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[sH0tgUn jUliA]

On the Beach

 

Johnny waded out into the warm lagoon alongside Dahlia. Seabirds flew overhead and called to one another before they dove into the water to catch a fish. Johnny felt some tingling all over his body as it submerged and seemed to be a little alarmed.

 

“Don’t worry, Johnny, that’s just the water. There’s natural eezo in it,” Dahlia reassured him. “Pretty much all life here is biotic to some extent.”

 

Johnny had a great build: very well-muscled all over.

 

She smiled at him then dove underwater and swam away with the idea of coming up behind him pressing against him. She swam out about 10 meters and came up for air, and laughed.

 

“This is wonderful!” she said and dove back underwater and swam a little further out and came up for air again and smiled.

 

She felt a jolt. Her smile turned to terror and she screamed. Johnny saw her being carried through the water at about 20 kph, then she submerged. He felt helpless. There was no lifeguard on duty. He got out of the water as quickly as humanly possible. Dahlia was being torn to pieces in front of his eyes. Fortunately he couldn’t see it very well, but from the intermittent screams he knew what was happening. He called for help on his omni-tool.

 

By the time help arrived, he’d gotten dressed and one of her arms had washed ashore. Dahlia was gone. 

[Redbelle]

 

"...It was all part of the project...".

 

"Project"?

 

"The Miranda Project. With a man called Henry Lawson paying the bills. He is not a good man. And he will want his property back. If you go back to your comrades, you will place them in danger".

 

Anika stood up abruptly and this time the black hulking figure did not tell her to sit.

 

"I need to warn them".

 

"They are better served by your absence".

 

"Who is Henry Lawson"?

 

"A very rich man... Which means a powerful man. He has the ears of many in the galaxy, some more powerful than even he... He sits in a web of influence that moves the galaxy, shapes it's direction. And once, he was so interested in the human genome he created us as lab rats to realise his ultimate ambition".

 

"Miranda"?

 

"Yes".

 

"What's Miranda"?

 

"The question is... who. Miranda was his. A daughter born of his seed that he pruned and cared for in his own way. His perfect daughter that he cut over a hundred of us apart for to shape. Who she is, where she is, I can not say".

 

Anika's eye's narrowed. "Why so hung up on her"?

 

"What better way to take revenge on Lawson than to take away what he holds most dear".

 

"You want to kill her"?

 

"...Eventually".

 

Anika shook her head. "This is a distraction. This Miranda...".

 

"Miranda was only the first".

 

"The first of what"?

 

The black helmet looked up at Anika. It's faceplate reflecting her white visage. "Lawson controls the human Genome. He can create people like us. Only better. No defects. The human body driven to perfection and beyond. More so than any gene sequencing the Alliance military gives it's people. Imagine an army of you. But better. Better than me. Now imagine that army in the hands of a man who see's people as things. Property. You are out in the open. Exposed to be scooped up by competitors who want to know how he did it. Lawson will stop at nothing to get us back. His rivals will stop at nothing to get you".

 

"I can...".

 

"Handle it"? The figure actually laughed. "You could not even handle me speaking but a word to you. But if you think you can indeed... handle it... Then I invite you to try by leaving this room".

[Kel Riever]

Armali Raceway / The Galaxy Hotel And Spa

At the Galaxy, the rooms for the bikers had been sectioned off in one wing.  The same wing which had the suites and rooms for all the post racing events and parties. 

It was many hours after the race, where bikers could get out of the inspiring, yet severe function suits that they wore.  All the post race business was conducted, from the oh-so urgent press interviews to the awards ceremony to the settling of funds.  Well, it was over at least for the stars of the show, like bikers, S.O.'s and chiefs.  Many of the crew had the unromantic job of putting all the toys away.  Still, it was better for some, as they were packing away for winners, where some had the unfortunate and miserable task of sealing it up for the next race with nothing to show. 

The place to be, though, was at the parties.  And the most sought at place to be was at the party with Longbow and Red.  There was a sort of VIP aspect to the party, with promoters, big names, big money, some celebrity presence.  Political as much as enjoyable.  And then later there'd be a more private setting, of course with some of the business people around, but more of the personal.

Things were in full swing at the larger, VIP part of the party.  All the Iallis sisters who'd attended the race were there, and of course Drasteya, who seemed little interested in the fanfare, though was polite as ever to those who came over to find and congratulate her on her daughter.  Drasteya spent the most time with Rea, who was more like her than the other sisters in that regard.  Whisp did not seem to much mind the attention at all, and she made it a point of keeping Red in the spotlight for her credit (and also fending off ne'er do wells from the instant human star).  There were a few people who hadn't made it yet, though, some on their way late, and some, well, some who's status was still unknown.

Iole was at the door with Frank who, for once, did not need to break out his story about 'losing his member in battle' again before being admitted.  Tallis was with them.  It wasn't that they'd left anyone behind that didn't want to be, it was that it was more useful for them to go ahead and enjoy themselves.  Iole nudged Frank.  "You should have fun," Iole said to him.  "I'm not keeping you on a leash or anything."

