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[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena threw her gear in the back. She saw the Salarian shaking and his skin secretions gave him an unusual sickly sheen. She studied him for a few seconds before climbing in.

 

Naleena leaned with her elbows on her knees so she could get a better look at him. "What's the matter, Salarian? You're scared, and you stink. Did you have anything to do with that?"

 

"N..No."

 

"The truth, or do I need to extract it from your mind?" Naleena peered around the front seat with a sadistic gaze in her eyes. Deidrus didn't see it.

 

The Salarian turned his head toward her, then averted his eyes when he saw she wasn't bluffing. He was about to ****** himself. "They were supposed to bring you in for this mission. That's all."

 

"So they drew weapons on me in a public place? Your people have been trying to kill me for 200 years, and you don't expect me to run and defend myself?" Naleena said, and then she sat back in her seat in disgust. "Deidrus, whose brilliant idea on The Council was it to send STG to contact me instead of Asari or Turian agents?"

[Terca]

"The idea was for me to proposition you alone, as was the understanding of this Sergeant." Deidrus replied as he raised his hand to tap the Salarian on the shoulder and try and break his current frozen demeanor. He'd rather the single STG agent that survived the incident had something to say that wasn't completely negative. Well, at least wasn't embittered towards him. He brought his hand back and glanced out the window of the skycar to the reaches of the city now far below them. "The Bureau that was following you wasn't to engage, it seems someone else thought that it would be a good idea to try and corner you. Apparently not."

 

"The bureau was supposed to simply follow you, that was all the information. Apprehension was not part of deal, not initially." The Salarian said as he met the Turian's eyes first and then Naleena's before returning his gaze to the floor of the Skycar. "Lack of communication was at fault, the group should not have gone silent."

 

What has been done might be justified later but people are dead already, talking about why will not solve this. The Turian thought to himself as he opened his omni-tool and opened up the pre-made message to send to Baladrum. He started making changes to the message as he saw fit, replacing some of the more overtly formal words with a bit more bravado. He was sure that the Batarian would be suspicious of people of too high rapport appearing to assist him. Spectres were not all following the straight and narrow, that's sometimes why they were chosen. Making a bit more cash on the side was generally accepted from what he had seen, though he himself had not taken advantage of that.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena leaned forward. "A word of advice, Salarian. Your species is very short lived. I would think your years would be treasured. Hunting me and attempting to corner me over the centuries has been unwise and unhealthy for the employees your agency. Were your government to grant me immunity and your agency to simply leave me alone, the life span of your agents would improve, and we could avoid unpleasant occurrences such as happened today," She sat back again in the seat.

 

"Deidrus, I would like you to make sure that Jenira is buried according to Asari customs in a fashion that is fitting for a middle-class Asari, and charge the expenses to the Salarians. I believe her spirit should depart this world with respect, don't you agree? You will make that accommodation, won't you... Sergeant?" 

[Terca]

"Mission errors will be handled personally Miss." The Salarian replied with a quiet but no longer shaky voice. He let a little cough out as the skycar set down and the roof popped open to allow the occupants to exit. "I will inform my superiors of the hasty action taken by that bureau and see to it that Miss Jenira is handled appropriately." He stepped out of the skycar with his groceries and started walking down the street. He was still visibly shaken and Deidrus was pondering whether the Salarian was honestly more worried about the actions of the STG or the ire of the Matron across from him.

 

He stood and inclined his head to Naleena before placing his helmet back on with the sound of a metallic latch tightening. "I'll inform the Council once we arrive back on the ship. The Dalatrass herself might attempt to keep this quiet however the entire council may be interested in the potential foul play." More likely the notorious and understated Salarian pride than actually being malicious. "As for the burial being completed, that Salarian is going to be our informant through which we will access the STG's information. He, at least, is wary of you, instead of willing to break orders from their cultural leader to assault an asset at risk of collateral injury or death. You'll be able to see to her burial through him if you so wish."

 

Stepping from the skycar and onto the sidewalk Deidrus rolled his shoulders as much as he could within the restraining Armiger armor. "Our time is limited for now, I need to take a small crew with me to deal with a certain Batarian arms trader. Being a Spectre is useful but can lead to rise to some suspicion especially when heavily armed. A certain women with a 'shady' record, earned fairly or not, would add a bit of credence to my request."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"I take it you would like me to accompany you on this little adventure? It might be fun, and give us a chance to get to know each other. Perhaps I should pack a third weapon for something up close and personal?" Naleena drew an antique SIG P229 9mm Suppressed out of her bag. "I liberated this from a gun collector during a vacation in the Earth colonies. Granted it isn't any good against ablative armor, but I'm not aiming for the chest with this. Inside 3 meters a kinetic barrier isn't going to help you anyway. A beauty isn't it?

