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[Kel Riever]

Miss Priss came back gradually behind her gaze, like a consciousness returning to the present.

"You know I'm gonna stay, Honey Bee.  You got me tied up."

The prostitute let her breath go softly, in relief.  Priss looked up at her held wrists and then at the closeness of Jess.

"That wasn't even meant to be no joke."

Letting Jess slip between her legs in pink jeans was a gesture mostly of endearment by Miss Priss and the need to feel someone physical against her.  She relaxed and became more comfortable.

"Maybe I left Shi'ara cause I never felt that was my place.  Call me crazy but I loved Duellos and now it's gone.  I ain't gonna be a liar, that woman, Seren...Babe, gives me the fright when I see her.  But I suppose there's something when you hold me, and well, the other thing you do.  And you ain't got to get no one to fill me more than Morgan..."  Priss snickered, but then felt somewhat embarrassed.  "I'm sorry for the dirty talk, that's all what I got, sometimes.  I ain't trying to take him away from you, so you know, or you from him.  I mean...you probably are already thinking that from my profession, such as it is.  But I hope you can believe me when I say I feel better here than I would anywhere else, I think.  I feel, well, safe isn't the word.  It's where I want to be.  And I guess I'm all only worried you're a busy piece of Calico, cause I gotta share you with the rest."

There was a twist in Priss' red lipstick lips.  "What about the Spectre and all that?  You gonna tell her about Babe? She's gonna have to know, wouldn't she?  And how you gonna break it to her?"  Then there was a mischievous look in Miss Priss' eyes.  "You could think about it while you try to break it to me.  Not that you got the time for it anymore...being, well, in charge of everything.  Guess you're just gonna have to let me go free this time, Honey Bee."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina wore a set of loose fitting black cargo-coveralls she picked up on their last stop on the Citadel. She didn't like the tight fitting casuals that were supplied on the Janiri. Her red hair was tied back in a pony tail, and she had a hold out weapon strapped to her leg.

 

"Yeah, Rodam Expeditions. We'll need a skycar," Irina said as they walked through the checkpoint toward the taxi stand. "I can't believe they're still scanning people for 'geth infiltrators.' You'd think they'd be able to tell by the big flashlight in the middle of their heads."

 

..... I'm sorry sir, you'll have to turn in that weapon.

 

"It's a ceremonial knife that belonged to one of my ancestors."

 

"Sir, that's a 40 cm serrated tempered steel blade. You'll have to turn it in before boarding."

 

"You humans are all racist."

 

"And then there's that. I can see the necessity for the tightened security," Irina commented laughing, then turned to Arian. "I assume you're continuing your quest for some heavier punch with your weapons? Anything in particular you're looking for?"

[TheMajonese]

Arian shrugged. "Anything will do", he said while heading towards a taxi. "When the spectre found me on Caleston, the only thing I had was my Phaeston. But back on Omega, when I was with the Blue Suns..." For a second the turian wasn't sure if he really needed to tell this to Irina but then decided that it coldn't hurt. 

 

"There were six of us, all turians. Tarak, the leader of the Blue Suns back then, wanted to use us as some sort of special unit for the heavy stuff. We got all the equipment we needed, even more than that. We had a sniper, an engineer, two soldiers...I guess it's obvious that I was the one for the hard hitting stuff." Arian let out a snort to show his amusement. "We were moving weapon arsenals and even though our unit disbanded, I still prefer to go into a fight with more than a light rifle and a knife."

 

He climbed into one of the skycars and as usual, he sat in an uncomfortable position to have enough space for his legs.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"That's why I still carry that shotgun," Irina said. "Yeah, it's short range and old school, but it really works. Took out that Krogan at close range in the hospital. But I think you want something more like a light machine gun."

 

They arrived in Zakera Ward. Irina parked on level 28 across from Rodam Expeditions. The Turian behind the counter didn't really care for humans that much and it was quite plain when Irina approached.

 

"Human? What do you want? Your kind doesn't have the durability to take on the real game in this galaxy," he said.

 

Irina turned back to Arian. "Maybe I should have worn the outfit with the dried Krogan blood on it?" she said then made eye contact with the shop owner. "Look, I'm here to shop. I've got the creds," she said and leaned forward. "And this crap on display isn't going to cut it. I know you have a back room for preferred customers. You all do. Let's see it. My friend is looking for something special." She added motioning to Arian with her head.

[Redbelle]

Jess rolled her eye's, then fixed them on Priss once more as she lowered her face down to Priss, holding just shy from her lips as she let her presence fill Priss's entire field of vision. Their breath mingled until at last Jess whispered. "A pity for you.... I can tell you stories about this cabin".

 

With that Jess pushed herself up and swung off the bed, leaving Priss splayed out across the mattress as Jess turned to look back from over her shoulder. "Catch you later then luv". With that hanging in the air Jess stepped forward and opening the hatch, stepped outside before dogging it closed.

 

Immediately she set out for the gun control station while Priss's words rang in her ears. Of course she had to tell Naleena about Babe, but what would be the outcome? Most likely Naleena would want to talk to her herself. But then....

 

....But no, Jess had a sneaking suspicion about Iyana and Naleena was the only one with the pull to get the answers she needed fast. Until then it would be best to keep Babe and Naleena away from each other until she herself was satisfied she had a handle on the situation.

 

As she walked Jess toggled her comm and typed a message to Naleena.

 

Hey! How you doing? Heard things got rough on planet. Good job getting everyone off world. We'll catch up later. Got some things on the Medusa that need the personal touch but I wonder if you can do me a favor?

 

Luscious. I lost track of him after we got him off the Medusa. I need you to check him out. It's weird to say but.... I want you to check him for..... how he feels. Since we retook the ship I want to know what his emotional range is. Has he been happy? Sad? Does he seem able to feel a certain way or does he seem incapable?

 

Don't laugh. I'm serious. He was in Iyana's company for as long as anyone we know and..... I'm trying to find out if he's..... missing something he ought to have from the experience. Call it a hunch. Might be wrong. But it struck me that Iyana's biotics might be hiding another ability we didn't stop to consider.

 

Mend soon and we'll hit the strip when your out.

 

J

 

Jess hit send and then continued on, down the corridor

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The com light in the shuttle flashed with an incoming message. It was from Jess.

 

"I have to respond to this before we get out of com buoy range."

 

Jess,

 

I'm doing fine. The doctors released me and I'm on 'holiday.' I lost a few pounds while in the hospital. I hope you're doing well. Thanks for the diversion back there.

 

Regarding your former crewman, Luscious. You may interview him if you wish, but remember when I melded with him I extracted everything he saw from his mind from the time Iyana first set foot aboard the Medusa until we captured him. I am willing to meld with you when I get back to the Citadel and we can search through it together. I can filter out certain... things you may not want to see. The view will be directly through Luscious' eyes.

 

Would love to hit the strip. Could use the time.

