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[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena joined in, poured herself a half tumbler of bourbon and downed it. "Don't care much for the taste of Scotch, sorry. Prefer something a little sweeter. Still has the kick. That ought to catch me up to you two. And it's even a clean glass.

 

"But Morgan, you can invest the money and keep it safe. I might suggest getting a Financial Advisor. We have some very competent ones on Thessia. I'm sure you have on Earth as well. There's a volus on the Citadel, but I've heard certain rumors. If you don't want your share of the ship, float a number as a starting point so you can receive a counter offer. I assure you that there are interested parties. Perhaps even seated at this table."

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Invest your money, and you might as well just give it away to the brokers." Vayne commented with a chuckle, taking one of their drinks as well, "Cause they take your money...they invest it for what they claim is your best interest, and leave you for the wolves once they get their commission for handling your new unstable stocks." he said as he downed his second shot, placing it next to his other empty glass.

 

"Might as well be pirates, since they rob you. Cept most privateers and corsairs I dealt with have the decency not to smile and lie to your face about it being a shake down." he said with a grin, "That I'd know about. Still, she's got a point," he said as he pointed a finger to naleena casually, "Credits are worth having, even if just for a rainy day. Even without investing, having some sort of fund would do you well if you ever want to get out of this game."

[Kel Riever]

Morgan went from Jess, to Naleena, to Vayne, trying to guess what their stories were.  When the conversation took the turn of finances, it was a buzz as he began to feel the effects of his drinking coming on.  His eye looked at Naleena like she had lost her mind, and then Vayne.  Their talk about money only reminded him of how different their worlds were. “Money isn’t going to get me out of this game.  It’s what got me trapped in it.  I don’t want it and I don’t want to need it.  I do what I have to and the day I can turn my back on it I’m gone!”

 

The last part came out louder than Morgan wanted.  But he let the alcohol be a convenient excuse.  “So, while I’m drinking Captain Stone here under the table, tell me what upstanding asari and krogan do out here on Omega.  Bringing up young, promising mercenaries?”  Morgan waved his next empty at Dahlia and nodded to her, then looked at Vayne.  “I have to be honest, Vayne, I don’t think Arrin is going to live up to a Tuchanka right of passage.”

 

“And, scary lady,” Morgan said as he went back to Naleena, “Who’s Aria’s friend, and probably kills people with her mind…don’t even try to deny it.  I’m superstitious and I’m sticking to it.  Tell me is it your fascination with humans that has you hunting collectors instead of earning a bigger profit somewhere else?  Stone over here made it clear it was all about business.  Same with you?”

 

Morgan felt like he was pulling tiger tails by asking Naleena and Vayne the questions, but it wasn’t going to do for him to be shoulder to shoulder with anyone he didn’t know about, if that’s what it came to.  Besides that, it kept him going as Jess put down yet another drink and her poker face revealed nothing yet about if it was affecting her.

[Redbelle]

"You want me under the table luv"? Jess purred. "How blase...... and risque you are. Kinda like when you followed me onto that ship you co-own". She leant back with her next shot in hand as a wide smile came unbidden to her face. "If you want to drink me under there though your a few years to late. If you'd met me before I joined the Medusa crew? I'd be shaking the booty in your face right now".

 

As she tilted her head back to take her shot, she reached out with her foot and slid it up and down Morgan's leg. "The night's young though. Who knows how it'll end"? The door opened and Jess turned her head to see a familier character in unfamilier blue painted armour stride inside.

 

Anika looked around with a worried look until her eye's alighted on Jess and seeing the shot glasses in front of her, seemed to relax even as she shook her head. A medical bag slung over her shoulder. She marched over and stood over the other's. "I should have figured". She lamented as she dropped the bag on the fllor and pulled out a chair facing the door. Taking a quick look around she sat down with the others. "Captain..... I've seen to the ships security...... It's safe at the moment but Aria has people outside keeping an eye on things. Shaking down the Turian's getting on and off. Keeping an eye on what's going in and out....... she's not making going over the ship easy".

 

"Did you sort them out luv"?

 

Anika shook her head. "To much trouble. We're basically looking at border controls in effect. We can't do much about that unless we fly a shuttle on the other side of the ship and bypass the station completely".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

“Anika, please sit and join us. A clean glass for our new arrival, and I mean clean,” Naleena said, “I was about to answer Morgan’s question as to why I’m hunting Collectors instead of earning a bigger profit elsewhere. He calls me ‘scary lady.’ You don’t think I’m scary, do you?” The glass arrived, and Naleena inspected it, determined it was satisfactory and poured Anika two fingers, she lit a cigarette, and then continued.

 

“You see, Morgan, I was enjoying holiday on Illium. I had met someone to whom I had taken a liking. We were becoming friends. The Council had determined I was suitable for this mission, and the Special Tasks Group was sent to look for me. Unfortunately for the Council I have several outstanding warrants with the toads. When I go on holiday I sometimes take a job dancing simply because I enjoy it and it keeps me fit. I was at work dancing. So was my friend, Jenira. They started shooting up the place, and they killed Jenira. She had done nothing. Not one of those toads survived. Androkan arrived on the scene and took me away about the time the NAPD arrived. And here I am. I made sure Jenira received a proper ceremony due an upper middle-class Asari at the expense of the Salarian government as part of the condition of my hire. My fee is immunity and to be left alone. The Council may grant it, but I want it from the toads.”

