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[Kel Riever]

The Medusa had hit the Relay before the Janiri.  Morgan and Dahlia checked in on Marshall, who seemed to be doing all right, if not for his white knuckling during the jump.  Morgan tried to assure him that he'd made a fine jump, though Marshall looked like he still needed convincing, even after the fact.  Marshall was relieved.  Morgan and Dahlia oversaw the bridge again, while on the side they went over specs for the omni-tools of their desires.

Morgan said to Dahlia, "When we've got a moment off the bridge, I wanted to go over something with you.  It will be best if we can save it for when Jess can get herself sorted out and in the chair, which might take a bit since she seems like she has her hands full."

[Redbelle]

Jess emerged a minute later out of the lift and onto the bridge. "We got anything I need to look at? If not, I'll be in maintenance".

[Kel Riever]

Something that had been said on the way leaving Jess' cabin had Babe reflecting.  She didn't mean to reflect.  It just happened.

 

Then a huge migraine hit Babe, she staggered and had to grab Amy to hold herself up.  One would think that the pain would be the greatest thing on Babe's mind, but instead it the insane thought of what Amy would think of Babe in this state, and that she'd try to take advantage of it, or look at Babe as weak.  Babe couldn't stop it, though.  The thought came on like a train.

 

That face!  That face that people said was to die for!  That face Babe had inherited!  Or whose visage her genes had stepped off from.  Babe never wanted it!  Not with what it came with.  

Babe was clutching Amy's shoulder hard with one hand, and leaning against the side of the lift with the other.  Unlike Amy's fall this was no swoon to get caught from.  This was agony.  Babe managed to hold herself up with her angle against the wall, but tears streamed down her face as she stared into Amy's eyes.

In her memory, something had cracked open and hard.  It was just a piece of a puzzle, but a critical piece.  There was the woman, Babe knew it was her mother.  And that look wasn't just a vision of beauty, but behind it were eyes that demanded, that were cruel in their desires.  Babe couldn't remember any one particle of her than an image, but that image was hell come to life.  So taught in its expression, so severe.  There was a machine that worked behind that face, working her, working to get what it wanted out of her, what it needed.  Then Babe had the glimpse of another memory of another person that was much more like her mother...but that was gone in a flash as she saw the reaction Amy had.

Babe had to pretend, which she hated to do, but there was nothing else she could think of doing in the panic of the moment, with the horrible flashback and pain.  "Headache...once in a while...it's a bad one..."  Babe had to stop again and pressed into Amy's shoulder before she eased up and forced herself to pull away, the effect of her memory subsiding.  She wiped the tears away from her eyes with her gloved fingers.   After taking several deep breaths, Babe got back to her normal self.

"I'm going to need to see Doc about that."  It was a lie, Babe knew, to put Amy off.  There was no medicine for what had happened, Babe thought.  "I know what we both might need.  A cup of tea.  Sherie...she makes a good one."  Babe picked herself up and gestured as if to brush something off her jacket.  The pain was gone, but the memory wasn't, and the immediate experience of what she'd gone through.  Something made her tremble inside.  "I'd love if you shared with me about these ideas you have.  And we can talk about whatever you'll need.  Once we're done, if you're up to it, I'll give you a tour of some of the weaponry on the ship.  For interests sake."

[Kel Riever]

On the bridge of the Medusa, events had moved along where the ship had come out of the Relay jump into the Parnitha system, en route to Thessia.  Morgan thought the original course would be to pick up the Cipher omni-tools which were distinctly not available on Thessia (for the obvious reasons), but there was the idea that booze be picked up to help with the bribery.  Again, Morgan thought the quality of the booze was too high, and he didn't think most Batarians appreciated the 'smooth, liquidy' tastes of fine brandy or other liquors, not from his experience.  But it was a generalization, and the Spectre believe it wouldn't hurt.  If it were up to Morgan, he would have picked up a bunch of heavy hopped beer or ale.  Or just some beverage one step below airplane brake fluid.

Well, they weren't going to Tuchanka.

Jess came in at that point.  Morgan showed her what Dahlia was thinking for them in regards to the high end omni-tools.  "Everything looks to be in good shape.  I was going to hand the bridge back over to Marshall, if you need to take a trip to maintenance.  Or Dogger, if you'd prefer."

[Redbelle]

"Give it to Marshall". Jess said after a moment's reflection. "Dogger can handle it. Marshall bore up well but I want to see how far he can be pushed before he cracks. If he cracks. I'd rather know if we've another Duncan on our hands while the ships in council space. I've been thinking how things could get hairy when we push for Dis and while our trade status might keep the Batarian's off our backs, we need to tread carefully. The council haven't exactly been kind regarding their expansion claims..... That said, if the Batarian's covet anything of Thessia that they have trouble getting, we could indeed be setting ourselves up for a windfall or some government sponsored piracy from their end. We need to let the Batarian's know that the Asari are keeping an eye on this ship. Maybe find a supplier of tools and drink from a high end matron we can claim to know and have relations with....". She paused in thought. "..... See if there's anyone that fits the bill. It may end up costing us more, but having a name we can flash in front of the Batarian's will make them think twice if they know whatever happens to us will cause backlash from the council".

[Kel Riever]

"All right, Marshall you're in the chair."  Morgan got up and left the bridge, working on his omni-tool.  They'd be at Thessia ahead of the Janiri, which gave a bit of extra time to establish the contacts Jess was looking for.  Where to start was a bit beyond Morgan, but it sounded like Amy Babylon might have an angle on it, so he relayed the appropriate requests, since Amy had agreed to help out.  Morgan trusted she'd get good enough contacts for them to meet when they arrived.