 

Take care,

 

Naleena

[Redbelle]

Jess caught the reply just before she could put a hand on the gun control rooms hatch. Reading through it she eyed the part about melding warily then moved back to the part where Naleena had given her permission to interview the prisoner. That would be enough. What happened aboard ship at the time could stay a mystery to her as far as she was concerned. The only hypothesis she wanted answers to was Luscious current capacity to feel.

 

Considering Babe's ability to push emotion onto others it was not out of the question that Iyana had a similar ability..... Or something else..... The woman was to much an enigma. As she pressed on the door of the gun room she resolved to find some answers.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

Omega Cluster - Fathar System - Lorek

 

The shuttle emerged from FTL in the Fathar System three million kilometers from Lorek. Naleena was at the helm while Roman was sleeping. She engaged the stealth drives and entered the flight plan into the VI, and then awakened the Lieutenant.

 

“We’re almost there,” she said as she gently shook his shoulder. “Time to get ready.”

 

Roman opened his eyes and got out of his bed. He walked over to the sink in the wet bar and splashed cold water on his face. It felt good. The aroma of fresh made coffee stimulated his senses. He recognized the scent. “Gourmet beans from Sumatra?”

 

“Same plant, but we’re growing them on Sanves now,” Naleena replied. “Taste is a little different but I think you’ll like it.”

 

Roman poured himself a cup. “Cream?”

 

“Refigerator. So are you clear on the mission specifics?”

 

“I studied them before I went to bed. I know what we need to do,” Roman said and took a sip of the coffee.  He grabbed a nutrition bar out of the cabinet, opened it and took a bite.

 

“Where are we meeting Cardah?” Naleena asked.

 

“Between the research laboratory and the warehouse where the trees block the security cameras.”

 

“Time?”

 

“He leaves work at 20 00 hrs. So I give him about 10 minutes to get to the rendezvous point,” Roman said. “He knows we’re coming, right?”

 

“No. If he did, he might give away our position,” Naleena replied.

 

Roman wasn’t pleased. “So the plan is just to grab him?”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“What if he thinks we’re the people who are after him and sounds the alarm?”

 

“Let me deal with that,” Naleena said.

 

Roman could see a hundred different ways this could go south, but what was he? He was an Alliance Marine and a Spectre candidate. He was being evaluated. Was this the way T’sarius planned operations with her team? He wondered. Couldn’t be. Maybe it was just this type of mission?

 

“Finish your coffee,” Naleena said. “It’s about to get rough. Approaching 200,000 km. Approach vector to Jalnor set…. We’ll approach about 15 km outside northwest of the facility and land in the hills about 2 km from it. That should be outside any site surveillance. Do you have your jamming kits?”

 

“Yes. When we get in range I’ll open one,” Roman replied.

 

“Okay, hang on. Preparing to engage FTL. Jumping to 1 km. We’ll be exiting FTL at 300 knots dropping to 100 meters altitude, optical cloak engaged,” Naleena said. “Starting countdown. Three…, two…, one.”

 

FTL engaged and the shuttle emerged at an altitude of 900 meters above the highest mountain in the coastal range. It was dusk. Naleena took manual control, flew under sensors for several kilometers, and landed at the selected site in the middle of a grassy nature reserve in the hills.

[TheMajonese]

Arian was surprised at how calm Irina remained after the turian's comment. Most humans he knew wouldn't tolerate such an insult like that.

 

The shop owner now turned to his turian customer. "So...what exactly are you looking for?", he asked and suddenly sounded friendly instead of being contemptuous.

 

Arian tried not to roll his eyes. "I'm looking for a weapon", he gave the obvious answer.

 

"What kind of weapon?"

 

"One that shoots..."

 

"Well I have plenty to offer..." It was as if the turian's eyes started to glow when he took a sub-machine gun from one of the nearby display cases, he seemed eager to make a good deal here. He showed Arian a green coloured SMG with a large stock and a short barrel. "For example this R44-Wildcat, a newer model with increased stability and higher fire power than most other SMGs. While firing, the weapon charges its rounds which makes it excellent against shields and barriers..."

 

He laid down the gun and took a rifle. "Or here, the M-15 Vindicator, it fires in three-round bursts and packs a good punch. It has great accuracy, you can't miss a single shot with it and it's also much easier to reload than most rifles..."

 

With a snarl Arian glared at the other turian. "I'm not looking for this crap." His mandibles twitched when he pointed at the SMG. "The Wildcat is useless; if you really want to effectively strip shields from an enemy, you need either a high fire rate or good accuracy, the Wildcat lacks both. That's why the turian military wasn't interested in it. And the only good thing about the Vindicator is that it's cheap so literally every wannabe mercenary can afford one. But that's not what I'm looking for." He crossed his arms. "How about the heavy weapons? And not the stuff we see here in the displays! You heard the woman, the weapons from your back room."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The shopkeeper saw fire in the eyes of Arian, and his mandibles fluttered. "Right this way," he said and led the both of them in to a private area.

 

"So this is the black market area," Irina said, "Not too shabby. I think the Typhoon is along the lines of what you're looking for. Why don't you try it on the target range?"

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

Omega Cluster - Fathar System - Lorek

 

The two moved down the path toward the Weyland-Yutani facility. Naleena periodically dropped glow sticks in the tall grass she was armed with her SIG P226 suppressed, and dual Carnifexes, and two EMP grenades. Roman had his Valkyrie.

 

The Weyland-Yutani facility was large. There was a main chemical plant that refined thruster fuel and a large research facility. What they were doing in there was anyone’s guess. The refinery supplied outgasses such as purified hydrogen and natural gas to the research facility.

 

Naleena took point and went silent. Roman approached along the trail.

 

“Hold up while I disable the sensors on the fence. Knowing the Batarians it might be electrified as well,” Naleena said as she scanned it with her omni-tool. “We lucked out. I’m at an odd place, so they might think it was some kind of animal,” Naleena began intermittently shorting out the sensor cable, then severed it.

 

She used a laser torch to cut through the chain link fence. Roman met up with her and held the fence open as she went through then followed her. They moved down the hillside in a ravine with tree cover for about a kilometer, then the tree line broke.

 

“There it is. The Weyland-Yutani facility,” Roman said. “It’s huge. It’s like a city within a city.”

 

Naleena took out her binoculars and looked around. She found where they would be meeting Cardah, pointed it out to Roman, and handed him the binoculars. “There, that’s where we have to go. Right where the footpath turns between the research building and the warehouse. Do you see it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“When we get down there, I want you to keep a look out while I grab Cardah and have a short talk with him,” Naleena said. “Okay, let’s move out. I’ll cloak and go around the far side and take out the guard in the kiosk. Try to stay out of sight.”

 

Roman nodded and started down the hillside. Naleena disappeared and moved silently through the landscaped area then across the mown grass toward the warehouse. She would stop periodically and scan for cameras. Her path indicated that she had to hug the exterior of the warehouse to get to the kiosk, but the warehouse door was open. Was there an active security camera inside? Her scan told her no. She approached the kiosk.