 

"And something you should know. Since our first contact with other species, while many of my kind have adopted the use of the female pronoun, there are many others who merely humor other species. The term woman has no meaning to me. I am Asari. Your military knows this. What is their saying? 'Asari Commandos are the finest warriors in the galaxy. Fortunately there aren't too many of them.' Let's go meet your arms dealer, shall we? I'd like to see what he has." She smiled at the Spectre.

[Terca]

The Turian couldn't help but chuckle at the Asari. She's certainly cocksure. She has lived a dozen of my lifetimes to back up that kind of attitude though. He shook his head and motioned down the street towards the spaceport before beginning the walk. "I would think that we of the Armiger can at least challenge the Commandos. We do not have the luxury of hundreds of years of combat experience however most of us have seen a share of the galaxy's combat." It was half-hearted at best, he knew that commandos were of course among the finest and was loathe to actually find himself in combat against them. It would be a hard-fought fight with an outcome he would not like regardless of success.

 

"The quartermaster on the ship, or requisitions master as some call him, mainly has in supply Turian weaponry. Phaestons, Raptors, Krysae. An few other weapons are available such as the Mattock. Their numbers are not as high because they are not provided by the Hierarchy. If you put in a request with the quartermaster however you will be supplied with what you need." He pulled his Paladin off his waist momentarily and made a waving motion to the side to indicate it. "This, is mine. Spectre-grade equipment may be purchased however the cost is somewhat... Off-putting." When they reached the cross for the spaceport he slowed and turned to look at her. "And old gunpowder rounds are not part of the repertoire."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena sighed and shook her head. "No appreciation for the classics. I snagged a decent supply of rounds when I obtained the weapon. I've met some traders on low tech worlds who will deal in the powders and lead in exchange for Asari benefits during a nighttime visitation. Call it diplomatic outreach. I have the reloading materials aboard my shuttle." 

 

She looked straight ahead as they walked down the street, and furrowed her brow. Something was bothering her. "You mentioned abductions in The Traverse? You mean like Fehl Prime? For something as big as that is was merely a blip on the news. First it was this Reaper Sovereign that a rogue Spectre used to attack the Citadel, and then that colony abduction. That happened almost right after the Battle of the Citadel. The official reports said slavers, but I don't buy it. Slavers don't leave everything intact. Everything is a mess and there's blood all over the place. And that Reaper? The Council continues to say Geth, but you'd have to be an idiot to believe that story. Just look at the profile of the ship and the footage of the attack. The Geth don't have anything that can plow through a Turian cruiser like that.

 

"Something is going on. I would think The Council would be trying to increase military enlistments right now. Do you have any idea how long it takes to properly train a Commando? And you say there are more colony abductions like Fehl Prime? Goddess!" 

[Terca]

The Turian bared his teeth in a form of macabre grin as they came to a stop beside the entrance to the spaceport. "I can tell you that the council seems to be not only concerned with the threat to human colonies but also those outside the Terminus. They fear an expansion of abductions." He looked up at the trademark purplish sky of Illium and made a clicking noise. "Fehl Prime was the beginning for the humans. Freedom's Progress also has fallen off the map." He turned to look at the Asari, his eyes glinting behind the visor. "Just short of a million humans are unaccounted for. No government within the Council has the ability to clean up that quickly. Asari, Salarian, Turian, Human, there is no group with that isolation capability."

 

He turned and shook his head as he entered the building and began walking through to the customs area. "I have not been affirmed of such directly however with my sudden transfer from Lieutenant of the Armigers with a crew of over four dozen individuals who are among the best the Hierarchy has on offer I am inclined to say that there is a war on uncertain terms in our future. Whether connected to the Reaper ship or not is beyond my knowledge. Whether it is as great a threat... We'll find out when we find a million corpses, won't we?" He turned his head to look back at Naleena before waving off customs with his Spectre status.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

She pulled at his arm, stopped him, and looked him straight in the eyes. "You said human colonists only. You're sure? No Asari, Turian, Salarian, Batarian, or any other race. Only humans? Why only humans? It's very odd, that's all."