Down in the galley, Babe was sitting across from Amy.  Babe said little, as the request forwarded from Morgan came to her omni-tool as well, and it seemed Amy was quite efficiently working away to fulfill the requests for a contact name.  Sherie, in her impeccable way, served them the tea.  Babe sipped hers slowly.  Thessia wasn't going to be a place she felt comfortable with heading out to, unless it was with someone else.  And the disturbance from before still did not sit well with Babe.  Amy, for her part, seemed consumed as always.  And if, or rather as, she talked, about her professional tasks, Babe half listened.  

Babe then said, "You know, most people don't even want to make movies, like Blasto.  They'd rather star in them, be the hero on screen so to speak.  I find it interesting that you'd like to direct things instead."  Absent-mindedly, Babe rubbed her head.  Sherie came over to refill the tea, and Babe gave her a weak smile.

[Cainhurst Crow]

- Omega ((Collaboration with Jen and Kel)) Part 2 -

 

"Well, seems you are useful for the occasional piece of hardware," Tyrius said to the salarian in the pawnshop.  They were buy the weapons counter, where guns, many illegal in and out of Council space, were freely displayed.  Tyrius held in his hands a high velocity barrel modifier for a Phaeston.  "Military grade, never used, assembled by a top end fabricator.  I'll pass on the others, they're not worth it.  This little modifier is going to to quite well."  Then, Tyrius let his eyes roll over to the vendor, who seemed to quickly change his mind about something.

"Ah, I would normally charge a premium for that, but you seem to be dedicated.  I have a suspicion that you may need a...reliable and repeat source for your hardware.  Perhaps if I give that to you at a discount, you would consider coming back here whenever you have a need."

"A fair price is hardly a discount," Tyrius leered at the salarian.

"Yes, ah, I meant a standard discount, plus another five percent as a goodwill offer."

"Ten."

"Another ten, yes, all right."  The salarian looked nervous.  He didn't feel like he was in much of a position to negotiate.

"Ten," Tyrius added, pulling the Phaeston from his back, a well-used weapon kept in excellent shape that he had kept since his service as an Armiger.  "And you will let me attach it myself in your machine shop.  And I will let you know when I require something, which you will obtain for me, and when you do, then you may charge me your so called fair price."

The salarian seemed elated.  He was going to do further business.  "Of..of course.  Name it, and I will use every resource I have to get whatever you need.  I have many contacts..."

"An A-61 Mantis Gunship."

"A what?!"

Tyrius uncollapsed his Phaeston and lined up the attachment to get a visual sense of how things would look.  He ignored the exasperation of the vendor.

"A...sure...a Gunship.  I mean, you would want to get that through me, and not a vehicle specialist or.."

Tyrius' eyes turned to bore straight into the salarian.

"Yes, well, your needs are clear.  I would...contact you if...when I obtain your next item.  Uh, right this way to the machine shop..."

It took only ten more minutes for Tyrius to set up his Phaeston with the attachment.  He never said another word, though when he left, the salarian felt compelled to wish him the best.  The "Bye...," with a hand wave at Tyrius felt fairly awkward, for the salarian, but he felt good about his future illicit profits.  Tyrius ignored him and headed the opposite way down an alloy boulevard from where Machaera was waiting, and watching.

 

Machaera had a good ear, and was able to catch most of the conversation. His eyes, had they been organic, would be glimmering with excitment as he watched the turian move.

 

"Such strong will...and the ruthlessness...I think I like this one..." He muttered as he moved from leaning against the building, continuing to stalk his turian as he began to close the distance, hands in his pockets as he walked through the mostly empty streets.

[Redbelle]

Amy's head popped up immediately. "Yes but.... I'm not star material. Not like you and Morgan. I can't sell fantasy which is what movies are. You need someone who people want to listen to right from the point they meet them. You need someone who draws people in to get their attention. Why do you think there's A list and B list? The script may play a part but the star can attract people to even a bad movie even as an unknown in a good movie lacks the presence to sell a good movie. I don't have star material. I have to convince people based on other factors. Strength of the argument. Reasoned debate. Sadly it get's shot down by political cheap shottery since everyone's job is to snipe each other so they look good, which is an un-winnable situation because there's always more of the opposition then there is of you. But that being the case, you can't give up because if you take your voice out of the discussion then all the others win by default and that's not serving the people we represent".

 

Amy spent another moment looking at Babe before tucking her chin down and typing up a storm. "It's making stars shine where I want to be. I'm smart, savvy, connected. I'm not so far in that I'm jaded about how useless the whole system is but I'm not wide eyed about how wonderful it is to be given the hopes and dreams of all our member's and representing their desires. I'd be a poor heroine". She paused and looked up. "Something about being to up front and in your face I think you mentioned"? She looked back down. "I don't want to be the headline. I want to be the one writing the headline. Reporting the story. Giving it shape and flavour and substance..... Ever wondered what would happen to stars without director's to give them the chance to shine"?

[Kel Riever]

Babe nodded.  "No explanation needed."  She finished her tea and let the time pass as Amy did her work.  Eventually, whatever work Amy was doing came to a point of pause, at least, though Babe thought that Amy would work for as long as given sometimes.   The contact information requested from Jess was being forwarded to the Captain and Morgan by Amy when Babe said.  "Come on.  We're done working from here."

Amy seemed to agree.  Babe thanked Sherie for everything, and then led Amy away from the galley.  "I'm sure you're going to keep yourself busy, but you need to take some downtime for yourself.  That's one reason I sent you that cosmotolegist; it wan't just about having you look good, which you do.  I also think you need to pick out a more casual outfit.  Save the dress for your important meetings, for your big hits.  It won't be your last headliner outfit either, but it's time you found something that you can kick around in.  And, like I said, I'd show you around.  You can buzz away at your omni-tool if you need to, but we're going to do things a bit differently around here, Miss Babylon, and I promise it will do you some good."