 

“It’s quiet here, Prensabh. I’m going on my rounds,” the Batarian guard said and left the kiosk. He locked it behind him. The guard was wearing no more than a uniform and flak jacket.

 

Naleena stalked him, moving ever closer, waiting for him to get into the area uncovered by security cameras. Then she closed and in one motion put her hands on his head and snapped his neck, then dragged him into the bushes.

 

She tapped her com. “It’s clear.”

 

“Acknowledged,” Roman replied and approached the rendezvous point.

 

It was dead quiet outside. The unwary Cardah could be heard approaching on the concrete footpath, however, Cardah stopped. He began to get a little nervous and opened his omni-tool.

 

Naleena heard a muffled communicator behind her in the bushes. “Onahrim? Onahrim? Where are you?”

 

“****!” Naleena thought. Steady… steady… just come forward.

 

Cardah looked around and took a few wary steps forward. Roman was watching. Then Cardah stopped again, looked around and turned toward the research building. Roman ran out and grabbed him. He was spotted on security camera, and alarms went off. Naleena disengaged her cloak and set off an EMP grenade.

 

“Don’t kill me! I’ll get the credits! Just give me another couple days!” Cardah said.

 

Roman dragged him into cover. “Is that who you think we are? We came to get you out of here.”

 

“That’s going to be more difficult now. We have two clicks to cover,” Naleena said. “I need to know right now if this is worth it. What do you have for us?”

 

“Not until I’m out of here and safe,” Cardah said.

 

“If we’re caught I’ll sing like a bird that you went to the Broker,” Naleena said. “Start talking.”

 

“I’ll give you half now and half later.” Cardah said. “It’s a military research facility. They’re working on the Leviathan of Dis. It’s a dead reaper. The rest you’ll have to wait. BSIU will be here shortly.”

 

“Roman, get him to the ship. I’ll meet you there,” Naleena said.

 

“What are you going to do?”

 

“Create a diversion. Now move!”

[Kel Riever]

Jess caught the reply just before she could put a hand on the gun control rooms hatch. Reading through it she eyed the part about melding warily then moved back to the part where Naleena had given her permission to interview the prisoner. That would be enough. What happened aboard ship at the time could stay a mystery to her as far as she was concerned. The only hypothesis she wanted answers to was Luscious current capacity to feel.

 

Considering Babe's ability to push emotion onto others it was not out of the question that Iyana had a similar ability..... Or something else..... The woman was to much an enigma. As she pressed on the door of the gun room she resolved to find some answers.

“Come in.”

The sweet sounding voice was none other than Sherie’s.  When the door to the gun room opened for turret number two, the first thing Jess could see was Sherie sitting in the control chair, as if it were made for her, completely comfortable.  The second thing she saw was Babe, forced to sit elsewhere with the one chair already occupied.

Limber as a cat, Babe had perched up on a set of ammo crates that were fastened to the wall to prevent them from sliding about.  They were just long enough so that she could sit, one leg extended and one knee up, with an arm straightened behind her to support her arched back.

And there it was again, the experience that couldn’t be shaken; Babe looked like a literal bomber girl, right out of a painting on the side of an ancient warbird.  There was not one redundant moment in capturing the jaw dropping marvel of her body with dark red leather pants, white crop topped T that revealed her beautiful abdomin and absolutely prodigious chest…it was maddening.  As if a person couldn’t be overloaded enough, by the time Jess got to Babe’s gorgeous face framed by golden locks, she could have sworn someone had pumped gas into the room to induce a dreamlike state.

Sherie must have said something…something…something….something…along the lines of they were talking about her kids, and the guns were great, and the order of the kitchen, and whatever.  Seconds elongated as Babe watched the captain with water blue eyes. 

Then it subsided.  Slightly.  Enough for Jess to regain herself.  She saw that Babe’s gaze seemed to have retreated.  A regretful expression crossed her face, as if she had witnessed her effect on Jess.  She adjusted the choker around her neck with a finger and tugged the top of her high boots upwards with her free hand. 

“Hello, Captain.”

It was all Babe said when Jess entered.  The words alone make Jess want to go over and somehow comfort Babe.  At the same time, Jess had the wherewithal to see the current of temptation for what it was.  Babe likely did desire comfort, but the tug of it was amplified like a current that threatened to drag a swimmer under.

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was all RedBelle)

Previously...

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

Tarballs gaze remained fixed on Iyana.

 

"Vision matters for very little when the future is clouded". He said at last. "When it comes time to take drastic steps to further the goals of our species one does not have the luxury to test the ground that is to be stepped on. Your offer is..... most generous. And I shall take it. But the purpose of this meeting was not acquire trinkets".

 

Tarballs took a shuddering breath and continued. "The people who work under me, you call them cogs..... I have always likened them to circuit boards. Each with their place in the machine. When one wears out they can be replaced. If the skills and talents do not exist to replace that person, you can program another with those skills and talents..... But the one thing no one can program into a circuit is aptitude. Expertise. The thing that makes one of two people with the same skills and talents better than the other. You bested one of my captains. That is not something many can do. So let me tel you my vision.....".

 

"I want you to work for me. By working for me you will dedicate yourself to furthering the strengths and removing the weaknesses that exist within the Kings and Queens. Our organization once existed solely as a backup militia in times of war. Over the years I have changed that so that we now have the capability to field a fully armed and trained naval force. Not even the humanity's leaders know the power at my command. The purpose of the Kings and Queens is to acquire wealth and technology while training our crews for combat they may never see while maintaining a web of intelligence gathering means through our ships......". Again a deep breath. "My organization...... exists as a means of securing humanities future. We acquire. And by our acquisitions we prepare...... No one knows when the next threat to humanity's well being will arise. We thought once it was alien during the first contact wars.... we were wrong. The next time we see something that has the power to end humanity, we may again be wrong.... But should that not be the case, The Kings and Queens must be ready to repel any threat. Our military, our scientists, our production. My resources have built an underground empire that stretches across the galaxy.......".

 

He gestured to Iyana. "And you..... are the one who has shown an aptitude towards accomplishing goals that were once thought impossible. My Left and Right hand seem to think we have expanded far enough. That we have enough power to accomplish the goal of protecting humanity. They want to divert my attention to other matters...... This way of thinking is a trap many have fallen into..... For as my organizations power has grown, so to has the power of those around us. Apathy is death and I will not sit idle. As you have probably guessed, I require more. Hands are not enough.... I require a fist. Someone who has the resolve to further my intentions. My network speaks of events in the galaxy that tell me the time is coming that our might will need bringing to the galaxy and when the time comes...... I fully intend to be one of those left standing. For my will is a shield that will protect my people. If that means protecting the rest of the galaxy, so be it.....".

 

Tarballs coughed as his throat ran dry and immediately he felt the throne surge under him. The dryness in his throat disappeared and his eye's fixed on Iyana with intent. "The galaxy is not what you think. Join me.... And I will show you what it is that is coming".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

Omega Cluster - Fathar System - Lorek

 

A Batarian Special Intervention Unit hover craft was heard approaching and it touched down in the parking lot. Naleena cloaked. Roman led Cardah toward the path that he and Naleena used for the approach.