[Terca]

"Why abduct a million of any individuals?" The Turian asked rhetorically. "The colonies are all in the Terminus, farther away from the eyes of the Alliance than the inner settlements. The Turians and the Asari are much more fortified or have bases within the Traverse that make slaving a rather risky maneuver. It could be because humans are simply easier to abduct... Or it could be because someone needs more humans than you could reasonably sell to a Batarian slave-king." He nodded up the hall towards the Audron and continued walking.

 

"There is no way of knowing who is behind these attacks, nobody in my mind possibly has the ability to perform such massive acts of abduction without there being anyone to see." He shrugged as they approached the Audron. "The Alliance is oddly silent for now, probably because they do not want the colonies to panic. A mystery is probably what they will call it until there is something else to be said... Until then..."

 

He lifted his arm and typed a few commands into his omni-tool. A side panel of the ship opened and a catwalk reached out towards them. The 170m long ship was an odd shape, slightly more rounded than most Turian ships. It was a VTOL variant designed for being able to provide CAS during missions out in the open. "Welcome to the Turian Randell-Class gunship Audron."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena looked at the ship from bow to stern. "Impressive, Deidrus. Is there room for my shuttle? I'd rather not pay the docking fees during the mission, unless that would come under expense account. However, depending upon what the Salarians decide, I may need to make a quick get away once I receive compensation.

 

"As for my quarters, I would prefer one with a view of the stars, if one is available. I find such conducive to meditation.

 

"And lastly, this arms dealer. Does he also sell master quality blades? Throwing knives and swords?"

[Terca]

"Your shuttle will be able to fit within the docking bay at the rear of the ship." Deidrus said, answering the first question before he began his way up the ramp and towards decon. "We have a standard drop-shuttle but there is more than enough room for even a couple fighters in there if things are a bit cramped. Keeping your ship with us will also allow you to depart into space without wasting expendatures on fuel and man-hours flying beside us."

 

He hit a code into the keypad for the entrance of Decon before sending it to Naleena so she could use it later. "The best view is that from the Auxillory bridge however during combat it is the main command deck. If you are to meditate that room would be ideal however you will need to vacate should we go into combat." When they were standing in Decon there was the sound of air moving as scanning lights crossed over them back and forth a few times to check for anything that could not be allowed onto the ship. "Otherwise all of the crewquarters have at least a portal through which to see the outside. Starboard observation deck will fit your needs otherwise. It's rarely used by the crew and is more for carrying diplomats anyways."

 

After the ding of the decon sounded the door just ahead of them opened and a Turian stepped into view giving a short Turian salute before stepping to the side again. "And I'm afraid you are going to need to find a Drell for that. Or one of those 'Japanese' Humans that are truly far afield. With the advent of omni-weaponry I must admit that steel and titanium have fallen by the wayside in lieu of other more practical arms."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena smiled. "The starboard observation deck sounds fine, thank you. My father was Drell. His name was Teshek. I have his swords in my shuttle. They are over 350 years old. I use them for practice only because they are treasures. While omni-blades may have the convenience of not taking up room, one does not have the fluid movement with them that one has with swords. I was trained in the Drell martial and biotic arts by him at a young age as they were taught to him by the Hanar, and I mastered them. When I was 30, I began training in the Asari martial and biotic arts.

 

"I want to get new throwing knives. I seem to have used several of them recently and need to replenish my stock. I'm gathering you aren't used to travelling with a professional. We tend to use some exotic weaponry. You're lucky I haven't asked about crossbows," Naleena laughed. 

 

"So where is this arms dealer located?"

[Terca]

"You'll find him in the shuttle bay tending to the armaments." Deidrus answered as they stepped into the hallway that ran along this floor of the ship. He pointed to their right at an elevator and nodded in that direction as well. "Bottom floor, directly in front of you. In combat situations where the elevator is too slow there are maintanence chutes on the side that can be opened during emergencies to get up and down the ship's levels quickly."

 

A Turian came in front of the Spectre and saluted before speaking. "Lt. Androkan, we've established contact with Baladrum's security."

 

"Good." The Turian replied before turing to Naleena. "I need a moment to deal with some preparation. The crew will be willing to help you around the ship for now but you would do well to remember that they are my men and proud. They are not at your beck and call, issues with your quarters etc. are taken to the quartermaster, things you need are requested of requisitions. You are now part of my crew and have my respect, you are not a member of their crew yet."

[siphernin]

“Hey, are things ready over there?”