 

A chill blew across the table.

 

“And before anyone asks, no I don’t have any Salarian in my maternal background. My father was Drell. My grandfather fought in the Rachni Wars. My grandmother was pureblood, as is everyone else further back on her side,” Naleena downed her drink, and poured another. “You asked. That's why I'm hunting Collectors.”

[Kel Riever]

The silence that passed after Naleena spoke was, sadly, all too familiar to Morgan.  He waited a good while before raising a glass to the asari. 

 

It was some time still before he spoke.  “I might know the kind of people you are talking about, though in all fairness to the ‘toads’, I’ve might also have met plenty like them from other species, including asari.

 

Morgan finally broke his gaze for the first time since Naleena told her story. “But the worst kind I’ve ever met are from my own species.  So in all fairness to the asari, and you, my apologies for bringing it up.”

 

It was becoming clear to Morgan that the people around the table with him weren’t the type Androkan had rubbed shoulder’s with in the past.  He even began wondering if Deidrus had any choice about what he did back on Noveria at all.  But as Morgan watched each of the veterans around the table, if anything, there was something more to each.  They weren’t the kind that slashed and burned for no reason other than to see the world burning.  Perhaps he didn’t have to meet with the Spectre after all.

[Redbelle]

Anika breathing seemed to hitch as she took the drink, Naleena's skin making contact with her own for the briefest of moments before she withdrew the hand leaving Anika standing there till Jess waved her over.

 

Taking a chair Anika rallied around the question that had been asked of her. "Scary? No. That's to say I don't think your trying to scare people. Maybe the way you go about the work you do scares other's. But it's not scary to me". She lifted her glass and took a sip before looking up at her. "I was trained by an Asari huntress when I was very young. She used the meld. We didn't link memories, just nervous systems. And then she'd start fighting me". Anika looked around the group. "Her moves, her reactions, her muscle trained instincts...... All flowing into me. It wasn't a fast process and she beat me black and blue. But after a few weeks, I just knew that something was changing. I could see the hits before they landed. Even managed to dodge a few. Weeks after that I could block some. And on it went".

 

Jess looked at her, her face a careful blank. "Shared nervious systems huh"?

 

Anika nodded, unaware that her cheeks were reddening. "It's a good way to train raw prospect's into capable fighters if you have the time. It cut's years off training. So no, I don't think Naleena is scary. I think what she can potentially do is scary..... and.....". She went on, looking Naleena in the eye. "..... Wonderful".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia laughed. “Pour her another drink, Naleena!”

 

Naleena smiled and poured herself, Anika, and Dahlia another two fingers, and offered her bottle to anyone at the table. Vayne, Morgan and Jess waved her off since they were drinking something else. She was not insulted. She raised her glass. “To us, then. A group of the galaxy’s misfits!

 

“Money. Morgan, you say you hate money. Throughout my life I’ve accumulated a substantial amount. It’s allowed me to buy the shuttle you’ve seen, and I can live quite comfortably off the dividends of my investments and not have to work another day the rest of my life. I’ve reinvested those dividends. The Asari economy has been extremely stable. Illium has some great opportunities. Your human corporation Kassa Fabrications makes some high quality stuff that’s sought after. But I wouldn’t invest all of it like that. I’d keep a good portion of it liquid even though it doesn’t return a high yield that way. I have to because I never know when I have to relocate,” Naleena laughed and took a drink.

 

“Now back to this ship that no one really wants. All of us know that Aria wants this ship as a trophy and then she’s going to flip it on the market. A Collector Ship? People. It’s a liability. Don’t you think the Collectors will try to take it back? It’ll need military protection. Jess, I know there’s some bad blood between the two of you. Bad blood has always gotten in the way of turning a good profit. But what if there was a way of satisfying the queen and coming out of this stinking rich? Morgan, you're going to come out of this stinking rich whether you like it or not. If you don't want the money, give it to a worthy cause. Do you have family?” She looked at Anika and Morgan. She held up her hand before anyone could speak and poured another drink, extinguished her cigarette, pulled out a cigarette and offered them to everyone.

 

“Jess, you’ve already sold your share to Aria. I suggest you stick to your agreement, and do so for the sake of everyone here. The Captain has built a bridge with Aria and we’re going to need a port of call for this mission. Please, think long and hard. The great Captain Stone will stand by her word and won’t let it get around the galaxy that she went back on it. Besides, you’ve got enough money, and you’ve made your point. What I’m thinking is how to maximize things for these other two. I heard you discussing with Morgan about selling to the Turians. While that would be nice for everyone it would ****** off Aria, and I know you want to do that. Don’t.

