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[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with RedBelle)

 

Morgan received the message from Iyana by text on his omni-tool; another location in lower Omega, which was within walking distance. For someone who had a distaste for all things less than immaculate, Morgan wondered why Iyana would keep choosing meeting places that were less than desirable. He could only chalk it up to her twisted way of doing things. Chances were the location was more about having Morgan follow a path, regardless. Of the few times he had met his contact, she had always intercepted him before he actually arrived at any planned meeting place.

 

Several minutes into his walk, Morgan passed through a narrow but relatively unobstructed alleyway between two industrial buildings. He heard a scuffing sound behind him. In a flash, Morgan whirled with his Phalanx out, only to find a vermin scrounging between an empty crate and a wall. Cursing to himself, he was returning the pistol to his holster when the distinct sound of a light footfall came from the direction he originally traveled in. He lifted his gun and turned forward. A familiar figure approached.

 

Morgan's brow lifted in surprise. "Captain Stone, what are you doing here?"

 

Jess planted her fists on her hips. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here! I had two more drinks to even and then you pull a bloody Houdini! You’re four down luv! And I'm going to drag your sorry ass back to the ship and make sure you even up and......" Jess stopped, her steam gone as she sagged and kneaded her brow. "Okay.....okay let's just go call it a draw this time and do this later. Anymore of this and I'm going to want to start shooting something in the nervous system".

 

"Jess...Captain, you can't be here right now." Morgan holstered his weapon, making sure it was ready to draw again at a moments notice. He checked the time on his omni-tool and started to walk past Stone. "This isn't a safe place. I'll meet you back on the Audron..."

 

Jess fell in behind him, stretching her arms up and over the back of her head. "Well then, if it's not safe then maybe you shouldn't walk around down here alone.....Unless....." Jess straightened and looked straight at Morgan. She brought her tone down to a conspiratorial whisper. "You’re not down here to.....". She choked down a giggle that did nothing to stifle her grin. "......YOU’RE GOING TO SEE A GIRL!”

 

Morgan looked into Jess' eyes, baffled by her brash disregard for his warning. "No...that's not what I mean." An anxiety built in Morgan, and he found himself trying to walk backwards away from Stone and out of the alley, to his destination. But Morgan couldn't unwrap himself from the Captain who followed him. "It isn't someone like that. I don't want to get you involved."

 

Out into the alley, Morgan stumbled, with Jess still close to him. The avenue beyond was quiet except for the clumsy movement of the two. "I don't even have time to explain," Morgan said desperately. "This isn't about some sort of affectionate rendezvous."

 

"Oooooh, so you’re into theeeee ruffstuff!” Jess shrugged. "Well who am I to judge? I've had most of my non-performer's trussed up and dangling like chandeliers.....Come to think of it maybe Eteon's right about the furniture......" She didn't finish that sentence, trailing off as she stared ahead. Blinking she turned back to Morgan. "Look luv....can I perfectly frank. I don't give a Doc Johnson about you and your dominatrix, mistress, topper, beezee or who ever she is. I came here because of you.”

 

"You...what?" Every time Morgan tried to put some distance between himself and Stone, it seemed to get worse. He walked backwards away from her, nearly falling. "Is this the alcohol talking? I know you've got a good poker face. You're three sheets to the wind, aren't you? I'm not even meeting someone who...this is crazy. I'm trying to keep you out of my mess...what could you possibly want from me?" Morgan nearly pitched again as he tripped towards the center of the avenue.

 

Jess caught him by the neckline of his armour to stop him and hoisted him till he was face to face with her. "Simple luv. I want you on my side....." She paused. "You ever been a first officer? The one I had lined up goes goo goo over asari. Hell of thing if she ever tries to negotiate some trade deals. Don't let the fact I'm crewing for Deidrus fool you. I'm a captain. I have a ship and sooner or later my current first officer is leaving. That leaves me down either a XO, or a bodyguard if Anika can convince me she can keep it together.”

 

Jess let go of Morgan and he staggered away as Jess turned her head and sighed. "What I'm saying luv, is that you’re stuck with me till you're dead. Or I find someone better. Or you could just say no.....But there comes a time when every man has to pick their sorry ass out of the gutter. You stuck with me on the collector ship, so now I'm asking. How does working for this team we've got sound? Then jumping ship to work for me?”

 

Morgan balanced himself and stood upright, with an expression like he just dodged a bullet. "Working for you. Oh, that's all? Good. I mean, that's what this is about?" He brushed imaginary dust off his shoulder. "You needed to hunt me down through an alley to ask me that...." His words trailed off as the quiet around Stone and himself began to disturb him. Then, just audibly, at the edge of Morgan's perception, he heard his name spoken.

 

"Morgan."

 

Morgan's name, said with such haunting tones, had glided along the avenue from the entrance to one of the industrial buildings. The entrance, a set of large, decorative double doors, was tens of meters away and devoid of any passerby, worker or otherwise. A wide, metallic staircase poured down and out from the doors into the avenue. Flanking the stairs, at their base, a series of thick pillars rose to reach Omega's district ceiling, high in the gloom above.

 

Half way down the metallic stairs sat Iyana. A large, black and red varren was at her side.

 

Jess, hearing the voice filter through the avenue, turned towards it. "Actually luv I followed you because I think deep down you have a death wish and want little more than to die in a backstreet ally before flying into the cradling embrace of the baby Jesus. And I hate to see good talent go to waste......Also, I think you'd make a great chair.” Jess tilted her head around slightly and smiled grimly. "Kidding......I look at you and I see coffee table. Now how's about you tell ol' Captain Silver why you've been acting so weird?”

 

When no reply was forthcoming Jess sighed. "Luv.....I've met alot of people like you. And maybe it's my indefatigable ego talking. But I think you've got what it takes to climb out of whatever hole I get a feel you think your in. The Audron's on a mission to save lives. You saved mine so as far as I'm concerned you’re qualified. I'll vouch for you with Deidrus. And if he doesn’t take you on I'll bring you on as a part of my crew......you might have to share quarter's with two gorgeous specimens of the human female race though......Unless we can get our old quarters......No....No I'm not that cruel! Maybe we can bunk you down in the engine room.”

 

At that, Jess turned to face Morgan fully. "Or I'm just standing here yakking making an idiot of myself and you've got other plans that don’t involve saving lives from the galaxy’s most venerable bug monsters while defending the human expansion - our people's drive to establish themselves......which really.... REEEaaally, would cut into my profit margins".

 

Morgan caught Jess eye to eye as she talked, unable to find words until she was done with her last long articulation. When she finally came to a stop, for all Morgan’s hard looks, he was visibly rattled. “S**t, Jess. You have no idea who I’m about to meet. We’ll be lucky if both of us leave here alive.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Anika and Naleena floated in space within the meld. Darkness and stars surrounded them, as did silence. Then they became bathed in light. Naleena held her hand. 

 

"Where are we?" Anika asked.

 

"Just in a place of peace within my mind, Anika. I come here when I meditate. I enjoy the peace and solitude," Naleena said, "When we separate, you will leave with an imprint of this. It is my gift to you, no strings attached."

 

Naleena held her close for what seemed like an hour, but was mere seconds. Anika had never melded with such a powerful biotic, one with such control. Then they separated gently. Naleena touched Anika's forehead, and Anika felt a light tingling in her mind. "Remember," Naleena said as she did a light probe since she didn't want Anika to forget the experience she just had. Anika could go to that place of peace whenever she needed. It was within her mind as well.

[Redbelle]

Anika felt Naleena's mind, gently lapping on the edge's of her own.Gently opening itself to her. Naleena was holding back it seemed, trying to make the fusion as delicate as she could.

 

Anika however, didn't want delicate, or gentle.

 

This isn't my first. Come. Be one, she uttered in the star filled blackness Naleena had brought them to.

 

There was hesitation. Then there was understanding. And moment's before Naleena let go of of all inhibition, Anika got the real sense of unbridled joy as her mind pratically collided with Anika's and Naleena's lusts and passions and whole acceptance of Anika as her partner hit her, adding to her own.