 

A BSIU sergeant spotted Roman. “There they are!” And he initiated pursuit.

 

Roman and Cardah ran as Batarian forces opened fire.  Naleena would have to think of something fast. If Roman had only not jumped the gun. She thought. There would have been another way. But why are there BSIU here?

 

The warehouse was open and she entered. Inside was an area with security locks that needed bypassing. She scanned the language on the door and it translated into Weapons Locker. She initiated the updated hacking program from VERA and started bypassing the lock. Once passed the electronic portion there was a mechanical part that needed to be tripped. That part was easy. This was BSIU level equipment, and plastic explosives. That would create a diversion. She grabbed the plastic explosives, some octanitrocubane, and detonators and headed for the research lab.

 

Shots were being fired up in the hills, and she could hear Roman returning fire with his Valkyrie as she approached the guarded entrance to the laboratory. Security guards were on the alert, but didn’t have their weapons drawn. Naleena drew her 9 mm and inserted a magazine with hollow points, fastened the suppressor, aimed and fired hitting the first guard in the head, the exit wound spraying his brains onto the face of the guard behind him. Then she shot the second guard with three shots, two to his vest and a third to his forehead, before he could trigger a second alarm.

 

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

 

Roman took cover behind some rocks and fired at the approaching BSIU agents. “Cardah, listen to me. If you want to get to safety, we left some glow sticks leading a trail back to the ship. Follow them. I’ll try to hold off the assault and wait for the Asari’s diversion. I just hope it works.”

 

“But….”

 

“You’ll make it…. Just go!”

 

Cardah nodded and ran. There was little room for maneuverability in the ravine, and Roman wasn’t concerned about being encircled just yet.

 

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

 

Naleena ripped the badge off one of the guards and scanned it on the door to the building. The door unlocked and she entered with her tactical cloak engaged. The cloak simply bent light around her making her blend in almost seamlessly with the background behind her. It worked best when she was against a wall or near another object. She was not invisible.

 

Curiosity got the better of her. What exactly are they researching in here? There are biohazard signs all over the place. This looks like one of the researcher’s offices. Let’s see what’s in here. She thought. Naleena entered the office and began to look through some of the papers on the desk. Routine bloodwork stuff…. Krogan…. What? What do they want with the Krogan? How many Krogan subjects? Twenty? ‘Genophage Cure Progress Report – 2185’; Genophage Cure Progress Report – 2186. This explains BSIU presence.

 

She opened the file. “We’re close. In a couple more months we should have a cure available. Notify the Hegemony they can begin preparations for distribution.” She took the progress reports.

 

Naleena’s heartrate sped. This has to be stopped. The hydrogen and natural gas lines enter the building. Hydrogen for gas chromatography, and natural gas for other laboratory uses.

 

Footsteps drew closer, then she heard voices. She hid under the desk as they entered the office.

 

“We have it, Colonel…. I’ll have the genophage cure packaged for you in the morning. My assistant will meet you at the main entrance,” the researcher said. “I just need to gather….”

 

He looked on in horror as his assistant’s head rotated in a violent fashion and he fell to the floor. Then he saw the flash of a blade moving rapidly toward his solar plexus, entering, then felt it move up with a twist. Naleena dragged the bodies out of direct line of sight behind the desk. She noticed a few Asari in the lab, and donned the lab coat hanging on the coat rack in the office over her own in case her cloak failed. She engaged her TC and left the office looking at the wall for any clue as to where the gas lines entered. Then she saw it – a utility area behind that ran along behind the labs. She was on the first floor of the building, this would do a lot of damage here.

 

But first it was necessary to rig a charge inside the main lab near the Krogan samples. Staying low she found several large walk in freezers. These would be ideal for tissue storage. Krogan patients also were seated in the lab, apparently volunteers since they did not appear to be drugged. She rigged the charge of the octanitrocubane, then she disappeared into the utility corridor and found the hydrogen line set a charge nearby and broke the valve off the line so that it would leak into the air. Next was further down where she would do the same with a natural gas line.

 

The next step was inside the buildings chemical store room that was full of solvents. She killed the storeroom manager and placed another charge there. That was all, and it was time to return to the ship.

 

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

 

Roman had his hands full. He was retreating up the ravine and being fired upon by BSIU forces. He was behind another rock outcrop, but was running low on thermals.

 

The Batarians had already tried to flank him once, and Roman managed to stop them. He couldn’t simply run or they’d shoot him in the back, but he couldn’t stay there and fight either. Did Cardah make it? Where’s that Spectre?

 

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

 

They spotted Naleena as she left the building and sounded the alarm. More BSIU forces started pouring in. She dove to the ground and hit the detonator. The thunderous explosion from the octanitrocubane blew out the main floor of the building and shot up the center for three floors, sending glass and bodies flying out of the building. The plastics were simply overkill. Secondary explosions within the building blew out the weakened support walls causing the structure to pancake on the first two floors. Fire now threatened to spread to the main part of the Weyland – Yutani facility. Shutdown valves had engaged that were feeding gases to the research facility. BSIU forces stopped and watched in horror.

 

Naleena disappeared into the dark.

 

Roman and the pursuing BSIU squad felt the deafening explosion. And pieces of burning debris rained down within a half kilometer radius of the facility.

 

“Pursuing forces, disengage. The research facility was the target. Return to the facility and begin search for an Asari terrorist.”

 

“Yes, Sir.”

[TheMajonese]

"Ah, yes, the Typhoon. It's quite heavy and has a good rate of fire which increases the longer the trigger is pulled. It also has built-in kinetic reducer..."

 

The shop owner stopped talking when Arian glared at him. The turian didn't care much about such weapon specifics, he preferred to try out a gun on a shooting range before even considering to spent any credit for it. Having lived many years on Omega, Arian didn't believe a single word of any shop owner who just tried to sell their goods and would tell potential buyers anything.

 

But after he emptied two practice thermal clips on the shooting range, Arian couldn't help but feel that the Typhoon was the perfect weapon for him. The weight was no problem and controlling the recoil was quite easy for him. At the same time it had a higher fire power, fire rate and a much larger thermal clip than his Phaeston. 

 

There were many other interesting weapons, a grenade launcher for all kinds of special impact grenades, a shotgun that seemed to fire electricity instead of bullets, and a gun that looked more like a tool than an actual weapon, that shot short spears which would most likely be devastating at short range. But in the end Arian probably didn't have enough money to buy more than one weapon and he clearly favored the Typhoon.

 

"Found anything for yourself?", he asked Irina.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina had been eying the Harrier hanging on the wall. It was a full auto weapon, but with some work on the firing mechanism she could add a semi-automatic mode as well. It looked like it had a larger bore than her Mattock, and with her skin weave she could handle the recoil from the weapon much better.

 

"I'd like to try out the Harrier," she said to the shop keeper. "I need to see if it agrees with me. It's my distance weapon anyway. I keep this around for close encounters," she tapped the sawed off double barrel holstered to her leg.