 

“Here’s what I’m thinking. I know for a fact that Aria has holdings in the Asari Military Industrial Complex or A-MIC. I have connections there. They would love to get their hands on this ship, however, under current Council treaties they are bound by law to share the tech with all Council members. So the Turians, the Alliance, and unfortunately the Salarians also benefit. But this is about money. News gets out as to the find of new tech and attracts investors. Stocks rise and Aria makes a profit. Of course, the only thing Aria really wants here is tribute for your salvage. I know her. I’ve known her for a century. The only way you’re going to get the tribute due is to sell your share of the ship. Jess sold her Aria her share, and thus owes her nothing.

 

“Now my interest in this is acting your agent in the sale to the AMIC. With two shares of the ship in the hands of the AMIC, they need the third share to take possession of the ship. They will make Aria an offer through me at the time I’ve sold your shares to them, I make a modest commission, because I know exactly who to approach. Everyone wins. This is about money, right? What do you think?” Naleena downed her drink,  took a deep drag off her cigarette, and rolled the ashes in the ash tray off the end of it.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne stopped smiling when morgan asked his question, he leaned forward a bit, shadows cast upon his face making it older, rougher, as if the 500 years of his life were now fully weighing him down as he looked at the human and the others. "I don't do teamwork, most of the time. Raising a crew, training them to fight and man a ship is all well and good, for a while. But it ain't the life for me anymore..." he said simply, though by the look on his face it was obvious that there was more to it then that, there was a harshness to him that just came out, a similar harshness when he'd been talking about the collectors.

 

"Arrin's a good kid. He got roped into something over his head, and hes a good tech with good instincts on the field...it'll help his people well when he returns to the flotilla after his pilgrimage..." he said simply, giving a shrug as he said it, "The fact he has people who he can help with whatever he learns from this, is all the more reason to try and teach him. Better spent there then wasted on a dead krogan and a dead clan." he said, taking a look at the salarian twitch, he looked more and more uncomfortable by the second as naleena gave her story. He was silent a while before he spoke up, "Think I'll have another shot, in a real glass this time." he said before looking to naleena, "And sorry for what happened to ya. It's a rough one to catch to get STG on your ass. Hopefully, you live to rub it in their faces when this is done..."
 

"As for why I'm fighting the collectors. It's simple really, I've a debt to pay, and everything I can do to throw a wrench in those bugs plans, the better." he said as he leaned back, taking the full sized glass of scotch, "Think I'm starting to like this human stuff. Doesn't mess you up as bad a ale." he commented as he took a sip, setting the now half empty glass on his table. He decided now was the time to be quiet as naleena laid out her plan, nodding his head while he followed along with what was said. "So we're assuming that aria will be okay with making a modest profit off of this ship, rather then having it as a prize to show how powerful she truly is. Course you know her better then I, so I don't mind assuming you're right on that..." he said as he finished the rest of his drink.

 

"It's a good plan for finally getting ride of the thing, before it gets too hot. Though we need to make sure we get everything out of it we'd need for fighting and tracking these bugs. And while we're doing that, aria grows impatient, the military grows impatient, and people start itching their trigger fingers. So the real question is..." he said as he looked to naleena, "Do you think we can get the timing right, so that we can all get what we want?"

[Kel Riever]

Vayne sealed it for Morgan with his story.  Morgan didn’t know about Androkan, but given the impatience of his seniors he was going to be out of time soon regardless.  Being tagged by a Collector bug and held up in med bay didn’t help with his time frame either.  If Deidrus had a problem with The Shadow Broker, Morgan wasn’t going to add to it.  Sometimes the loose end that had to be wrapped up was Morgan’s own.  He’d give the Shadow Broker his information, through Iyana, and he had no doubt that as his contact had warned, someone would pay if there wasn’t proper satisfaction.  Morgan would be damned if it would be Androkan or his people.

 

“Here’s what I’m going to do,” Morgan led as he took the cigarette offered by Naleena.  He had to reach twice.  “In front of everyone here as my witnesses, I’ll agree to sell my share of that Collector ship by whatever terms you see fit, Naleena…, as long as Captain Stone here agrees with them in full.  Once you both do, go ahead, sell, and cut yourself each off a nice fee for handling it.” 

 

Morgan suppressed a smirk as he reached into a compartment of his armor and pulled out a lighter.  “I’m not much of a smoker, though I carry one of these around; you never know when you want to start a fire.”

 

Then Morgan reached behind his back and withdrew the Katana shotgun.  ‘Twitch’ gasped.  Morgan, taking care to avoid uncollapsing it, placed the weapon on the table in front of Jess.  “We didn’t wager, but I don’t leave winners empty handed.  Besides, it’s just another gun.”

 

‘Twitch’ sighed in relief as Morgan got up and moved away from the table.  “I need a moment, but don’t pause for me.  I’m going to smoke this outside and expect a topped off glass waiting for me when I get back.  Greasy fingerprints and all.”  He turned to the bartender and made his credit transaction, dumping his balance onto the bar’s tab.  Morgan confirmed with ‘Twitch’, “That going to keep us happy?”  The bartender nodded enthusiastically.

 

Morgan made a nod to the table and stepped just outside the door to smoke his cigarette.