 

In the meld there were no questions. No uncertainty. Each partner knew the other intimately, as their bodies clung to and bucked against the other their minds wrapped the other in acceptance and trust. Each knowing exactly what the other other felt and liked. Rhythms altered to suit the other's preference and things the other would not do for a first time encounter were suddenly encouraged while ways the other did not know became familier as each encouraged the other to try.

 

Then each began giving up the memories of the past.

 

Anika showed her the Asari huntress. The one she'd been told she was not to ask question of. Not even to learn her name. How years of training had adapted her gentically enhanced body until she and her huntress had found themselves able to fall into melds when either wished it to be over distances thought to be unsustainable.

 

Anika had learned much from her about the outside world. Things those who had forged her didn't want her to know. And every night she and the huntress would comfort the other, their minds connected like Naleena's were. Every training session since then was a dance. A way to enact the passion's that arose from their intimate contact.

 

It was....... really embarassing to admit, but the fight training back then, after time had gone past, had become little more than flirtation between the two.

 

And her master's seemed to recognise it because one night, her huntress was no longer there. Instead a human was and told her he'd be taking over her training. Anika had demanded her huntress, naturally, and in response the human had scoffed at her and charged forward.

 

He left the ring with a four broken ribs, and shattered coller bone and a mouth full of missing teeth. Her master's apparently thought then she was ready.

 

But she wasn't.

 

She managed to learn that her huntress had been sent away, and Anika was unable to follow. She'd been given better dwellings, a reward for her climb towards whatever fate her masters had planned for her, meant to distract her while shoing the other girls what pleasures awaited.

 

And what pleasures......

 

Anika had found that anything she wanted could be hers. Education, companionship, entertainment. She had managed to get hold of an ancient history data file and read how in ancient times a slave known as a gladiator would be forced to fight, and if he won, he was rewarded. As he won more so to would he be rewarded more. But he would never be rewarded with freedom until granted it by the Ceaser of the empire.

 

Anika knew then that she would never be free. She wanted out now. She wanted to see her parents. She wanted to travel the stars that had held such allure when she had first travelled to this planet. She wanted to feel the embrace of someone other than those she could order up to please her when the need arose. But she couldn't do it alone

 

And so, she had sent out a bounty. On herself. It had been easy. Her training allowed her to gain access to the comm array and send out a credit bounty on her own head. The complex was built to contain her and other's like her. She reasoned it was not made to keep others out.

 

And so, not long after, she'd finally met Jess, who had introduced herself after poking her head up over the balcony after climbing up the ivy trellis below.

 

She felt Naleena's teeth gently bite into her shoulder and she sighed, slipping a hand behind her crest as the fluttering within her belly intensified.

 

She retaliated by showing Naleena the memory of what Jess and she had gotten upto in the shower's aboard the Audron.

 

The seperation happened at the same time Anika's body gave out and succumbed. Linked as she was, Naleena was dragged along and they fell against the other, gasping. While their minds had been together their sweat slicked bodies had ravaged each other and both slumped. Arms around and supportive as they breathed heavily.

 

Anika gently kissed Naleena's neck as Naleena chuckled and rose to lean back from her. "That was....". Anika managed. "..... beyond.....".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Before they separated, Naleena received Anika’s memories, and then gave up her own. Naleena knew there was no hiding, no lying during a meld. Partners had no choice but to be honest with each other. Lies would show as clouds and veils, and while a privacy barrier would be acceptable Anika was baring her soul. She deserved no less.

 

It started with the flash of her father, Teshek, taking her out into the countryside of Cyone where he taught her how to feel the emotions of the wildlife, and where to her father’s surprise she called a giant bird to her with her mind; when her father told her he was going away on a business trip again, and she confronted him, “You’re going to kill someone, aren’t you? I’ve seen your rifle. Teach me to shoot it, and your swords, I want to learn.” And she showed Anika her father’s training sessions, and the lesson she learned from him which was the same he learned from the Hanar: “I am merely the weapon.” She mastered the Drell martial arts, meditations, and biotic training.

 

Naleena’s training was non-traditional. She was highly disciplined, highly intelligent, and a very quick learner. Anika saw her private instructor teaching her. She was a tall Asari who bore purple facial markings that framed her eyes, and she wore delicate white robes. Naleena always favored black. From her, she studied the Asari martial arts and learned the Asari biotic training and mastered those.

 

Anika saw Naleena in a medical lab being injected with time sensitive nanotech programmed to carry eezo to certain sites on the DNA molecule so that it would enhance her biotic ability. It was an experimental gene altering procedure and was banned by Council law. Thus it was performed in the Terminus. It was paid for by a benefactor who demanded that she perform several contracts in return. After his death she returned to her life as an independent contractor like her father.

 

Then Naleena revealed the event that forever changed her. She looked at Anika and great sorrow filled her eyes. Anika saw Naleena having lunch with her mother near the medical center in Polos. Her mother was with child of her new mate, another Asari. Naleena was 150 at the time. The two had a window seat at a restaurant, and Naleena’s back was to the window. A shot rang at the exact moment Naleena moved and struck her mother. Naleena’s training allowed her to instantly calculate the shot angle, and she drew her pistol with the sight, and saw two Salarians in a window across in a building across the street. Help arrived quickly. She hunted them and killed them. They were STG. Her mother survived, but she lost the child.

 

Naleena would never do a job that caused collateral damage. She would stalk her quarry until it was alone. Once you’re in you’re in. You can’t walk away from this type of work. They always find you. They use the Shadow Broker to do it. And you can outlive a toad, but you can’t outlive their bookkeeping. I’ve been running for well over 200 years, Anika. I’m tired, but I’m not going to spend the rest of my life in a Salarian prison, so I keep moving. New identities, and I stay in Asari space and the Terminus as much as possible, but they don’t care.

 

I go new places, be different people. The problem happens when you meet someone you’ve known before and you forget who you were when you met them. You will be easy. You know me for who I am. You are strong, Anika. I know you have a weakness for Asari. I will not abuse that. I promise. Someday, maybe I can bring some good into this galaxy.

 

She heard Anika say, “That was … beyond…”

 

“….Amazing!” Naleena finished her sentence, smiled and kissed her. “Well, now we know each other, and I’m glad that we do. It has been a long time since I had a meld so intense. This was my first meld with a human.”

[Redbelle]

Anika drew her close and planted a kiss on her shoulder as she held her over her. Tilting her head around she laid it against that textured blue skin.

 

"I'm glad...... I'm here. I'm...... Well, you know already". Looking up at her she saw the blackness fading from her eye's. Returning them to their clear visage. Anika sighed. "I don't want this to be a one time thing". She admitted. "But..... Jess and I...... We're not an item. It's the life we live", She found a laugh working it's way up and she leaned her forehead against Naleena. "Sorry. Melds take awhile for me to sort it all out". She looked up. "But I want this to happen again. Sometime. Later. If you want it to".

 

Anika found herself holding her breath. Naleena had seen the relationship she and Jess had. The long hauls with nothing but the crew and Jesses lax approach to maintaining distance, and her firm, hard, no prisoner's appraoch to anyone who dared cross the line. Their tryst aboard the very ship they were on.

 

Anika tried to find the words. "I need to be able to do my job. Focus on the people who are important to me...... And..... your one of these people. And I know Jess will accept you because she's..... just able to. Always. But for me..... I need to know if your comfortable with being someone I admire. Because I don't want to see what we shared drift away to nothing. I need to sort out where you fit into my life, if your willing".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Anika, I've had many melds in my life, and due to the nature of my life I've always put up a barrier and just made it a pleasure experience," Naleena said while stroking her hair and caressing her shoulders. "This was different. The barrier came down. I haven't shared myself like this with anyone in centuries." Naleena rested her head (NSFW part)..... "I am glad that you feel the way you do." She gazed at Anika's eyes, and kissed her again. "I would like this to happen again. I put an imprint of my place of peace in your mind. It was my gift to you. You can go there anytime you want. All you have to do is remember. For a test, close your eyes, and go there now."

