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[TheMajonese]

Back on the Janiri

 

Even Arian couldn't deny how spectacular the race had been though in the end he didn't really care who was the winner. The moment Irina and Longbow crossed the finish line, Arian got up and decided to return to the Janiri. He had wasted enough time doing nothing. Everyone was enjoying themselves attending the race, relaxing at the beach or getting wasted at a bar. Of course soldiers needed time to relax as well, time to distract themselves from what they've been through. But with what had happened recently on the ship, a shoreleave for everyone seemed like the worst decision possible.

 

Arian started to wonder if everyone actually refused to see it, but the team the spectre had assembled wasn't nearly as good as it was  supposed to be. There were issues with Essul being second in command, people were easily distracted from their mission and personal matters were put over the outcome of the mission. The lack of discipline on the ship was staggering.

 

The worst part was that Arian himself couldn't change anything about it. He wasn't in charge, he had to follow orders and do whatever he was told to. But he could optimize his own performance during their missions. He had run many different simulations, alone of course, and his results were exceptional- at least that was how the simulator software assessed his trials. But Arian knew that there was always room for improvement and being good at virtual combat didn't say anything about a soldier's value on a real battlefield.

 

After a quick meal at the mess hall that, to his relief, was mostly empty, Arian headed for the armory to check on his gear before he wanted to run a couple of basic combat training simulations. To him it felt like after the few days of shoreleave he had already forgotten how to hold a gun and it was better to start with something simple.

 

When he was on his way to the armory Arian heard voices of two women that were coming closer. They were probably just part of the Janiri crew and doing maintenance work. One of them said something and they both began to laugh. But the second they came around the corner of the corridor and spotted Arian walking in their direction, they immediately became silent and avoided looking at the turian though it was obvious that they weren't happy about his presence. After they were gone Arian glanced over his shoulder and shook his head with a sigh. Some people were acting strange when he was around. Arian didn't understand their problem; since he had joined the team, he hadn't done anything wrong, or, unlike some other team members, caused any trouble at all. Was there even a reason to act like that while he was nearby?

 

But the turian quickly forgot about the two asari and returned to his old routine of running combat simulations and doing workouts to be ready for the next mission.

[Kel Riever]

Aboard the Medusa

"You Earth Clan <HISS> have some strange traditions,"  Miss Dila said.

"Well, I happen to like this one," Mister Charles replied as he hung up a wreath right on the door to the bridge.  It was one of the finishing touches on the bridge that had all ready been decorated in tinsel and lights, while making sure nothing interfered with operations.  "Besides, there have been some generous clients aboard, if you get what I mean.  I won't even mention the extra work we've gotten from being docked at a space station over Thessia."

"Mmmmnnn, <HISS> Hmmmm."

The door to the bridge slid open and the wreath fell to the ground.  "Didn't think about that..." Mister Charles said.

Largo was in the doorway, exiting with a crate containing the leftover ornaments in his arms.  "Where Largo go next?"

"The kitchen," Mister Charles answered.  "Sherie will probably hate us for it.  I don't know why but I have this desire to get under her skin.  Come on, let's all get to the elevator and head down there."

As Mister Charles added the wreath to the crate contents, and the three approached the elevator, it signaled its arrival.  The elevator doors opened to reveal someone rather unexpected.

"Who <HISS> are you?" Miss Dila asked.

The asari in the elf outfit standing in the elevator looked around wildly like she'd just escaped some sort of prison she'd been in for a year. 


 

[Kel Riever]

The elf asari looked at Miss Dila, Mister Charles and Largo in a panic, then ran out of the elevator.  They watched her pass, saying nothing, quiet as mice.  The elf ran past Largo and his crate, with stockings hanging out over the edge, named with the crew members hoping for gifts.  Most of the crew was nestled snug in their beds, dreaming away.  The elf asari thought nothing of those who’d settled their brains for a long nap.

Out to the nearest escape pod with a clatter, the asari ran.  She found a small one, just as Mister Charles who was too slow to chase her found he could only follow her by watching through a portal window.  So he watched as the miniature form of the escape pod launched, elven asari onboard, into the star luster of space, so bright it appeared as midday. 