 

The shop keeper laughed at it.

 

"Why don't you ask the Krogan Warlord Golt what he thinks of it. Last I saw of him they were scraping his brains off the ceiling of the ship." she said remember what Vayne told her about the responsibilities of being Krannt. "A bullet is a bullet."

 

The shop keeper handed her the Harrier, and she capped off a few bursts at the target and missed completely. "The sight's off," she said and handed it to him. "Fix it."

 

"No it's not," he replied.

 

"Then you shoot."

 

He missed.

 

"Told ya. Now fix it."

 

The shopkeeper lined up the sights on the rifle and handed it back. Irina fired three bursts and hit the target.

 

"I like it. It's more powerful than my current AR. How much?" she asked.

 

"10000 CR."

 

"How about you give me the uppity human discount and throw in the AP mod and thermal scope? I pay you 8000 cash under the table and we call it a deal?"

 

He hesitated. "9000 with the mod and scope."

 

"Done."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

Omega Cluster - Fathar System - Lorek

 

Later, Naleena met Roman and Cardah at the shuttle. Cardah was beside himself.

 

“No, no, no….” Cardah said while pacing back and forth with his hands to his head.

 

“That was a hell of a diversion. What exactly did you do?” Roman asked.

 

“I blew up the research facility,” Naleena replied as she opened the shuttle. “Get in.”

 

“All those people,” Cardah said and faced Naleena. “There were over 400 people working in that building. Did you get them out?”

 

“No, and I said, get in,” Naleena said and shoved Cardah inside and followed him in. “Roman, keep an eye on him."

 

“Four hundred people? T’sarius, are you nuts? Those were innocent lives!” Roman said as he strapped himself next to Cardah.

 

“I made a call. If you hadn’t screwed up and lunged for Cardah when you did, we wouldn’t have needed a diversion,” Naleena said as she flipped the switches and prepared for lift off.

 

“You call murdering over 400 people a diversion?”

 

“It was necessary. Your actions made it necessary. A Spectre does whatever is necessary to get the job done, no matter the cost. That’s in the job description,” Naleena said as the ship lifted off. “How do I know it was necessary? Ask yourself this question: Would the three of us have made it to extraction without it? I think you’ll find the answer is no. Perhaps only a handful in the building needed killing. The other deaths were… unfortunate. I'm the one who has to sleep with this.”

 

The shuttle gained altitude, this time however, with Batarian fighters in pursuit. Naleena popped the GARDIAN laser turret as the shuttle gained speed. The VI auto targeted the fighters and fired. The fighters evaded, but it was enough of a distraction for them that they were not able to get a lock on the shuttle. She set the destination to the Sahrabarik System an engaged FTL.

 

Once underway, Naleena unstrapped herself from the pilots chair and walked to the back and sat next to Branith Cardah. “So Cardah, you have a lot of things to tell us before we get to Illium. First is where is that secret base, or was that a load of varren sh*t?”

 

“It’s real,” Cardah replied. “It’s in Kite’s Nest in the Vular system on Erszbat near the City of Paralak.”

 

“Is that all?” Naleena said with a predatory look.

 

Cardah looked like he was about to sh*t himself. “No… no…. With the research lab, my security clearance had been upped, and I was accessing one of the servers. I hit a wrong key, and I was directed to that project. I was curious and read the file. When I discovered what they were doing….”

 

Roman interrupted. “You decided you could pay off your gambling debts by selling the information to the Shadow Broker.”

 

Cardah nodded. “Erszbat…. That’s where they took the ship they call the Leviathan of Dis. They say it's a reaper corpse. I fear my people may become indoctrinated.”

 

“Anything else?” Roman asked.

 

“No... that’s it," Cardah replied tilting his head to the right.

 

Naleena got up in his face. “What about the research facility? When were you going to tell us about your work on the Krogan genophage cure?” Naleena asked.

 

“What?” Roman asked.

 

She shot a look at Roman. “I told you things aren’t always what they seem, didn’t I?”

 

“There was no work on the genophage.” Cardah replied with two eyes focused on Naleena but the other two darting about.

 

“You’re lying Cardah. I have Weyland – Yutani red-handed,” Naleena said pulling a pad from her coat. “And then you let it slip that your security clearance was upped. Why would it be raised if what you were working on wasn't classified high enough to let you gain access to research on reaper tech? Here’s a data pad with a reports confirming results dated two months ago. When were you going to tell me?”

 

“You have the data, right?” Roman asked.

 

“No, I destroyed it. These are just progress reports and abstracts from the researchers.” Naleena replied. “The actual data and methodology is too dangerous. I couldn’t risk it falling into the wrong hands. Start talking, Cardah.”

 

“Ever since humans invaded our space and claimed our worlds as their own, we have hungered for a way to gain them back,” Cardah said with indignity and tilted his head to the right. “An alliance with the Krogan would accomplish that.”

 

“So you’d give the Krogan the cure in exchange for their allegiance. And what then? What happens after you've accomplished your goal and when the Krogan want new worlds? You give them the human worlds, right, because you don’t care about them,” Naleena said. “They’d overpopulate those in a few years, and then they'd come for yours. What then?”

 

“We’d get assurances.” Cardah replied.

 

“Do you know what assurances from Krogan warlords are worth?” Naleena asked, then she ripped open her armor showing the scar on her chest. “This is what assurances from Krogan warlords are worth. I say we space this piece of sh*t.” She refastened her armor.

 

“You can't blame an entire species for the acts of one warlord, T'sarius. The genophage was wrong. It was genocide against an entire species.” Roman said. “Despite the Batarians’ motives the Krogan deserve a chance.”

 

Naleena glared at Roman. “Your species has been part of the galactic community for less than 40 years. 1500 years ago, the Krogan used asteroids as weapons to render entire worlds uninhabitable. Your people were still carrying swords. Remember that. I will not have the Krogan horde rampaging across the galaxy again in my lifetime. Anyway the point is moot. Spectres do not set galactic policy.”

 

“But over 400 lives?” Roman asked. “You could have pulled an alarm.”

 

“No!  They would have saved the data. It was a necessary sacrifice for the greater good. Roman, if you hadn’t been so anxious and given us away, the people would still be alive. Besides, if they were working on anything but that, I would have pulled the alarm.”

 

Roman glared at her. “So you’re saying that it’s my fault? My fault that you went into that building and set off the bombs?”

 

“Yes,” she replied and turned to Cardah and got three inches from his face. “Now, is there anything you’re not telling me? I could take it from your mind, you know, and it could be quite… painful.”

 

Cardah shook his head. “No! No! That’s all.”

 

Naleena looked at him in each of his four eyes, then backed off. “I believe you. I’ll make arrangements to fulfill our end of the bargain.”

 

Cardah sat with his head in his hands.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne walked out of the Zakera Cafe with a bag of Serrice Ice Brandy in tow, still wincing from how much it cost. Still, it was a good welcome back gift for the boss, so to him, the expense was well worth it.