[Redbelle]

Jess picked up the Katana and held it in both hands, testing the weight. "Not bad". She said, pulling it towards her and moving a finger to a seemingly inconspicuous area. She dabbed her finger and a section slid down and opened up before her. "Little worn in the motor. Not that that's a bad thing mind. Mean's it's broken in and just needs some dry lube to keep things slippery". She closed the panel and stowed the shotgun. "Mighty glad Morgan. Though if your looking for something with a little more kick, you might cast an eye over some of the crates the hanger deck officer took off me. Their stowed in the hanger. Something about dangerous and exotic weapons not being allowed on board unless under personal supervision.

 

With that, Jess looked over at Naleena. "I guess not riling up the local big momma makes sense if we have to come back again. Just get's under my skin that she'll crow about this till the cows come home and she won't have learned what happens when you hire a merc to shoot at my bloody ship. Still..... I guess since we've got a job to do that's beside the point. Morgan? I'm fine with the sale.... But Anika"? Jess turned and grinned. "Anika..... darling..... Have you ever heard of Omega's Patriarch? Because I figure he's in the ship buying share business too".

 

Jess's grin was feral as she imagined Aria having to go to the Patriarch and asking him for the final share to make her purchase whole. Given that the share would exist on Omega, Aria could hardly accuse her of blocking her taking ownership when the share was arguably available for her to make an offer on. And that little bit of humiliation would be a personal sting to her. Not enough to warrent Aria clsoing Omega to them, but enough to know that Jess was not the type to roll over and take it from a rival business woman. She did, after all, represent a company that looked like it could grow, and continue growing, squeezing Aria out of part of the galaxy......

 

Heck, since she had that riding on her, she'd be stupid not to rain on Aria's parade!

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena laughed again. "Jess! Dear! Patriarch? That's as good as giving the share to Aria. Aria keeps Patriarch on a leash and trots him out as an example of what happens to people who f*** with Aria. Please reconsider this. I won't pretend not to have a personal interest in this as a broker. Dealing with Patriarch takes my fingers out of the cake on 2/3 of the deal. Aria will deal with AMIC directly. Whereas my plan gets me in on 100% of it. Don't you see?

 

"This is about money," Naleena said and turned to Anika. "Anika, I can get more money for you from AMIC than you'll get from Patriarch, especially with Morgan's share in the package. This is even after deducting my commission.

 

"And Captain Stone, while it might get 'under your skin' to see her crow about this, let her crow. What exactly are you trying to do? Run a business, right? What does a business need? Capital and revenue. Not revenge. What do you want Aria to be? An enemy? No. You want her to be a customer. Let her crow all she wants as long as she's a paying customer. She's on an asteroid. She needs to buy her goods from somewhere. Why not Captain Jess Stone? Do you understand?" Naleena extinguished her cigarette.

[Redbelle]

Jess shook her head as she leaned in.

 

"Well now, if Patriarch is such a pushover then Aria shouldn't be unable to take the ship. Now I like turning a profit as much as the next gal. But this ship? It's a bonus. Not critical in the greater scheme of things and once again we've gone overlooked that Harpy sent a Batarian and his fighter wing to shoot at my ship! You don't ask a contractor to take your Eezo somewhere then ambush them just to see if they can handle themselves. If me and the Medusa had been slagged she would have sent a message to the Kings and Queens that she plays for keeps. Instead she saw that we're not about to be shoved around.....".

 

"...... And that's the message that ship'll send. You don't screw with the Kings and Queens. We're a company who has people working for them. Those people have to be protected while we turn over a profit. Aria did more than shoot my ship. She threatened my bloody crew. And for that I've been looking for a way to send her a message for a long while".

 

Jess leaned back in her chair and snagged her glass. "Frankly, I don't want Aria within a sector of my people. You know what she really wants? Influence. Ship's give influence and the Kings and Queen's have a boatload. If Aria muscles in she'll initiate a hostile takeover. She's done it before..... but the thing about Aria, is that she prefer's to take things by being the smartest Asari in the room. Oh sure, she can warp a head off someone's shoulder's at fifty paces, but all that means is that there was someone out there in the galaxy who was better than her. And to maintain Omega's bad ass self image, she has to be able to fight on any level. Use whatever tools and lever's are at her disposal to get what she wants". She tossed back the drink and sighed as she set it down on the table. "Which right now, includes you it seems".

 

Jess leaned in. "Look, you want money? That's fine. But let's not forget that it was thanks to us that your getting two thirds of something instead of one hundred percent of nothing. I'll have a think. But in the end, Anika represents the company Aria sent fighters to intimidate. And that doesn't wash with me".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

(note I hate wireless keyboards)

 

"First, I'm not being used by Aria. I'm a friend of hers. I'm acting out of self-interest at the moment," Naleena said and poured another glass. "But now we're getting to the heart of the problem. Am I to understand that you took a contract from Aria to haul some eezo for her, and she sent a Batarian and his fighter squadron after you to test them? If so how do you know this at her order?" Naleena watched Jess very closely for her reaction.

