6315 réponses à ce sujet

[Redbelle]

In Jess's room, Dahlia sat on the couch with her leg's crossed gobbling up the Chilli Jess had made. "This is good"! Jess smiled as she upended another helping into a bowl for herself and joined Morgan and Dahlia on the couch. "I shouldn't eat anymore though". She claimed as she made to set the bowl down. "Naleena's probably looking for me".

 

"Sit down and eat girl". Jess said pointing her utensil at her. "I garantee, you interrupt her in the next twenty minutes and your backside will be floating home".

 

"I don't have a home". Came the sulky response.

 

"Luv..... Home's change all the time. And the sooner you start making this ship home the better. After all, this is a home cooked meal your eating". Jess took a bite and chewed before gulping the mouthful down. "You'll settle luv. And the less time it takes the more comfortable you'll be. So why draw it out"?

[Kel Riever]

Morgan felt the whole sweep of events that took him from the air car to sitting on the couch in Jess’ cabin left him out of sorts, but he was famished.  Half way through the bowl he didn’t say a word more, then he noticed Dahlia glancing at his arm.  Morgan, in his distraction, forgot that he had been hit by the batarian manriki, a predecessor to the submission nets they now used, meant to restrict movement, inflict pain and threaten their targets with death if they tried to escape.  He examined the arm that had been hit, the same that held the bowl of chili.  The burn scars from the manriki cables wrapped in a pattern around his forearm plates and the rivulets of blood had dried running towards his palm.  Overall, it was a painful image.

 

“Right, home,” Morgan said as the conversation drifted to Dahlia’s lack of one. “Not to eat and run, but I’ve got to check in on some things.  Maybe see a turian medic, maybe Androkan.  This suit needs help.”  Morgan still had plates and markings from the Blue Suns spread over his Predator armor.  He looked around at the rather spacious cabin for a ship and noticed the array of items mid-way to being unpacked.  Undoubtedly, the room would appear much more extravagant when everything was finished. 

 

A flash of Iyana’s face, pristine and then twisting into a hideous expression passed through Morgan’s imagination.  Her desire for meticulousness and extravagance, but only at the expense of another, was foremost in his mind when he feared for his family at home.  Morgan didn’t expect Jess, Dahlia, or anyone to be aware of that.  How could he blame anyone for trying to help?

 

Morgan stood and placed his bowl down on the nearby table.  “I appreciate everything.  Maybe we can catch up in a bit.  Once this shell I’m wearing is hung up.”

[Terca]

The Commander of the ship took a lift down to the Cargo Hold to meet with a couple of techs that had just arrived back from the Collector ship. They seemed a bit irritated as they started placing their equipment in their lockers. Of the four only one noticed Deidrus approach bowing slightly to the Spectre, the others following suit shortly after.

 

"How was the analysis of the ship?" He knew the techs would be regurgitating the information for the next day and a bit and felt for them but the information was necessary all the same. Decisions needed to be made sooner than later and the threat a collector vessel might pose must be quantified.

 

The techs all looked to each other for a moment before one of them stepped forward and spoke up.

 

"The construction of the ship is irregular and non-symmetrical, composed of irregular materials ranging from metals to crystalline structure and what appear to be meteor fragments. The crystalline material is used to fuse together the rocky components while the metals comprise most the integral systems of the ship. Targeting, weapons, all are metal." This Turian lifted his arm to show a scan of the inside of a corridor, the rocky composition making the walls irregular and bulbous in places. "Whatever shipyard being used to compose these must be in space near an asteroid belt because the largest rocky pieces weigh several hundred tonnes."

 

What? They're using metal-rich meteors for construction?

[Kel Riever]

Piercing blue eyes shot upwards to touch pale, lightly fluttering, long lashed lids.  Thin, beautiful lips parted in a silent gasp.  The orange, artificial light of Omega cast down upon the figure near the top of one of its hard wrought industrial buildings.  It trembled, then sagged as it paused in its effort.

 

“Oh, Maugrim, what did that mongrel sl*t do to you?”  A tear ran down Iyana’s alabaster cheek.  One hand held her wounded foot while the other lifted a pair of magnetic forceps from her compact medical kit.  The forceps were bloody, and held a deformed fragment of the executioner pistol’s round that had broken through her biotic barrier, to rend her extremity.  Iyana studied the crimson slicked piece that she had removed as if it was a precious treasure.  Then she tossed it away.

 

The violet dress was ripped and Iyana’s foot was a ragged mess.  Though her wound wasn’t life threatening, it ruined her mobility and tending to it was agonizing.  Blood had soaked through what was left of her shoe to form a modest puddle in front of her, and some of the fragments that had been removed shone as they lay next to it.  The edge of Iyana’s mouth twitched into a curl, and then a sound began to work its way to the surface from within her.  It was a slight gurgle at first, which gradually became a steady bubbling.  Her body began to shake.  She threw her head back, and finally, unable to suppress it any longer, let the sound come out.

 

Iyana burst forth cackling, filling the air above the district of Omega with her peeling laughter.

 

At length, Iyana’s laughter subsided to a chuckle, and she used the minute, high powered communicator sewn into the dress collar to raise the Khukuri.

 

“Xhuan here,” came the familiar asari’s voice answering the hail.

 

“I will be returning shortly.  Prepare yourselves for my return.  There will be a list of demands when I am on board so I expect, as usual, all to be in order.”

 

“As you command.”  Xhuan hesitated briefly.  “I have unfortunate news.  Manej failed…and won’t be returning.”

 

Iyana felt her jaw tighten.  “I presume that the incompetent frog at least cleaned up after himself.”

 

“There is no evidence pointing back to The Shadow Broker.”

 

“Then Xhuan, I have some work for you to start immediately.”  The image of the woman who was with Morgan sprung to Iyana’s mind.  “Morgan was associated with a cur apparently named ‘Jess’.  She is likely associated with the Audron in some way.  I want you to gather every morsel of information about this human woman that you can find.  Stop at nothing.  Use every resource you have.  Do I make myself clear?”

 

“Abundantly so, my superior.”

 

“That’s my darling Xhuan.  I expect a full briefing the moment I am on board.  We are done for now.”