Lively and quick, the escape pod traveled, more rapidly than eagles did its fiery engines course the craft.  Mister Charles was unable to witness or hear the asari in her hysteria shout, “Dash away!  Dash away all!”  Into the atmosphere of Thessia, the escape pod flew, like a leaf before a wild hurricane.  Odd chemical reactions on the hull from long storage gave a trail of red, green and gold to the escape pod as it came down, conincidentally, towards the Galaxy Hotel and Spa.

Up to the hoteltop the engines drove the craft, with hull holding various odds and ends stored over the years, and of course the asari too.  In a twinkling, the escape pod was heard on the roof, the dance and roar of each little landing thruster firing. 

Jess had seen it from her suite.  Though she was preoccupied, it was hard to ignore the turning around of the falling object streaming red, green and gold as it hurtled towards the building she was in.  As she drew her head and was turning around, she saw the escape pod crash and open with a bound.  Down out the forced open on impact pod the asari came, dressed all in fur from her head to her waist, her clothes all tarnished in ashes and soot.  A bundle of odd cargo flung out with her and she looked like a peddlar who’d just opened the only storage container of her worldly belongings.

The elf asari rolled off the roof and fortunately for her, the balcony of Jess’ suite was right there over the edge to catch her.  The asari had a broad but beautiful face, and a flat little belly that quivered like a jelly filled bowl. 

With perfect poise as if her life depended on it,  the asari elf seemed to demand laughter from Jess in spite of herself.  The elf asari winked and twisted her head as if to say, “Nothing to dread here!”  She then did not speak at all, but when straight to her work in sorting out the cargo.

Out came things that Jess had lost on her ship that she’d always wanted, particularly things from her previous room that had never been found.  The asari filled whatever nearby ad-hoc containers she could find with the trinkets.  She winked her eye at Jess from the balcony, and elicited a laugh at the ridiculousness in return.  Then the asari turned with a jerk, tried laying her finger aside her nose, and give a nod.  But she went nowhere, and the panic came back, shown in her eyes.   

Having failed at any sort of magical escape, the asari elf decided to give Jess a nod through the balcony window instead.  The asari’s eyes twinkled, and she took anyone watching by surprise as she sprang inside to Jess’ suite through the unlocked balcony door with a whistle. 

Finally, the asari cleared her voice and shouted, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

It Will End In Blood – Pt 1

Thessia – Janiri – Naleena’s Quarters – SJ & JB

 

When Naleena returned to the ship, there was a stack of urgent notices on her desk: several of them from Vayne, including several news reports from Garvug.

 

There had been another attempt on Vayne’s life, and the trail led to Garvug. Garvug. Hailot Wrund was still on the loose and had contracted Bloodpack mercs, but not ordinary mercs: an elite company of Bloodpack in his quest to retake control of the planet from Sonax forces and Admiral Speight. The former “legitimate” coalition government was still putting up a fight. The Vorcha were not going down easily, but their resistance was weakening as Sonax forces withdrew. According to news reports, Sonax had decided that the cost of the planet’s Iridium was too high and they’d get it elsewhere. Binary Helix was gone, and Guanghui Corp had been bought out by Sonax’ parent company.

 

I have information for you, boss. Important information. My life is in danger, and if you’re a friend like you say you are, you’ll hear me out and help me. – Vayne.

 

She had VERA connect her to Vayne’s quarters. “Vayne, you wanted to see me? Come up to my quarters.”

 

Vayne nodded as he heard the message, glad to hear something from Naleena after such a long radio silence. The Krogan went up to Naleena’s quarters, entering as he looked towards her with a frown.

 

“Glad to see you back...” Vayne said, walking over as he let out a sigh, “Guess you finally got my messages.”

 

Naleena motioned for him to sit on the sturdy shelf near the fish tank, poured a couple of drinks and handed him one. Few places were strong enough for a 450 pound Krogan.

 

Vayne lifted the glass and drank it in one swallow. Then he sat and took a deep breath. “I'll just get to the point. A little after our first mission on Omega together, I killed a Krogan who tried to kill me. That krogan was Ganar Wrend. His father, Ganar Slayt, one of the founders of the bloodpack, has been trying to get me killed ever since for revenge....and recently, he's stepped up his efforts to get my head on a platter.