 

“That is never something you need to ask, human.  You paid for the service and I deliver,” the salarian replied back with an edge of insult.  She punched in the commands into the main turret overlooking the cargo port disseminating the instructions into the remaining turrets in a crescent pattern surrounding the port.  The turrets rose to standby status.  “Everything is ready for your command prompt, human.”

 

“Always a pleasure, miss.  Now I suggest you get some distance before the fireworks get started.” 

 

“You do not need to warn.  I am already on my way.”

 

He finished perching himself in the window on floor eighty-nine on the second building.  Looking outside to find more of Baladrum’s reinforcements arriving, Kanae took out his omni-tool, looking at the layout of the building one last time.  Blips on the map pegged groups of mercs out for blood, his blood.  It was fun but this was work and no time to show the pleasure.

 

“Cole.”

 

“Yes, sir,” the upgraded LOKI mech responded. 

 

“Status.”

 

“Target has been confirmed entering the establishment accompanied by various units acting as presumable protect.”

 

“Chances of success.”

 

“Twenty-five percent, sir.”

 

“Ever the optimist, Cole,” Kanae mocked joking, knowing the humor was lost on the VI.  “How much time has elapsed?”

 

“Effectively eighteen minutes in twelve seconds.”

 

“Alright,” said feeling ready.  “Activate Protocol I27-Y.”

 

“Affirmative.”  The noir slicked mech took up the Kishock Harpoon gun, aiming it for the entrance of the tower. 

 

Kanae sparked as the tech activated, shrouding him in his tactical cloak camouflage.  Things would start soon enough.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena walked around the ship and made note of where all of the exits were located. She explored her quarters and found them satisfactory, although they were quite Spartan as one would expect from the Turians. The mission seemed like it would be a long one, and they would have to be brought up to her standards. The facilities were located nearby her quarters, and the Turians kept them clean which was good. The Asari made note of the locations of all security cameras as she made her way to the Shuttle Bay to speak with the Quartermaster.

 

Naleena noticed to her relief that the shuttle bay was indeed large enough to hold her shuttle. That could allow them some added flexibility on some missions and could allow her to make some unscheduled stops on a few worlds that would ordinarily be off limits to Council personnel they might pass near where she could get specialty items. Her father gave her the locations of these worlds before he died. Her shuttle had a cloak. Sergeant Septimus sat at his desk going over requisitions. 

 

"Sergeant, I was told to see you if I needed anything for my quarters." Naleena approached the sergeant.

 

"Yes. You must be Naleena T'sarius," the Sergeant said, "I'm Sergeant Septimus. I was told to expect you. I hope you found your quarters satisfactory?"

 

"Quite. However, due to the possible length of the mission that I've discerned from the captain, there are certain items I would like to procure. Here is a list of them." Naleena tapped her omni-tool.

 

Septimus raised his brow plate. "I... don't have any of these in stock, and the Hierarchy won't pay for any of them, I'm sorry."

 

"Please, I'm not trying to cause any trouble. I merely gave you a list of items that I require. I will pay for them with my private funds, " she said and smiled. "All you have to do is locate them, and let me know how much they cost. And since this is outside your normal duties, get yourself something. 500 CR limit. My treat." 

 

"That's very generous of you, ma'am. But I'm not sure if I'm supposed to accept...."

 

"I've read your Hierarchy's handbook a long time ago. That is the maximum allowed gift. It is perfectly acceptable so long as you do not keep it in the form of credits. Your captain should have no issue. Clear it with him if you wish." 

 

"As you wish."

 

"And one last thing. Since this is a Turian vessel, with a Turian crew, and this will be a fairly long mission, I do not want to be eating nutrient paste for the duration. Please procure these rations for me. The Council should cover this expense. However, if it does not, again my personal funds will. Thank you, Sergeant. Good day." Naleena bowed slightly, turned and left.

 

Naleena returned to her quarters, poured a glass of water at the tap into a glass, sat on the couch looking out to the stars, and lit a cigarette.

[Terca]

Deidrus walked to the bridge of the ship and nodded to the XO on the ship who inclined his head. Most the higher-rank personnel was here, probably expecting him to go to the bridge once he had returned. The faces he saw around the room were all people he'd been in combat with through his years within the Hierarchy's military, from Ensign to Armiger. They watched him in turn. He assumed they had already begun their own rounds of bets on what the Council was going to ask from them.