 

Iyana cut the com line and reexamined her foot.  She had saved the deepest piece of shrapnel for last.  Licking her lips, she dug the forceps into her foot once more.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena’s eyes had a black swirl in them and she gazed into Anika’s and she smiled like a maiden. It had been centuries since she felt this way. She took a deep breath. “Embrace eternity!”

 

Anika found herself with Naleena in a nature reserve on Sanves high up in the mountains. The view was spectacular with a waterfall nearby and jungle below them. Birds flew above and below them.

 

 

 

“I come here for the solitude sometimes when I’m on holiday. I’m nature lover. This is a nature preserve on Sanves,” Naleena said, “Asari huntresses game hunt in the jungles below, but what you’re seeing is in my mind. Hunting is strictly controlled to maintain animal populations. I’d like to take you here someday. I also game hunt for food aboard my shuttle. Rations get so horrid after a while.”

 

Anika was taken in by the beauty of the place. Naleena really has a soft side to her. More than expected. The fresh scent of the rainforest and sounds of wildlife filled the air.

 

Naleena took Anika’s hand and pulled her and took off running down a path into a grove. “Come on!” The path followed a stream. There were ferns and fallen logs with moss growing on them along the side of the path. Deer-like creatures could be seen off in the forest running away. Naleena kept running along the stream with Anika in tow. Noise of a waterfall grew, and they came to a cliff. Naleena stopped, looked down, grabbed Anika’s hand and jumped off the cliff into the pool of water below. It was deep, warm and refreshing. They were laughing. Naleena held Anika close inside of the meld, kissed her, and then released the meld. This meld was longer than the first.

 

Back in her quarters, only moments had passed. She kissed Anika and stroked her hair and her shoulders, and ended with her hands at her waist. “We need to get ready. Jess is waiting for us,” She said and kissed Anika again.

 

The two dressed. They walked across over to Jess’ cabin, and they entered.

 

Naleena saw the group enjoying bowls of chili. “Good morning. I hope all is well. I have some good news. Morgan, the transaction is completed. I had VERA send all of the funds to your family, and it was laundered through various channels making everything perfectly legal. There was a brokerage fee, and a 15% capital gains tax deducted and paid to the authorities, so everything is in order. They are, shall we say, filthy rich.

 

“And Jess, I think you should know that Matriarch Alestia paid 425 million credits per share. You should get that from Aria for yours. I’m sure she has the funds, if not the collateral to get instant approval for a loan for the funds. VERA can handle everything through the system. You’ll be meeting her shortly. That chili smells good.”

[Terca]

"As for propulsion it seems that they are using standard eezo FTL drives and some pseudo-organic substance to power a medium-sized rocket system in the rear of the ship. Nothing too interesting there and shield systems for the ship were generally weak. The most interesting component however was the weaponry."

 

A second turian stepped forward as the first stood back and he began his assessment. "What we could scavenge from the site proved interesting though Miss Stone's sabotage of cannons made it difficult to ascertain anything about the secondary battery. Most of the ship-based weapons were a beam type using the Urshakor effect. Standard heat-based laser and secondary heavy neutral-pion secondary emissions. Standard shields would be highly ineffective and current estimates put point-heat values in lethal ranges for standard equipment. If used in combat could be effective against virtually all types of standard non-composite armor with concentrated fire being able to shear through armor. We think those weapons are for point-defense systems based on their size and connection to major power lines. The main battery is probably composed of a similar style of tech though with the damage done to it there are few things which could be said beyond that. Point-temperatures may have exceeded 40 000 degrees standard but that is conjecture."

 

The Spectre shook his head as he listened to the armaments. Beam weaponry usually required ramp-up in capacitance before firing making smaller scale dense laser systems more effective against incoming missiles. If they could use 'heavy lasers' for that then they would be devastating in close combat.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Aria's  men had stepped up security around the Collector Ship taking over for the Turians.

[Redbelle]

Jess scooped more out and plated it out, handing one to Naleena. "Thanks luv. Glad your with us". She said before turning and handing another one to Anika. As she took the bowl Jess held onto it, studying her face. Anika looked at her quizzically.

 

"Something Captain"?

 

"Jess in the quarter's luv".

 

".....Something..... Jess"?

 

Jess shrugged. "Nice glow". Turning to Naleena she winked and turned back to the stove. "I overdid the amounts so I'll when your done I'll portion out and freeze the grub". Grabbing her own bowl off the counter she turned back to the other's. "Feel free to dip in.... I swear. That paste.....". Jess shuddered

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with Terca)

 

 

Morgan almost ran into Anika when he opened the door to leave Jess’ cabin.  He made way for the seven-foot tall woman by stepping back.  Naleena followed, immediately delivering the news of the completed transaction for the sale of the Collector ship.

 

At least Morgan knew it was news.  He heard something about the amount and a lot of words that had little meaning to him.  Morgan nodded appreciatively, and was more relieved that the account he had set up would trigger a look when the funds were received at that end.  The rest didn’t matter to him.

 

“Thank you.  It will mean a lot to them,” Morgan said, feeling like cardboard when he did.

 

The look he received from Naleena made him wonder if she thought he didn’t understand how much she had just done for him.  Though it was easily hidden from his face, Morgan was embarrassed that he probably didn’t.  He did his best to pretend that the reward didn’t make him feel like another curse would come with it.  Before he felt he’d give something away, Morgan left the cabin.

 

Contemplating if his best bet was to get out of his armor as he had planned, Morgan changed his mind when two turian shipmen passed him in the corridor.  He politely asked them where he could find Captain Androkan and they referred him to the cargo hold.  After receiving a short set of directions, Morgan moved through the Audron to finally get his audience with Deidrus.

 

When Morgan entered the cargo hold, he saw the Spectre immediately.  He was wrapping up a conversation with two techs and giving his approval to a quartermaster for some standard inventory check.  As Androkan walked away from the other crew, Morgan caught his attention.

 

“Deidrus.”  A few turians looked over at Morgan when he addressed the Spectre so informally.  “Pardon me, Captain Androkan.  It’s been a while.”

 

“Indeed it has, Morgan.  Or…Agent Severn. Is it still?”

 

Morgan cleared his throat.  “Up until today, it would have been.  I want to talk to you, about the assassination attempt.  And perhaps a few other things.”

 

“Let’s take a walk.”