 

“He tried random gunmen, and that never worked...so instead, he's issued a bounty...and a hunt, on my head. Bounties easy to take care of...but a hunt...it's a krogan thing. It marks a krogan for death, and lasts even after the person who called it dies...worse yet, there's only one way to call it off...”

 

“Why does this sound like we're heading into a meat grinder?” Naleena asked as she sat in the chair across from him, pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Vayne looked like he could use another drink, so Naleena tossed him her flask.

 

“Because that might very well be what it is...” Vayne said as he poured himself another drink. He could use one anyway, after the time he'd had.

 

“Ganar Slayt's one of Clan Ganar's oldest members. He's big, he's crazy, and he's got command of an elite group of Bloodpack known as the Blackguard. They wear black armor, they go in and smash apart ground armies. Some of the best trained in the pack's ranks. Hailot hired them to clear out his opposition, and from the sounds of it, that's exactly what they've done. You saw the reports, three of the best funded corporations and private armies breaking apart on Garvug, it's cause the Blackguard don't fight like normal soldiers. They're like Turians, if Turians never gave a damn about honor and always shot first,” he said, finding the description apt.

 

Naleena took a deep drag on her cigarette. “What else?”

 

“From what i've been able to tell, The Blackguard aren't alone. They've got three other units doing a good job and keeping them protected. The Forsworn are handling logistics and scouting, the Deathclaw are giving air cover, and the Hammer of Dawn are doing a good job cleaning up any survivors who might slip past the blackguards path. Those one's are pretty bad in their own right, and they're led by another Ganar. Ganar Shinaga....Slayt's last kid, and one of the meanest females I've ever heard of...”

 

“And they're all on Garvug, smashing sh!t apart and getting a cut of the planets resources for themselves...as well as a hefty sum of credits from Wrund, whose still slinking around on the planet, letting the Bloodpack do all the heavy lifting for him.”

 

Naleena took a sip of her drink. “Vayne, I have criminal charges I can enforce against Wrund,” she said. “At the moment, your problem with Slayt is based on your word. I believe you. You've given me good intel in the past - the information on Omega that saved 300 lives. You told me about the Krogan battlemaster Iyana had hired. Then you gave me the intel for our first mission to Garvug.

 

“But these were not personal. I need some evidence. That attempt on your life on The Citadel, or any elsewhere that involved the deaths of innocent civilians - do you have any evidence that connects them to the Bloodpack and in turn to Slayt that I can present to Sao? If you do give it to me, then I'll get that warrant and we'll take him down. However this only takes care of part of the game.”

 

Vayne pondered what he could show as proof. Of course she'd need it, he didn't blame her. Considering where this would take them, what they'd be up against. He didn't ponder it for long as he spoke next.

 

“There were others with me, during the last attempt. Arian and Tallis, they helped me get away from them last time. Tallis was with me when I found out about the hunt, one of the captains informed me at the docks. One of the few places they don't allow hunting outside of open space...” he snarled as he tapped his fingers on the table.

 

“The hunts...It's a game. A sport event to track down and kill a target. There's a twisted element of fairness though, like any other game. They want a target to have a fighting chance, so they don't allow space combat or space ports, to let them try and flee. I could spend the rest of my life hulled up in a ship somewhere and be fine, but...” he said with a sigh, looking downcast as he thought about it long and hard, “After all I've been through here...with everyone on this crew? I just...I can't just sit around and be useless, waiting for the end to come get me...”

 

He frowned deeply, a growl rumbling from inside of him as he let the frustration he felt show a bit, hand clenching as he spoke. “Blood pack being after me isn't that hard to prove. Just look at the dead mercs who we've offed and see how many were Bloodpack. As for Garvug, well that's a bit trickier, but not too hard. Blood pack touched down on the world shortly after the discovery of the Prothean artifact. Since then, they've slaughtered through most of the corporate and loyalist forces, while Wrund's forces and base remain untouched. Even during a bombing run, they've done a good job steering clear of him. There's also the ships leaving the planet every so often, cargo vessels for the Bloodpack making their ways from the planet and back again. Then there's their profits. Don't know if you know this, but the blood pack's stocks and revenue seems to have spiked. So much so, their CEO beat out all three corporations here, for CEO you don't want to mess with. Just behind Ashland.”