 

"As you should have been briefed I'm going to be taking a small crew with me to collect the next member on our list, a Lieutenant Addle of the Alliance. I'll be taking some of the new members we have just taken on to get a better understanding of their operational effects." None of the crew made to argue with this, they knew that Androkan knew how well they would perform in the mission he was going to be undertaking. He wouldn't learn anything by taking a crew he knew would be impeccable and taking in the new recruits would bring him up to speed. "That said we still need to take into account the members that we have not been able to bring in yet. Council dossiers are continuing to come in and I can't be in too many places at once."

 

"Eteon would be ideal." One of the Turians offered. "The only purpose you serve in approaching these individuals is verifying the will of the Council. Those who are less inclined to be difficult or cause a diplomatic dispute can be approached by Eteon. She is willful and persisting, I would be surprised if anyone would not give in to her for the simple task of getting a moment of silence." That was met with a small amount of amusement from the rest of the crew, most of which allowed amused chuckles to pass.

 

Deidrus seemed less convinced. As much as the comment was a joke, and there was some amount of truth to it, he'd rather choose someone a bit less... Outspoken. Cocky. Prone to irritability and distinctly un-Turian outbursts."As sound as that option sounds I would rather wait on it for now. Baladrum is my current concern."

 

"We know that he has a safehouse on one side of the city and has... Investments in the club Ber'ah. He has been a bit quiet on picking off the assassin but is willing to put just about anyone between him and Addle. The safehouse is probably under his own personal guard and looks to be a rather... large complex. The Audron would be an asset in getting to the top however I doubt that we will be able to engage in combat from the air without some seriously aggravated members of Illium. I'd rather be welcome when we get back." The Spectre glanced to all those in the room. "If we need to get picked up drop in team two from the roof on full access. Sweep and clear, you know how these ops go."

[Redbelle]

Anika read the message again before calling the captain. She was on the bridge and the captain was down in her quarters. Attending what she called, a captains mast.

 

The terminology of old naval exercises and traditions, by and large,eluded her but she knew that the mast harked back to the days when ships still required sails. In the event of a crewman or crewmen behaving in a manner that was detrimental to the ship and her crew, the captain would hold a gathering before the mast of the ship where he, or she would act as judge and jury. Essentially fast tracking justice in an environment where traditional forms of justice simply could not work.

 

There was the ship. There was the crew. No distractions and limited activities available. Brig time would only serve to give the offender time off from the day to day grind while increasing the work load on the others.

 

No..... the one time Anika had stood in to watch a mast held by her captain, she'd seen exactly where to dispense justice in a way everybody cared about. Their share's.

 

As the ship she and the rest of the crew flew was not exactly of impeccable standing in the wider galactic community, they took work where they could, for people who appeared to have no moral quibbles and seemingly a vast and endless supply of credits at their disposal.

 

Their contractors gave them work. They, in turn didn't ask questions. Everybody got an equal share of the profit. The higher the risk the higher the pay. The sooner they could all cash out and live the lives they wanted.

 

All but the captain it seemed. Which by extension meant that she wouldn't be able to leave either. Her job was two fold. Be a visible presence by the captains side, which, as a seven foot statuesque built silver haired woman wasn't a problem......

 

….... even if the captain sometimes acted like a damn fool and made her life miserable......

 

Her other role was even more important and closely tied to the first. She was Stones chief body guard.

 

While Captain Stone navigated the waters of choosing who to work for and for what price, Anika's job was to keep her captain alive.

 

….....

 

As tasks went......She wasn't getting paid enough for that.

 

The com panel under her finger chirped and Stones honeyed tones poured out. “Something wrong”?

 

“Captain”. Anika began. “Sorry to interrupt your mast....”.

 

“Oh I finished that early”. Came the breezy response. “Turns out we have repeat offender who doesn't seem to care if he get's paid or not. If I reduced his share any more he'd start owing us money”.

 

“Oh”. Anika went through a mental checklist and came up with one name. “If you wanted to send him up I could speak to him”.

 

A pause. “He's tied up right now”.

 

Anika winced.

 

“You had a reason for calling”?

 

Anika nodded. “Your needed on the bridge”.

 

Just under thirty seconds later Anika heard the lift along the back wall descend and lock itself in place and she turned. And had to stifle her initial reaction.

 

Well..... at least she's wearing something modest this time.

 

Jess Stone strode onto the Bridge of her ship. Her green robe, cinched at the waist and loosely wrapped around her torso hiding her muscled frame. Dark skinned with a bob of reddish brown hair that hung off her down to her neck. She caught Anika looking at her in her attire and smiled.