 

Morgan fell in alongside Androkan, who began a slow pace through the interior of the ship.  Morgan felt odd, as if he were suddenly in the Alliance again, talking to a commanding officer he was on somewhat friendly terms with.  It wasn’t the reaction he had expected to have when he was finally able to have a moment with Deidrus.

 

“The Shadow Broker…became a conflict of interest,” Morgan started.  “I was pushed in a direction I didn’t want to go in.  That was, specifically, checking in on you.

 

Androkan’s eyes slipped sideways to peer at Morgan, but he said nothing and kept listening.

 

“Your ties to The Broker have been compromised,” Morgan continued.  “At least in the eyes of the person I answered to, though there’s no reason to believe she doesn’t act in The Shadow Broker’s behalf.  Apparently, placing the Council before The Broker was a problem.  I was asked to assess if that were true.  In the end, it didn’t matter.  The Broker was suspicious anyway.  Or my lack of total truth was seen through when I reported back that I found nothing wrong with your situation.  That assassin was sent for you, courtesy of The Shadow Broker.”

 

“Not Hahne-Kedar,”  Androkan realized.

 

Morgan nodded, “If there was a front posed, HK would make a perfect one.  But there wasn’t a tie in.  I have it on good faith.”  Morgan cautiously tried to read Deidrus before launching into the questions he had wanted answers to since he was interrogated on the Audron. "But Hahne-Kedar brings up something I don’t want to hold back about.  Are you the same person I worked with on Noveria?"

 

The turian commander let out a long breath through his nose at Morgan's words. He had known that eventually he would be forced to revisit the past in one way or another, the fact he couldn't put it off any longer still did not sit well with him. Especially when it was a member of the Shadow Broker's forces.

 

"Depends." Androkan said evasively. Playing dumb wouldn't help, he knew that much. "What part of Noveria are we talking about?" He turned to look Morgan directly in the face. "Convenient accidents in Hahne-Kedar's cyber-warfare development bureau? Rival factions of the Broker's forces needing to disappear?" He shook his head. "I did a lot of things. You will need to be more specific on what I was at the time."

 

Morgan halted to confront Deidrus.  "I'm talking about the destruction of a corporate facility that with no doubt led to the death of hundreds of civilian employees. The call you made that got them killed.  We aren't talking about Shadow Broker operatives here.  We're talking people who simply worked at a building on Noveria that was destroyed in a planned explosion.  You were responsible for that. You were the agent in charge, working for The Broker.

 

"What led you to that decision?  I was there, Deidrus, you know it as well.  I was assigned with your team to watch your back, and while I was there, while I was waiting like the rest of the team for the order to go in and execute the hit on your targets, that building blew with everyone in it.  Was it because it was easy?  Was it retribution?  What happened?”

 

Deidrus held his tongue for a moment while thinking of how best to justify 'just killing people'. He couldn't do it perfectly; it was more or less softening the blow though he was fairly sure that Morgan would see through whatever haze he tried to put over the situation. Ah...How much I have missed pretending this never happened.

[Kel Riever]

(Note:  The following was a collaboration with Terca)

 

"The call was made by me because the Broker wanted the connections that Hahne-Kedar was making severed. Completely."  Androkan made a clicking noise with his mandibles and raised a hand to motion at nothing in particular, the palm facing upwards. "I could have sent in the crew for execute and risk those casualties or bring down the entire facility and risk nothing other than my own well-being."  He dropped the hand and despite knowing how bull an answer that was he pressed on.  "The slash and burn was supposed to make sure that the research that went on there would remain confidential, and by getting rid of not only the targets but all those who may have had some contact with the information success was...more likely."

 

"So it was practicality," Morgan asserted, his jaw setting as he withheld his frustration.  "You made the call.  Even if you killed people who might have had nothing to do with the research.  Would you do it again, Deidrus?  Would you end the lives of innocent people simply for the sake of getting a job done?  Because it was practical?"

 

"We could have a grand philosophical debate about means versus ends and throw all sorts of examples of why one decision is better than another. It would be meaningless." Deidrus shook his head, knowing that he could not readily justify his methods on Noveria. "Would I put more people in the line of fire if I have to? Will I sacrifice people related or not because I think it is what needs to be done?" Deidrus turned to look at Morgan.  "That's why I am a Spectre.  Because when it comes down to the wire I need to be able to say who lives and who dies to save the rest. What I did under the Broker's direction I did because of necessity not only for myself but for the Galaxy at large which is why I worked with him for those years in the Terminus."

 

Looking away the turian let out a sigh before raising an arm and running talon-ended fingers along his crest. "If you want me to apologize for my actions it won't happen, neither can I say that I won't be the reason for innocent people being harmed again. It's the nature of the job. Someone has to do it."

 

"Not exactly what I wanted to hear,” Morgan remarked.  He rolled his head side to side momentarily, trying to relieve the tension that seemed to be building within him.  “Your answer doesn't leave much room to draw a line between you and a terrorist.  But I'm wondering about your options and what you do when you have them.  And tell me that there wasn't any other way to have done Noveria."

 

The turian fell silent for a moment. The Broker would spare no expense if he knew what I was doing. Though, for the sake of transparency he would have to put that target on his own back.

 

"Hahne-Kedar..." The turian took a deep breath and let it out in one long stream of air. "How much do you know of their operations in the Galaxy?"

 

Morgan admitted, “Not much. If you can tell me something to put my mind at rest, I'd like to know.”  He folded his arms as he listened to Androkan’s response.

 

"Hahne-Kedar works as an arms supplier and manufacturer. Their weapons are what one might call generic, poorer quality than the National brands of the Republic or the Hierarchy.  They are, however, also one of the lead innovators in the field, something which is not being done in other arms conglomerates."  He shook his head and looked down at the floor.  Like hell they even thought the same way.

 

"The building we were going to raid on Noveria was a part of the Kedar's Shadow Works, their special development division. As Kedar is the main supplier for the whole of the Alliance corps it should come as no surprise to you that there are various elements within the Alliance which have particular investments in the company. Special interests which HK is more than willing to fulfill." Deidrus made a clicking noise again. "This included all-weather weaponry, the type they supply their N7 operatives with for when they need to remain in deep conflict. The asari and turians again have similar branches... The issue in this particular case was what was being made in the first place."