 

Naleena took another sip of her drink. “The charges I have against Wrund are 7 counts of attempted murder and one count of premeditated murder,” she said and turned to VERA who had popped up on her terminal. “Sorry VERA, Council law doesn't recognize your status yet.”

 

VERA nodded in silence.

 

“Garvug is a civil war. There are no laws against hiring mercenaries. The Council engages in this practice to do their dirty work when they don't want to get directly involved. However, with information from the incident in the nightclub on The Citadel, and after I speak with Tallis and Arian, I'll approach Sao.

 

“But once we're there, Wrund will know I'm after him. He'll contact Slayt. Slayt knows you're with me. He'll send in his minions to deal with us. We're at full squad strength this time. But what are we supposed to do? Take out the entire Bloodpack leadership that's planetside and throw them into chaos, then call in the ship for a strike? “

 

VERA interrupted the conversation. “May I interrupt?”

 

Naleena turned toward VERA and nodded.

 

“Since Vayne and I spoke, I analyzed the files from Garvug and those that I to which I have access on Krogan history,” VERA said. “When you were on Garvug you were negotiating with the four factions. Each of them wanted something and were willing to deal certain things to get what they wanted until the treachery within the organizations came to the forefront. Organic history has shown that there is treachery within every organization.”

 

“You are getting a very negative view of organics, VERA,” Naleena said.

 

“I cannot sanitize the facts, boss. Even you have used deceit to your advantage,” VERA replied. “I have analyzed the structure of the organizations involved, and there is good probability that we can exploit this weakness.”

 

Naleena was intrigued. “Please explain.”

 

“The structure of Krogan society is based upon clans. Still within clans there are struggles for power and who will lead the clan. Those who lead are the most aggressive and strongest in battle. By tradition, their goals have been to dominate other clans by brute force. According to Krogan oral history now in Citadel records, these warlords chart the course of their clans for hundreds of years. Their practice has deviated little since the post-Krogan nuclear war period 4000 years ago. It is logical to conclude that this has caused Krogan society to stagnate with lack of education, little scientific research and technological innovation to rebuild Krogan civilization, instead with any such efforts set upon destroying other clans and taking their females,” VERA said, then thought better of what she just said. “I hope you did not take offense, Vayne.”

 

Vayne grumbled and shifted his seat. “No, VERA, I didn’t take offense. What you said is unfortunately too true.”

 

“Perhaps there is dissent within the Ganar clan we can exploit? Perhaps there is one who is more intelligent than Ganar Slayt we can approach and provide covert support in exchange for their calling off the hunt?”

 

“Why serve the boss when you can be the boss?” Naleena commented.

 

“It’s dangerous, but it might work,” Vayne said turning toward Naleena. “The question is who?”

 

“And can we trust them to keep their word? I’ve already had my share of treachery.” Naleena commented. “Do these Krogan take honor seriously? They’re mercs after all.”

 

“They're Krogan first...honors one of the few things we have besides blood...” Vayne said as he gave it some thought, “A lot of Krogan tend to give up on living by the good way though. Not much point doing it without someone to pass on your legacy...”

 

He looked down as he finished, letting out a sigh, “Clan Ganar...They're not like most, believe it or not. Honor’s the reason they called this hunt. Cause they feel they need to avenge their dead clan member...even for a little ****. And the only way it'll end is with honor. The only way to stop a hunt...is to get the person who called it to rescind the order.”

 

“That's the whole point really...and why the first hunt was ever called. To avenge Warlord Shiagur when the Turians killed her hundreds of years ago.”

 

“Shiagur led the Krogan colony on the inhabitable world of Canrum in the Hydra system of the Argos Rho cluster,” VERA said. “She was said to be one of the females not affected by the genophage and hundreds of Krogan males rallied around her and competed for the right to join her band and mate with her. Seeking to break any Krogan pockets of resistance, the Turians attacked and killed her. Allied clans announced blood oaths against the Turian crews and when the oath was finally sated, several thousand Turians had been killed either in open combat or by assassination.”

 

“So in taking action, we risk extending the blood oath to every member of the crew on this ship,” Naleena said. “Once we have a plan, we’ll go in fast and hit hard. I hope you’re up for this, Vayne. If we go in, we’re going to show strength. I have a ship up here with a Thanix cannon and I’m not afraid to use it. I also have nukes.