 

He casually walked through the ward on his way back, taking in the sights he hadn't done in what felt like forever.

 

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

 

Essul read the article he'd uncovered with baited breath, not sure if he'd found a jackpot or not. "Young Machaera Fay'yar, former youth champion fencer, has stated he will not be attending this years fencing tournament, stating he had personal reasons for his withdrawl. Some susupect his father and repsected military colonel Parthanamand Fay'yar may have pressured the youth to fullfill his patrotic duty to his race. We wish him and his father good fortune in the years to come."

 

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

 

While Machaera was being operated on above, Yron sat with his back against a wall below, casually looking at his fingernails as in the cell he was guarding, sat the human who'd apparently helped his employer out.

 

"So...is it true what they say? You helped that desynchronized batarian up there?" He asked her in a lazzie faire manner, sounding like he wanted ot just pass the time than actually find out.

[Kel Riever]

The woman in the brown light armor, really more of a body suit with helmet, unfolded her arms from around her chest.  Through her one-way visor she stared at the batarian, then she reached up and removed her helm.  The human beneath had black hair generally pulled back in a pony tail, nearly black eyes, and light brown skin.  Her most distinctive feature were her sharp, heavy, very neatly trimmed eyebrows.  Both the eyebrows were raised in contemplation, almost a concern, as she leaned against a wall.

"Irreverence is an art of language.  Not my preferred domain.  The direct answer is yes, but you must have known that already.  I must assume that the question you ask underlying the one spoken is, 'Why?' "

Crossing one leg over the other, Falling Leaf continued. "Opportunity is the reason on my part.  Then a show of capability for the one who may employ me.  Both answers too still obvious to one who feigned nonchalance, yet really was digging at a further answer.  To this person, if it were their business to know, I would say, 'Because I enjoy what I do, and want to work with someone who can appreciate that."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

Hourglass Nebula - Sowilo System - Illium

 

The shuttle entered Nos Astra flight pattern. Naleena used her Spectre code and they received permission to enter vehicular traffic patterns and flew directly to the Drakon Trade Center where Yalson Sao’s office was located. Naleena had sent a message ahead notifying him of their imminent arrival.

 

Batarians were not common on Illium so Cardah received some interesting looks from the locals in the building, but their attention was soon drawn to the one of the vid screens. This same bulletin appeared on The Citadel and on the Janiri and the Medusa.

 

* Breaking News * Breaking News * Breaking News *

“Tensions escalated between the Batarian Hegemony and the Systems Alliance earlier today when the Hegemony accused the Alliance of kidnapping a Hegemony official from the City of  Jalnor on Lorek in the Fathar System and blowing up a facility engaged in biomedical research. Branith Cardah worked at the Weyland – Yutani Corporation where he oversaw humanitarian research that would have benefitted billions. 423 people were working at the facility at the time it was destroyed. Although they no longer have an embassy on the Citadel, Hegemony officials have filed an official complaint with the Council asking for sanctions against the Alliance based upon security vids shown to Council representatives. (shows vid - images of people are blurred: one is a human in what looks like it might be Alliance armor, and the other Asari in a white lab coat) A spokesperson for Prime Minister Shastri strongly denied any and all accusations, and instead blamed Asari rebels on Lorek for the attack.”

 

They escorted Cardah to the elevator and down the corridor to Sao’s office complex. Sao was waiting when they entered.

 

“I see that was quite a spectacle. I hope he was worth it,” Sao said and motioned to take Cardah to the conference room in his office.

 

“He was,” Naleena replied as they entered. “He said the Batarians are working on the Leviathan of Dis. It’s a reaper and they’re studying the technology. We should notify the Council and check it out.”

 

“I saw the news reports. Any truth to them?”

 

“Yes. For our mission to succeed I needed to create a diversion. I found it interesting that a detachment of the Batarian Special Intervention Unit was there,” Naleena said as she sat in her chair. “Why would BSIU be there and so quick to respond? It turned out that the Batarians were working on a cure for the Krogan genophage.”

 

Sao’s eyes opened wide. “Do you have any proof?”

 

She tossed two data pads on the table. “Here are two progress reports with abstracts. I destroyed all of the data. I couldn’t risk it being taken elsewhere. The deaths were… regrettable. However, Cardah knew everything about the facility and when I interrogated him he approved of the research. I’m not sure we should let him run free, although that was our bargain: new identity and pay off his gambling debts in exchange for the information.”

 

“That was the Council’s arrangement, yes.” Sao said and nodded. “We keep our agreements with our informants.” Sao gave Cardah his new documents.

 

Naleena stood and leaned toward the Batarian. “Just one thing, Cardah. I know who you became, and if you try anything stupid, I’ll make sure that BSIU finds out your new identity, what you did, and where you are. Is that clear?” Naleena said.

 

Cardah nodded, took the documents from Sao and left.

 

“Lieutenant Roman, would you please wait outside?” Sao said. “I need to speak with Spectre T’sarius in private.”

 

Roman left the room and sat outside. He could see the two of them through the glass and he knew what they were talking about.

 

“Naleena, I need to know exactly what happened on Lorek,” Sao asked.

 

Naleena told him everything from the time they touched down, and to when she made her rendezvous with at the shuttle, including their discussion on board the shuttle. She took a cigarette out of her case, lit it, and took a deep drag off it. “Lieutenant Roman is a fine Marine, but it is my opinion that he is not ready to be a Spectre. A Spectre does what it takes to get the job done no matter the cost. He is in my opinion not willing to do that. Without the diversion, the mission would have failed and we would have lost critical intelligence. Who knows what the Batarians are doing with the Leviathan of Dis? Roman’s impatience nearly cost us the mission. And the last thing you do is argue the merits of the genophage with your superior officer during an interrogation.”

 

“I need to ask, why didn’t you blow up the warehouse?”

 

“Aside from the secured weapons room, it was empty. I kept asking myself why BSIU was there. If I’d blown up the warehouse they would have seen that as a diversion. The research facility on the other hand….,” Naleena said and took another drag off her cigarette. “And if Roman chose the research facility, he would have evacuated it, allowing them to escape with the data. I couldn’t allow that to happen, either. He’s too soft. He won’t make the tough calls. This was my call, and as it turned out it was the right call.”

 

“Thank you,” Sao said. “Send in Lieutenant Roman.”

 

Naleena stood, nodded and left the room. When she saw Roman seated outside, she motioned to him to enter, and then took a seat and watched.

 

Roman explained what happened on Lorek, basically corroborating Naleena’s story, but he hadn’t considered altering the plan to take Cardah in a different location. He admitted to Sao he would have tried to minimize the loss of life, even if it allowed the Batarians to save the data. Roman told Sao his opinion about the genophage. Sao shook his head and looked like he was explaining some things to Roman.

 

Roman left the conference room and Sao’s office without making eye contact with Naleena.

 

Naleena looked up at Sao as he walked out of the conference room and stood near her. “So what did you say to him?”