[Redbelle]

Amy looked hopeful. "Do you think Thessia have a line of business suits? I can't go into negotiations dressed down, and this dress is.... far to up there.... if you know what I mean".

[Kel Riever]

As Babe meticulously and determinedly worked with Amy Babylon, and Morgan went to have a private conversation with Dahlia, away from prying ears, the rendezvous with the vendors for items to be acquired went according to plan.  Unlike the Janiri, the Medusa was in no way planet bound itself, as a freighter initially designed for hauling efficiency and other benefits besides streamlining.  Fortunately, Amy's connection had been to the T for both some high end omni-tools and the licquor, all at a hard driven price.  Miss Priss handled the face to face and the items were loaded.  Omni-tools of the Savant variety were meant for a few of the Medusa's crew; none were really going to be given to the batarians as a bribe.  Those others, the Ciphers, would be picked up at another stop.  But for the Savants, the premier quality had been negotiated at a price that was supposed to be 'non-negotiable'.  Anybody, from Jess to Morgan to Dahlia was going to be pleased with what they got, even if it took a bit of downtime to learn the rather complex tools.

In a span of time envious to any desiring quick stops, the business was conducted and the time the Medusa spent over Thessia was no longer servant to tasks at hand.    Everthing else in orbit over the asari homeworld became an option, although it was clear the Janiri wouldn't be staying long either.  Extended shore leave to the planet would have to wait for another time, much to the chagrin of more than a few people between the two vessels.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena used her time on shore to make some contacts with a local distributor to restock her liquor cabinet and buy several cases of Serrice Ice Brandy, Nevosian Ambrosia, Asari Honey Mead, Bourbon (for human guests) and cases of Asari spices to make the food aboard the ship more palatable. She contacted a local vendor and purchased another -70 C freezer for her private use - for the squad - and stocked it with cleaned flash frozen fish from the oceans of Thessia for sushi. Small amounts of naturally occurring eezo would not hurt the human members of the team.

 

The goods were delivered within two hours.

 

She wondered how Essul was settling into his new job and how the team was adjusting to his position, particularly Jenus. But she was enjoying her time standing on a real lawn in months for a change to be bothered to physically check. That could wait. It was time to smell the flowers, and there were a lot of them near the archaeology building on the campus.

 

She approached one of the raised beds where purple and white flowers bloomed. And there were birds. Real birds singing in the trees.

 

One of the Serrice Guard approached her. "Ma'am, I wouldn't go any further, you might antagonize the demonstrators."

 

"It's been months since I've been here, to Thessia," she replied and smiled. "They're wonderful aren't they? There! There's one of those birds we had on the ship."

 

"Had? What happened to it?"

 

"He bonded with the occupant of the cabin and went with him to the other ship that's traveling with us," Naleena said. "Sometimes, I just feel I need to walk away from all of the rushing around the galaxy with the other species and go back to being Asari. Seeing this makes me want to do just that, but I have these responsibilities."

 

"Don't we all?" the Guard said. "Ever since we made contact 2000 years ago things changed."

 

Naleena turned and looked at her ship. "Indeed."

[Kel Riever]

There was no assigned shore leave on the Janiri.  That struck certain people in different ways.

Jenus had scheduled a training session with the other Commandos, with the open invitation for Irina to come along if she wanted, and also Irina.  Distinctively, the session in the sim was listed as closed and no one else on the ship was invited.

Iole and Tallis were certainly there, and Tallis was up first with Jenus.  Hand to hand combat, martial arts sparring was the focus of the session, and the holo sim was unused, thought Jenus had said she might want to modify the session later.  Both Jenus and Tallis went at it in a disciplined way, Tallis a bit subdued from her usually emotive self, and Jenus remaining quite cool with her own outward expressions.  Full contact with pads was allowed, but neither Commando really went at it aggressively.  It was more to study movements and anticipate them, than show strength.

Several minutes into the sparring session, Tallis couldn't help but reflect on the planet she wanted to see so much, but couldn't. "Thessia, Thessia."  She simply said as she positioned herself for the next set.

"Who wants to go visit some academy of snot nosed priviledged?"  Jenus dismissed.  "Apparently you have to be special to step off the Janiri or tend to it, or protest it.  We're not those people.  Come on, now, no crying over something we can't change."

Jenus and Tallis traded several blows, filling the room with the sounds of their strikes.  They backed off and circled.  Iole could see that Jenus had locked up her usual full-on abrasive nature and for once, she didn't feel good about not hearing what her team mate had to say.

[Redbelle]

Jess lay strapped to the table in the maintenance bay as a machine above her with an extended arm at her shoulder level made small adjustments to her implants there using two soldering arms as another machine brought, what could only be described as the severed limb of Cthulhu to attach to the exposed mechanics.

 

Kolme stood off to one side and looked back at the reading's on his displays as Doc likewise stood by him, having anaesthetised Jess for the operation. "Damn unnatural if you ask me". Doc grumbled, eyeing the form of the new arm.

 

"Don't worry". Kolme told him. "Once it's calibrated it will look much like her old one. No one will know the difference".

 

"Why not just give her the same arm as before"?

 

"Because doctor, that arm was old technology and I aim to provide the Captain with cutting edge.... Which as you know means bio-synthetic".

 

"Geth tech". Doc growled. "You ask me she was better off with the prosthetic".

 

"Which as you can see". Kolme said, gesturing to the old arm that lay in piece's on a bench close by. "Exceeded it's operational limits and broke that required replacement. This arm, if it breaks will simply heal of it's own accord".

 

"Yeah yeah, living machine..... Still damn unnatural if you ask me".

 

Kolme sighed as the appendages that made up the arm dragged across the floor. "Well giving it the Captain's skin pigmentation and texture will alleviate some concerns you have I trust.