 

She's doing this on purpose. Anika thought as Jess over to her. Her gaze lingering on her mismatched brown and silver eyes. She's actively tormenting me.

 

Jess walked over and turned to lean herself with her back to Anika's console. Practically draping herself over while several of the other crewmen looked in their direction. Anika's annoyed glare had them snap back to their work while Jess looked on with an amused air.

 

“Captain”. Anika began. “Message came in. It's asking for a rendezvous”.

 

Jess shrugged and swished a riding crop that had been hidden in her robe across her field of vision. “Another bidder? Put them with the rest. I'll go over them this evening”. She looked over at Anika with a serious expression. “You'll be there tonight, yes? I'm cooking. And we need to talk about the future”.

 

“Future”?

 

“Your future”. Jess said in a hushed tone. “I used to be a bodyguard like you too. The fact I'm still alive means your good. Especially after that Eclipse scuffle. I think it's time to look into what else you can bring to the table”. She smiled. “Of course..... if you want to remain my body guard, with privileges, we could just skip all that and get right to the......”.

 

“Captain”. Anika said flushing somewhat. “I don't think the message is intended for us. But it's attached to this ships signal ident”.

 

“Who are we now”? Jess asked.

 

Anika moved a hand over to the transponder controls. “The Orison. Headed for Illium with a cargo of brewers finest”. She saw Jess giving her a look. “Captain..... the message was sent to the Medusa. But the Captain's name in the message isn't yours”.

 

Jess stood a little straighter. Her face set. “Who was named as the Captain”?

 

“Jessica Babylon”.

 

Jess moved across to the panel so fast that Anika scarcely had time to skip out of the way. She watched as Jess ran her's eye's down the messages contents. Then saw her delete the message.

 

Then the backups.

 

…..Then the secret backup of the backups they had hidden away in a secret server aboard ship.

 

Jess looked up at Anika, threw a glance over to the crew. They didn't seem to have noticed anything and Jess beckoned Anika closer. “You didn't read that”. She breathed. “There was no message. Purge any trace from the system then go back through the travel logs and arrange for them to disappear. No expense to be spared.

 

Anika frowned. “That message came from the Citadel. To rendezvous with the Audron? I'm not sure I like the idea of them....”.

 

Jess's face clouded and Anika could see her free hand ball into a fist as she realised that, whatever this was, she was taking it seriously enough that her questions were about to earn her a hard backhand.

 

Jess took a deep breath and relaxed her fist. “Don't.....”. She said. “.....don't worry. I'm going to look into this..... right now”.

 

Anika nodded, glad to have been spared her captain's ire, though surprised that she had held back. “And the man on the mast”?

 

Jess sighed. “He's not important right now”.

 

“Your going to leave him tied up in your quarters”?

 

Another annoyed glance. But this time Jess's hand moved up to throw the crop to her. Anika caught it and looked at Jess, puzzled.

 

“Finish him off for me”. Was all she said, before she turned and strode away.

 

 

Jess's mind was a blur.

 

Babylon.

 

Her name.

 

Not the personae of Jess 'Silver' Stone

 

Her family's name.

 

The one she had spent years burying in the past as her future took her to places where family could be used against her.

 

She had to get a hold on whatever the situation was and fast. Time always mattered when you were on the back foot. First she had to figure out who was sending her messages. She drew back a sleeve on her robe as she walked into the bowels of her ship. Her Omni-tool coming to life as she input a request for information regarding the Audron. The request came back. Data spooling out in front of her as her silver artificial eye captured it and threw it into her field of vision. It was like walking through a corridor of information as she looked left and right seeing the same thing over and over in red.

 

Classified Classified Classified Classified

Classified Classified

Classified Classified

Classified Classified

 

Jess came to a halt and groaned. Then brought up her right hand and gestured. To anyone who saw her it would look as if she were waving her fingers in the air. To Jess however, the moment she brought up her hand a keyboard interface appeared and her fingers flew over as she typed a message to one of her contacts in the Terminus system.

 

Need this unlocked. Fast. Discrete.

 

The reply came came back a minute later.

 

Risky. Expensive. Time frame?

 

Jess replied.

 

Now.

 

Jess input the codes to her private account and sent the credits. Then waited.

 

Another minute later the corridor information only she could see abruptly went green and the wall changed.

 

Access Granted Access Granted Access Granted Access Granted Access Granted Access Granted

Access Granted Access Granted

Access Granted Access Granted

 

Smirking she held out a finger and touched one of the files now open to her. She scanned the contents with a sinking feeling and going over the others, drew the same conclusion.