[Terca]

The Commander of the Audron looked at his omni-tool and pondered sharing some of his thoughts with the crew. Right now there were a couple ways of moving forward but none of them would put them decisively on the path to resolution. Firstly they would need to get to a comms buoy to send word of the development to the Council through secure channels. There was no way that information like this could hit the public, especially the humans, without a demand for invasion through the Omega-4. Without knowing what is on the other side that would be suicidal and a massive waste. Dealing with such an issue would be... Difficult. Trying to restrain them would only lead to demonization of the council after the losses of Fehl Prime...

 

Illium is the closest Relay jump to put us back onto secure channels. It would be leaving the system for now and bringing us back to the origin point for this mission but knowing the Suns are involved means getting some insight from the local defect might be useful.

 

Their choices, as he saw it, were to either drain information from the Suns (making the Terminus and Illium the best choices to find someone higher up), try to find other Human Colonies for clues, or some combination of the two. They weren't getting anything out of the captured Collector and the ship was giving up little in choice for information. It wasn't a clean choice to make.

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with RedBelle)

 

In the center of the avenue, Morgan realized how vulnerable Stone and he were.  A quick survey of their surroundings showed the place appeared abandoned, with the nearest cover being the alley they came from, now several meters away.  The structure and buildings around them were tall and complex, offering plenty of hiding places for potential ambushers.  Morgan placed a hand on Jess’ shoulder and focused his attention towards Iyana, who still wore her extravagant violet dress.

 

Iyana rose steadily and descended the metal stairs with the varren next to her.  The beast growled.  She comforted it with a single hand stroke.  Iyana called to Morgan again, her tone more emphatic the second time,  “Morgan, you know I don’t like when you delay.  I’m sure you have a good explanation for this riveting and yet absolutely appalling guest of yours.  Please, don’t get me wrong, but I find it rude to have such a wonderful devil show up unannounced.”

 

The black and red varren snapped its jaws.  Iyana spoke to it, though her gaze was on Stone.  “Maugrim, you are so voracious.  You just ate!”

 

Jess looked between the two, the unknown woman, and the varren that accompanied her.  Something just seemed off the moment she set eyes on her.  Like something was trying to crawl under her skin and fester.  It was distracting to say the least.  And it was then she knew she'd made the right choice in following Morgan.  The thought of him meeting alone with this woman was......unsettling.  Looking over at Morgan she saw he was shaken.  The man who had stuck with her like glue and shot the Collectors off her back while absorbing their attacks was holding himself together from falling apart.....by this person?

 

Jess was instantly wary, but regardless, she'd met intimidating types in the past. First rule:

 

Show no fear.

 

Jess stepped forward.

 

"Well now! You look like someone who just stepped out of a fashion label spillover.  Love the look luv. Shame you’re a season out.  How about we ditch this place and find somewhere we can bring you up to date?”  She raised her hands.  "I know. I know. It's probably the same old story.  Professional lady who hasn't time to think about fashion much when there's work to be done.  But trust me. You'll find it a lot easier to do.....whatever it is you do when folks like me look at you and DON'T see something pulled out of last years catalogue.”

 

Jess looked over at the growling Varren, pursed her lips as she looked back and asked, "B*tch?”

 

Iyana’s piercing blue eyes flickered.  One of her hands slowly moved to stroke back the side of her white bob.  While she appraised Stone, she curled her lips and prodded Morgan, “What’s my tell, Cards?  What’s my tell?”

 

Morgan’s eyes blinked twice as his nickname from Alliance days was used to address him.  He tried to neutralize the jab Jess had made, “She wasn’t supposed to be here.  It’s a misunderstanding.  She was on her way.  Let her go and we can get on with our business.”

 

“What do you mean?” Iyana asked in clearly false shock.  “I for one think she wants to be here.  She has so much to say and is so curious.”  Iyana let her hand fall back loosely to her side and devoted her attention to Stone, “Pardon my manners. I am Iyana.  To answer your question, no, Maugrim is male through and through, so he is not the b**ch.  Now, forgive me if I don’t jump at the fashion assessment of someone wearing…all of that…garb on you, but I think there’s more to you than you let on.  Let’s then remark upon what you are bound to wonder next.

 

“I am Morgan’s supervisor.  His job was to bring me back information about another co-worker.  Although he’s been a bit off task recently, Morgan generally does excellent work because he has a healthy respect for the consequences of his failings.  Not that I expect you to understand that, you intriguing mutt-eyed treat.  But Morgan does.  Go on, ask him who our mutual employer is.”

 

Morgan felt his breathing get deeper, "I don't think that's a good idea, Iyana."

 

"Oh, Morgan," Iyana said, practically drooling with eagerness, "I insist."

 

While speaking to Iyana, Morgan faced Jess, his eyes retreating in regret, "She knows already. We work for The Shadow Broker."

 

Jess's face went slack for a moment and then slowly, very slowly, curled into a look of amusement.  "Really now?  So I'm head hunting Shabby's talent!”  Jess turned her head, her eyes at lazy half slits.  "And since you know him, can you say it's surprising he's getting into high demand?  Heck of a lot of nerve in him.  Kept my neck off the chopping block that's for sure.  I might just call him steel balls from here on out.  Wadda you think luv.  Have you seen the balls on this man?”

 

Jess waved the comment off.  "Doesn't matter luv.  Seems I've interrupted the both of you.  So feel free to finish this......pow wow of the damned and sane.  Because I'm literally dying to know what you brought him here for that could set steel balls a quiver over here,” Jess said, her eye's taking in Iyana from head to foot, to Varren.  "I'm betting it's not anticipation.”

 

The porcelain face on Iyana showed the cracks of its change to the darker side, but when she spoke, Iyana talked only to Morgan.  “You make me lose my composure, Morgan.  At least if you had brought along some hooker, I could kill her and be done with it.  But you went and dragged someone along with talent.  Now where does that leave us?  Tell me the information I want to know before I decide what to do with this intolerable f**k up of yours.”

 

“You don’t have to worry about the asset,” Morgan said too quickly.  He slowed himself down.  “He is in place as expected and there is no concern to be had.”

 

“Liar!”  Iyana snarled and a growl uttered once more from the Varren.  She silenced the beast again with a single hand stroke, while calming her own expression with a sharp breath.  “I am extremely disappointed, Morgan.  To be fair, I wasn’t counting on you anyway.  Manej will take care of him.”

 

Morgan lost his color.  “You already sent an assassin?”

 

“Do you think I would get my hands dirty over a Spectre?”  Iyana’s glance rolled over to Jess.  “My dear Morgan, you must think I’ve turned into some sort of savage.  Go on, man.  Leave and start thinking about Earth.  Ponder what you would advise I extract as a proper payment for your mistakes over a few more drinks in a filthy glass.  In the meantime, I can determine the future of your sharp tongued admirer.”

 

Jess knew she ought to let Morgan handle this. But this......strange.....otherworldly woman was pushing all the buttons best left untouched.

 

Jess's brows came down as her smile transformed into a toothy sneer.  "That face luv..... you should be careful. Shadow Broker or no that guy's got his own reputation. Always playing the game of selling to the highest bidder.  How much do you think you’re worth to him? And how far will that face twist when you find out I could easily buy you from him?”  Jess looked down at her Varren and grunted.  "If you knew me you'd know that I don't like threats....bullies....I don't like people taking what's mine.  And I sure as hell don't want to see my organization tear.....what at best, is a middling manager type on a power trip, down to size.”

 

Jess looked Iyana square in the eyes as she said in a deceptively soft voice, "I don't like having to resorts to threats, or violence when it can be avoided luv...... But you need to know that right now I am very......very angry.....with you.  Morgan's a good man.  If he has a job to do and didn't do it, then I don't doubt him as having a good reason.  If you were meant to oversee others you'd know to find out what the damn problem was before you start casting the blame you’re responsible for on others.  Threatening your people?  Breaking them down instead of building them up?”  Jess made a dismissive snort.  "The Shadow Broker's probably hanging onto you hoping you shape up or fetch a price for all the people you've bugged with that attitude.”

 

She sized up the woman in front of her.  "Go ahead luv..... I'm practically itching to show you how a real woman tackles the hard choice.  Unless luv......,” Jess threw over her shoulder, "You want her left alone? One or the other. It makes no difference to me".