 

The turian opened his mouth and closed it again before making an annoyed sound.  "The long of the short of it is that Binary Helix and Hahne-Kedar's Shadow Works were developing a sort of Biological weapon. A brinksman weapon."

 

Morgan leaned back against a rail behind him.  "What kind of brinksman weapon are we talking about here?"

 

Androkan replied, "The council races have been stable in their relationships for centuries now so they have had very little reason to stockpile ordinance. Most of it is used for border skirmishes with the Terminus and combating pirates. Because of that there is often very little need for Classes of weaponry that have lasting impacts and purely civilian targets. Biological, Chemical, Radiological and Kinetic bombardments all come into the range of things that no council race can stockpile for military use."  He looked up to the ceiling for a moment to try and think of some of the old examples they gave him back in Armiger training.  "The salarians are given most control to experiment with biochemical things in order to look for counter-measures, all done with joint-research panels including the asari and turians. That said, at any one point there are very little stockpiled munitions which are Class Five, explicitly banned mass-casualty devices.

 

"Class five includes heavy kinetic bombardment schemes, thermonuclear and radiological devices, so on and so forth. What Helix and Shadow Works were developing was an exclusive method of delivering high-potency biological life forms through an airburst system to distribute the spores across a path determined by an atmosphere's jet streams. Class Six. Extinction practices." Looking back to Morgan Deidrus spoke lowly.  "There are a few things which a Spectre is expected to conform to in a general rule. Class Six weaponry and technology is to be destroyed at all costs and remaining information turned over to the Citadel for processing of individuals for executive kill orders."

 

Taking a deep breath, Morgan had to admit he was beginning to accept the explanation.  "It's hard for me, Deidrus.  None of this was mentioned.  And while what you did may have been prudent at the time, it left others and me with a particular view of you.  I've seen my fair share of hard decisions, and I've also seen my fair share of despicable ones...ones without the reasons you mentioned.  But I never embraced them.  If you are saying that Hahne-Kedar was developing extinction level weaponry at the facility, it puts a different light on everything.  But it doesn't change the fact that I have never wanted to work for a monster.  And while you may not be the monster I thought you were, there are those in The Shadow Broker's operations who are.  I've experienced them first hand."

 

A shrug was the answer Morgan got. "The Galaxy is full of things nobody wants to do. With our mission we can only hope there will not be many things like that we have to deal with. I still have my own ideals to conform to and they will clash with others. I just hope we can get from now 'til then without anything shattering in the middle."

 

Morgan came around.  "Perhaps we can, Deidrus, you and I.  If we can do what we have to, after looking at all our options.  I can live with the tough decisions.  What I can't live with is wanton, unnecessary cruelty.  This isn't about opinions for me.  This is about if we've done everything at the end of the day that we could have, so when it is all said and done, we didn't become the people that we killed."

[Redbelle]

Jess caught Naleena's eye and tilted her head over to the side away from Anika and Dahlia. In a low tone she spoke. "Thought you should know luv. I pretty much bull rushed Dahlia through the Officer On Deck earlier as a guest. She's not down as crew and if that's to change, it would be better if you sent them an update. Seeing as your responsible for her and all". She turned to look at where Anika and Dahlia were talking. "Nice kid. big chip on the ol' shoulder could make her turn left when she needs to dodge right..... Actually kid's..... I can never tell. I'd peg her for a maiden but...... aw never mind". Jess chewed a mouthful of chilli as she seemed to be thinking. As she swallowed she looked at Naleena, straight in the eye.

 

"I just wanted to say.... Thanks. Again. This bridge you've built...... I don't know how the meeting will play. I don't anticipate a problem but with Aria it's always been safer not to assume. Regardless. You did alot to bring this about. You've got a friend in Silver". She cast a coy look at Anika who was chuckling to something Dahlia had said. "And unless I miss my guess, what I overheard on the comm, and the fact she must have used that handheld driver to get out of her armour means you've found another friend in Anika".

[Terca]

"Or had to please." Deidrus added after a pause. "We are going to need to choose a path forward and for now it looks like our primary modus to gain more information on the Collectors is through the Suns. We didn't get anything of note from that ship for our methods aside from a small hive of things not dissimilar to what bit you. We know the methods, we now need to either find a counter to the Collector's capture plan or stymie it in the first place."

 

"We lack the resources here to determine a lot about the ship's deep functions but what we do know is that their building style is probably opportunistic and they live in a region of space with many larger meteors, possibly near a belt of some sort. That narrows nothing down unfortunately aside from the possibility that they lack large-scale construction infrastructure."

[Kel Riever]

“The Blue Suns…,” Morgan trailed slightly. “Where the Collectors themselves go from here would help.  I’m not a detective.  But they’re the only ones who can travel through the Omega Relay.  How do they do it?  We need more information and the best way to get it is to track the Collectors down, through the Suns or otherwise.  I’m sure despite their failings at Omega, they intend to capture more people, likely from an outlying colony.

 

“This whole Shadow Broker falling out, and how it affects me…it isn’t your problem Deidrus,” Morgan went on, “But there are going to be…repercussions for me.  I have family, mother, brother and sister, back on Earth.  If something is about to happen to them it would be too late to get there already.  But until I know they are safe, I won’t be at ease.  And I think you are well aware that it isn’t going to be absolutely settled until I can get to Earth myself and personally make sure they are all right.

 

I’m not asking you to bring the ship around.  All I am saying is at some point, when the opportunity presents itself, I’d like to get back there.  It would set things straight in my mind.

 

Morgan looked down at his armor, suddenly conscious not only of his fatigue, but that he had put off removing the suit for far too long.  “Without some R & R, and a repair for this run down thing that I am wearing, I probably won’t be of much use doing anything, though.”

[Terca]

The Turian nodded and waved over the armorer that was examining the damage to Deidrus' armor. As he was approaching the Spectre spoke to Morgan.

 

"Get that rest, if we wind up chasing after the Suns I have a contact on Illium who should be able to give us some insight. She will lodge us more likely than not for the duration of our time there. You and the rest of the crew will be able to get some terrestrial rest while getting a bit of time off your feet. We won't be forced to fight during that time and a secure uplink to earth might be available but I'm not promising anything." The armorer arrived and stood at attention near them. "Let him take your armor and she'll take the paint off and repair the damaged areas."