 

Spectre's

 

The information disappeared and she was left in the ships corridor. A mixture of rage and fear threatening to consume her. The Spectre's wanted her. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.

 

They were expecting Jessica Babylon, they'd get Jess 'Silver' Stone.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena sat on the floor of the Starboard Observation Deck in a state of meditation. Her eyes were black, and a ball of dark energy glowed between her hands. She spent the next thirty minutes in that state. Focused. Focused on nothing. Centuries of practice had allowed her to do this. Her father taught her the technique when she was a child. Then, when she was able to maintain focus for a minute, he felt she was ready for the next step. He took her with him into the countryside far outside of Polos for a day trip. It was there Naleena had her first lesson.

 

----

 

Teshek took Naleena into the forest to observe the animals, and he took her by the hand so she could experience what he was doing in observing the wildlife. Teshek moved his mind out to the two animals that were like the deer on Earth, and Naleena felt like she was right next to them. She tried to touch them and they spooked and ran. Teshek laughed. They crossed a meadow to a nearby pond. Large birds would sometimes land and walk in the water. There was a pair of white birds. Teshek told Naleena to try on her own, but Naleena didn't want to just go out to the bird. She wanted the bird to come to her so she planted the thought in the bird's mind. The bird came to her without fear.

 

"You'd better give him your lunch, Naleena. He's expecting something now." 

 

Naleena did, and then Teshek focused on the bird and said, "Forget."

 

The two left. "It is amazing that you have a talent at such a young age. It takes Drell years to develop that. Practice these skills until you've mastered them, but remember a great responsibility goes along with them."

 

Naleena never forgot that lesson. Teshek also taught her the Drell martial arts which she mastered along with the Asari training in martial arts and biotics that she received in school and continued to pursue after graduation. 

 

----

 

She arose from her meditation, and she stretched. Then she contacted the Captain. "Deidrus, is there a place on the ship where I can practice my martial arts? Also I understand that you Turians also participate in hand to hand combat before missions. If any of your crew wish to participate as sparring partners, I would be honored. Do not worry, it will be non-lethal, and I will not injure your crew."

[Terca]

The Turian turned from his crew after finishing their discussion around Eteon. Yes, she would be used to help round up the rest of the needed crewmates, no, Deidrus did not like it. "Naleena the exercise might need to wait for a much more live-fire event. As I told you earlier a Batarian named Baladrum needs to be dealt with to pick up another member. There's a club not too far from one of Illium's slums which we will need to gain access to. I've already been put on the security list so entrance is secured. The hard part is chasing and bagging Baladrum."

 

He pondered for a moment before walking to the galaxy map and seeing what other data was available to him on the Galactic stage. He was pleased to know that the Worm in the Audron's classified files had been activated, which meant one of their more exotic future members would be near soon. Pirate queens... Loyalty worth more than gold is their currency in the Terminus and beyond, let's see how much capital she has.

 

Returning his attention to Naleena he continued. "We will be in combat for a protracted period of time. I recommend getting ready, we'll  be heading out soon." His mind then turned to the much younger Asari on his crew. "And be ready to potentially pick up some slack, I am less certain of another member we are taking with us."

 

Cutting comms he sent a general notice to shipmates that T'Sophi was to be brought to the CIC for briefing. He did not have her omni-address because he had not activated the NFC before sending her off, a small delay more than anything.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

'Hmm... Deidrus thought I meant now for the sparring? I'm just trying to get the layout of the ship. I knew we were going out rather quickly.'

 

Naleena made sure the barrels of her weapons were clean, as she was meticulous about her weapons. She made note that Deidrus said their mission was to capture Baladrum, and she checked all available files about him. He was a Batarian, and a nasty one. She found the proper toxin - one that no matter how many hits would not be lethal, yet should take him down with one to three doses. She would take her SIG P210 Legend and load it with tranquilizer rounds. She would use a Dark Channel to take down his barriers and render him unconscious. This would be in addition to her dual Carnifex pistols.

 

'I will have to clear up the misunderstanding after the mission.'

[Terca]

Deidrus laid his weapons out in front of him as he stepped from his armor and allowed a tech to go over the shield systems and rocket-boosters on it. He was certain that the person who had supplied the weapons was thorough so he did not spend time checking his mattock or Paladin. The later was designed to last for a long time without service anyways as the reliable backup for a Spectre in the field and he'd barely owned it for three years. 'Like a Carnifex, but with more 'oomph'' as he was told.