 

Iyana's cheeks tinged with pink, and her voice craved, “Oh, I want to find out so much about you.  I want you to give me everything you’ve got.”

 

“That’s not going to happen,” Morgan stated as his eyes went wide.  “You are letting her go.  Finish the problem you have with me and be done with it.”

 

Maugrim tensed.  Iyana’s nostrils flared.  “Morgan, don’t do it.  For their sake if not your own.”

 

"You were never going to leave them alone anyway, Iyana," Morgan simmered, emphasizing every word.  "Jess, warn Androkan about the assassin."

 

Morgan drew his Phalanx with blinding speed.

 

And just as quickly, the pistol flew from his grip, yanked by a cord of blue, biotic energy that emerged from Iyana’s palm.

 

Maugrim then vaulted at Jess.

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with RedBelle)

 

Jess, having the benefit of seeing the Varren coil itself like a steel spring before it leapt, was already tumbling, leaning into her right and allowing gravity to pull her down and out of the way of the beast’s leap. Bernard's grip was already in her hand and she drew as she fell, rolling into a ball to spring up on one knee as the Varren landed where she'd been.

 

Out of the corner of her eye she saw something fly from Morgan towards Iyana, but had no time to see as the beast landed and began to turn towards as Jess leveled the barrel of Bernard in it's face.

 

Maugrim leapt forward.

 

Bernard roared.

 

Jess felt the mass of the varren’s body hit her square in the chest and it tipped her up and over. She brought a hand up to grab for the head and encountered a wet, pulpy mess of flesh and bone.  Looking up she saw a hole in the varren’s head that oozed something she didn't want to think about.  She tried to roll it off but the weight of the mass of muscle in the creature made it nigh impossible as she tried to wiggle loose, grabbing for another heat sink.

 

Morgan saw his Phalanx go soaring over Iyana’s shoulder.  Her face had contorted into the skull like image of her fury, with skin pulled taught and lips peeled back. Morgan then witnessed Jess blast a shot through the skull of Maugrim as it fell on her.  He activated his omni-blade and stepped forward to strike Iyana.  She had pulled an oval-shaped, silvery device from the belt pack on her back.  Carried by a rush of speed, Morgan swung through at her with the blade.  For a fraction of a second, Iyana’s expression became fearful.  But as the blade made to slash through her midriff, the air seemed to buckle around Iyana and she was gone.

 

Air rushed into the void where Iyana had been, causing a small thunderclap. Morgan’s swing passed through the space harmlessly.  He heard her voice to his right, several meters away and spun to see her materialize.

 

Iyana shouted at Jess, “You are going to suffer for that!”

 

Morgan reached for his assault rifle, but even at his speed, couldn’t react before Iyana flung the silvery device from her hand towards Stone.  Instead, he altered his action, diving sideways to intercept the device.  Morgan caught it before it landed, and saw two cables release from the oval, to wrap around and constrict his arm.  An electric charge surged through the cables, causing him to drop to the street, gritting his teeth in pain.

 

Jess managed to eject the gun’s thermal clip as Morgan fell down in front of her, having become ensnared in something that sounded like it was emitting a pulsing charge.  "One varren down,” she said, ramming home the second clip before throwing her hands, clasping Bernard, over her head to point the gun upside down at her target.  "Only the B*tch left to go!” she crowed as she fired.

 

Bernard was not lined up though; firing prone on Jess’ back did little for her aim.  She more or less just had to go on instinct.

 

The shot went low, hugging the ground. Iyana, seeing the aim, probably thought Jess was shooting in the dark as she drew another device......

 

Then the shot impacted near the instep of Iyana's left foot.  The round detonated inches away, contacting some sort of protective barrier, before fragments penetrated through from Bernard's sheer force.  Shrapnel entered Iyana’s foot, shredding its otherwise unprotected surface.  She screamed, collapsing and reaching for her bloody extremity before she vanished again with another thunderclap.

 

Wasting no time, Jess pushed once more on the body atop her as she wiggled out.  Finally free, she rolled on her front and reached for another clip.  As she came up, Iyana was nowhere to be found. Moving over to Morgan she reached down with her synthetic hand and gripped the silver device pulsing electricity through him. Putting pressure on she cracked the casing, crushing the electrical components within.

 

Morgan groaned as the pain subsided.  “That was a batarian manriki!  How the hell did you break and disarm it?”  The cables and broken pieces of the device fell away, leaving deep scars on his armor where they had wrapped around him.  Morgan began to lift himself up.  “That weapon was supposed to explode if it was tampered with.”

 

Jess's mouth flattened into a line. "Huh! Guess it was a dud."

 

At that moment they heard a noise and Jess swung her gun around towards the sound......

 

......Dahlia emerged with her hands in the air. "It's me! It's only me! She's gone! Don't shoot!"

 

"Shooting you would be a crime against youthful radiance luv," Jess drawled as she slid Bernard against the armour's hardpoint. The point grabbed hold of the gun and it slid it's casing back into itself, waiting for the next time Jess called on it. "You heard at least part of that?"

 

Dahlia nodded.

 

"Then you know we're right up the creek without a paddle.  Shabby's not someone I tend to do business with.  Too many complications." Jess reached down and proceeded to help Morgan out of his bindings. "First Collies.... Then Aria...... Now Shabby agents. Is their anyone in this galaxy this group hasn't got a grudge with!"

 

 

"Androkan," Morgan flexed his arm after Jess pulled away the last cord and winced in pain.  "He's got to be warned.  That assassin is headed his way.  Iyana wouldn't have mentioned it if she didn't think it was already a done deal."  The injured arm was the same that held Morgan's omni-tool interface.  "He might not pick up by voice." Morgan typed quickly on his omni-tool, the movement causing rivulets of blood to seep through the armor plates near his wrist.

 

As soon as Morgan sent the message to warn Deidrus, he stopped and took Jess in for a moment.  "Thank you," he said, lingering on the words.

 

 

"Thank me later. Much later. About the time I'm done screaming about how bad life's screwing me that I actually HAVE to go and save a Spectre from an assassin's bullet...... block shaving..... Hell maybe he fired a missle at the man already and it's already over with and I can go back to my ship."

 

Jess checked her Omni-Tool for sign's of a disturbance at the Audron's dock and, finding none, sucked air between her teeth. "Damn it...... Why can't things ever be easy?........ Alright then, save the Spectre it is!"

 

"Let's hope we're not getting there to pick up pieces.  Manej is an accomplished salarian assassin who also worked for, and still may work with, the STG.  He'll get closer than most, especially on Omega."  Morgan checked his omni-tool for any message back from Androkan.  There was none. "Sonofa...He hasn't responded yet.  Where is he anyway and how can we get to him quickly?"

[Terca]

Manej entered Kyrgis like any other customer, searching for a turian matching the description he received of Deidrus Androkan. The place was sufficiently crowded that the salarian wasn’t noticed. It didn’t take long for Manej to spot Androkan, sitting at a table, eating and drinking. The target had been smart enough not to sit at the bar, or leave his back exposed, but it was little defense against an opponent who could not be seen.

Quick assessments raced through the salarians trained mind. He watched the crowd movement, examined the lighting, other potential muscle in the establishment, and anyone who might have been trouble once shots were fired. Sure there was no other threat than Androkan himself, Manej began to make decisions about the best way to put him down. It was based on whether he would shoot first, or make the target vulnerable before the killing blow. While the second method risked a response from the target, Manej was no stranger to the danger a veteran Armiger posed. The armor was the largest problem, not only protective but also providing a high degree of mobility.

A seasoned assassin, Manej was equipped to deal with the situation. Loaded within Manej’s omni-tool were programs designed to drain the energy from an enemy, ruining his technical functions and adding the capabilities to Manej’s own suit. His weapon of choice, the Scorpion, provided the benefit of not needing to be perfectly accurate, provided the target was unable to move quickly enough to avoid their delayed blast effect. The delay was also mitigated if the target didn’t understand the threat as well, which was likely the case with Androkan.

