 3 back on Terra Nova,” he replied as he guided the ship. “My mother is still alive. My father was killed in a terrorist attack during the asteroid incident three years ago.”

 

“My condolences.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I like that you have a stable family life. Family is important,” Naleena said and turned to him. “What happened to your father, will it be a problem on this mission?”

 

“No. The criminal responsible for the action is in an Alliance prison. From what I understand he’ll be there the rest of his days,” Roman replied, then pushed the throttle to full and tapped the console. “Prepare to enter FTL in three, two, one.”

 

It was a short jump of 3000 km to the mass relay in the Widow system. Roman entered their target. The nearest mass relay to the Fathar System was Omega, and he plotted the jump using the VI. The jump was nearly instantaneous.

 

“Drift: only 1200 km. Very well done, Lieutenant,” Naleena commented. Her remark was genuine. Roman was a competent pilot.

 

“Setting course for Fathar System,” Roman said while tapping on the console in front of him. “Engaging FTL. Estimated travel time: 12 hours.” He sat back in his chair and relaxed.

 

“So what made you decide to become a Spectre?”

 

“Honestly, I didn’t. The Captain came to me one day and told me my name had been put forward,” Roman said. “Apparently they were looking for a replacement for Shepard after the Cerberus mess. Captain said my record was spotless: something they were looking for.”

 

“I looked over your file. Squeeky clean, and while that’s good for a Marine, things can get quite grey and even dark grey out here,” Naleena said and paused. “I may have sounded flippant back on the ship, but in reality there is some truth to what I said. Don’t expect support from The Council on everything you do. You have to make some very tough calls. You have to sleep at night, and look at yourself in the mirror in the morning. And sometimes you’ll tell yourself ‘I did what I had to do,’ and that will be the end of it. Other times it will weigh you down for days, maybe weeks, months. You can’t let it get to you. You have to put it behind you and move on because people are depending on you.”

 

Roman took a deep breath and let out a sigh. “The job sounds awful.”

 

“Indeed,” Naleena said. “Now, on the menu this evening is something called ‘Space Cow Pot Pie’ – made from wild game on Aite, after which I plan to have a drink and go to sleep. I suggest you do the same.” Naleena got out of her seat and went to the freezer and popped two meals in the microwave. She opened her liquor cabinet, set two tumblers on the counter, poured two fingers of Serrice Ice Brandy in each, and brought them back to the cockpit handing one to Roman.

 

“I’m sorry, I don’t drink,” Roman said.

 

Naleena sighed and poured Roman’s brandy into her tumbler. “Soft drink or water?”

 

“Do you have a cola?” Roman asked.

 

“Regular or decaf?”

 

“Regular, I’ll stay up and read for a bit.”

 

“May I suggest this book?” Naleena slid her copy of Tennyson poems that Xanthe gave her in the hospital. “It is most excellent.”

 

Roman looked up at Naleena. “I didn’t know you were interested in human literature.”

 

“I’m fascinated by your species as a whole,” she replied as she walked back toward the ovens. “My own was content with colonizing one quarter of the galaxy over a period of five hundred years. We took our time; then we discovered the Citadel and established galactic government. Your species discovered faster than light travel less than 50 years ago and now extend your influence to half the known galaxy. It’s amazing what you’ve accomplished in such a short time,” she continued and turned to face him. “But you’ve angered a lot of other more established races in the process. Still, you stirred the pan that had been stagnating. What about you? Are the Asari what you expected? Am I what you expected?”

 

“Not exactly,” Roman said. “You know what we see in our usual ports of call: dancers, mercenaries. This was my first trip to the Citadel, and my first time aboard an Asari designed ship. You seem… different than most Asari I’ve met, however. It’s just that….”

 

“We’re mono-gendered. We run the full spectrum of what you perceive as behaviors. They have no meaning to us in our society,” Naleena interrupted. “And the rumors about Asari promiscuity are just rumors,” Naleena paused as the microwave oven made a sound. “It looks like dinner is ready.”