 

He sighed looking at the door. “He’s a good man, but a little too idealistic. He’ll learn. Maybe he should try again in a few years,” Sao said then turned to look at Naleena. “You need to pick easier assignments for evaluation next time. Going into Batarian space was too risky; too many variables. You saw what happened. Next time maybe find something like an investigation and watch the candidate in action.”

 

“It seemed simple enough.”

 

“Things aren’t always what they seem, T’sarius. I learned that in STG,” Sao said waving his finger at her. “Good work on Lorek. Unfortunate that the people had to die. You’ve been here the entire time at the Azure Hotel on Council Business. You need to go back to The Citadel. Take some time. Rest.”

 

“What about the lieutenant?”

 

“He’s headed back to Terra Nova on leave,” Sao said. “He’ll be alright. He has his family.”

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with RedBelle)

Previously...

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

As Tarballs gazed at Iyana, so too did she stare back into his dark eyes with her pale blue.  Her pristine, doll like visage began to change, a twitch forming in her left cheek, her checked intensity coming to the fore, a snarl forming on her thin lips and the skin on her face pulling back, seemingly to reveal the skull beneath.  "So deceiving, Tarballs, with your devil may care name."  She glanced momentarily at Amaya and Simon, "He is correct you know, about apathy," then she gazed back at The Lord.

"Trinkets are what you refer to my gifts as.  Then you are a consummate charlatan or there is some truth to your grand perspective.  I warn you of this, Lord, that I have bowed for few, and perhaps no more, for those who have great power now ask for me elsewhere.  And why should I submit to them?  Is it that they fear me and therefore seek to control me?  I know of control!  And the dark secrets may not be revealed to me that you speak of, but rest assured there is no thing alive that you will find better able to handle them than I.  I am Izanami-No-Mikoto.  I am Persephone, and Orcus, and it is not the fist that I wield, but the sharpest of scythes!  Yet I am as precise as a nanoblade, as well.  For I must be."

By the time she had said the last word of her speech, it seemed the skull would leap right out of Iyana's helm.  But she ceased, the vision of horror retreating, and the doll face returned.  She laughed like glass shattering, before going on.  "I forget myself, your Lordship!  This is, after all, a meeting of equals is it not?  I will stop myself lest you begin to think I do not appreciate your extended hand.  Work with you, yes.  Join you, perhaps.  I rule in many ways, and while ruling from above has an appeal I admit I cherish, I am fully capable of ruling alongside, and even from below."

An uncharacteristic moment alighted on Iyana's face, but that moment quickly faded as she spun to view the room.  "I do not give my yes answers easily, but if I am to, shall I do it in a room where only you sit, your Lordship?"  Addressing everyone, Iyana's voice sung with brass.  "No other chairs, no tables, no food, no bed?  You can build a tower, but I ask can you cater to your delicate underlings?  Such an alliance deserves a celebration, if we are to embrace your will, does it not?  Show me what is coming as we embrace in the pleasures, wherein some of the greatest secrets hide."

 

Tarballs allowed a small chuckle to emerge from him. "I require none to see or hear what you and I agree to here. As for this tower, if you truly want celebrations you will have to provide them as I had this building restored as my gift to you. You spoke of renewal. Not restoration. Not a return to the status quo. A new start. One that will overshadow the past by creating a new future...... Call yourself what you will. A fist or a blade. Both have purpose and both serve a means to an end. A blade is perhaps better, more subtle, attracts less attention......". Tarballs eye's flicked to his hands who stood apart and jerked his chin. "We are nearly done here".

 

The two hands gave a half bow and retreated as Tarballs turned to regard Iyana. He reached up to stroke his beard. "When I heard of you I wondered who and what I would find.... Layer's.... Masks..... You wish me to see what you project but there is something.... something bubbling under the surface.... I care not. I only care that you have proven yourself to be dangerous, competent, and effective".

 

Tarballs eye's flicked over to where his aids had disappeared and seeing them gone he turned to face Iyana. "There are indeed secrets in the galaxy that speak of hard times..... Long forgotten civilizations whose voices still echo despite their collapse. In my life I have faced the possibility of extinction. Of being rendered a footnote in history..... As long as I live I will not allow that to be our fate. I will write the book.... Yet my hand grows ever more heavy..... And so I look for a contingency. Someone.... who will prove themselves to me. Someone to continue my legacy.....".

 

The throne grew cold under him as if sensing the intent behind his words. The cold dread of the inevitable flowed through the metal as underneath the chill a warm ember still burned. "Bah.... It is to soon for you to understand. It has taken me a lifetime to understand what this galaxy is.... What is coming.... You are not my equal Iyana..... not yet..... But I intend to make you my equal. Because my time is running out and I have no heir. There is knowledge. A message in a bottle cast adrift since before our species crawled out of the primordial. It was found and we acquired it. The first contact war that launched the Kings and Queens was but a brief flare against the coming nova. The device that carried it will be given to you to view. You speak of equals and those above and below..... The secret of this galaxy is that you and I are as ants. The coming threat is bigger than you or I..... And should you feel that a blow to your ego... know this.... I was going to offer what I offered you to Jess Stone. Instead, I choose you. Jess was the best we had as she came from nothing and became what she is.... Your better. Take that in the spirit it is intended and understand that when the survival of everything that has ever been built in our living memory could soon come to an end..... And you have been chosen to stop it. And if you do.... then it will be I bowing to you..... If I stay alive long enough to see that day....."

 

".....Until then....". He continued. "Your appointed tasks will simply be to learn..... To understand what is coming. To grasp the scope and power of what the K&Q has to offer..... And to stay the hell away from Jess Stone".

"Oh, you do know how to entice me, tempting me with your orders of what not to do," Iyana said with a hiss of satiety, and a feral grin.  "That two eyed, barbaric mutt who took my property from me!  Can you not tell that I crave that beast? That fire?  How much do I desire to put it under my thumb and lash.  My admiration of her is as thick as my hatred of her, despite her shortcomings.  If only she were as we, Lord, I would see how you came to choose her.  But in your wisdom you too have come to realize you need someone who can accept as well as dictate.  It is her spirit I wish to break so badly, but only you would fathom that it would be for her own good.  She cannot bend, I supposed, which makes her incapable."
 

Iyana reached up and removed her helm.  She ran her fingers through her white hair and lifted her chin.  "My ego, large as it may be, has been sundered before.  You will find my voraciousness includes an appetite for learning, for understanding.  As much as it pains me, I will stay away from Stone, but I cannot promise as much for the man Morgan if I can lure him away.  Pain, for me your Lordship, is a virtue, however.  So pain me with your instruction, and find my unique relationship to such a feeling."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

An Expensive Bargain - solo mission Naleena

 

Serpent Nebula - Widow - The Citadel

 

Naleena’s shuttle docked with the Janiri. She went straight to her cabin, took a shower and changed into some clean leathers. Then she made contact with Jess.

 

Jess,

 

I’m back. Had some business on Illium. Looking forward to hitting the strip. Let me know when you’re ready.

 

Naleena.

 

 

end mission - An Expensive Bargain

[Cknarf]

Vepr II, Sol system.