Jenus wasn't there.  Nor was she at the door waiting to get in.  She wasn't even in the wing of the parties, in fact, but still at the Raceway, and still, in fact, at the track.  She stared out onto the launch strip from a section that would normally be off limits to anyone but the maintenance crew.  Jenus watched the crews putting the bikes and all they came with away.  

Mira was with her.

"I don't understand," Jenus said, lingering on her last word as if there'd be more to say, but there wasn't.  The hard exterior demeanor had been shot through without a single block shaving.  She leaned on a physical fence and stared out at two crew struggling with some piece of equipment.

Mira had one arm on the fence and followed her gaze before turning to her.  "I know you've heard what I said.  We should really go see her."

Jenus nodded, but didn't look at Mira and didn't move.

"Come on," Mira encouraged.  Jenus stayed immobile.  Mira sighed.  "All right.  A little longer.  But we should go soon."



 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Somewhere in the Horsehead Nebula

 

The Illusive Man stood in his office looking out at the cool red giant star his space station orbited, the barrier reinforced crystal windows filtering out harmful radiation. He poured himself a bourbon, and lit a cigarette. Shortly, a man about 5’10” tall appeared standing on the QE pad.

 

The Illusive Man turned to face him. “Henry, I’m glad you could make it. I have some information for you, if you will accept the terms I sent you.”

 

Lawson was intrigued.

 

The Illusive Man took a drag from his cigarette. “I have studied your genetic modification processes and find them quite fascinating,” he said. “We used some of your cloning research when we brought Commander Shepard back to life. As you probably know when we received the desiccated corpse, about the only part that was miraculously intact was her brain. We had to grow organs, use tech based upon your research. I can see the extension of this technology to military applications in creating a super soldier for humanity. Your company holds the key.

 

“What you lack is a secure facility. I’m willing to provide you with that… among other things.”

 

“Spare me the sales pitch. What’s the catch?” Lawson asked.

 

The Illusive Man smiled. “There is no catch, Henry. Our interests are the same: the advancement of the human race. Nothing more, nothing less. Dark times are coming, and unlike the rest of the galaxy, and Cerberus is preparing. When we are victorious, I want humanity to have the edge over the other species in the galaxy, don’t you? They had the chance to advance their own species through genetic modification and they’ve squandered it, just like they’ve squandered technologically advancing themselves.”

 

Lawson paused and thought for a while. “I have the perfect genome model. Why do I need you?”

 

“You’re a brilliant scientist, Henry. I have another resource you should look at. You’ve only scratched the surface,” The Illusive man countered. “You remember the Collectors, right? My team captured its base.”

 

“The Collector base?”
 

“Do you want in or not?” The Illusive Man asked with his finger on the disconnect button. “This is a one-time offer.”

 

“I’m in. Now tell me. What’s this information you have?” Lawson leaned forward. “And this better be worth it.”

 

“It is. You remember Miranda.”

 

“My daughter! Is she safe?”

 

“Yes, she’s safe, and she’s working for me,” he replied and took a sip from his drink. “We have her DNA samples here, too, and have been studying them. Nice work. Also I can assure you that your other daughter, Oriana is also safe.”

 

“I need them back!”

 

“That won’t happen, Henry. Miranda is too valuable to my operation. It took me a long time to build up her trust, and now working with you I must keep the two of you apart,” The Illusive Man said. “However, should you need tissue samples we can get you those under the guise of routine examinations. That will have to do.”

 

“Very well, then,” Lawson replied.

 

“Good. I’ll send a transport to your location to move your lab tomorrow. It will arrive in two days. Cerberus troops will be there for security along with one of my top operatives,” The Illusive Man said. “I look forward to working with you, Henry.”

[Cknarf]

Johnny

 

"Sorry about your friend, kid." Johnny got a pat on the back from the officer who had just finished taking down his account down on a datapad. Johnny just nodded, as she walked back towards the scene. He began making his way back to the resort,  still trying to process what had just happened.

 

Although he felt terrible, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as well, as bad as that may have sounded. He was dreading the awkward situation that likely would have followed once he told her he wasn't into chicks, even the blue ones that everyone else seemed to love so much.

 

=========================================================================

 

Frank

 

"Fine. I Didn't wanna hang out with you anyways." Frank stuck out his tongue before heading straight for where he thought he saw some booze.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

On the beach

 

The beach was now closed as technicians worked on the barrier and hunting the sea creature that killed Dahlia. All that remained was her left arm. 

 

The police officer had some questions for Johnny. "It doesn't appear from your reaction that the two of you were very close. Someone you met recently? What was her name? Did she have anyone whom we should notify?"

 

"Ma'am, an omni-tool is with her clothes," one of the uniformed officers said.

 

The coroner nodded and walked over to check for any DNA tissue on it. "Found some skin cells," she said. "And they're a match for the arm. See if you can get into this and perhaps find a contact list." The coroner handed it to a technician.

 

"Yes, ma'am," she replied. "Ma'am, it seems to be passcoded. We'll need our resources downtown."

 

"Mr. Daniels, you'll have to give us some names, if you know any," the officer said.