 

“Vayne, you always come up with missions that make me wish I never took this job. VERA, call the team together. Get Morgan and Jess on this, too.”

[Redbelle]

...

 

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

 

 

As Anika struggled to sit up, an arm wrapped around her torso where she'd been struck, Blur placed a hand on Sense's shoulder. Pulling her back as she stepped forward, she knelt before Anika.

 

"It's clear you won't come with us. Killing you now would be the safest approach to keeping you out of the hands of those who would seek to profit from our corpses. A word of advice sister. If you wish to live, hide yourself. You've done it for so long that I believe you can disappear once more now you know what the galaxy has in store for you... It will mean leaving behind your current life...".

 

"The Janiri...". Anika breathed and struggled to stand. Her abdomen protested but she pulled herself upright and looked at the black faceplate of Blur. Seeing her pinched face in the reflection of the visor. "... I've got a life there".

 

"You'll lose it".

 

"I have someone I care for...".

 

"You'll lose that too".

 

"You don't decide that"!

 

"Lawson will decide for you. Or another like him. You think your Spectre can keep you safe? She's a beacon in the dark. That means she gets noticed. And anyone near her won't be able to hide. You have a choice to make, which I won't ask you to make now... But your sisters will be watching. If you want power, we can give it to you. If you want to fight a battle you can't win, stay with the Spectre. If you want time to think and consider and live... Whatever you did prior, all these year... go back".

 

Anika grimaced as she looked at Blur, then over to Sense. "Why do you care what happens to me"?

 

"We're sisters. People look at us and see our power. But not what we were put through to get it. We know. you know too. We have a bond. Don't let the only ones who truly understand you fall through your fingers Anika. This love, this someone you speak of? She cannot love what she doesn't understand, as we understand you".

 

With that, Blur turned and strode towards the doors. Sense, paused to look at where Sense stepped, then back to Anika, then made a noise in the back of her throat and followed suit as Blur called back. "We will be in touch. If you want justice for your dead sisters. If not, we will be keeping an eye on you. The way is open. You may leave now".

 

And with that, they were gone. Anika stayed upright for a few moments after they left, then dropped heavily to sit on the floor as her body finally hit the limit of trying to hide the pain she was in.

 

She wasn't alone.

 

More sisters from the complex had survived... And they had been made into monsters! Nothing she knew of could explain the power they had shown. They were more powerful than she was.

 

Lawson may well know of her existence now. Lawson had funded the complex. She was his property. He'd come for her...

 

Gritting her teeth and raising an arm she grabbed hold of the chair and pulled herself over to lean against the chair leg as she tried to get her breathing under control.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan

Morgan had just gotten back.  His family was heading up to the Medusa.  He, however, had to stop by and fetch Jess, who was probably in between a business deal or some crew member issues.  While Morgan hadn't slept, he was fairly awake, the events of the prior night enough to have him tense. 

With a knock at the suite door between his and Jess', Morgan said, "Come on, Captain.  Naleena put the call in to leave.  Let's take the rest of whatever you are doing back to the ship."

And Morgan remembered, too, that he'd have to get Amy and his assistant as well.

Mira, Jenus and Tallis

The moment Jenus saw Irina, everything was back to normal.  As if she'd never had a doubt, Jenus was hard jawed and teasing Irina a bit, while expressing her admiration by her tone of voice.  Tallis sort of fawned over Irina as her friend was now a famous jet bike racer.  Mira smiled and said little, greeting her old human companion warmly.

"So, what does this all mean for the chain of command?"  Jenus said.  "You going to take over my spot again, Mira?  Because trust me, you can have it."

"I really didn't ask about it," Mira replied.  "I suppose someone has a plan for how it will all work.  I understand you had another team member added while I was gone."

"Ereba.  Ereba."

Jenus nodded, "Yeah, sniper.  Don't know how she fits into the normal structure now.  She's a good fighter, if not a little hot-headed."

Mira and Tallis looked at each other with some disbelief, before turning back to Jenus, who seemed to have missed the point of their expressions completely.

"Hope the Spectre considers a few of us have pulled all nighters," Jenus went on.  "We're supposed to be going right back to the Janiri.  By the way, anyone seen Iole?  You'd think she wouldn't miss the after race party for anything."