 

Deidrus turned to leave but paused mid-movement to look at Morgan. "I need to speak with the others to hear their ideas on how to move forward. I've spoken with the other Turians but the Aliens on our ship aren't yet counted for. Do you know where they are? I would call them on the intercom but Aelius seems to have cut all but the hard emergency broadcast."

[Kel Riever]

"If it is all the same, I don't want to contact my family without seeing them in person, but thank you."  Morgan's was much more apparent this time.  "And as far as where the others are who were with us on the docks?  I can't speak for Arrin or Vayne, but you might find the rest In Captain 'Silver's' cabin.  I suggest you find room in your appetite when you go."

[Terca]

"I'll see them next then. Thank you for the discussion." Deidrus inclined his head before moving past the armorer and human towards the lifts while he tried to mentally wash away the ill taste in his mouth. He didn't blame Morgan for bringing up the past but it didn't make it much easier for him to deal with it. He didn't have any trauma per se, just a distinct dislike for being forced to look back on his own atrocities. Things he preferred to leave dead and buried in the past, much like the people he had been bound by duty to execute. Most of them by hand.

 

He let out a sigh and took the stairs up to the next levels. He would enjoy the time to clear his head.

[Redbelle]

As they ate, Jess's comm pinged and she looked down to see a message from the Drowned Aspire ship docked at Omega. With everything going on she'd completely forgotten she'd sent a message asking for their sensor logs regarding the dark colony they'd flown past. She pulled up the message and found attached to it the logs as well as a message, saying happy to help. Humans had to stick together. Dark times. Blahblahblah.

 

Jess opened the logs and looked. The sensor logs looked fine. The reading's from the planet in line with everything to be expected of a colony at the distance the ship had flown by. She was about to close them down when she had a hunch and ran a time stamp program looked at the dates contained within the log.

 

The program reported irregularities with the date shown in the log.

 

The logs were a lie? Or maybe an innocent gltichor mistake? Or Elara the Asari at the captains tabl had lied, or been wrong about the colony going dark. But why would she?

 

What was the story here?

 

If the logs were a lie then there should be evidence of digital grafting. Jess reached under the couch as the other's chatted and pulled out a handheld data terminal. Copying the data she started looking over the code. Everything looked fine except when she looked at the data's time stamp. The logs time stamp said the logs were taken around the time she expected them to be, calculating backwards and given the ships speed and distance to travel. The data relating to the colony was time stamped a week earlier. She was looking at the colony a week back from when the log log indicated. Deliberately grafted over more recent data of the space shipping lanes.

 

The Drowned Aspire was lying to her.

 

She wanted to know why.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan removed the Predator armor except for most of the underlying environmental skin suit.  For that, he simply removed the long gloves, as the one had been torn through by the manriki cables.  The turian armorer took the protective gear and referred him to another crewmember who would refer him to a locker and a bunk.

 

Better than sleeping capsules, Morgan thought has he remembered his time in the Alliance military on board similar sized ships.

 

When he was finished placing his other belongings in his designated locker, he headed directly to the med bay instead of his bunk.  The asari doctor was nowhere to be seen, likely experimenting on the captured insect like creature.  Even more likely, silently barred from seeing patients.  There, one of the medical staff tended to the wounded forearm with medigel and a flexible, composite healing cast.  The cast was light blue and stood out from the otherwise black skin suit.  With the approval that he could resume his normal activities by the medic, Morgan left the bay.

 

Morgan felt like he needed to catch some sleep, but his concern kept him unable to relax. 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Anika, Jess, and Naleena went to the Vera. Naleena had to move it to Docking Bay 4 where they would meet Aria for their meeting. As they were in the elevator Naleena decided to brief them a little bit about VERA.

 

“Now, as you know, VERA has been handling a lot of sensitive information and performing a lot of tasks normally too sophisticated for a VI. I told Anika no secrets, so no secrets,” Naleena said, “VERA is a fully functional artificial intelligence. She’s a bit of a smart ass as you’ve heard. I bought her on Kahje about 20 years ago and had her installed on this shuttle. She has enhanced defensive capabilities as well as the ability to manage my finances. She’s done very well, and I trust her. She will be handling the details of the financial transaction as she did for Anika and Morgan.”

 

“So what does she get out of all of this besides a ‘thank you?’” Anika asked.

 

“Usually an upgrade of some sort if I can find one. Don’t worry. You’ll like her.”

 

They entered the shuttle and the 12” tall holographic image of a 1950s human business woman was standing on the console. “It took you long enough to get here. We’re going to be late for our meeting. Strap in, and let’s go,” VERA said and closed the hatch and started the engines.

 

“VERA, I’d like you to meet Captain Jess Stone and Anika. Jess is the short one,” Naleena said and gazed up at Anika with soft eyes.

 

“My, my, you know how to make a girl jealous, dear.”

 

“VERA!”

 

“Okay, I was just joking,” VERA was piloting the ship out of the shuttle bay. “So touchy. So we’re going to meet Aria T’loak. Don’t let her screw you, Jess. I’ve been checking her accounts. She’s got the credits,” VERA piloted the ship out and approached Docking Bay 4. “You better do this part, Naleena.”

 

“What part?”

 

“Request docking. Do I have to do everything?”

 

“This is the Scythe Shuttle Vera requesting Docking at Bay 4,” Naleena said.

 

“Proceed to Bay 4. Just get there, Naleena. Don’t keep me waiting!” Aria said.

 

“Seems like you  stepped on everyone’s s*** list today, luv,” Jess said.

 

“I should have checked my horoscope.”

 

“The day will start out well, but there will be some excrement on ones shoes mid-morning, followed by some heated discussions. It would be best to avoid contact with people during this time,” VERA said.

 

Anika laughed.

 

The ship docked and there was a noise of a seal against the main hatch. A knock was heard.

 

“Who is it?” Naleena asked.

 

“My sensors read a single Asari wearing white leather, and facial tattoos. Shall I let her in?”  VERA asked.

 

Naleena nodded. The door opened and Aria stepped into the shuttle. “Good morning Aria.”

 

Aria stood tall and looked in Anika’s direction. “This was supposed to be a private meeting between Stone and I, not half her crew.”