[Kel Riever]

At the party

Iole was gone from Frank the moment he left her.  He found what he was looking for:  a table with everything alcohol. And no Iole.

At least for 3 minutes until she appeared over his shoulder and whispered something in his ear¹.

Then she gave him a certain look...

¹ Narf, check your PM box...
 

[Cknarf]

"I already told..." Johnny sighed.

 

"Her name was Dahlia, and she was serving on a ship called the Medusa, under a captain... Stone I think. Or you could try Morgan... who's information I do not have..."

 

"Spectre Naleena T'sarius. If anyone can provide you with the necessary information, it's her." Johnny opened his omni-tool, and sent a brief message. "She will contact you shortly."

[Cknarf]

Frank immediately handed his glass to Iole without saying a word. She downed it like a motherfuckin' boss, before grabbing an entire bottle of something. She proceeded to take it to the head.

 

"I love you."

 

Frank followed her lead. Taking a bottle in each hand, he literally began pouring them directly into his face.

 

Spoiler

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena received the page from Johnny, closed her eyes, sighed, and turned to Drasteya. "I'm sorry, I have to go. Thank you for your hospitality and give my best to Whisp and Rea."

 

With that she left the banquet room at the Galaxy and contacted Morgan. 

 

Morgan,

 

I assume you're still aboard ship. Meet me in my hotel room at the Galaxy Hotel and Spa. This is urgent. I'm waiting for the police at the moment.

 

Naleena

[Cainhurst Crow]

Unbeknownst of any of the events that had transpired with the races epic conclusion, Essul had found it better to explore around Ilium during the remainders of the vacation. There was the susi shop he'd run into, which food he'd quite enjoyed. Then there was the tour of the lower desert, seeing the undeveloped areas of the planets surface.

 

And then there was the breif period of debate on whether or not to get an aquarium, an interest point of debate which resolved with, "Who cares about fish?"

 

And of course though, there was Faed. Or rather, Faed and Legion together. The two seemed rather apt at socializing, using the line of a "last bender on illium" more then one occasion to dodge questions and prying eyes. It was weird for essul, who assumed that the two would have so many mundane things they'd want to do and see now that both could do so from a different perspective.

 

Really however, those two seemed capable of living it up quiet well. They'd even managed to be invited to some sort of celebration for those races everyone was talking about.

 

So essul found himself here, at a party, dressed as formally as he could in his officer's dress uniformed, modified to be council colors and sport the council's symbol rather then the hegemony embroidering on the upper breast and wondering one thing.

 

"Why did I let you drag me into this...?" He asked, looking to faed who hadn't really dressed different at all.

 

"Because, I want to at least see what a parties like without seeing it behind a visor. And it's the least you could do for all those drinks I managed to get sent your way." Faed replied with a bit of a laugh, finding it funny how the big tall batarian was the one nervous about this. Maybe it was legion helping his bodies hormones keep level, but he couldn't feel more at ease, "Besides, legions never seen a social event from our point of view."

 

"Many of my observations of such gathers have been done as an outside observer. Monitoring the responses of organics in a more social environment is something we are interested in." Legion stated, before faed blinked and reasserted control, smiling again,

 

"See? Nothing to worry about. Besides, Irina won a big race here. It wouldn't be right to not at least some support."

 

"....I suppose..." Essul grumbled, looking away with his hands in his pockets, "But I don't see why we couldn't do this on the ship.."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Because on the ship all they have to eat for dextro dna people is nutrient paste," Faed replied. "Here, they have real food for Turians in addition to the normal spread, and I can eat this stuff now. I know you heard that the nutrient paste is supposed to taste like the real thing. Trust me it doesn't. They told us the same thing in the Migrant Fleet, although they do a much better job of flavoring it there. I can tell you for a fact now that they were lying to us. Real food imported from Palaven. Essul, you need to loosen up a bit.... a lot... my friend. Enjoy this. Learn to enjoy life. It doesn't last very long. If it weren't for Legion I wouldn't be here.

 

"Then there's Arian, now there's one with a stick up his ass. Make that two sticks. He doesn't enjoy doing anything but taking life....."

[Kel Riever]

Morgan

Morgan was already at the hotel, but was between activities, and was heading back to his room when he got the message.  He quickly typed, "Be right there," and headed for Naleena's room.  He'd have to work the meeting between some other activities but it sounded important so Morgan figured he'd manage.
 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena had a drink in her hand and another waiting for Morgan on the bar in her suite, Scotch, two fingers. She heard a knock on the door, it was Morgan. Morgan noticed that she'd been crying. 

 

Naleena set her drink on the bar, approached Morgan and stood before him. "Morgan, I have some bad news. It's Dahlia. She's dead."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Horsehead Nebula - Noveria - Lawson Industries

 

Henry Lawson had moved his research to Noveria in 2160 to be out from under the prying eyes of the Council. Corporate Security came first there and he could perform his illegal genetic research with abandon. Human cloning was illegal, but that didn’t stop him from creating Oriana from the same cell strain as Miranda, except he improved it with another modification as the cell structure developed. Lawson could create designer babies free from genetic diseases and enhance natural abilities.