 

Before Doc could answer, Jess's comm, that lay on a table with other items of hers went off and Doc walked over to pick it up.

 

"Whoever it is, the Captain's indisposed".

 

"Bridge. Who is this"?

 

"Who is this"? Doc snapped back. "You don't sound like anyone I know".

 

"This is Aelias, new comm officer".

 

"Well no one told me we were getting a new comm officer. What do you want"?

 

"Message in from someone calling themselves Dragonrise. They say they will be meeting us at our next stop and wanted confirmation of credit transfer before they move....".

 

"Blessed maker, just tell this yuppie what he wants to hear. Captain won't be on her feet for another hour at least".

 

"I'll, see what I can do.... Is the Captain all right"?

 

Doc rolled his eyes. "We're attaching a new limb to the girl that frankly, if it looks even halfway human like our Quarian friend here claims.... Well I'll believe it when I see it. Right now it's got all the hallmarks of a Hanar".

 

"I resent that". Kolme called out from behind him.

 

Doc looked around at him and sighed. "Doc out". Thumbing off Jess's comm he went back to the medical readouts and while Kolme wasn't looking, crossed his fingers.

[Redbelle]

Anika sat in front of the terminal aboard the Janiri as it connected to the Asari network. It had been a long time but finally, she was here on the planet that had produced the huntress who had trained her, yet still didn't know the name of.

 

Bending down she entered the search parameters of huntress and name list and found a trove of names that were linked to faces that went on page after page after page after page.......

 

Saving the data, Anika touched the top entry and began looking through the face's, hoping the one she knew would pop out at her.

[Cknarf]

Spaceport, aboard the Vepr

 

"So, are we doin' this now, or...?" Quintus asked from the pilot's seat. "Grab and go, bro. Just like the old days."

 

"No." Marius replied flatly, watching the low quality feed from Kira's omni-tool. "It's too deep underground for one of those to work. I've also got a feeling that security is going to be a bit tighter than it appears."

 

"There has to be another way in. Unless they took that gunship in through the main lobby and squeezed it onto the elevator." Adir pointed at a medium sized craft on the screen.

 

"Dibs on the six-one." Quintus fiddled with something in the cockpit. "I've always wanted one of those. Y'know. For personal use."

 

"That's not what we're after. There are weapons down there that are worth three times as much as a single gunship." Marius leaned over Adir's shoulder for a better look at the monitor. He sent another message to Kira.

 

[Keep an eye out for any alternate entrances. Let us know what you find.]

 

"Heh. Nice, kid." Quintus chuckled at the photo he received on his omni-tool. He quickly played it off, as his brother came to investigate.

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

Frank

 

It doesn't count. It's just business.

 

Frank told himself. Lilith had finally managed to get him away from the dance floor, and to where she wanted.

 

He felt a slap at his face, but just barely. The last tablet he had swallowed seemed to have a much different effect than the others.

 

"Are you falling asleep on me, you little sh*t?"

 

Frank looked up at the woman on top of him, as she reached over and withdrew something from the nightstand. Reflexively, he tried to block it, but failed due to the restraints around his wrists.

 

"What the f*ck?" He more or less whimpered, eyes wide as he focused on the syringe that had been driven into his chest. "You crazy b*tch! What the hell is that?"

 

"Quit squirming!" Lilith palmed hard at his face, shoving his head against the bed while she pushed the plunger down.

 

"What did you just injECT ME WIIIIIIITH!?" Frank's heartrate spiked.

 

"That's better!"

 

"Quintus, you fuckin' a*shole!" Frank writhed in anger. "I swear to god when I get back, I am going to kill you!"

 

It turns out Qunitus' definition of freak was far different than his.

 

"Quintus? That motherf*cker..." Lilith's chuckled, not bothering to stop. "I knew something was up."

 

"This is no longer... consensual!" Frank squirmed a little more, yanking at the restraints.

 

"Showing up at my party uninvited..." Lilith shuddered.

 

"Did you not HEAR me?" Frank's fists clenched. His anger was now focused on his unwanted partner.

 

"I thought that snooping b*tch looked familiar..."

 

Frank attempted a bite. Lilith just laughed at him.

 

"I suggest you just lie back and enjoy yourself while you can." She jammed his own sidearm against his temple. "Because as soon as I'm finished, so are you."

 

[unintelligible rage noises]

 

Just as Lilith set the pistol aside, Frank slipped his right hand free, and threw the hardest three fingered punch he could manage. It connected, allowing him to shove her off. Quickly tossing the pistol away, he began working on freeing his other hand.

 

Lilith rose from the floor, wielding a wakizashi that was kept under the bed. Calmly, she made her way over to Frank, as he struggled with the restraint. He really regretted throwing that pistol.  Frank closed his eyes, as she swung the blade. Much to his surprise, Instead of cutting his flesh, it cut through the restraint. Lilith allowed him a few steps back, before using her biotics to launch him across the room, and into the wall.

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

 

Kira

 

"Where does that lead?" Kira pointed to a large, almost hangar sized door at the end of the room. Now that Marius had mentioned an alternate entrance, it was obvious to her what it was.

 

"That uh... That's just a storage area." Mica looked down at her omni-tool, as if to check the time. "We'd better get back to the party."

 

"Of course. Thank you for showing me around."

 

The pair entered the elevator, and began their ascent. Simultaneously, their omni-tools flashed.

 

"Kira! Come get this crazy b*tch!"

 

"Mica! Waste that sl*t and get your ass up here! NOW!"

 

Both women looked at each other through the corners of their eyes. Kira's hand balled into a fist. Mica's went to her handgun.

[Kel Riever]

Keith was finding himself handy aboard the Medusa.  He was using an old, grav forklift.  