Before executing his plan, Manej made sure he had two plans for escape: one obvious and one less so. He would cover the second with another piece of ordinance he had brought for the mission. Undoubtedly, there would be additional casualties, but Manej had been given clearance for the collateral damage. It was part of the front. A message would be sent shortly after the assassination to implicate the corporation that Androkan himself had wronged in the past, and all blame, including the innocent loss of life, would be placed squarely upon Hahne-Kedar.

The time to execute had come. Manej walked towards Androkan, cloaking as two customers past in front of him. At point blank range, Manej unleashed the energy drain from his omni-tool, and then took his shot.

 

 

Energy drain is a pain in the ass to suffer regardless of what type of armor you have on. Usually it is something which forces you to retake cover and wait out the discharge of the shield capacitors. On armiger armor the same problem holds but it turns advanced armor into especially bulky normal armor. The main benefit of the rocket boosters to provide mobility is lost, and with that one of the main combat advantages. As such, when an Armiger is drained of shields the first thing the suit's HUD tells them is the direction of electromagnetic force and to put something between you and it. The drill for this is drilled 'till instinct and reflex.

 

Because of this when Deidrus heard the warning call echo in his suit (since his helmet wasn't on) the thing echoing through his mind was to put up a wall. Unfortunately what would have to suffice was a table. Bringing his arms down as quickly as he could on the end of the table the food and drink pitched with the force, his body keeling down at the same time to try and reduce his exposed area. As one of the scorpion shots impacted the underside on parallel to where Deidrus' chest would have been the Turian took a deep breath, his ears trained to the slow pitch-up of the round, his mind immediately screaming explosive.

 

The scorpion round detonated, blasting the table and several nearby customers.  For Deidrus, the cover had done its job, saving him though it demolished the table.  Others caught in the blast weren't so lucky; they were either severely wounded or killed outright.  Manej quickly shot twice more, but with Androkan fully aware now, the turian was able to avoid a direct hit and the scorpion rounds landed in the back of the seat where he once was.  By the time the second and third rounds detonated, panic had ensued in Kyrgis.

 

For Manej, his window of opportunity had closed.  It was now his job to get out undetected.  The tactical cloak was down and he blended into the crowd as a fleeing customer.  While the quickest exit was out the front, too many people were heading that direction.  Manej opted for the few who fled to the rear exit, and once outside, would deploy his proximity mine after putting some distance between himself and any potential pursuer.  That, at least was the plan and Manej moved to the back of Kyrgis, acting as if he was in fear for his life.

 

Androkan scanned the civilians for the his would be killer.  Blood was slick on the floor nearby and several innocents struggled with their wounds.  Of the others that tried to leave, most were bottlenecking at the front while a smaller group moved out to the back exit.

 

The Turian faintly heard the tone from his omni-tool as he tried to shake the ringing out of his ears from the set of explosions. He glanced to it and shook his head before opening comms with Morgan. As he did so avian eyes moved from the front entrance to the rear exit and made a snap decision to move through the back. Hiding in a crowd only worked so well and someone was bound to notice the assassin that had appeared out of nowhere.

 

"Morgan, this is Androkan. Your Salarian friend has already made his attempt and has probably escaped the building. I'm making chase." He kept the line open as he dashed for the back and pushed through the patrons, helmet reattached with a snapping click. His HUD lit up in front of him and shield signatures lit up on the people around him. Spike... Spike... One set of shields would be overcharged from the drain and he cursed the lag time on shields calculations before a Salarian leaving view had too-high shield readings. There's the bastard.

[Terca]

It didn't take long for Manej to realize that the Turian had made chase. Nobody had called out after him, Deidrus and the Salarian knew better than that but the audible armored footfalls of a determined stride made it clear that the operative was not on his own. Deidrus was carrying the heavier weight but was trained for this and could keep up this pace for just as long as the Salarian. He didn't have access to the rockets yet as he was making sure that the capacitors were on full. The Salarian could try to drain the shields again but overloading his own barrier generator would sooner kill him. It was a waiting game for Deidrus, an escape attempt for Manej.

 

Because of this, the Salarian had the ball in his court, but not for long. The area closest to the mining facilities was much more heavily regulated than the deep dregs of the station. It was cleaner, more sensible in layout, and much better lit to prevent any of the gangs from trying to set up operations close to Aria's main clean money flow. To facilitate this each of the alleys only had two entrances, which were at either end to prevent people from moving without being noticed.

 

As they ran the Salarian threw on a Tactical cloak to try and obscure the route he took. He dashed sideways and to an entrance on the opposite side from where the two had been skirting the wall. He was far enough away that as the tech took effect Deidrus lost sight of the Salarian for a moment while he tried to continue the chase. He was about to curse aloud when the capacitor in his suit charged and primed.

 

Electrostatics. He though to himself with a snarl muffled by his helmet as he brought up his omni-tool in the general direction of where the operative had leaped before the cloak fully took effect and allowed the overload shock to travel through the air towards the largest charge source: The Salarian's shields. The glint of electric arcs told the veteran all he needed to know as the Salarian's cloak forced to shields to stop recharging. A quiet oath could be heard from the half-gloom as the Salarian used his last-ditch tool, a proximity mine at the front of the alley he was ducking into.

 

The chase was already over at that point, however, and even as a few rounds from the Scorpion littered the ground for good measure the Armiger sailed over the explosive range of the munitions with a power leap and landed right in front of the retreating Salarian. Whipping around with a backhand and his hydraulics creaking with force a gauntlet impacted the Salarians right shoulder forcing him to drop the gun. Before Manej could squeal in pain Deidrus followed through with his other hand to grab him by the neck and slam the Salarian into the wall with the force of a Justicar's biotic throw.

 

Choking noises filled the near-silence of the alleyway as the Assassin made a futile attempt to escape the iron grip of the Turian who was unrelenting with the pressure. Deidrus lifted off his helmet with one hand to make sure the soon-to-be-dead-man would be able to see his eyes. An evil grin caused his mandibles to flare while his head tilted, a low snarl escaping from between his lips.

 

"I know your kind won't speak." Deidrus said coolly, his head shaking side to side slowly. "There's no point trying to pull the truth from you. But for trying to kill me and compromise the mission... Your end must be drawn out."

 

The Salarian thought it a bluff, that the Turian would try and force him to speak. Oh how wrong he was.

 

Deidrus pulled out his Paladin and fired all three shots into the lower gut of the Salarian ignoring the blood staining his armor. The strong rounds pulverized Manej's insides but that was not the end of it. When the thermal clip was ejected Deidrus dropped the handgun and caught the red-hot clip in his armored hand. Before the Salarian could make any comment Deidrus growled something unintelligible before slamming the red-hot munitions right into the vocalization orifice in the top of the Salarian's head, forcing it right near the brain. A look of impossible agony crossed the eyes of the adversary as the Turian dropped him to the floor, blood seeping into the ground and the scent of burning flesh and gore rising into the air as a man died an excruciating death.

 

Deidrus spat on the corpse.

[Redbelle]

Anika's eye's fluttered shut and she took a deep breath. She could picture the scene where Naleena had taken her and tried to conjure an exact replica in her mind.

 

Nothing seemed to be happening.

 

She wondered what, if anything she was doing wrong. But then pictured her huntress from a time long ago.

 

Walking into that sparring room she was always in the same pose. Cross legged on the floor, still and serene. Almost like she was sleeping while holding herself aloft. Walking closer would however always result in the same. Her eye's would remain shut but she would greet her..... only one time, a technician had gone in before her and her huntress had snapped at him to get out without ever actually looking at him. He'd scurried away, the commanding tone driving him out and once the door had shut her huntress would open her eye's and focus on her, like she was the only thing.

 

Ready to continue your lessons?

 

Anika would nod.

 

Not with a mind so full of noise. Sit and be still for a moment.

 

The lesson then, as it was now, was to be a quiet thing. To stop trying. Perhaps if she stopped, it would begin of it's own accord. Anika let out a breath and tried to stop thinking. Her breathing slowed. Her mind went dark an occasional flash of something appearing to distract her. She picked at those flashes, scurtinised them for the memories they were and put them away till only darkness remained.

 

Nearly darkness.