 

He stepped back into his armor and clicked all the pieces into place after the tech said that all systems were working well. He grabbed a stim-pack and slotted it into the side compartments of his armor where they could tap into the kinetic barrier. They were pretty simply highly-charged capacitors that could force the shields up in a hurry but they were useless until charged again. He'd prefer not to have to use them but in firefights a stray sniper round can turn things around for full shields rather quickly.

 

Attaching his Mattock to his back after checking the scope and placing the Paladin on his hip he went up the elevator and towards the CIC, waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena thought about things for a minute before she left her quarters. She thought about taking the Black Widow for a moment, but the slums of Illium would be more close quarters. That weapon was for distance. She instead attached a scope to one of her pistols she could use if needed. Then she left her quarters and entered the elevator.

 

Deidrus was already in the CIC. Naleena saw him waiting, and she approached and stood next to him. "I brought the 'gunpowder' weapon. It is loaded with tranquilizer rounds since I understand you want this Batarian alive. The toxin should take down our target with one round. If he is particularly resistant, it should take no more than three.

 

"Also, regarding my shuttle, I can remote pilot it and dock it with this vessel before we begin the mission. The shuttle has a VI that responds to my voice command. It might prove useful especially if I go in alone and cut off Baladrum's escape. While the rest of you enter the front and flush him out."

[ParkBom]

"Excuse me, Doctor T'Sophi. Spectre Androkan requests your presence in the..."

The crewman's voice was halted as he finally saw the lab, aka the medical bay, in which Elara had been in since her arrival on the ship. The pristine med-lab was almost completely rearranged, the seated scientist still in the process of moving things with her biotics. "The CIC? Yes, of course! We have missions to attend to, no doubt, no doubt. Tell him, if you see him, that I will be there shortly. I just need to change into my combat gear. Also, tell him that this lab is wonderfully stocked! I should have no trouble adjusting here."

"Er... of course, Doctor."

With the sounds of the automatic doors sliding shut behind him, the Asari quickly tinted the shades of the windows that viewed the outside of the medical bay, turning said windows into one-way mirrors. Then, locking the door, she twisted around in swivel chair, biotically pulling her suit of armor towards her. It took a good three minutes to slide into the tight commando leathers. Considering she had gained some weight since the last time she was in the armor, the slightly-revealing leathers seemed tight on the curvier alien. Slipping into the armor involved a lot of jumping, stretching, and tugging. Nevertheless, she still managed to fit in the armor, somehow. Equipping her M-15 Vindicator as well as her Acolyte pistol, leaving her other weapons inside her desk, the doctor unlocked the door before walking out of her office.

Given that she was in a rather unflattering science outfit, her current suit of armor drew the stares of more than a few crewmen, more probably shocked that the scientist was wearing such an outfit rather than attraction. Being that she was unaware of her natural sexuality as an Asari, she simply batted it off as the crew watching the new recruit with suspicion. With that, the Asari vowed to gain their trust, somehow.

It took her another minute to make her way to the elevator but once she did, it was a simple matter to take it up a floor and finding her way to the CIC. There, another Asari and the Spectre awaited. 

"Spectre Androkan! Your lab is quite wonderful, though, I hope you don't mind the remodeling I did. I also requested for a few more specific supplies, the kind that your run-of-the-mill military med-bay lacked. What is our mission? And I have not met you! Welcome to the ship, Naleena. That is the name you go by, correct? Your dossier was rather spotty so later, I may need to run tests on you. The data there was inconclusive, at best."

[Terca]

"Your excitement foreshadows something, that something I am uncertain of. Any changes to the med bay are fine insofar as people who are injured may still be treated there. That is, of course, the primary focus of such a room." He spoke in a tone which sounded like it would be used on someone slightly younger than the person speaking, someone the speaker thought might need to be reminded of things. Deidrus was not trying to be condescending it was just that he had spent little time around these new crewmembers and was uncertain of the new and somewhat eccentric scientist.

 

"As for the mission, we will be tailing a Batarian by the name of Baladrum in order to get in contact with an alliance member who will be useful to our cause. We will be travelling to Bar'ah, a club in or near the Slums of Illium." At his words the galaxy map in the CIC changed to an image of the front of the establishment, the very definition of the term seedy. "We will be there when Lt. Addle makes a move, and stay close should Baladrum make an escape we will follow. Preferably keep Baladrum alive so we have something to draw Addle to us but his death is not a total setback."