 

Natural evolution of the human race had come to a halt with the advent of modern medicine saving the weak and sick and allowing them to propagate. Yet the Council banned any research and use of genetic modification. Lawson found these restrictions based on superstition and ignorance. The Asari had a genetic flaw that caused the Ardat-Yakshi Syndrome. Why not use his technique to identify the faulty gene and correct that in the womb? Humans were correcting heart disease in the womb since 2040. Were they afraid it would change their species? Instead they encouraged mating with other species. Treat the symptom and not the problem.

 

Now The Illusive Man contacted him about an intriguing project. Creating a super soldier. But for what purpose?  I have the ability to do that. I’ve done that already. The Anika Files, he thought. That’s probably what he wants, but he said he has new tech he wants me to look at. Tech from the Collector Base. Intriguing. Got to get back to packing.

 

////

 

A cargo transport landed on the pad outside the Lawson Industries facility, and a team of mercenaries exited taking up secure positions. Moments later a woman exited the craft dressed in Arctic gear and walked to the main building flanked by her executive assistant.

 

Upon entering the building, her assistant helped her out of her coat. She was about 62 years old with short slicked blonde hair parted on the right, and blue-grey eyes, and wore a red lipstick. She carried herself with authority, appearing much taller than her 5’ 5” height.

 

Lawson was instructing his assistants when she entered his main lab, micromanaging the way they were putting the equipment in the transport crates.

 

“Be careful with that. And make sure you power that immediately. I don’t want to lose any of the tissue samples!” Lawson ordered then turned to see the woman standing watching him, approached and extended his hand. “Sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met. Henry Lawson, CEO of Lawson Industries.”

 

The woman did not reciprocate with the handshake, but instead simply responded in a perfect posh British accent, “Margot Whitaker, head of Cerberus Science Division. I brought some documents for you to sign, and some additional security,” she said and handed him the datapads. “We’ve had trouble here with a Council Spectre disrupting our research operation. Hundreds of millions of credits were lost not to mention all of that valuable scientific data. Luddites! Which is why The Illusive Man is moving you and yours to a secure location. Noveria Operations can’t seem to keep Council Spectres out despite their arrangement with the Council.”

 

“I remember that. I was worried the conflict would spill into my area. It was unfortunate that Cerberus lost all of that work and manpower. Where is this location?” Lawson asked.

 

“Pragmatic. I like it. Like I said: secure.” Margot replied. “I’ll enter it into the transport’s navigation system when we depart. The Illusive Man takes your work and his investments seriously. We do not want anything to go wrong here. You’ll be paid well and you’ll have access to state of the art equipment… equipment that makes what I’ve seen here look primitive. Any questions?”

 

“You’re kidding? This is state-of-the-art equipment. What sort are we talking about?”

 

“You remember Commander Shepard?”

 

“Yes, she went missing three years ago, then suddenly turned up working for you.”

 

“Sort of,” Margot replied with a wry smile. “See, she was nothing but a desiccated corpse when she was delivered to us. We had the technology to bring her back to life. She is not a clone. Is that advanced enough for you?”

 

Lawson raised his brows. “I… I had no idea such a thing was even possible,” he said while signing the documents. “It sounds like my work will go forward at an even faster pace than I ever dreamed.”

 

“That’s what we’re hoping,” she said. “Welcome to Cerberus, Dr. Lawson. My crew will handle the equipment in your lab. Why don’t you go on board and I’ll meet you there soon?”

 

“What about my team here?”

 

Margot looked around and paused for a moment. Choices. She was always faced with choices. Lawson’s team knew little more than they were packing and that he was going to Cerberus. “Send them home.”

 

“But they can help.”

 

“I wasn’t asking, Dr. Lawson,” Margot said with authority.

 

Lawson was taken back by the manner of the demand, but after looking around and seeing the security with assault rifles caved immediately. “As you wish.”

 

 

Lawson gave the order for his staff to go home, and boarded the ship. A couple hours later the equipment was aboard, and the ship was away headed for its destination. 

[Kel Riever]

Morgan

Morgan listened.  He didn't say anything until Naleena was done.  There was a drink he'd poured but really, he couldn't down it.  He just found it to be something to stare at when looking at Naleena became difficult.  A break before he went back to staring into the asari Spectre's eyes in both disbelief, and in some sort of need to understand.  And it was especially hard because he found himself to get angry.  Awfully angry about what had happened.

It was always easier for Morgan not to care.  His problem was that he did.

When Naleena was done telling Morgan what had happened, and being as straightforward as it was, there wasn't a lot to tell, Morgan asked a few simple questions about where it had happened and who was involved in dealing with the tragedy officially.  Then Morgan asked if there was anything else before he would head off and take time to sort things out for himself. 
 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Before Morgan left Naleena had one last thing to say. "Let me know if there is anything I can do."

 

Morgan just nodded and left.

 

Naleena sighed and contacted Aria letting her know what happened. Aria was shocked having known her for 30 years. Dahlia was Asari and one of her own. 