 

“Anika, you’ll have to wait outside. Stand guard on the ship, please.” Naleena asked.

 

“I assure you that is not necessary. My sensors can handle any….” VERA said.

 

“VERA, not now.”

 

“Right, boss.”

 

Anika nodded, left the shuttle with her assault rifle, and stood guard outside the hatch which then closed behind her.

 

Naleena then invited Aria to sit across from Jess at the dining table in the rear of the shuttle. Naleena remained standing. “Let’s get right to business and get this done. Aria, I believe you have something to say to Jess.”

 

“She said some nasty things to me on that ship, Naleena.” Aria said.

 

Naleena slammed the palm of her hand down on the table. “That’s not part of the deal, Aria. I don’t care what she said to you on that ship. We had this settled in the training room. You do not go back on me.”

 

“Or what?”

 

“Or I don’t care if you are the Queen of Omega,” Naleena said, “It boils down to this. You want a trophy to crow about and then get rid of. Jess wants an apology for what you did to her, and she wants to get rid of that albatross, too. I’ve got the deal all set up. Now are we going to do this or do you get cut out of it and no crowing? Because if we do it that way, you’ll have no title to any share of the ship to hold up to the people of Omega no matter how brief, and you’ll end up on the s*** list of the Kings and Queens.”

 

Aria glared at Naleena. “No one talks to me like that….”

 

Jess was sitting back in her chair amused at the whole discussion taking place in front of her.

 

“I just did, and what does that tell you?” Naleena said, “I bled purple for this deal; broken ribs, and internal injuries. I’ll have you know I held back. I just wanted to talk.”

 

Aria sensed from Naleena that she held back a lot and just took a beating. Aria calmed down. “I offered to help you.”

 

“I refused so you could feed your ‘don’t f*** with Aria’ image.”

 

“You healed.”

 

“Thanks to Anika,” Naleena said, “Now let’s just settle down. This is the best deal any of us are going to get,” Naleena pulled up a chair. “So are you going to fulfill your part of the bargain?”

 

Aria turned to Jess. She took a deep breath. “What I did…, hiring you for that eezo contract and then attacking your ship with fighters was… wrong. I shouldn’t have done it. I… don’t know what I was thinking. I… apologize. You have my assurances…, as do the rest of the Kings and Queens that such actions won’t happen again.”

 

“Jess, does that suffice?” Naleena asked, and had a please accept look in her eyes.

 

Jess leaned forward. Reaching for Aria's hand that rested on the table and pulled it into her grip. “This is me luv. I reach out. I need people to reach for to do that. And when we hold hands I find we can do more than if we were apart. It's the best damned feeling in the galaxy barring action in the bedroom. And like the bedroom, it takes trust. Commitment. Consent. When you screwed me you were selfish and cruel.... If you want to see me for who I am, I promise, you won't be disappointed. But I'm not your play toy. I'll do what's best for me. I'll compromise, but I won't be talked down to. I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Personally I hope we can move past this and get to being friends.... It's your choice luv. And I hope you make the right one because I'm on the threshold of looking at someone I can get into bed with, or not.”

 

Jess let go and they drifted apart. “That first time we met I thought we could be friends. Then the knife slipped in and that hurt me. I worry you lack so much in empathy that you can't see when grabbing everything you can does you more harm than good. I know you have a reputation to maintain. But I'm hoping that in private you have a softer edge cause my rep doesn't include being brow beaten to the point where everyone I'm responsible for leading suffers.

 

“The short of it's this. Apology accepted. Where we go from here? That's down to you luv.” Jess leaned back as she twisted in her chair and threw an arm over the back. “Personally I'd like to share a drink and then see if the first rule of Omega has loopholes.”

 

Aria had a wicked look in her eyes. “Perhaps, Jess. Naleena, what do you have in your liquor cabinet?”

 

“Serrice Ice Brandy made at the monastery. Among others….”

 

“That will be fine. Have you ever had this, Jess? I think such a deal should be sealed only with the finest liquor in the galaxy, don’t you agree?”

 

“I’ll get the glasses. Meanwhile, Aria, Jess, forward your account information to VERA. She’ll handle the transaction. Aria, Jess’ share is valued at 425 million CR. That price is non-negotiable,” Naleena said.

 

Aria nodded and entered the account information into her omni-tool. Jess did the same. VERA’s hologram appeared again. “The fund transfer is completed and is in an escrow account I set up pending title transfer. I had the documents drawn up in advance. Please enter your digital signatures on the documents for title transfer. Aren't I a genius?"

 

Aria and Jess entered their digital signatures.

 

VERA's hologram did a little spin. "Very good.  And Aria T’loak is now the proud owner of 1/3 of the Collector Vessel, title documents are now registered, and everything is in order. Now, when do I get my bonus, boss?”

 

“Soon, VERA. I’ll have to find something you’ll like. Perhaps you could think of something this time?” Naleena replied.

 

Jess and Aria gazed into each other’s eyes. Naleena was starting to feel uncomfortable. “I think maybe I should join Anika outside. VERA, let me know when I can return to my ship.”

 

"I will, Sugar."

 

The hatch opened, Naleena stepped outside, and stood next to Anika. “It was getting a little warm in there.” Naleena lit a cigarette and leaned against the 7’ blonde.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia sat in Naleena’s quarters. She was bored. She found the Hallex and the remote control for Naleena’s sound system. She took a Hallex and turned on the sound system and cranked up the volume, and started dancing.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne's audiobook stopped playing as he received a message on his omnitool. He checked who it was from, noticing it was sent via the audron. 'So they must have finally gotten a lead on the ship huh? Ah well, drinks will need to wait another time.' he thought to himself as he opened the message and began reading, a frown forming on his face as the first line of the message was read, the terms "assassin" jumping right out.

 

Grex, the wounded vorcha who had already gotten into a fight with vayne, moved swiftly next to the large 7 ft krogan recruit, the black armored brute reaching down to grab his shotguns by their pistol grips as the crowd around them seemed to notice. Two more vorcha flanked the krogan on either side, and beyond that, down the street, two more vorcha were making their ways up the street from where vayne had come from, having tailed him for some time. One passing turian was shoved by the vorcha, and turning to shout got a good look at who it was they had between them, quickly running the other way. All they needed was to get in close, and the older and slower veteran wouldn't even have time to react.