 

Frank stared in awe at the Vepr’s massive drive core, as he made his way down the curved stairway that led to the lower level of engineering.

 

“Quintus said it wasn’t anything special…”

 

“Quintus says a lot of things.”

 

“It’s damn near twice the size of what it should be!” Frank looked up to Adir on the top level.

 

“You can thank the helmsman for that. He insisted on the oversized core during its construction. You’re looking at one whole third of the ship’s cost.”

 

“Stealth capable?”

 

“Keelah, no.” Adir chuckled. “You’ve spent too much time on council ships.”  He took the second stairway to the lower level, meeting Frank in front of the core. He transferred the Vepr’s specs to Frank’s omni-tool.

 

“Not bad for a freighter, huh?”

 

“Hell, these numbers ain’t bad for a fighter.” Frank joked, looking at the Vepr’s absurd performance stats. “These can’t be right.”

 

“That was my first thought when I saw them too.” Adir nodded. “According to Marius, all of that data was taken during its initial flight, with Quintus at the controls.”

 

“Must’ve been one hell of a test drive.”

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne had picked up a card on his way back to the Janiri, making his way into the ship as he made his way to Naleena's quarters. He hummed to himself as he took the elevator up, walking over towards the door as he looked up to VERA. 

 

"Any chance you can keep me shelling this out a secret? I'd like to surprise the boss with this..." He said, holding up the ice brandy vaguely towards where the security camera would be. He wasn't sure where VERA was at any given time, so he just assumed she was likely everywhere at once.

 

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

 

Essul was still compiling information when the news of Lorek flashed across his screen, looking to it as he scanned over the news update. His homeworld had been under some sort of terrorist attack, and Essul wondered whether the threat was from within or without with it. Hegemonic forces tended to be centralized around Khar'Shan, and occasionally colonies and batarian worlds in other systems would be dealt heavy blows to keep them in line. Yet the chance that this was an outside job from the council remained open.

 

He scowled as he went back to work, "I'll have to ask Naleena about it..." He muttered to himself, going back into his research.

 

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

 

Yron smirked, the drell shrugging his shoulders as he kept his easy going attitude, "Touche. Guess you called me out on it..." Yron said as he put his hands in his pockets, walking so he looked into the cell, "Truth is, I'm not usually one whose direct. Unless of course it involves a bullet directly to the brain..." He brought a hand up to tap on his temple lightly.

 

"You seem a bit uptight for the whole free-spirit thing, but I can dig it. It's fun isn't it, playing by your own rules..." His black eyes made it hard to read, but by the curling of his smirk, it seemed he approved of her answer, "I know I enjoy it...So, you think he's going to appreciate what you do?" Yron asked, taking the initiative to be direct.

 

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

 

Captain Vaith's breathing was labored, sweat poured from his brow as he lay on his back, gasping for air. A solider and the ships medic were busy at work, the doctor running scans on vaith while hte solider stood by.

 

"His vitals are dropping. His fevers reaching critical temperature...." The medic said as he got out an emergency needle of anti-bacterial gel, "Whatever he was exposed to down belows ravaging his system. We have to stabilize him now..."

 

Meanwhile, vaith could do little in his current state as he felt like his whole body was on fire, his veins turning a sickly color as his delirium filled mind drifted back to the quarian. She must have done something to him, she must have! He would make her pay!

 

"Restrain him!" The doctor yelled as Vaith lunged up from his improptu bed, trying to claw his way back to his feet as the solider came at him. Vaith brought his elbow to the mans face, cracking bone as he stumbled towards the door, hacking up a lung as he tried ot make it to the medbay. His heart pumped more toxic blood through his system as his body tried to keep up with its owners strenuous activity. His temperature rose, his vision swam, sound died out around him as he came to the elevator.

 

Vaith fell to the floor halfway down the hallway, body convulsing as the fever began to kill off his brain, blood vessels tainted and rotting along his cardiovascular system, and lungs filled with blood and fluid. Minutes later, his heart stopped beating, and the Captain of the External Forces was no more.

 

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

 

Ren'Danna smirked as she stepped away from the operating table, her gloved hands dripping a bit with blood as she circled around the batarian, admiring her work.

 

"Looks like I did a pretty good job, all things considered..." She said as she looked towards Argo, "Turn him on..." She ordered as she the geth platform lifted up a finger, a small needle deploying as it shoved it into Machaera's neck, injecting him with an unknown substance.

 

Machaera's eyes opened, red glow lighting up as he stared up to the ceiling. "What...where am I?" He asked, frowning a moment later as he heard his voice, sounding like he was hearing himself through a com speaker, "What's wrong with my voice? Or my hearing?" He asked as Ren looked down at him, her head blocking the bright lights of the operating room.

 

"Hmmm. So you noticed? You're certainly a perceptive one..." She said as she nodded to Argo, whose optic shot out a small holographic screen as it stood in front of Machaera, a holographic mirror showing him his new look, "I'm afraid you're going to be speaking much differently from now on..."

 

Machaera leaned forward as he stared at himself in the mirror. His lower jaw was black in color, sectional paneling molding to his face like exposed bone, as synthetic muscle and flesh laced beneath the jawline, connecitng his upper and lower face together. His sharp teeth were visible, now metallic as they lined his exposed lower jaw, his upper lips curling back as he saw that his upper teeth had been replaced as well. He tilted his head up to see the synth muscle streching down to his neck as well, streching beneath his normal flesh seamlessly, the same type of tech they had armored skinweaves made out of, the light gray coloration constasting with his tan yellow skin.

 

Machaera brought a hand up, stopping as he looked down to see a complete prosthetic arm where his right arm once was, white with black synth-muscles, stock as he flexed his fingers.

 

"Your medical records came in handy in crafting the exact measurements for the jaw. The arm however is stock, it can be customized later, even replaced by a higher-end model in the future..." Ren said as she paced around the table, Machaera still examining his reflection, "The alterations to your face, however, aren't complete. We can add a layer of skin to make it good as new. Unless of course your a fan of the skeleton look..."

 

"No..." Machaera said, surprised to see the new appendage move in tandem with his words, pinpointing his voice coming from a series of speakings along the jaw, "I can live with this look...I rather like it, in fact..." He said as he smirked, only his upper mouth moving to make the motion.

 

Ren simply shrugged as she reached down to something on the table, "While I was working, I had argo preform a scan on your body. I think you'll be interested in what I found, and why you might want to give me a bonus in my pay..."

 

"Really? And why's that?" Machaera asked as ren held up a small chip, machaera's face looking surprised as she spoke.

 

"Because I think you'll want to know where I found this inside you..." She said as she grinned beneath her helmet, "And where it was transmitting data to..."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

VERA heard Vayne's voice call her. She allowed people their privacy unless called, although Naleena hadn't rescinded the order to monitor outgoing communications.

 

"Of course, Vayne. I understand the organic custom of surprise gifts, and there is a very high probability she will enjoy it," VERA replied. "For your information, she is in her quarters at the moment."