 

Then she received a call from the Armali Police Department. Apparently forensics had cracked the coding on Dahlia's omni-tool and decided to contact the Spectre about it. Naleena checked out of the hotel, took a taxi to APD and used her authority to take custody of the omni-tool. She sat in her vehicle and scanned through the files. Dahlia was not the person she thought she was. She was a Shadow Broker agent - one responsible for the death of an Asari prostitute on Duellos. One who sent vital information to someone called Cell Leader 4. Then who had problems with CL4 selling the information to Iyana. Dahlia, like Morgan had gone rogue. She reported Morgan dead to the Broker network. Aran had taken the fall for the sale of information on the ship. Dahlia had become loyal to Jess and Morgan. Naleena decided to keep the omni-tool in case Cell Leader 4 surfaced. Perhaps she could pressure Barla Von.Morgan didn't need to know anything about any of the information contained in the omni-tool. It would be best if he didn't. Dahlia had saved his life. Let the dead rest. 

 

Naleena headed back to the ship. Shore leave was over.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan
 

Returning to the Janiri had proven to be no problem at all.  Morgan’s security clearance was still good, despite his stay on the Medusa.  Why wouldn’t it be, anyway?  He was still working for Naleena.  Some recognized him and on his way to the armory, He exchanged brief pleasantries with VERA, who was naturally curious.

“What brings you back aboard, Morgan?”

“Naleena said to let her know if there was anything she could do for me, recently.  I didn’t think of anything at the moment, but then I did later.”

Morgan said nothing after that, simply letting VERA observe as he walked in, took a secure case out of the cabinet, searched the demolitions locker menue, and began filling the case with the charges he was looking for. 

“I will need to log this, and have you submit a reason for removing your required ordinance,” VERA diligently stated. 

A pause, then Morgan answered, “Of course.”  He pulled up the proper form on a nearby touch screen computer display and made a brief entry.  Then he stared over at the weapons fabricator.  Morgan headed to it, scrolled through the menue, and told VERA.  “Oh, and I will need this.

~ ~ ~ ~

It wasn’t as if the asari weren’t decent at security.  It was the distraction of the post race events that had Morgan easily enter the compound that would normally have taken an infiltrator to get into.  And a marina without military personel wasn’t exactly a vault of gold to be watched over.  Despite what had recently happened, a minimal guard of one patrolled the holding tanks.  The asari wasn’t even a full-fledged officer, just the equivalent of a part time ranger.  It took her a while to make her rounds.

Morgan stared down into the deep pool, open to the air, at the creature that had been captured.  It hadn’t taken the asari long to track.  There wasn’t supposed to be any breach in the ocean shield that protected swimmers and it wasn’t, as Morgan had found out with a little research, some predator dominated area.  More just a fluke.  Wildlife had a way of getting in sometimes and that was exactly what happened.  Morgan used his light amplification as the water was dark.  That and some other senses showed the creature, remarkably like a shark, roaming its watery prison as if there were more to eat within its confines.

The asari had marked the creature for extermination.  Too much danger, now that it had gone and eaten someone.  It would have a taste for more, and possibly seek out the area again.  The creature supposedly would swim tens of kilometers, maybe hundreds, to seek out its prey.  And why not come back?  Someone had died.  No one was going to fix the shield and call it a day.  The creature was going to get killed.

Morgan had only one problem with that.  He put the case he’d brought along down at the edge of the tank, took the Kishock modified for underwater use, and dove in.   

~ ~ ~ ~

“Holy Goddess!”

The asari ranger had never heard any kind of underwater explosion before.  And of course, even with her basic Commando training, had never seen a geyser of water flying into the sky of the size that she saw when she’d heard said explosion.

Something awful then fell from the sky and hit her in the face.

~ ~ ~ ~

It was an hour before dawn at the morgue when Morgan had come in.  There weren’t many people there either, of course.  There was the person at the desk who couldn’t even speak as Morgan ran his security clearance through her own scanner.  And there was the mortician who fortunately came right in to see Morgan after he’d gotten past the petrified desk employee.

Morgan had already laid Dahlia’s body on a bed.  The Mortician took one look at the expression on Morgan’s face and decided not to ask a number of questions that he normally would have.

“Can you do something with her?” Morgan asked.

The Mortician looked down and nodded.  “I haven’t seen anything like this before, but whatever she was in was designed to take its time with her.  She’s in relatively good shape, though I cannot do anything about the missing arm.

“Can you at least make her face look like it once was, for the viewing and funeral.”

The mortician nodded again.  “Fortunately yes.  It will be expensive.”

“I understand,”  Morgan said.  “There are a number of ways I can compensate for the cost.”

~ ~ ~ ~

“…And please, we must warn you, the images you are about to see are difficult, so please turn away, and if for some reason there are any children present, we recommend having them leave the room.  We’ll give you a few seconds to do that…all right.  These are the images at the police marina where, less than an hour ago, explosions were set off in the holding tank for the predator that attacked and killed a maiden earlier…”

The news drone cameras showed the exterior of the pool where the captured creature had once been.  Two thirds of the water was gone, being blown out of the tank.  The entirety of the area exposed to the air was covered in purple gore with ripped and stripped pieces of fish flesh stuck hanging from vertical surfaces.  For what was left of the water, a sewage of slaughter floated on its surface.