Dogger had let him, once Keith let him know that he'd worked for the port authority first in the freight customs area.  He'd picked up a few skill when he started, and it seems he fit in with the four other guys doing loading work.  Sort of.  From a purely professional point of view.

It didn't really matter what their personalities were like much, on account of that there was work to be done anyway.  The standard resupply was minimal, and Largo hand carried the crates of liquor that had been acquired from Thessia.  Miss Priss, the woman in pink who's name Keith had finally found out, seemed to take some pride in watching the cargo she'd had a hand in getting come aboard.  And when she saw Keith looking her way, she threw him a slow wink, causing the only serious distraction Keith had from his driving.

"Hey!"  one of the loader lads shouted at him.

"Sorry," Keith said, as he turned the forklift so he wasn't putting his next pallet into the side of a shuttle craft.  When he got where he was going, he looked around for Miss Priss again but she was gone.

~ ~ ~ ~

Fifteen minutes later, up in her cabin, Miss Priss was going through the Medusa's crew list to go over some prospects.  She didn't feel her usual self as she went through the list, like on Duellos, or on her last vessel, where every newcomer was a prospect.  Priss sighed, remembering the man on the forklift she saw was Morgan's brother.  She happened to be alone at the moment, Miss Dila and Mister Chris having bonded tightly and gone to some other part of the vessel.  Then her mind wandered to Babe, that bit what had happened long ago still unresolved.  Out of respect for Jess, Miss Priss had agreed to go along with accepting things the way they were for now.  But there was a conversation she needed to have.  And in the meantime, she just didn't know what to do with her regular self.  

One name stood out on the list that Priss had gone through and she checked to see if the woman was still on duty.  The waiting was getting to Priss and she needed at least to pass the time in a way that didn't make her feel like she was being used.  Well, at least if she could lie to herself that she wasn't being used.  Priss talked aloud as she stared at the name.

"Well, Doctor Hayashi, seems you got yourself a bit of downtime for the moment...."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

After seeing Jenus' message, Irina smirked. So, Jenus wants me to workout with the group? Fine. This could be fun.

 

She tapped a message to Jenus on her omni-tool. "Wait up. I need to change."

 

Irina had just finished cleaning her weapons and charging her Harrier. She headed down to the locker room to change into her armor: the new suit that matched Jenus' and strutted into the combat sim area. Hand to hand combat was the focus of the session, but that didn't mean not to bring your weapons. She learned that as a Marine.

 

Jenus was talking to the other three Commandos. Upon entering, she put her weapons in the rack where the others had put theirs.

 

"So Jenus, what are we working on?"

[Cainhurst Crow]

- Omega ((Collaboration with Jen and Kel)) Part 3 -

 

It was after Tyrius rounded the corner of a narrow alley that Machaera, in his vast, cut-throat experience, knew to heighten his level of alertness.  And as partially expected, when he came around to view the barren alley, he was facing the target of his shadow, who aimed his Phaeston towards him, at the ready.

Machaera's experience also made him aware that a veteran turian who wanted to kill him would likely have fired by then.

"I don't know how long you've been following me.  It was entertaining for a while, I admit, but now I'd rather see your body dance as it is riddled with block shavings.  That is, unless you have a better proposal.  Or you are a ghost.

"They said you can't kill ghosts, but I beg to differ.  I killed one once.  It bled, too."

 

"Killed a ghost, huh?...keh, heh, eh. Wish I could have been there to see that..." Machaera said, his voice slightly distorted and tinny sounding as his red eyes stared into Tyrius's own, a smile pulling at the edges of his mouth, at least what was visible beyond the cloth wrapping.

 

Then in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Tyrius, mere inches from his face. With another blink and a loud pop, Machera was now on the side of the building, his biotics allowing him to "blink" to the right building that formed their narrow alleyway, leaning against it casually as he looked towards Tyrius from the side, crossing his arms as he did so.

 

"Tell me...how would you like to kill something less incorporeal? And for a hefty sum at that?" He asked, raising a brow as he spoke next, "Or, something more...if credits just aren't your kind of thing." He said, knowing that there were some things, and some people, that were impossible to purchase with mere credits.

There was a predator like narrowing of Tyrius' eyes as he lowered his Phaeston.  "You're a bit unusual.  You're not fat, or smoking, or foolishly done up with too much money.  You're not a pinkskin with either legs or tentacles and you don't even have an entire face."  The turian leered.  "And you're onto me about the money, though that doesn't mean I work for free."

Tyrius searched around while keeping the strange batarian within his field of vision.  "You are alone.  And I see that you do not consider it a mistake.  What name do you they call you, half-face?"

 

"Machaera Fay'yar....I don't make a habit of being known, yet at least..." He said as he looked to Tyrius, a smirk on his face at the assumption, "I'm putting what some might call a team together. Individuals with some exceptional skill to do some dangerous work...you seem like a good candidate for that."

 

He stopped leaning against the wall, standing with his hands in his armorweave coat pockets and a raised brow, "You don't work for credits, but you do work for something...what is it?"

The turian seemed to struggle aggressively for a moment with his explanation, the only break in his demeanor.  "I like to share.  And to teach.  And to bring with me a certain pride in my work demands a bit of creativity.  You know, I have this instrument here..."  Tyrius motioned with his Phaeston.  "It's good for sculpting.  Meat sculpture is my favorite kind.  And new people.  I rather enjoy meeting new people wherever I go."

 

'An artist is he? I suppose one wasn't quite enough...' Machaera thought to himself as he reach down to his waist,hand resting lazily on his swords hilt as he looked the turian in the eyes.

 

"Everyone has a tool of their trade. Yours is a gun I see, mine is a blade. If you'd like to have people to practice your trade on, I can certainly provide that..." He said simply with a smirk, "You want a certain amount of freedom to practice your skills, I take it?"