[Kel Riever]

Previously...( http://forum.bioware...res/?p=16627791 )

 

Earth, New York City

 

By the time Jen got home from the NYU medical center, she was tired and her joints ached.  She still had to put in reading time and was looking forward to it after a long hot bath.  Jen pushed the door open to the apartment she lived in with her mom, and saw her brother reading one of his comic books on the couch.

 

“What’s up, sis?”  Jen’s brother didn’t even look up from the book.

 

“What’s up, Keith,” Jen answered with a heavy breath.  She could hear her mother talking on the vidphone in the kitchen.  Full house, she thought to herself when she decided to prod her brother, “What is that, a Marvel comic?”

 

Sure enough, her brother looked over his shoulder in scorn.  Keith was three years Jen’s senior, but he never seemed to grow out of the chubby cheeks he had since he was a kid.  Of course, that was hardly the only trait that made Keith more childlike despite his age.  He spoke like she should know better about the comic, “No it’s independent, you goof.  And it’s a graphic novel. Commander Shepard’s story.”

 

“Again?”

 

“Humanity’s greatest hero.  Besides, this is the collector’s edition, foil hardcover.  Do you even see people reading books anymore?  This is a work of art!”

 

“You are a work of art,” Jen teased, “Speaking of work, how was it today.”

 

Keith’s job was with the Port Authority, customs specifically, inspecting freight and checking manifests.  It wasn’t the kind of job it took an extensive education to have, and getting in was hard, but Keith got in for two reasons:  One, he was honest, and two, he knew a co-worker who was a fellow comic aficionado.

 

“Same thing, it sucked,” Keith replied, melodramatically.  “But it pays the bills.  I keep my own end up, you know.  Morgan isn’t the only one around who makes ends meet in this family.”

 

“Don’t you be jealous of your older brother!”  Mom scolded Keith while still on her call.  She had ears like a bat when it came to Morgan, and it drove Keith nuts when she came to Morgan’s rescue in any conversation in which he was disparaged.  Keith threw one arm up to the ceiling in exasperation, though he kept the other tightly on his book and said not a peep.

 

“It’s okay, Keith,” Jen went on goading, “Since you’re rolling in the dough, you can order out for us all tonight.”

 

“Hey, do you know how much the book in my hand cost?  Seriously…”

 

“Oh, come on, Keith…,” Jen said then paused as she heard Keith snicker under his breath.  “Oh, getting me back!  You should pick up dinner, since you’re so funny…”

 

“Pint of pork fried rice,” was called for by Mom from the kitchen.

 

“We’ll split it,” Jen offered and winked at Keith.

 

The door chime sounded.  Mom didn’t seem to notice as she was absorbed in her vidphone call again.  Keith looked at Jen inquisitively.

 

“Expecting someone?” he asked.

 

“No,” Jen answered, and then went to see who was at the door.

[Redbelle]

Jess looked Naleena in the eye. "Because I can do math. Take one Batarian who was seen on Omega while I was loading cargo. Add to that a meeting where he and Aria spend some time together, coupled with the fact that soon after he and his squadran were outfitted, fuelled and in the air an hour after I was through the relay. All of which was auhorised through her man Bray. Add that flight records we recovered from the debris of the fighter's we blasted out of the sky, show they made a direct intercept. No hunting around for us. They knew where we'd be, and since we don't share flgiht path's with anyone but our client's, again, the finger points at Aria.....".

 

"Keep adding the records, the reciepts, the relay transit logs, the meetings..... Add it all together, and finally, add the fact that Aria had Griff on a leach and that he was working for her directly, made to bring me to her if I ever shoe'd up....... showed up on Omega again and hear her fairly confess the whole thing.....". Jess felt the tension in her jaw and she poured another shot into her glass.

 

"Look luv..... I don't doubt you know her. But I know another side of her. And that side put everything I've built and cared for since becoming a ships captain in the path of a fighter wing. That boils my blood. But the thing that really get's under my skin? That happened not to long ago"?

 

She knocked back the shot and slammed it down on the table. "That so called Queen kept Griff working for her...... And she hung him out to dry. She destroyed him"! Jess levelled a finger at Naleena to emphasise the point. "You. Do. Not. Do that! When your in charge you don't just cast people aside on a whim! You take care of the people around you. I've heard how Aria tends to throw people under a bus when it suits her goals..... Nobodies. People who, to her, don't matter if they live or die..... provided they do what she tells them"!

 

Jess leaned back putting her thumb and forefinger over her eyes. The shots were starting to kick in. "I've been a captain for a few years luv. I have people who look to me to keep them safe and chart our course. They dont' have to". She took her hand away and looked at her again. "They do it because they believe. And if they do it because they feel they don't have a choice, then you give them choice and hope they'll come back to being, halfway, a decent human being again..... right luv"? Jess said, turning her gaze to Anika.

 

Anika looked back at Jess, but found that she couldn't quite meet her eyes. "Halfway decent..... is optimistic, Captain".