~ ~ ~ ~

VERA forwarded Morgan's form to Naleena directly as per Morgan's request on the form, noting the removal of several explosives for 'Dangerous Wildlife Removal'.    

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

She sat at her desk, her inbox was full, and there were incoming messages pending, some of them marked urgent. Life as a Spectre didn't change while she was on leave. Nothing changes. No one picks up the work. 

 

There were two messages that stood out. One was from Anika.

 

Naleena,

 

Left to take care of some personal business. I may be gone for a while. Don't worry about me. I'll be in touch soon.

 

Love always,

 

Anika

 

The other one was from VERA notifying her that the ship had been brought up to specs and was ready to depart whenever she gave the word, and that there was a very serious situation concerning Vayne.

 

Shore leave was over. Naleena sent out the message to all team members and copied the Medusa. "Return to the ship and prepare for departure."

[Kel Riever]

Morgan saw his message alert go off on his Omni-tool, then turned it off without checking for the moment.  He was standing looking over Dahlia, laying peacefully in the viewing, visible only from the shoulders up.  His family had come with him, off the Medusa out of honor.  It seemed nobody else was going to show up.  His brother, Keith, was in fact standing next to him.  Keith was dressed as well as could be expected, wearing a black suit, white shirt and bowtie, though one might have to forgive the black jorts, white cotton socks and sandals.  It was Keith.  He meant well.

"Sooo," Keith asked cautiously, out of respect though still unable to control his curiosity, "How did you get her out, again?"

Morgan sighed.  "I got in the tank with the thing, and after I incapacitated it with the Kishock..."

"Incapacitate means...it was still conscious?"

"Yes.  I had to then open it up with a blade and get her out.  It was messy."

Keith looked sideways at his older brother in wonderment.  Still curious, he went on.  "You, uh, you probably had to hold your breath a long time."

"I came up for air every now and then.  I was pretty determined."

Nodding, Keith said, "So, you killed it then, and got her out."

Morgan shook his head.  "It was still alive, and conscious."

Keith's eyes bugged out a bit.

"I got Dahlia out," Morgan explained, "Then packed the thing full of explosives while it was still fighting to stay alive."

Sandaled feed shifted uncomfortably.  "You know, she's beautiful.  I would have loved to have a girl like that.  Maybe I would of if it hadn't gone like this."

Morgan's brother was unable to control his thoughts from coming out of his mouth.  It was too much to explain to Keith, and Morgan understood it was, in part, Keith's way of expressing sympathy for Morgan.  Morgan patted Keith in the shoulder then looked down at Dahlia one last time.

"She deserved better, I think," Morgan remarked.  "But it wasn't up to me."

Then Morgan said goodbye to Dahlia in his mind before he left.
 

[Redbelle]

 

"...His rivals will stop at nothing to get you".

 

"I can...".

 

"Handle it"? The figure actually laughed. "You could not even handle me speaking but a word to you. But if you think you can indeed... handle it... Then I invite you to try by leaving this room".

 

Anika turned and headed for the doors. "Thanks for the warning. I'll be fine". She said as she approached and reached out to grip the door handle in her palm. She had only just begun to open it when the door flew open so suddenly that Anika was actually flung across the room halfway between where she had been and the black armoured figure who idly inspected the tips of one gauntleted hand.

 

"Really"? The figure said as Anika rolled up to look at what had thrown her.

 

She locked eye's on another figure in the same type of overly massive power armour, but unlike the one in black who hid behind a cape, this one seemed sleeker. More form fitting. Tubes ran down the arms and legs connecting into parts of the torso and back. The other thing she noticed right away, was that this armour was electric blue.

 

"Sisterwecan'twait...". The figure said so fast that Anika had trouble separating the words. "...Itoldyoushe'snotoneofus".

 

"Anika, I like you meet one of your other sisters... We call her Sense when we're working".

 

"Because she knocks you senseless"? Anika asked as she picked herself up and squared off against the figure facing her.

 

"Senselessthat'sagoodone. AlmostfeelbadaboutwhatI'maboutto...".

 

"Sense... We discussed this...".

 

"Noyoudiscussedthis. IsaywetieupthislooseendsoLawsoncan't...".

 

"She's still a sister".

 

"Notlikeus"!

 

"Can I have a say in this"! Anika called in a loud voice between the two. Turning to the door again she saw the armoured figure in blue standing there.... Then she blinked... And suddenly the figure was right in front of her!

 

"No".

 

She didn't even see the punch coming as she felt a sharp pain in her stomach and was found herself lifted off the floor, so fast and hard that she actually sailed through the air, hitting the mirror above the fire place that shattered before both she and it fell to the ground. Pain flared where the punch had struck and for once in her life Anika found herself in a situation she felt certain she could not control. Her breath came in short pants as she raised herself up and then Sense was on her again. moving so fast Anika's eye's couldn't track her as one moment she was there... then she had her throat in her hand and was lifting her up. Arm extended. Looking like it took no effort at all.

 

Despite the circumstances, Anika had a sudden pang of sympathy for all the people she'd fought over the years.