Tyrius looked down regrettably at his weapon.  "I've heard it said that I have difficulty explaining myself sometimes.  Which is sad because to me I am perfectly clear.  You know the feeling.  Murder, it brings out the kid in me.  Of course, I'm an adult now.  I don't kill just anybody immediately.  I take a great deal of responsibility for my actions.  All I am saying is it is good if someone can tell me where to express my creativity and sense of wonderment."

The turian looked at Machaera and said.  "But if it is all right by you, I prefer to do the face removing instead of suffering from it.  Personal preference is all.  I mean nothing by it of course, as I see it has a certain, appealing intrigue."

[Kel Riever]

Iole and Tallis had thought a bit about Jenus' shoulder pads when they saw them, but not enough to mention anything.  Then when Irina walked in, they were beginning to get a picture.  They looked at each other, then towards Ereba.

"Ah....," Iole said, about to try and find some comment that wouldn't insult her team mates, but ask about the new logos.  But she was interrupted by Jenus.

On duty, so to speak, Jenus gave a hearty and quick embrace to Irina as she interjected.  "No Anika?  Well, you know, she's probably got some adjusting to do now that she's on boards with that Spectre who pays so much attention to her. I mean, how could anyone not, since she's so perfect in that genetically engineered way.  Let's not worry about her and get something a bit different going on."

Tallis shrugged and stepped off the practice mat that was set up.  Iole caught Irina's eye and jerked her head towards her and the uniform, the gesture a clear sign of wondering what was up with the new look.

Jenus activated the display for the holo sims, and used manual controls to bring up the standings menu for those who'd had a run at the sims in any kind of excercise that produced a score.  "All these results," Jenus said in a leading way as she went through them. "All these bragging rights.  You know, I like a competition.  And my favorite is when a victory makes a statement.  Ereba, I bet you are a blessed shot with that sniper rifle."

There was a pause where Jenus waited to see if Ereba would respond, and then she said "Not a bad shot yourself, and Tallis has even got me for dead lifting.  Call that a Goddess gifted physique, Tallis."

Tallis smirked.  "Thank you, thank you."

"And my girl, Red, we know she's just the best at more than a couple of things."  Jenus scrolled through the list to the end, and did a sort.  All the scores that came up in their various categories were the results of one user:  Naleena T'Sarius.

"So we're working on something new today.  Here are the Spectre's scores.  Look, some of them are actually pretty impressive.  We don't want those scores to sit around, feeding a comfort zone.  This Spectre's got to be on her toes, with all those controversial decisions she's been making lately.  Good thing she's got a loyal crew to back her up, keep her alive, look out for her things, for her own sake.  So lets go to work on these scores.  She can't be the best at everything, can she?  In fact, Naleena is a leader.  She needs to know where she's weakest, vulnerable, the places she needs to work on or rely on people better than her to do those tasks.  And you can't have a genetically modified person everywhere you go, can you?  So I'm going to make a new sort, which is just for Naleena T'Sarius and any 'un-enhanced' results, so we don't muck this thing up with combat drug use, or mutations, or any of that nonsense that gets mucked about.  No, to be on this new board you have to compete without any of those favors that get thrown around."

The holographic interface started moving around the display.  Her voice cool and yet with an underlying current that simmered, Jenus stated, "Today, everyone here works on Naleena's scores and does better than her.  You can pick anything, shooting, biotics, lifting, running.  Let her know that she's got a little bit of work to do, or should start relying on actually qualified people to do it.  They say there are no bad soldiers, only bad leaders.  Well, our leader should know how much we find that to be true."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina smirked. "I already got her on tracking and wilderness survival. She saw that on Duellos. Any one of us could take her on running. Probably on lifting, too," she said. "You know you really ought to pick something that's a challenge. I did see her go to work and dismantle a Drell assassin in hand to hand. That Drell was a master, too. I'm speaking as an ex-Gunnery Chief. I say today we beat her scores in running and lifting. And tomorrow we train in hand to hand. What do you say Jenus?"

[Kel Riever]

Jenus took a look at Irina, who'd never seen her so quietly serious about anything ever before.

"I say we beat all her scores.  I think it's the only way she learns everything she needs to."

Iole couldn't even believe how serious Jenus was, sure that it was from a mood that, stubborn as Jenus was, would pass.  "Jenus, she's a Spectre for a reason.  She's over 300 years old.  How much of her life has been spent surviving, being hunted, killing?"

Slowly, Jenus turned to Iole.  "That's one of the reasons I'm going to really like it when all those scores go down.  You can give up before we get started, if you'd like, Goldie."

The shot at Iole's pride was clear, but it also didn't rile her any less knowing what it was meant to do.  "Fine, Jenus.  Don't be surprised if she comes down here and starts fighting back on the scores."

"That would mean she's getting the message, wouldn't it?"

Iole made a frustrated exhale.  "Sometimes Jenus....fine.  I's say if Red isn't going for a gun score right away, she and I can start getting honing CQC."

"Ereba, why don't you get on the range with that rifle," Jenus said with an edge of glee in her voice.  "Tallis and I will knock out some of those physical scores today.  Shouldn't be too hard competing with a smoker."

[Cknarf]

Frank

 

“Go on. Pick it up.” Lilith pointed with her blade, to the katana that lay on the floor. “Theeeere you go.”

 

Frank pulled the blade free, dropping the saya to the floor as he rose to his feet. He held the weapon as if he knew what he was doing. Except he didn’t. At all. He’d seen some movies, though, so he was feeling confident.

 

Spoiler

^obligatory^

 

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

Kira

 

Deflect.

 

Kira directed Mica’s arm away as she fired, sending the round into the floor of the elevator.

 

Disarm.

 

Mica’s arm was twisted awkwardly, causing her to drop her handgun.

 

Destroy.