 

Jess pursed her lips and blew air out as she rolled her eyes. "Whatever luv. Interesting though.... I never knew you learned to fight from a Huntress. The things we do learn". Jess said as she cupped her chin in her hand as she regarded Anika. Then turned back to Naleena. "Luv.... I appreciate a good business head on somene's shoulders. And I admit that making all those credits sounds doozy..... So I'll tell you what. Anika here will sell Aria her share, on condition, that you get Aria to apoligise for sending Griff to shoot up my ship. S'all I want. I want Aria to admit that she was wrong. That what she did was unjustified. I want to see that mirror practiced sneer replaced with a modicum of humility. Doesn't have to be in public. I just want to see that the woman underneath that veneer is worth being in a relationship with. Cause don't get it round the wrong way...... I respect her..... I just don't trust her".

[Kel Riever]

When Morgan was done with the cigarette, he took a peek through the entrance to see Naleena and Captain Stone engrossed in dealing with the Collector ship.  He shifted slowly, moving away from the entrance and out of sight, but still keeping an eye on the table to see if anyone was noticing.  They didn’t seem to, so Morgan decided it was safe to leave.

 

The distraction worked, but Morgan didn’t like it.  He wondered, as he often did, if there just wasn’t a better way to handle things than going off by himself.  But it was all he knew for keeping others out of the mess of his own creation.  Morgan hoped Stone and Naleena could strike a deal.  Somewhere in the recess of his mind, a meek voice even begged for the glimmer that all would turn out well, but the cynic was stronger, shoving the voice down into silence.  What Morgan had to do is make sure that if things went south, which was soon to be inevitable, that a lucrative reward for the Collector ship would find its way back to his family on Earth.

 

Morgan staggered a few steps from the alcohol, before he righted himself.  As drunk as he was, he had probably let the Captain off the hook.  As much as she was used to her liquor, Morgan didn’t think she had his stamina.  He took solace in leaving Stone on a high note, though.  Certainly a better note than he was going to be left on when he spoke with his contact again.

 

Although it felt futile, Morgan checked that his Phalanx was ready, slung on his hip for a faster draw, and started to walk his way out of the dead end avenue the bar was in.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena fingered the lip of her glass, noticed Jess’ was a bit on the empty side, and also noticed she’d had enough. She’d done a surface probe on Jess while she was telling her story. Jess was telling the truth. The happy look in Naleena’s eyes hardened. She knew about betrayal. Don’t go there. Don’t think even think about it. It’s what got you in trouble in the first place. This will have to be handled delicately. The situation can be salvaged. Aria will never agree to an amicable solution in front of anyone. This will have to be handled in the training room…, in private. My leg is feeling better. Aria, however, will target it.

 

Naleena filled her glass. “I’m sorry, Jess. I… didn’t know…. What she did was wrong. And I think you’ve had enough to drink. Your head is going to hurt enough. Anika, on the other hand, needs to join me in another round,” Naleena lit another cigarette. “It appears Morgan and I smoke the symbolic cigarette. I’ll speak with Aria, and we will make a deal. The secret is making her think the idea is hers. Unfortunately, that may take time. You also realize that any apology from Aria is not going to be in public either. You'll have to accept that. Dahlia, please stand by to help me back to the ship after I see her.”

 

Her attention shifted back to Jess. “It’s the training room. Aria will never discuss a deal like this in front of her men. This will be done in the training room…, coats off, in private. The training room, what is it? It is a room where Aria works out in private. Our ‘discussion’ will be non-lethal, or should be, if we truly are friends. My biotics are nearly as strong as hers. Due to their lethal strength, we should not use them.

 

“I ask one thing. Please no one sell or do anything with the shares of their ship until you hear my offer when I return… if I return. Do we have an agreement? And before I go barging in to see Aria, do you at least have a copy of the evidence I can have?”

[Redbelle]

Jess spread her hands out. "I don't care one way or another luv. I just need to look her in the eye and see if she's sincere. Alot's happened since. We've grown to know alot about each other. But that incident been festering unresolved. Aria started this. I just need to know she's ready, able and wiling to work past it..... Alone or not. It doesn't matter. It just needs to happen".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena raised her glass, and knocked it back. She took a deep drag off her cigarette and extinguished it, then stood, and looked around the table at her comrades. “I’ll be back. I’ll meet you on the Audron, in my quarters. Dahlia, come with me. Anika, I’d like you to come, too.”

 

“What you don’t trust me?” Dahlia asked.

 

“Dahlia, I trust you, but you were assigned to me by Aria. Aria can take you back at any time,” Naleena said, “I need to have someone with me over whom Aria has no claim. I don’t think anyone is going to mess with a 7 foot woman, especially one trained in Asari commando fighting. All the two of you have to do is wait in the main bar and not get into trouble.”

[Redbelle]

Anika looked at Jess, who nodded. "There your shares at the end of the day luv. I know what I want you to do.... But this one's? I'm laying it on you. Do waht you think's right. Just remember.....". She said as she eye'd Dahlia and Naleena. "Try to keep your hands off these two specimen's of gorgeousness"?

 

Anika nodded and rose. And heard a loud clang. She looked down at Jess who looked perfectly innocent.

 

"Did you just.... swat me"?

 

"Did I"? Jess asked nonplussed. "Off you go luv. Morgan and the others'll keep me company. See you on the Audron. Which by the way. NALEENA"! She called after the figures. "This goes well I''ve got something for you"!