 

Then the pressure was gone and Anika crumpled to the floor. She coughed, the release of her allowing her to massage her throat as she looked up to see the black figure standing behind Sense. An ampule of some purple liquid in her hand that had been jammed into a port in her back of her helmet that was releasing inside of the figure as Sense cried out in surprise...

 

"Blur! Whatareyou Do-ing... Dam-mit... Why'd... You... Do... That..."?

 

The ampule, now empty, came out of it's port and the figure now known as Blur held it up to the power armored Sense as she tutted. "You've been off your meds to long".

 

"They... Make... Me... Gassy...".

 

"And help you control your impulses. You need to slow down".

 

"You... Slow... Down... I... Was... made... Like... This...". Sense pointed to Anika who looked up at them both in a mixture of awe and horrer. "...She's... Un-treated... We... Can't... Let... Her... Live... She... Can't... Protect... Herself...".

 

Sense looked down at Anika who in turn was starting to feel some of her strength returning. "Yes, I believe you rammed that point... home".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena took the time to visit the mortuary and pay her respects. She was the only one who knew Dahlia fairly well. She arrived as Morgan's family was leaving and overheard the discussion Morgan was having with Keith. She approached the casket, paid her respects and spoke with the mortician.

 

Naleena motioned with her head in the direction of Morgan. "You did very nice work restoring her and treated her with the respect she deserved. I assume he made the arrangements?"

 

"Yes, I told him it would be expensive. The words he used, 'there are a number of ways I can compensate,'" the mortician replied.

 

"I see," Naleena replied. "Do whatever he wants. Charge everything for Dahlia T'aniri's funeral to my account. Morgan's retrieval of her body was beyond the call of duty. If he protests, tell him I told you that. She deserved better. This is my fault. I should have treated her better than I did when she was in my charge."

 

Naleena turned and walked out, pausing at Morgan. "Thank you. Again, if there is anything I can do, let me know."

[Kel Riever]

Longbow and Red's Victory Party

It was almost dawn before Jenus had finally gotten back to the hotel, and had managed, despite security, to get access to the wing that the victory party was in.  They only got as far as the entrance to the private suite, though.  Jenus had a little help from a friend.

"She'll be out, I'm sure of it," Mira said to Jenus.

Jenus maybe nodded, maybe just let her head shift.  A few people glanced at her and Mira, not really knowing who they were, but Jenus didn't challenge them like she normally would.  Besides, it was late and a lot of them were some mixture between being wasted and exhausted from partying all night long.

Tallis

Tallis had gotten the news, both the message to head back and about Dahlia.  She'd made getting back to the ship her second priority, and seeing Dahlia at first.  Her companions were too tied up for her to wait for them, and even she almost missed the viewing.  But seeing Dahlia had the double benefit of not only saying goodbye to the asari she really never knew, but Tallis got to talking with Jen on the way out.  Sort of got to talking, in the way Tallis did.

"Sad.  Sad."

"Yes, it's never otherwise."  Jen didn't really know Tallis, but had been prepared for her from what Morgan had said about her.  Jen's mom listened, but walked discretely behind, while Keith and Morgan had already gone ahead.  "You all right?"

"Uh-huh.  Uh-huh."

Jen nodded.  She'd gotten out of her silvery suit for once, the one that allowed her dosage to be delivered for her condition, and gone for a long sleeved and legged black body suit.  The normal fabric felt unusual to her and she longed for her comfortable medical suit back.  While doing so, thoughts about it, her condition, and research led Jen to express some thoughts. 

"I've been working on things, you know, with VERA.  Not just my studies.  She's very curious and talkative, but I like it.  She makes me think.  And she's been talking to me about this problem that we've had with the famiy, and of course how it affects all of us."  Tallis looked at Jen questioning, and Jen clarified, "Iyana.  I'm speaking about Iyana.  And there's been some new information that's come to light. I don't know how far we can go with what we have, but I'm going to work with VERA and see how far the path goes to finding her.  Or what's going on with her.  I think we're heading in the right direction."

Tallis made an uncertain expression.  "Why?  Why?"

Jen paused, then seemed to understand.  "Why am I telling you?  I don't know.  Maybe people need some good news right now.  And I know you're busy with other things all the time, taking up your attention.  Maybe I wanted you to get the word out to others."


 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina and Longbow (Whisp) - Kel and SJ

 

Somewhere into the wee hours of the more private party, which was still going full swing, Longbow had gotten Irina into one of the bedrooms that had turned more into a breakout room for conversation that didn't involve so many people.  There were three other people around, including the Chief, but the talk had taken a break where the other three were a bit aside and making banter that for the moment didn't include the two racers.

 

Longbow sat one leg over the other in an outfit that represented her race suit, but was meant for casual wear and was more comfortable, though it had all the sponsor logos and still could function for civilian jet bike use.  She had some sort of drink in her hand in a nice glass, but even she forgot what it was.  Longbow caught Irina's glance with her silvery eyes and seemed to lock her with her vision.  Irina saw in Longbow's stare an admiration, and the asari race's words were as straight as her will.

 

"You've got a place here if you want, Red.  Everyone here thinks that."