 

Kira launched a biotically charged fist at her target. She withdrew her arm, confused at the large dent in the elevator’s interior where Mica once stood. Reflexively, she responded with a rearward kick(In stripper heels!), that Mica, now behind her, evaded with ease.

 

“Impressive...” Kira smirked, as her biotic aura flared around her.

 

Mica charged, as did Kira. The resulting explosion disoriented both, sending each one against the now warped walls of the elevator.

 

Mica was the first to push off, landing a swift blow to the gut. Kira had braced herself, enabling her to retaliate with a downward elbow to the shoulder. Mica countered with a hard punch to the ribs, prompting a wince from the matriarch, before being shoved back again.

 

“You’re good, child, but I think we both know how this is going to end.” Kira cracked her neck in each direction. “Give up while you still can.”

 

“Not a chance.” Mica readied herself.

 

“Shame. You had so much life ahead of you.” Kira taunted, as she kicked her heels aside. “Relatively speaking, of course.”

 

Mica gestured for her to come.

 

“As you wish.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Morgan and Dahlia somewhere on the Medusa (Kel and SJ)

 

For some reason, Dahlia read that Morgan had very much wanted to speak to her.  For once, he seemed to be the one unable to put their conversations aside.  It was hard to tell with Morgan what was going on, even for her and she had learned to read a lot of his subtle, or hidden expressions.  But the entire time that the trip was made to Thessia, while Morgan was on the bridge with Dahlia, and when they went over the specs for the new omni-tools, Morgan had seemed to really want to get to talk to her in private.  

After they'd left the bridge, Morgan made small talk with Dahlia as they walked towards the crew area.  The bird Tarus came and went, landing on his shoulder for a minute, before heading off again somewhere;  the Medusa gave the little creature plenty of places to keep itself entertained.  On reaching a series of cabins, one of which a bit further on was Dahlia's, Morgan paused.  He had never really picked a cabin for himself, and it was fairly obvious that he'd be spending his nights with Jess.  But Dahlia got the sense that Morgan seemed to really wish he had his own place right now for their talk, and he didn't seem to want to impose on her space, so Morgan made a bit of an inconvenient move to take the two of them into what seemed to be a small theatre room, unused, it's purpose surrendered for the time being.  Someone had tossed a few things for storage inside, but other than that, it was abandoned and had no demands that would cause anyone to interrupt them.  Plus it had a few comfortable seats, if they were a bit old.

Morgan shut the door.  He looked at Dahlia with his dark eyes for a moment, before he pulled away and offered her a seat in what was likely the nicest chair in the place.  It was mag locked to the deck, but could be moved around with the right push of a hidden button.  Morgan got himself across from her on a small sofa that seemed maybe a tad too soft for him.  He didn't mind, though, and when Dahlia was comfortable, Morgan did not mince words.

“I've been wanting to talk about us, Dahlia.”

 

Dahlia sat in the chair with her hands folded on her lap. She was uncertain of his manner. “I thought you made it clear several months ago that we were friends. Despite any desires I may have had, I have not crossed that line. And you have been a dear friend. Did I do something to offend?”

 

Morgan put his hand to his mouth, probably to hide his expression at his reaction.  He had to look away even for a moment, before returning to Dahlia.

“No offense.  None at all.”  Morgan seemed to be uncomfortable and Dahlia pretty much knew he wasn't the best at communicating, but he seemed to be trying.  ”I don't have...well whatever that means.  I don't think of things in absolutes, so I wanted to be clear whatever that meant.”

 

Dahlia nodded and waited for Morgan to continue.

 

Morgan leaned forward and close to Dahlia.  ”I...I was hoping you'd tell me what you thought it meant.”

 

Dahlia sighed to herself, and looked up a Morgan, not with a longing look but with one of honesty. “I would be lying if I told you I didn't have feelings for you, but you told me you didn't have feelings for me. I also know that feelings can change. We Asari live for over a thousand years. We are a very patient people. The passage of even ten, twenty years is nothing to us.

 

“But melding with a person, especially like I did with you for as long as I did affects an Asari. Sure, you could point to Ereba melding with Naleena but she didn't stay with her through the surgery like I did with you. It didn't affect her. They have fancy equipment on the Janiri. The doc here on the Medusa needed my help, and I gave it freely. I was with you for hours, Morgan.

 

“I feel... bonded to you... not in that way... but... this is awkward... like I carry part of you around with me now. It will always be there,” she said and was worried Morgan would start feeling pressured. “Don't take this the wrong way. I'm not going to cross any lines... unless you want to. I just want to be included as part of your life in some way, even if it is as a friend. Anything more than that is up to you.”

 

Morgan felt compelled to take Dahlia's hand.  ”We're...I suppose if you want to say there are lines then fine.”  Morgan tried to keep Dahlia's gaze.  Nothing he said he'd been prepared to, and it came out in the moment, as he was with her.  ”You don't have to hold anything back with me.  Patience is one thing, and another is that I won't be around for nearly as long as you are.  You're in my life, Dahlia, in whatever way you want to call it.  I'm not setting any lines, I want you to know, though.  I just want you to understand who I am, and I don't want to disappoint you if you're expecting me to be...something I'm not.”

 

Dahlia's eyes welled and she tried to hold that back. “I've tried reading stuff about Earth culture and history in my spare time. I understand you're not the kind of man who will settle down in the house with the white picket fence and raise a family, or maybe not even the type who will love only one woman. It doesn't mean you're not worthy of being loved. You're a good man. An honest man, and that's rare these days,” she said, smiled and laughed. “I'm not going to try to change you. If I somehow managed to do that, at some point I'd end up wondering where the person whom I cared about went. Don't you understand it's that who you are and the way you are might be the reasons I care about you?”

 

There was a long, stunned silence from Morgan.  He held Dahlia's hand, and at last he said, “I don't want you to be hurt.  And I think in a way...”