 

She could see stars!

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena saw a look of peace appear on Anika's face and knew she found the space. She would have a place she could go and meditate if she chose. Naleena had thought that her lot in life was to do horrible things, and that was the only way she was going to be able to get through it. Today, she had saved over 320 humans. Her concern was for these people. The brutal Naleena was conflicted, but she was not under contract. She was not the weapon. Was this the real Naleena? She didn't know who she was anymore. She had lived the life of her father, but today felt the concerns of her mother. That was from where her "code" came: her mother. She was the sole surviving daughter of her family line. The meld called many of her beliefs into doubt. Her mind swirled and processed the meld. Anika. She knew that she would have to let Anika live her life with Jess and do what she wanted, but she felt something, a connection she hadn't felt in centuries. And she wanted more, but something held her back.  

 

Don't fall for her, they take her away. They always take them away.... No! This one is different. Be patient. Protect her..... But you tried to protect the others. You failed. They took them.... They paid with their lives, all of them.... But it was too late. They already took them.... They were after me, not them! ... They took the others anyway.... They will not take Anika! She has Jess and me. We can protect her.... You will fail. You always fail.... No! Not this time! Anika is not a helpless maiden!

 

She made her decision. They would meld again. Now if she could get immunity for her services on this mission perhaps....

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

During the night VERA received a call from Anotaria Industries about the nature of the ship that was for sale. Since she had been connected to Jess’ omni-tool during the time that Jess was on board the Collector vessel, VERA downloaded a small sample of the information collected during the battle including pictures of some of the aliens from her omni-tool and forwarded them to Anotaria Industries as a sample over a secure channel. She received a reply of interest that Naleena would be receiving a call from the CEO in the morning.

[Cainhurst Crow]

"During the year 494 BCE, the councils formation and rapid expansion lead to a crisis period for many races throughout the galaxy. This period is known collectively as the great upheaval, as it ushered great social, economic, political, and philosophical change within almost every race contacted as they dealt with the revelation that they were not alone in the galaxy. Some of the most influential individuals and organizations of the time, such as asari specist philosopher Marana Drovalo, The Batarian Pash sect of the Church of the Pale Vagabond, and the Center of Species Sentience Designation for Salarian Populations Across Terrestrial Bodies, soon began to fall out of favor as their highly species centric views fell out of favor for more cosmopolitan stances. Such as the..."

 

Vayne hummed slightly to the classical electronic music playing in the background of his audio script from his omnitool, only playing in his comms to prevent it from disturbing anyone else nearby. Vayne had decided that once they had left the bar, and once jess had sent her message to morgan, that he rather would like to check out this ambrosia place. Perhaps it was the drinks in him doing the thinking, given that they were now making him feel a bit light headed, but getting a better and less deadly quality of alcohol in him sounded like it'd really hit the spot.

 

He hadn't thought he'd been out long, deciding one of the books he never got to read would make a good soundtrack for his search. And "The History of Council Space" as narrated by famous drell actor Markan Phimaran, seemed like a good choice at the time. Now however he was onto the near start of the rachni war, and that meant he'd been wandering towards the upper side of omega from the slums with no luck for a good while now. Still, there was something about just walking through the crowds, that was a big improvement over staying in the dive bar earlier. Probably the feeling of a stabbing or mugging being likely, and not imminent.

 

"...where the heck is this place?" Vayne wondered to himself as he finally stopped, opening his omnitool to try and access his map tool. With only the name to go on, it was a bit more difficult and ambrosia was apparently the name of multiple establishments, in different languages, and half of them being bars. "This is a lot of work just to get a decent ryncol." he muttered to himself as he moved off towards the side of the street traffic.

 

From a distance, glaring at the krogan, was a vorcha. It's face was heavily bruised on one side, one eye shut as the darkish purple discoloration blended into its dark tattoo markings. It snarled, showing off a row of gaped teeth, some of them chipped while there were teeth blatantly missing from its maw. In its hand was a blood pack pistol, which it held at the ready as two more not damaged vorcha flanked him from either side. A large krogan, 7 feet tall in black medium grade armor with a bright red skull painted on the shoulder, a fist forming the mouth, stood just behind them. He had two shotguns magnetically attached to his thighs, both of them bearing the grey and red paintjob of ERCS's old line of Hurricane shotgun, though even folded it was easy to tell they had been modified, two large sections of the gun over the generators were wielded off and looked out of place. His red eyes followed the vorcha's gaze, dark grey headplate standing tall from his yellow scaled skin.

 

"That the one?" he asked in a low rumbling voice, looking at vayne from accross the street as the injured vorcha snarled, sounding a bit whistling with its new dental work.

 

"That is him. He kill Vas, killed Faal. Took suit rat from us." He snarled in anger, spittle coming from his mouth as vayne continued to stay on his omnitool, looking through the locations listed as he searched for the correct ambrosia.

 

"Right then," The krogan said as he rolled his neck, cracking it loudly as he brought his hands down to grip the modified shotguns at his side. "Lets show him what happens when you **** with the blood pack."

[Kel Riever]

Previously...( http://forum.bioware...res/?p=16649457 )

 

Earth, New York City

 

Officer Richards got back up to his desk after a lengthy workout and shower at the precinct gym.  It was pushing dinnertime and he wanted to see what his assignment had been keeping herself busy with.  The C-Sec detective was sitting where Richards’ former had before he was injured on assignment.  The computer screen was on, and the detective leaned back in the swivel chair, rotating a datapad deftly between her two index fingers.

 

Molly Hagen was easy on the eyes.  She had let down her brown hair and taken off her raincoat.  The detective wore a typical navy business suit, inexpensive, but tailored well to her petite figure.  Richards stole a few extra seconds looking at her while she stared off into space in thought, and then he coughed and brought up his own computer screen.

 

Hagen rolled her glance steadily towards him, studying him in a different way for a pause.  “Pete,” she addressed Richards in an informal tone, “Are you a family man?”

 

Richards smirked, “Two daughters, four and two.  And a crazy wife who chases them around all day long.  She’s not happy with the extra hours I'm putting in.”

 

“What’s your impression of the Severns?”

 

“I’m not supposed to say, that’s your job,” Richards deflected poorly.  He knew Hagen wasn’t going to be dissuaded by his official required response.  “But since you are the kind of person who’s going to eventually get it out of me, I’d say they know nothing.  You were there. Did they look like they had any idea of what we were speaking about?”

 

“About The Shadow Broker and the possible connection.”

 

“Right.”  Richards snorted a laugh. “At least that.  Mom’s a bookworm librarian, the son is a child in a grown up’s clothes still reading comics, and the daughter…well, she looks like she’s going places.  Really a shame about her illness.”

 

Molly raised an eyebrow. “I don’t get time to read them but I used to be a huge comic fan.”

 

Pete retreated, “Sure, me too.  You know, growing up.  But…we have careers, more important things to do.”  Then he was almost apologetic, “Hey, you asked me my impression.”

 

“I did,” Hagen acquiesced.  She placed the datapad on the desk and folded her fingers together.  “You don’t have to be here, Pete.  You can go home.”

 

“Nah, it’s fine.  We’re overloaded here as it is.  Being a C-Sec keeper sets me back, but I can’t say it hasn’t been fun.”

 

“Fun?”

 

“Fun, well, whatever.  Stupid joke.  I just mean it’s fine.”

 

The detective watched Richards in a way he wasn’t particularly fond of.  He put his stare back to his computer and worked on one of the reports he was late with.

 

“The money comes in,” Hagen went on, apparently oblivious to Richards’ reaction, “And sets off all the red flags.  Even though up to this point, the Severns seem to be bankrolled comfortably with funds that haven’t shown up on anybody’s radar.  Well, until we looked into it.  Morgan’s getting paid to do something out there, but the funds don’t look illegitimate.  If someone is so skilled moving money, why does he make such a big mistake?”

 

“It happens,” Richards threw out to Hagen.  “That’s how criminals get caught.  They get overconfident and one day they blow it.  They do it to themselves.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Pete stopped typing.  “But you don’t think so.”

 

“No I don’t.”  Molly picked up her datapad and examined it again.  “I think someone’s trying to send a message.”