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena turned and nodded to Jess, and left the bar with the others. "Thanks for coming along, Anika. Remember, I'm not asking you to sell directly to Aria," Naleena said while they were walking to Afterlife. "I'm thinking about going through the Asari Military Industrial Complex. I don't think Aria has those kind of credits. They in turn will offer Aria a lot of credits for her share to pry that ship loose from Omega, and take it to Illium. Under treaties, the tech gets shared among the Council Members. If it remains here, the Collectors are certain to make a move to retake it as soon as it leaves the dock. It will need a military escort. Aria will tolerate an Asari military escort more than a Turian military escort. I know this. Now if I can get her to back off and see the wisdom of apologizing in private and going along with this three-way deal, all of us can come out like bandits. This is about profit. If she wants influence, she can buy ships with hers." 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The three walked past the doorman at Afterlife. Naleena gave the Elcor a 50 CR tip, and opened the door for the other two.

 

“Come on, let me in! You let them in ahead of us!” A human waiting in line shouted.

 

“Firmly, wait your turn human. They have business with Aria,” the Elcor replied.

 

As they walked through the foyer, they passed several Batarians who shot dirty looks at them. Naleena paid no attention to them. She had no quarrel with them unless they tried something stupid. The music grew louder as they approached the interior entrance. She turned to Dahlia. “Now listen to me very carefully. I need you to stay clean in here. Nothing stronger than sparkling water. I need you to stay clear-headed for Anika. Do you understand me?”

 

“Naleena!” Dahlia protested.

 

“I can handle myself, Naleena.” Anika said.

 

“No, you can’t. Not in here,” Naleena replied, “I’ve heard the comments Jess has made, and I’ve seen the way you look at Dahlia and me. You need back up.”

 

Dahlia was rolling her eyes at Anika behind Naleena’s back.

 

Naleena turned around quickly and grabbed Dahlia by the wrist. “This is serious. Do you understand me? I am going to need both of you later. Go directly to the bar, and stay there.”

 

Dahlia saw the hardened look in Naleena’s eyes and she nodded. Naleena released her wrist, and the three entered, they walked over to the bar. Naleena smiled and waved at the Turian tending bar and gave the hand signal “no drinks” and pointed at Dahlia. He nodded. He set up a bottle of ale for Anika. Naleena continued past and walked over to Anto. Anto announced her to Aria, and she proceeded up the steps to her VIP section.

 

“Naleena, what brings you here? I thought you’d be off drinking with your new friends,” Aria said as she motioned for her to sit.

 

“I thought I’d visit an old friend,” Naleena replied and took her seat on Aria’s couch.

 

“Fair enough. That was a hell of a fight today, wasn’t it. And that ship,” Aria said, “Did you know that Jess Stone has agreed to sell her third of the ship to me?”

 

“So I’ve heard. But what of the other 2/3s of the ship?” Naleena asked, “What happens to that? Are you planning to work out some kind of deal with them?”

 

“Ha ha ha…. Naleena. You are so naïve,” Aria said, “Do they have a crew? No. Do they have the means of defending it? No.”

 

“Aria….” Naleena gave her a cautious look.

 

“Don’t tell me you’re going soft on me! I know what you do for a living, Naleena.”

 

“No, but there are things that friends shouldn’t discuss in front of others,” Naleena cast her eyes about the rest of Aria’s men in the area, “and there’s something we haven’t done for a long time.”

 

“You aren’t thinking….”

 

“The training room,” Naleena said.

 

“I’ll kick your ass, and you know it.”

 

“But it’ll give us privacy. You and I, no biotics lest they scrap us off the walls,” Naleena laughed.

 

“Come on, just a little? For fun?” Aria asked, “You know you really want to. No flares. No combos. No dark channels. No spheres of annihilation.”

 

“How about only throws, barriers, and shockwaves,” Naleena said.

 

“You’re such a stick in the mud, but fine. I’ll agree to that.” Aria replied and stood, “Anto, you have the floor.” Then she and Naleena headed to the rear of her private section. She pressed a button on the wall and it opened, and they went into a secret corridor to Aria’s training facility. It had a tiled floor, and paneled walls like the rest of Afterlife. There was a firing range, weapons bench, armory, and furthest away was the infamous training room where Aria practiced her martial arts.

 

“Stick in the mud? That’s what it is? I thought it was stick in the sand,” Naleena said as they walked down the dimly lit corridor.

 

“No, it’s stick in the mud. Don't tell me you’ve been embarrassing yourself in front of the humans all this time?” Aria asked.

 

end Pt 1.

[Redbelle]

Anika took the ale, looked at it, looked at Dahlia's water and handed the ale back to the bartender. "I'll have what she's having".

 

Dahlia looked over. "You don't have to. Naleena doesn't give you a hard time".

 

Anika collected her water from the bartender and took a sip. "It's not that". She said. "You heard her say we had to be ready to back her. Well, if I'm going to be ready I can't be drinking before action". She looked over at Dahlia. "Maybe us backing her will mean a fight. but probably not in this case. Regardless. I want to have my wits with me to meet whatever plan Naleena's got in store for us".