 

Irina held her drink in her hand. She knew that was coming. She took a deep breath.

 

"You know, Whisp, I spend my time on a ship and we're on an important mission. I've seen sh*t that would make your crest stand on end," she said and continued. "I get a racing monthly as a diversion. Then Goldie, one of our commandos starts going on how we're going to Thessia in time for the big race, and I see a singles event. I've got a decent bike, so I figure it'll be a chance to take few laps on the big track before some bad guy puts a bullet in my head. I had no idea that Alisa Cascian was daugher of the Marcus Cascian at the time.

 

"Next thing I knew I qualified for a race I never thought I'd qualify for," she walked over to the window and looked out at the City of Armali. "And then that call from you. Riding in the main event.... Then we won it. Last thing I thought would happen."

 

She sighed. "You know I'd be a fool not to take this, but I've got commitments at the moment. It's important stuff - protecting the galaxy and all that rot. Will the door be open say in six months or a year if I stay healthy? Because I can't see myself shooting bad guys for much longer, but racing? I could do that for another ten to fifteen years, but at the moment I got a team depending on me. So I'll tell you what. I'll sign on with you, but I need to finish my mission before I can report. And if you want, I can talk to Cascian. She has a photographic memory and is our shuttle mechanic. She'll be done with her military obligation by then, too. What do you think?"

 

Whisp lounged slightly farther back in her room chair and took a sip of her drink before answering.  "I can't promise anything out that far, Irina.  Things change at a moment's notice.  The door's open now.  Maybe it will be then, too."

 

The silvery eyes of the asari wandered for a bit, searching the room as if to assess the atmosphere, or feel the environment.  It was late, and idle talk had become giddy.  When the silvery eyes came back to Irina, they smiled on their own, and Whisp went further.  "You're going to leave anyway, I think.  I can't stop you.  But I can offer you a longer, sweeter goodbye."

 

Irina smiled at Whisp. "Do you remember that Commando I asked you to let into your garage, but she preferred to stay outside and watch others? We made a promise to each other. Had we not, I'd be in your arms," she said and took a sip of her mead. "One thing about me, Whisp, is loyalty. Perhaps it is a fault of mine, but I think not. You're one of the most beautiful Asari I've ever met, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted, but if I did, I couldn't face Jenus."

 

She took deep breath. "That said I hope the racing offer is open, or that we can work out something when my mission is done because there is nothing I'd like more than to join your team," she said and tapped her omni-tool. "Here's my contact information. Let's stay in touch. Anyway, I should go."

 

"Mmmnnn," Whisp emoted instead of speaking.  She finished her drink and drew a finger across her lips to stop a loose droplet from escaping.  Thoughtfully silent for a pause, Whisp tapped the same finger on the arm of her chair, then uncrossed her legs and stood.  She checked her omni-tool and accepted Irina's information.  "I'm not used to taking no for an answer, or even a later." 

 

"Take anything you need if you can keep it secret.  There's nothing to hide from the military, but you'll be messing with my job if it gets back to the racing world."  Whisp walked with Irina to the door of the room, the two passing right by the trio still oblivious in their three way conversation.  Eyes scanning the party, Whisp stated, "Guess I'm going to have to find someone else for tonight and wish it was you, Red." 

 

"Nothing will get back to the racing world. You have my word," Irina said. "I just have to talk to our Spectre about putting the word 'Classified' on the files and call it 'high speed pursuit training.' Thank you, Whisp."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Longbow and Red's Victory Party - Jenus and Irina

 

Irina left Longbow's room looking like she'd disappointed someone, but she was looking for someone else now. Jenus. Where was Jenus? Jenus wasn't very tall and she had difficulty spotting her, but she saw Textbrain. What was Textbrain doing here? She began approaching and saw her anxious partner, and smiled and briskly made her way to her.

 

Irina hugged and kissed Jenus, who was unsure of what happened in the bedroom. Jenus noticed that Irina stank, but it was the stink of nervous sweat, not of sex.

 

"Sorry, I haven't had a chance to shower yet from the race," Irina said. "Longbow and I were discussing my racing future."

 

"I thought you were...."

 

Irina put her hands on Jenus' shoulders. "I thought we made a promise to each other," she said as she ran her finger down Jenus' sternum. "We didn't open up to each other like we did, and you didn't drag me back from the space port for nothing. My racing future? We... need to talk about that, but not here.

 

"So, Textbrain, it's good to see you up and about. And good to see you're back with both arms again."

 

Mira shook her head. "Somethings never change..... I've been cleared for duty. The Spectre paid me a visit and invited me to rejoin the crew. I jumped at the chance."

 

"Hmmm... Lieutenant T'riel joining the team again. This will be interesting," Irina said and cast a sideways glance to Jenus.

 

"What do you mean? 'This will be interesting?'" Mira asked.

 

"Let's just say there have been some organizational changes on board since you've been gone," Irina said. "Oh, and welcome back."

 

Their omni-tools flashed with an incoming message notifying them about Dahlia, and her memorial. And another one that shore leave was over after the memorial. The three didn't know Dahlia all that well, but she was part of the team and they would pay their respects.