 

Unfortunately for them, vayne had just finished reading the last of the message, knowing now that something bad was going down on omega. And it was his sudden on edgeness that made him turn around when he heard the sound of rapidly increasing footsteps from the crowd behind him.

 

Vaynes eye looked over the vorcha and the krogan, both making eye contact with one another for a breif second before vayne clenched his hand, using his palm to activate his omnitools weapon setting.

 

The other krogan reacted just as quickly, pulling the shotguns from his thigh holsters as they began to unfold, bringing them up to take aim at the merc. Vayne didn't stand still, crouching a bit as the bolted to the left, aiming his omnitool towards the group as his ballistic blades came up. The black blood pack members shotguns finished clicking into place, and with a war cry he fired his two rounds directly at vayne, one shot missing one of his legs by a good few centimeters and instead pounding a hole in the floor. The other blast however managed to catch vayne just as his leg left the ground back, denting the metal reinforced ceramic as the rounds tore into the shields he had like tissue paper.

 

'He's using phasic rounds!' Vayne realized as he felt a jolting tingle spread up his leg and dissipate, the electricity from the rounds making his shields completely redundant to protect him as he brought his leg in front of him, and feeling pain shoot up his leg, knowing his ankle had been injured by the hit.

 

For vayne's part though, his ballistic blades had done a pretty good job at scattering the forces there. One vorcha had been peppered with the glowing hot shrapnel like material, the black armored krogan snarling as his shields registered a 30% drop. Grex had miraculously escaped unscathed after grabbing a nearby batarian for cover, the poor bystander screaming in pain as his arm and leg was littered with a few of the spikes, and tossed to the ground like a used piece of cloth.

 

Vayne stumbled only a moment before he was back on his two feet solidly, fighting through the pain as he drew his carnifex pistol, his only weapon on him that wasn't back on his own ship, docked in the audron. The black clad krogan snarled as steam rapidly hissed from his two weapons of choice, the conversion kit cutting down his overheating time immensely as it billowed heated steam out, obscuring the krogans vision as vayne ran towards a nearby shop and barreled through the front door, heading through an aisle and towards the front desk as he pushed himself onto the counter, rolling over it.

 

"Who are you!? What do you think you are doing in my shop!?" The shop keeper, another batarian, yelled as he kept low next to vayne, pressing himself in a corner as vayne peaked out of cover, eye scanning the area as he realized he'd dived into a small grocery store, and judgeing by the refrigeration units beneath the massively stretched counter full of meat, one with a deli in it.

 

"...This is not a good spot to camp out." he said aloud as he got onto his omnitool, going to the message as he engaged the verbal command function of his omnitool.

 

"Reply to message." He said as his omnitool complied, "Start message. Thanks for the heads up, but i'm already in a bit of a jam. A couple of guys just tried to shoot me from behind. Hiding in a deli right now..." he said as he looked to the shop owner, "What's your name?"

 

"M-my what?" The batarian asked alarmed, flinching back as the krogan finally acknowledged his existence.

 

"What's your name, and your store name to? That'll probably be important."

 

"K-kellan. My n-name is kellan. My store is also called kellan's. Kellan's Food and Meat Mart..." he stammered out, eyes looking up towards the button nearby, one no doubt linked to whatever mercenary group was protecting this neighborhood.

 

"Press it. I could use the help." Vayne said as he brought his omnitool back to his face, "Resume. Hiding in Kellan's Food and Meat Mart, in the Tuhi district. Not sure if related though, they appear to be blood pack." vayne said as he finished his message, sending it back to the audron on the same channel he'd gotten his message.

 

"Blood pack? You fighting blood pack out there?" The batarian said as he shrunk away from the button he'd just pressed, "You must leave now. Right now. My store, it is protected by blood pack. They find you, in here, they kill me too." he said, sounding a lot more scared now.

 

Vayne looked to the store owner a good while before looking back out towards the street. "You have got to be shitting me."

 

Meanwhile, outside the store, the small blood pack hit squad had gotten together as their krogan leader looked at the dead vorcha at his feet. "Old mans faster then I thought. We might be in for a bit of a chase." he commented with a growing smile.

 

"First Vas, then Faal, now Zhed. Old krogan is dead!" Grex snarled as he turned to the street vayne had run towards, now much more deserted. "Which building he go in? Could not see him in the crowd well."

 

The black clad krogan looked to grex with a annoyed look on his face, "You didn't spot where he went?" he asked snappily as he cracked his neck, "You're our spotter. How the hell are we suppose to hunt if out spotter doesn't do his job?"

 

Grex growled as he looked to the krogan, "Not everything is hunt, Ezha. I know his look, I find him again. And this time, he die for sure!" the vorcha declared anger.

 

"I already know what he looks like, ******! You're a real useless piece of ****, ya know that?" Ezha yelled anger as he aimed his shotgun at grex, pushing it hard against his skull as the vorcha fell off balance, on the ground as he was pinned by the weight of the barrel right on the vorcha's skull, "You mother fuckers had one job. ONE! And you fucked it up you...you...****!" as quickly as the krogan had pinned him, ezha backed off from grex as he paced back and forth like a mad bull, one clawed hand going up to his neck, shotgun still in hand, to scratch where a few noticeable veins stood out, discolored a strange greenish color. "This hunt was  suppose to be an awesome one. It was suppose to be an awesome hunt and we lost the goddamn quarry JUST LIKE THAT!" He yelled kicking the dead vorchas corpse a good 7 feet away in frustration. "I need another goddamn hit."

 

Grex was still breathing heavy, glad to be still alive as he scrambled up from the ground. So glad in fact that he didn't mention how their commander had already taken 3 doses of Thresher's Bite, a special drug that caused massive spikes of energy and hormones in line with anger and ferocity as well as linked to pleasure and euphoria, since they'd gone on this mission. Or that despite his insistence, the boss had been clear that this was suppose to be a hit, a retaliation for them getting messed with, and nothing big to get arias attention. He kept his mouth shut, right up until their omnitools lite up to inform them that someone had signaled for help.