 

Dahlia frowned. "One drink won't change that".

 

"It might..... I plan to live for a long time. You could say I'm the best example of what human stock can be. I can probably hit two hundred and still look this good. Why risk that over a drink when there's danger knocking on your door"?

 

"You said there probably won't be".

 

"So we're in an uncertain situation where the only certainty is that I'll be sober to tackle it". She took a swing of water and gasped as she let it down on the table. "That's a plan..... This water tastes recycled".

 

Dahlia nodded. "It is".

[Kel Riever]

Previously...( http://forum.bioware...res/?p=16642778 )

 

Earth, New York City

 

“Officer Richards, NYPD,” the tall policeman said when Jen answered the door.  He wore the traditional patrol armor that New York City colored in white and blue.  The officer’s helmet was off, and he had a sag in his eyes that gave him an expression of someone who always appeared tired.  It ran in contrast, Jen noted, to his rather vigorous tone.  Standing next to Richards was a woman of average height, in her thirties, with brown, pulled back hair.  She wore a long, drab raincoat and carried a datapad.  Richards introduced her next, “And this is Detective Hagen from Citadel Security.  We’d like to come in and have a talk.”

 

Jen was shocked, “Is something wrong?”

 

“We have questions about some transactions,” the detective replied.  “And we were hoping you could help us.”

 

Jen’s mother appeared behind her at the door, “Hi, I’m Rosanne Severn and I’m the homeowner.  Come in.”

 

Both Jen and Mom made room for the policeman and detective to enter.  The guests thanked them and Mom immediately asked if they would like something to drink, though both declined.  Keith slammed his book shut, looking up in surprise while Jen shooed him over to make room for Richards and Hagen, who did take up the offer to have a seat.  Jen and Mom then sat down as well.  All of the Severns were nervous.

 

“Please,” Hagen tried to put the family at ease, “We’re conducting an investigation and this is meant to gather information.”

 

“Someone’s in trouble,” Mom worried.

 

“No, ma’am,” Hagen said, “Not here.”

 

Jen was the first to come away from her defensive reaction, though she crossed her arms, “Pardon me, but isn’t the Citadel’s jurisdiction far, far away from here?”

 

“C-Sec is working in partnership with us,” Richards explained, while the Hagen placed the datapad on her lap and unfastened a few buttons on her coat.  Richards began asking a series of preliminary questions, such as who was present, if they all lived there, and so on.  Hagen made a few entries, then stopped and simply listened.

 

The questions agitated Jen, and she quipped, “No need to take all that down?” 

 

Detective Hagen looked at her calmly, “No.  Most of what’s on here is for you.”

 

Jen was taken by surprise, but recovered with a tinge of tension in her voice.  “Well, why don’t you get to the point, then?”

 

Mom was quick to snap, “Jen, be polite!  I’m sorry, Detective.”

 

“It is all right, Mrs. Severn,” Detective Hagen said, “We don’t want to be here any longer than we have to.”  She took the datapad from her lap and held it towards Mom, who took it and cautiously looked at the display of numbers on its surface.

 

“What is this?” Mom asked.

 

Hagen took a breath before starting, “Citadel Security and the NYPD received warrants to examine a money transaction sent three days ago into your account with Challenger Bank.”

 

“Challenger?...But I don’t have an account with that bank.”

 

Richards glance at Hagen, but the Detective continued to place all of her attention on Mom.  Hagen continued, “Usually a notification is sent to you automatically by a bank when you have an account opened, but in this case, when red flags were raised, C-Sec asked that Challenger to suppress the notification until we could speak to you first.  Have you seen the amount listed at the bottom of the statement on the datapad?” 

 

Mom looked at the datapad.  When she saw the amount, her hand went to her mouth.

 

Hagen watched Mom’s shock.  “You had no idea about the account or the amount of money coming in, did you?”

 

Jen and Keith looked at Mom, burning with curiosity while she stared in silence and shook her head.

 

“Is there anything illegal about the account or the money?” Jen inquired.  She uncrossed her arms.  “Do you think it was sent accidentally?”

 

Hagen turned to Jen, “Nothing is illegal if the source of the money is legal.  There are many crimes involving depositing large sums into accounts of people who have nothing to do with criminals, usually involving money laundering.  But C-Sec doesn’t think that’s what is going on.  The source of the funds looks legitimate to us.  However, investigators at C-Sec do not believe it was an accident either.

 

“The point of origin for instructions to Challenger was sent from the Terminus systems, through banking systems on the Citadel.  There are more than a fair share of underworld brokers and money movers in both the outer systems and on the Citadel.  They are experts at transferring funds in complex ways, such that they are undetected, or if they are detected, it is through a maze of transactions, all designed to have funds arrive at their destination before the law can catch up.  Now, it is possible that we could be wrong, but given other suspicions, we think that the money was sent purposefully in a way to alert investigators.”

 

“But if the money is legal, what’s the problem?”  Jen continued with her questions, as her mother was still quiet.

 

“That’s what I’m here about,” Hagan answered.  “I’d like to talk to you about Morgan.”