Morgan didn't want to say what he thought, but it was, You deserve someone who can give you all the attention you need.

Dahlia could see there was conflict in his eyes.  She had a sense that there was an integrity to Morgan, that he didn't want her feeling compromised, and maybe he didn't know how to get that across.  But somewhere, he was trying.

“Dahlia, I've known there's been more to you since as far as I can remember meeting you.  I didn't want you to be by my side out of pity.  You've always needed a place you can be yourself and I wanted to be with you while you did.  You're a gift to me, and I wish other people saw that.  You've never needed to be told what to do as far as I'm concerned.  You've only ever needed to be set free.”

At that point, Morgan looked away, but he came back with his gaze and said, “I suppose that makes me feel responsible for you.  Because I only wanted to ever see you be what you wanted to be.  Not something someone else wanted you to be either.  And maybe it took me until now to realize even I've thought you might not be able to handle certain things, and that's stupid of me.”

 

The word “free” hit a nerve. She was practically in servitude with Aria while even in greater servitude to the Shadow Broker. She felt trapped. Yes, free. That's what I need, but it can never be. One does not cross the Shadow Broker. Why did I report in? Dammit! Why did I report in? Cell Leader 4? I hadn't heard from him in months. Had he gone to Iyana? So I reported to Barla Von like a good little agent and trapped myself again in the web.

 

Dahlia wanted to scream, but she retained her composure. “And I, having saved your life, feel responsible for you, and now that extends to your family.

 

“There's something about you. You owe no one anything. You keep no money. You chase after no money. I grew up poor on Omega. My father was Batarian, and he was a good man. That is true. He owed no one money either. My mother was always after him to improve our lot, but he said that would have meant selling himself out. Yet he always provided us with a hot meal and a roof over our heads. We never suffered. We just never had the luxuries.

 

“When I left home, I wanted the things I never had. I see now that those can be chains.”

 

“Some things,” Morgan admitted.  ”Maybe I'm a fool about it, but what's important to me is to be able to go somewhere without answering to anyone.  And of course, what's important to me are the people I meet along the way.”  It was rare to see the ruggedness of Morgan's features become eclipsed by a softer side, but Dahlia watched as in that moment, the hard features disappear and give way.  Morgan took his hand and brushed it across her cheek, then gave her a playful and ever so slight touch of his knuckles to her chin.  ”Your tough, Dahlia.  You have fire in you, nobody can mistake that.  But when you save someone, where I'm from, that person owes you.  If you're ever feeling the press of chains on you, someone or something holding themselves over you, making you do anything you don't want to, call me and if I'm not already there, I will be.  I'm not going to have 'Gem Eyes' be kept down for any reason.  You have my word on that.”

 

The Shadow Broker will not sink his claws into you, Morgan Severn. I willingly fail in this mission. I will not betray my friends. Dahlia promised herself. Seeing Iyana and what she had done changed her. She knew where her loyalties truly were.

 

Her eyes welled again but the tears overflowed. She hugged Morgan and rested her head on his shoulder,

 

The release of emotion had Morgan a bit off guard, but he wrapped his arms around Dahlia and comforted her.  ”Easy there...”  Dahlia was light enough for Morgan to pick up a bit and get her more comfortable.  He hadn't meant to hit such a sore spot in her, and he didn't understand what had her in such intense need to let it out.  Morgan decided to forget about the whys and held Dahlia as long as she needed.

 

Dahlia wasn't crying. She closed her eyes. The tears were simply emotional release. 

 

She released her hug and looked at Morgan. “You didn't make me sad. It was a relief to know that I have someone I can turn to. I don't ever want to burden anyone, and I won't take advantage of you. Ever. I have trust issues, and I know I can trust you. But hearing that from you meant something to me; that's what that was about.”

 

The two were close and Morgan nodded.  ”Well, you're more than just some friend to me, Dahlia.  You know that, I'm sure.  And I trust you too.”

[Cknarf]

Kira

 

“Marius, have Quintus prep for takeoff, in case we need a ride out of here.” Kira contacted Marius, as she took a moment to catch her breath.

 

“Can’t you take the car?”

 

“I may not be able to make it to the car.”

 

“Why not?”

 

Kira appeared on the monitor aboard the Vepr. Her eye was already swollen, and she was covered in blood, most of which wasn’t hers.

 

“Spirits...What happened? Are you alright?”

 

“I just had to splatter Ezra’s daughter all over the elevator.” She looked at Mica, who was sporting a fist size hole completely through her torso.  “I pulled punches for as long as I could, but she left me no choice.”

 

“F*ck. Does anyone know?”

 

“About this? No, not at the moment.” Kira sighed. Looking down, she wrinkled her nose at the blood that had pooled on the ground. Its warmth on her bare feet was a bit unsettling. Her bloody hands smeared the elevator controls, that were indicating a malfunction.

 

Dammit.

 

“But Ezra knows something’s up.” Kira forced the doors open, but the elevator was stuck between two floors. “Ffff-”

 

“What about Eli?”

 

“He’s with Lil.” Quintus could be heard in the background.

 

“How do you know?”

 

“I… well…”

 

“Quintus…”

 

“Here.”

 

With a little biotic assistance, Kira jumped for the hatch on top of the elevator, and pulled herself up.

 

“You’ve got to be f*cking kidding me… Kira, get your ASS up there now!”

 

“Already on it, love.” Kira’s voice reverberated in the shaft. She had a few floors to go to reach the next functional elevator.

 

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

 

"Quintus, get us in the air." Marius commanded, before heading down the stairs to get geared up.

 

"You got it, bro." Quintus worked the controls, and brought the engines to life.

 

Adir just shook his head, and let out a sigh of disappointment.

 

"ETA ten minutes."