[Redbelle]

As Priss spoke Jess went and sat next to her on the bed. She listened without interruption and when she was done, Jess slipped an arm over her shoulder and pulled her close to her shoulder. "Luv.....". She said. ".....Babe's staying. And I'm telling you that I want you to stay as well. The Medusa was always a last chance for the unlucky few and..... well, seems to me this ships pulled in a new group who need her. I got hit hard by Iyana to, and knowing that Babe and Iyana were together is good to know..... But Babe isn't her and I'm not going to hold her accountable for that woman's choices in life. Now then.....". Jess wrapped her arm around Priss tighter and pulled her over as the knuckles of her other hand came over to on her stetson and Jess suddenly started vigorously rubbing her knuckles on her head. "Noogie Noogie Noogie"!

 

Behind the sudden furious grin though Jess's thoughts were a whirlwind. Hearing what Iyana had done to Priss, and hearing what Babe could do, for same reason made her think about Lucious. Still on the Citadel. Sitting in an observation room in some medical ward as an emotionally drained husk dreaming of better days. The possibility seemed insane but then lately, insanity seemed to be following the ship of late.

 

Jess let the suddenly struggling Priss after a moment but then pounced on her, still grinning as she pressed her wrists above her head as she looked down at Priss's suddenly flushed face. "Babe stays. You stay. And when it comes time, I'll come back one day and tell you she's gone. And then you can start looking at that bit of you that was taken. And you can figure out if it's something you can fill". Jess's breath was hot against Priss's chin and Jess's eye's bored into Priss's as she held her immobile. Jess searched those eye's. Looking past the lifeless glaze that had overcome her and searching to see if the spark had returned. "What say luv? You going to ride this ship to port? Or jump off at the next relief stop"?

[Redbelle]

Franks Yakuza pimped shuttle.

 

The shuttle shot out of the relay and Anika banked the shuttle as the nav computer allocated a flight corridor that would lead her to the Citadel. "Next stop, the hub of the galaxy". Anika said looking over at Keith. "We won't have much time for sightseeing but later if we have time I can show you around".

 

The nebulous fog that the shuttle swam through suddenly parted and the many arms of the Citadel swam into view. The wards and lights of the many structures along the arms lit up and twinkling in the light fog as the structure slowly spun in space. Anika smirked and looked over to Keith. Interested in his first reaction to the Citadel.

[Kel Riever]

You couldn't have given Keith any better a present.  Even for his birthday.

Morgan's younger brother was saucer eyed and said nothing.  But those saucer eyes were moving around, soaking up ever bit of the magnificence of the Citadel.  He was leaning forward in his seat, as if moving closer would let him see better.  He even started a tick of excitement in one of his legs. 

"Wow."

The voice wasn't Keith's, but Jen's.  She had put her head into the cockpit with her mom.  They also stared in wonderment.  Everyone had seen the Citadel in pictures and in videos, but nothing ever quite captured the experience of viewing it first hand. 

"The colors," Keith said, "I can't believe all the colors in the nebula, and all the lights.  It's so intense.  I mean, seeing it with my own eyes, no feed, no filters.  I don't think I knew what I was missing."

"That's funny, bro.  You were always the one who was saying, 'I don't see why Morgan had to leave New York.' "  Jen was teasing.

"Okay, so I'm a dumb dumb.  And I'm also a dumb dumb for saying you shouldn't ever needed to go to Vancouver.  But can you blame me?  Did you ever imagine it'd look so awesome?"

"No," Jen admitted.  "I never did."

"I will totally take you up on that offer," Keith said to Anika.  Then a thought suddenly reached forward from the near past and seized him. "Sonofa....I'm going to really miss my Hulk number two comic.  Maybe they have something rare at the Citadel I can make a deal for."

[TheMajonese]

Arian was wearing his unusual armor without the helmet and leaned against a wall close to the entrance. The strange armor caused some people to glance at him curiously, he had to look like a mercenary which, in his case, actually was part of the truth. But his intimidating appearance and the angry look he gave everyone who stared at him for too long made sure that nobody bothered him. 

 

Finally! When Arian saw Irina entering, he nodded at the red haired woman and then left starbucks with her. "I've never been here before. Did you have a particular shop in mind?"