 

Ezha paused as he had holstered one shotgun, a vial of greenish liquid inside a injection gun as he looked at his omnitool, all the anger melting from his face instantly. "It's him. He';s fucked up. He's fucked up bad-ha-ha-ah-ahhhhh..." ezha said with a drawn out laugh as he stuck the injection gun to his neck, the vial draining into his veins and blood stream as his pupils dilated once more.

 

"AH-HA-HA!!!" he cried out happily as he drew his other shotgun from its holster, aiming both in the air and firing them off, the steam pouring out again as it rapidly cooled the guns. "Woooo-ho-hah-ha-ha! Lets go bag us a fossil!!!" Ezha shouted enthusiastically as he charged forward, shoving grex and the other vorcha out of the way hard making his way towards the store at a rapid sprint.

 

Inside the store, hunkered down in position, vayne could only think of one thing as he heard the commotion outside.

 

"Thanks a lot morgan. Really owe you for this one." he muttered, getting ready for the oncoming fight.

[Redbelle]

Jess watched Naleena exit through the airlock and huffed. "You scared her off". She said as Aria crossed to where Naleena kept her drinks cabinet. Opening it up she took a bottle and scraped a thumb across the label, taking a moment before turning back to Jess.

 

"It's been awhile since I had to pour my own drink". She said. Jess smirked and took the bottle, brushing her hand against Aria's as she did so. The smirk Aria returned came and went as she crossed further into the shuttle interior as Jess took down two glasses. "I have to say.... Naleena certainly has a knack for ships. This one's..... adequate. Not exactly what I'd fly but I can see the advantages".

 

Jess finished pouring and taking up the glasses, crossed to where Aria stood, surveying the shuttle's interior. "A ships a ship. Long as she flies, you don't need much else".

 

Aria turned and took one of the offered glasses. "Your just not used to having benefits".

 

"I'm all about the benefits luv". Jess took a step closer to Aria and regarded her for a moment longer than needed before bringing her glass up beside her head. "So what are we drinking to luv? Burying the past? Looking forward to the future? Maybe Naleena whose caught Anika's eye"? Jess smiled. "Want that we should bring them back in here"?

 

"I'm not enough"?

 

"Benefits luv",

 

Aria gave an aborted laugh. "Your not who I thought you'd be".

 

"Surprised"?

 

"Pleasently. Makes a welcome change". Aria raised her own glass similarly to Jess's. "How about, to new horizon's take us"?

 

"That's a pirate's toast luv".

 

"I know". Aria flung her head back as she swallowed her liquer as Jess motioned, doing the same. Both came forward looking straight into the other's eye's. "Just one thing..... I'm on top".

 

Jess laughed as her hands folded around Aria's waist. "Only if your strong enough luv".

 

Aria gave her an 'you can't be serious' look, before reaching down past her hips and pulling her up and towards her, pullling Jess against her and off the floor before slamming her against a bulkhead. Her mouth finding the hollow of Jess's throat.

 

Jess felt the wind knocked out of her and gasped out loud. Then she was gasping for other reasons as she pushed Aria's white jacket off her shoulders exposing the bare purple skin underneath. Running her teeth over and giving her a nip Jess was rewarded by a sudden intake of breath as Aria hissed. "You'll get it for that".

 

Jess just laughed as she felt Aria's hands running over her own fastener's of her green top, one of Aria's collected both of her's and held them over her head. Next there was a thrum and Jess found a biotic barrier sealing her hands to the bulkhead. As Aria tried to step back Jess's legs scissored around Aria's waist. "Don't you run away from me".

 

"Whose running". Aria shot back. "I wanted a picture of you..... like this".

 

That gave Jess an idea, leaning forward she whispered in Aria's ear and Aria's lip's curled into a smile. "I don't mind". She said, before reaching behind her head and began kissing the point just below her ear.

 

Jess gasped. "VERA? Got a thing, ahhhh.....". She cried biting her lip before she felt she could continue. "Got something..... for you to do".

[Redbelle]

Anika and Naleena were talking outside the shuttle.
 

"This isn't her first time". Anika told Naleena. "She's..... kinda wild. I mean she's a pirate and social norms aren't her thing. You saw in my mind before. Me and her? And other member's of the crew? And then there are.......". She stumbled and shook her head. "It's difficult to say without making her seem lewd. She lives life by her own rules. And she finds people who are like her, and she just.... finds moments"?

 

Naleena blew a lungful of smoke into the air. "I know her like you know her. What are you trying to say"?

 

"Unless Aria's got her over a barrel..... she might call us in. She's done it in the past".

 

"I don't keep barrel's on my shuttle... Maybe I should start. Would you go"?

 

"Only if you do".

 

"Really"?

 

"I need..... to not make a mistake with you".

 

Naleena's eye's glinted in amusement. "You want me that badly"?

 

"I..... well.... I.....". She was spared answering by her omni-tool which blared to life. Looking up she saw Naleena's Omni-tool spring to life as well. Seeing the encrypted file as having been sent by Jess she figured it was the invite and opened the file.

 

Naleena's open mouth matched her own, before Naleena started laughing. "Live stream? VERA's streaming this"?

 

"To us. And Aria's private server". Anika noted. "Look's like both of them want to share".

[Redbelle]

A long time later, the feed cut out, and Anika and Naleena heard the airlock cycle and Aria strode out wearing her customary outfit with her customary smirk in place. As she stopped next to them she took both in her gaze.

 

"That file ever appears on the Extra-net...... they'll never find the bodies". She said softly. Then she was gone, back into Omega.

 

Jess appeared at the airlock after Aria had left. "Okay luv's! Business done! We're all the richer! Now let's put this potato to bed and hunt down some Collectors..... Still gotta find a lead on where to look next them".

[Kel Riever]

Morgan woke up momentarily, to find himself lying horizontally on a lone bed in a small cabin.  Two turians in uniform stood over him.  One had just finished administering a dose from a skin hypo.

 

The turian caretaker saw he was awake.  “That’s just a nutrient supplement.”

 

“What happened?”  Morgan asked lucidly.

 

The other turian, his words crisp, answered, “You passed out from exhaustion.  We moved you to a private cabin with all your belongings.”

 

“I had something to do,” Morgan said, feeling the weariness begin to take him again.

 

“Not anymore,” the caretaker turian responded.  “You’re fine.  You aren’t needed.”

 

Morgan fell back into unconsciousness.