 

Richards frowned, “What message?”

 

“I think the Severns are in danger.” 

[Terca]

Deidrus returned to the Audron post-haste after leaving the Salarian's skull to cook with the heat of the thermal clip. He was a bit miffed to say the least for being targeted by someone for a hit. There weren't a lot of people who would go that far to try and kill a Spectre... But he wasn't going to waste time thinking about that. He decided that he wasn't going to look for answers the second he fired the shots from his handgun.

 

The first person he ran into was Eteon who was wandering about the CIC with little purpose. Immediately he asked her to send out a general message to the members of the Audron's crew that there had been an attempted hit and they should take caution while walking about the station. The Salarian was probably just targeting the commander but it was better safe than sorry, as a human might say.

[Kel Riever]

First Officer Tullian was on the CIC deck when Androkan came aboard, effectively relieving him of command.  He was about to step down and go meet the Captain when Aelias, the comms specialist on duty, called to get his attention.

 

Commander Tullian, mail message sent for you marked as priority. While I have checked to make sure it is safe to open, the sender is unknown and I have not been able to trace its point of origin.”

 

“Highly irregular,” Tullian commented.  He was about to delay.  Tullian had suspicions on some prank being pulled, maybe by the pirate who had come on board, and reaching Deidrus for an update was more important.  But he changed his mind.  “You can’t tell anything about it?  And you are positive it is safe to read?”

 

“Checked with precision, sir.”

 

“Put it to my omni-tool.”

 

Aelias nodded and transferred the message, whereupon Tullian opened it:

 

To:  The acting captain of the Audron

 

From:  Hahne-Kedar

 

We remember illegal actions taken against our enterprise.  Perhaps next time The Council will consider a more civil course of negotiation instead of losing your Spectres as a consequence of inappropriate destruction of our property.

 

Tullian felt his anger rising and forwarded the message immediately to Androkan.  Then he stormed out of the CIC to see the Captain in person.

[Terca]

Seeing the normally level Tullian stalk out of the bridge forced a Spectre's brow to raise as he looked at the message his first mate had sent him. He glanced over the short message and tilted his head before letting out a long sigh and closing his omni-tool. So they finally caught up to me. Not as if they had a right to send a hit for what I did.

 

He was interested, but more fearful of, how they managed to find who he was. His tracks were covered by the employer meaning that it would be damn near impossible for someone to try and lean on him. Except, if the employer decided to just hand out who did it... Or this was a bluff and misdirection... And both of them would look damn near the same for their intent.He didn't like this at all but it was unlikely he would be able to force out any information at this time. Either the Broker was playing 'games' or someone leaked things to the Human Corporation. Neither was nice.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan picked up his Phalanx.  “I don’t want to know what Iyana does to clear the place of locals but let’s hope we can get a pickup.”  He called for an X3M air car taxi using his omni-tool.  It didn’t take long for the taxi to arrive by autopilot.  The three quickly got in and by then, the Audron had answered Morgan’s request for Androkan’s location; the turian was at a bar called Kyrgis, close to the Spectre’s frigate but far from them.

 

As the air car got under way, a message came through to Morgan directly from Deidrus by audio: “Morgan, this is Androkan. Your salarian friend has already made his attempt and has probably escaped the building. I'm making chase."

 

“The assassin failed,” Morgan passed along to Jess and Dahlia, “The Spectre’s going after him.  It’ll be over before we get there.”

 

“For who?” Stone asked.

 

“We’ll see.”

 

Dahlia was silent in the back of the car.  Morgan looked over to Jess, “We were lucky.  You hit Iyana.  That’s near impossible.  She underestimated you and didn’t expect anyone to come with me.  That avenue could have been covered by any number of her agents.”

 

Jess grinned broadly.

 

Morgan felt drawn to Jess’ charisma, aside from the bravado and silver tongue meant to pull people to her desires.  He turned away quickly, before staring too long and his mind went to Jen, Keith and his mother.  The meeting didn’t go as planned, but not in the way Stone would probably thought it went wrong.  She was talking, but Morgan was tuned out as his set jaw and hard look hid the worried thoughts of his family.  He opened his mouth to speak as he suddenly felt the need to explain himself to Jess, but then remembered Dahlia was in the car.

 

“What?” Jess wondered as she caught his expression.

 

Morgan spun his head in Stone’s direction, finding his gaze gravitating to the eye that wasn’t silver.  “Nothing,” was all he responded with.

 

Stone was about to pry when the X3M moved on final approach to Kyrgis.  Saved by the bell, Morgan told himself, while the three checked their weapons and readied themselves for trouble.  As soon as the air car touched down, Jess, Dahlia and Morgan got out and moved towards the bar.  Aria’s enforcers were there, calming people down, and generally putting order in place.  Despite the crowds, there was nothing to be determined from the front of the establishment, and as entry was being denied to everyone, the three went around to an alley at the back of Kyrgis.  From there, it became apparent what had happened.  They found the location of the body, which was Menaj’s, in a pool of blood, being carried away by the enforcers.  Anything the assassin might have left behind was confiscated.  Androkan was nowhere to be seen.

 

“Already back at the ship, I’d guess,” Morgan speculated.  He looked at Jess and Dahlia.  “Well, at least it wasn’t Deidrus’ corpse being lifted away.”

 

Jess, Dahlia and Morgan headed back to the Audron.

[Terca]

Deidrus retired to his chambers at the top of the ship, the secondary combat control area. From there the main flight systems could be accessed and override those from the front cockpit and most the non-parallel fighting systems were controlled from here. It was almost always empty except from one arms officer should there be a sudden attack with two reserves in closer decks. He inclined his head to the woman on duty before walking through a connected hallway into his personal quarters. As far as he knew none of the aliens had decided to come up to this deck and he was happy for that. He enjoyed quiet every once in a while.

 

Once he was in his room he realized he still had his armor on from earlier. Letting out a low sigh of contempt for his own forgetfulness he pulled off the battered equipment trying to keep the Salarian gore from coming in contact with the floor. He inspected a gash in the chestpiece of the armor and found that the outer composite layers had experienced some 'peppering' and was critically compromised. He would need to get an armorer to look into fixing up the equipment before the next firefight.

 

With his equipment off he moved to a chute which acted as a bellhop when he needed nourishment for long planning sessions and sent the armor down to the cargo bay for pickup. He didn't leave any notice that the armor should be repaired, any recruit should know that the damage sustained, while not singularly dangerous, could lead to a significant structural issue. With the soft sliding noise of the platform descending through the ship behind him he strode to his desk and sat down. He took a minute or two to clear his mind and then lifted his omni-tool, all the aliens and higher-ranking members of the ship on comms.

 

"The Collector ship was neutralized along with a large group of Collectors, definitely a success for us. I want all my techs that were looking at the ship back onboard ASAP, for the rest in ranking positions or part of our specially put together crew, we have things to discuss as to where to move to next in this mission. I have a contact on Illium related to the Suns which may be able to bring us more info about their movements with the Collectors. I am open to other suggestions and depending on what we find from the ship the potential for more options opens to us."

 

He cut off the connection without much ceremony before standing and moving to his wardrobe to put on some lighter Turian dregs. He eyed the casual wear and just pulled a black shirt and pants with a quarter-cape. With the clothing on he walked from his room towards the main area of 2C and looked out the main monitor set at the space beyond Omega. Just where will this road take us...?

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

During the night VERA received a call from Anotaria Industries about the nature of the ship that was for sale. Since she had been connected to Jess’ omni-tool during the time that Jess was on board the Collector vessel, VERA downloaded a small sample of the information collected during the battle including pictures of some of the aliens from her omni-tool and forwarded them to Anotaria Industries as a sample over a secure channel. She received a reply of interest that Naleena would be receiving a call from the CEO in the morning.

 

(Several hours later)

 

Naleena’s omni-tool vibrated, and she awoke. Anika was lying in bed next to her. It was VERA.

 

“You have a call from Matriarch Alestia,” VERA announced, “You sound groggy. Do you want me to speak with her for a few minutes?”

 

“Would you please? But don’t waste her time. Give her some more technical data while I splash some water on my face,” Naleena said and she kissed Anika, and rolled out of bed, walked over to her wet bar and used the tap for some water. She threw on her black silk robe, and made herself a cup of tea in her microwave. Then she sat in her recliner, lit a cigarette, and took the call.

 

“Matriarch Alestia, thank you for returning my call,” Naleena said.

 

“My pleasure.  Your assistant has shown me some very interesting things while you’ve been waking up,” she said, “and don’t deny it. She told me, but thankfully she didn’t waste my time either.”

 

“This is an intact Collector ship. No one has had their hands on one before. You will be the first, if you can come up with the necessary funds,” Naleena said, and she rolled the ashes off her cigarette.

 

“How much are you asking?” the Matriarch asked.

 

“I have two shares for sale right now, and will most likely have a third for sale in a few hours.”

 

“What good is this deal without all the shares?”

 

“There are only three shares. Trust me, this is going to work. There are certain politics that need to be satisfied before that third share will change hands properly, and they will be satisfied, that I can guarantee.”

 

“Who is the third party?”

 

“More like who will be the third party? That would be telling, Alestia. Suffice it to say the Kings and Queens are involved and leave it at that,” Naleena took a drag off her cigarette. “And I even have the go ahead for a military escort…, Asari Navy.”

 

“Are you smoking again?”

 

“You’re stalling. Make me an offer, or we go to the Turians.”

 

“Alright! 300 million CR each for the two shares.”

 

“Alestia, you insult me. This is alien technology the likes of which you’ve never seen. It’s Collector tech. 550 million each and not a credit less,” Naleena said. Anika began stirring.

 

“You’re going to make me go broke, Naleena. Let’s split the difference, then, 425 million credits each share,” Alestia said.

 

“Did you get that VERA? 425 million credits each share,” Naleena asked.

 

“Affirmative, boss,” VERA replied.

 

“VERA has the transaction and contract details for the two parties. This includes exactly how and where the funds need to be deposited. She’s very efficient,” Naleena said.

 

“It’s been a pleasure doing business, but I’m sure we’ll be in touch in a few hours.”

 

“I’m sure we will. Meanwhile, you go ahead and have one of your subordinates make a press leak so your stocks go up and you can recover the credits you just spent,” Naleena laughed, “It was good doing business with you.”

 

VERA had instructions from Naleena to send Morgan’s share of 400 million CR directly to his family. There was a particular way they needed to be routed and a certain bank in which they needed to be deposited. They would not be in Morgan’s name, but rather that of a member of his family. Anika had left her own set of instructions that were followed to the letter. Naleena's 6% brokerage fee was deducted from each. (I'm using this because it's the standard real estate commission. People in the MEU would be accustomed to a brokerage fee. She did after all got the s*** beat out of her to make this deal happen.)

 

The only parties that remained were Jess and Aria. Jess should know the worth of her share. Aria should pay her 425 million. I know Aria has the credits. She won’t like it, but she’ll pay.”

 

Naleena disconnected, and turned to Anika. “How does it feel to be 400 million credits richer?”

[Redbelle]

Anika opened an eye. "Sounds like you can come over here so I can express my thanks". She said, a smile curling on her face. "Sorry. Light sleeper". Getting up and stretching her arms over her head with a yawn she padded over and stood behind Naleena. Her hands folding around her from behind the chair. "Thank you". She whispered. "I wish I could spend more time with you..... but I think we're going to be missed if we don't get back out there".

 

Her lip's brushed the side of her crest and they stayed there, her breath hot against Naleena's skin. "That said, I think we should celebrate the sale" she said impishly. Wtih a hand on Naleena's shoulder she moved around and threw a leg over her, straddling her and the chair. "You've earned it". Anika breathed, as she gently took hold of Naleena's chin with one hand and brought her forward.

[Redbelle]

Jess pace was no nonsense as she strode onto the Audron, passing the OOD as she did. "Jess Stone, plus Morgan Wassisface and Dahlia Witheradee. Their with me". She announced, holding an arm up to deflect him out of her way as she went aboard. "Don't argue! They're with me, end of. Just note it in the log. Gotta a situation in my quarters"! She called back over her shoulder.

 

And so it went on, Morgan and Dahlia trying to keep up as Jess hurried through the Audron so fast that she bumped into practically eveyone who didn't move out of her way in time. Getting a gruff, "S'cuse me". In response. Finally they were standing outside of two large double sliding doors as Jess tapped in her pass code muttering. "Please let it be alright. Pleasepleaseplease. Pleeeeease"!

 

The door's opened and Jess flew inside to a room that looked more like a small apartment than a ship's cabin. Jess jumped over the coffee table, littered with items that were still wrapped in Omegian packageing, next to the corner couch and stopped at a stove. She reached down and turned off the heating coil before she started to unseal the lid. "Finger's crossed luv's"! Jess said as she tore the lid off and peered inside.

 

She looked in for a long moment as steam arose obscuring her vision, then reaching over she took a flask from the counter, tipped it inside to pour water inside before taking a spoon and mixing it with the pan's contents. Then she reached for a bowl and with the same spoon brought it out and upended the contents. Stopping only to do the same thing with another bowl. That done, she picked up both and turned back to her guests, thrusting the bowls into their hands. "Bon'appetit". She said grinning. "Chilli like my mother used to make. Near thing but I think we saved it. Spoons are......". Jess began to say, then paused as he face went slack, then went taunt as if remembering some important detail.

 

"Spoon's". Jess said sighing. "Forgot the bloody spoons. Okay, wait there"!

 

Jess disappeared out the door, and was gone for a minute leaving Dahlia and Morgan looking at their bowls.

 

Dahlia asked nervously. "Did..... Is this?..... Do you think this is safe to eat"?

 

Morgan looked at her,  then down at the bowl and raised it to his lips. Bringing it back down he smacked his lips in satisfaction. "Maybe less spice but I'll say". Was his answer as Jess reappeared carrying several piece's of cutlery.

 

"Those Turians! I swear, they probably courtmarshal their officier's if their underwear isn't properly ironed and folded. You take a few piece's a cutlery and your......". She paused as she saw Morgan had already started and sighed. "Why do I even bother". Walking over she thrust the implement's into their bowls. "More where that came from luvs. Enjoy. Now where's Anika gone off to"?

[Redbelle]

Anika's face was a mask of pained bliss as she rode Naleena with easy grace. Trying to hold off the inevitable for as long as she could when the comm in Naleena's quarter's blared to life.

 

"Will the Blonde bint who nearly let the Chilli burn report to where she's ought to be before I find her and kick her arse from one end of the ship to oth.....".

 

Another voice broke in on the comm.

 

"Captain Stone.... please don't hack the intercom. And please refrain from making any more announcements".

 

"Aelias luv! That you"?

 

A long sigh. "How did you break our system"?

 

"Oh I'd never do that luv.... Imagine all the paperwork you'd have to file detailing the nature of the incident"!

 

"Captain Stone".

 

"Silver".

 

"Captain Silver, please get off this....".

 

"You know we're still broadcasting luv"?

 

"What? I..... That shouldn't be poss..... I didn't....."!

 

"Might be on my end. Give me a minute I'll fix it here. Meanwhile if Blondy.... And you know who you are..... Want's to let me know where she's been while I was being mauled by a Varren, I'm back in our quarter's with a an Asari. As if that wasn't incentive".

 

Anika looked down at Naleena whose eye's were swirled with blackness.

 

So close.

 

Anika reached out her arm and activated her Omnitool behind her head, uncomfortably aware that she was smothering Naleena before she brought her other arm back. "Jess.... I'll be right there..... I need five.....".

 

"Ten". Naleena interrupted.

 

"Ten minutes......". She said before looking down at the pieces of her armour. "Maybe fifteen".

 

The response was a long pause. "Huh. Better make it twenty luv..... Ahh, here we go. Just a stray program in the comm server. Now how do you suppose that got the.......".

 

The line went dead and Anika looked down at Naleena who looked up at Anika.

 

"Twenty minutes.......".

 

"We can do it"!

 

Their lips dove towards the others.