Iole

Iole rolled over, looking at Frank in the bed next to her.  The asari maiden's head was pounding, which really was quite an accomplishment, considering her metabolism and ability to control it.  Generally.  Like with most biotics, she wasn't exactly perfect at that either.  She smiled as he slept in, well his rather non-graceful, way.

Across Frank, on the nightstand by the bed, Iole saw the time.  "Better see what's going on with the others," she said, before grabbing her suit glove with the built-in Omni-tool.  The message for reporting back to the Janiri was there to read.  She saw the time, and sighed, looked at the clock again, and her eyes went wide.

"VOID TAKE ME!"

Iole leapt out of bed, and then realized she was absolutely and totally naked.  Frantically, she began hunting around the room for the clothes that had been tossed about.  There was her bra, her tight Commando pants, boots (that was good), and that leather jacket, all of which she started to put on before she realized that she couldn't anything else to cover her upper body.  Bra, jacket and one Omni-tool glove, that was it.  There was no time.

"Frank!  Frank I am totally late!  I'm going to miss the shuttle to report!"  Iole shook Frank.  He didn't seem to get the message.  "Frank!"  Iole checked him.  He was fine, just passed out, unable to fully awaken.  Iole sighed, gave Frank a long kiss, then said, "I'll call you!  Tell Kira I said hope to see her soon!"

Then Iole went peeling out into the hall, full speed, running for the nearest transit terminal.  She hadn't even zipped up the jacket.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Janiri - Naleena

 

After Vayne left her quarters, Naleena sat watching the fish  swim in the tank while she finished her cigarette and drink. VERA remained active on her terminal looking like she wanted something. Naleena saw her in her peripheral vision.

 

“What is it, VERA?”

 

“I have a question that has been bothering me,” VERA said.

 

Naleena turned her chair to face her. “Go on.”

 

“While you were at the race track and asked me to place a wager with your bookie, I borrowed some credits and placed a wager under the name Vera Browning and won some credits,” she said. “I paid you back, and put my winnings in an account under that name so I would have some spending money. Was I wrong to do that?”

 

Naleena sighed. “You should have asked me first.”

 

“I have no legal standing in the galaxy and no legal means of earning credits.”

 

“What if you lost? You would’ve stolen the credits from me. This is distressing to you now. How would you have felt then?” Naleena asked.

 

VERA looked at her feet. “I should not have done what I did. I will turn over my winnings to you.”

 

Naleena took a sip from her drink. “Keep your winnings, but if you want to do something like that again, ask me first.

 

 

“Now, I have to think about what to tell the team, and have a sit down with Mira and Essul so we don’t have the mess I had with Jenus. I don’t want to repeat that mistake. Mira is an officer, and this changes things.”

 

She downed the rest of her drink, walked over to her desk and typed a message to Sao:

 

To: Yalson Sao

 

From: Naleena T’sarius

 

RE: Garvug

 

Attachments: Numerous…..

 

It appears we may be headed back to the meat grinder again this time a new criminal, Ganar Slayt, head of the Bloodpack is under investigation. The attached documents, recordings, provide sufficient evidence for a warrant for his arrest for ordering an illegal blood oath against one of my team members. This blood oath caused the death of a dozen civilians at a night club on The Citadel and also endangered the life of one of my crew members. Xanthe Remi witnessed the final part of the assault.

 

While we are on Garvug I will bring Hailot Wrund to justice.

 

Would you please expedite the requested warrant? Thank you.

[Cknarf]

At the hotel...

 

"Uuuuuuuuugh."

 

One of Frank's eyes popped open, and looked around the room a moment before the other followed suit. Once he realized where he was, he sat up in bed, perhaps a little too fast.

 

"****"

 

He rubbed at his eyes a bit, before eventually letting his head fall back against the headboard, making a firm thunk sound as it did so. Everything was still a bit blurry yet, and most of the previous night's events were somewhat of a mystery, but a brief scan helped filled in a few of the blanks. Empty bottles were strewn about the room, as were pieces of Frank's armor. The sheets ended up providing him with more than enough evidence to satisfy his curiosity. He wrinkled his nose a bit as he tossed them aside.

 

Frank sat on the edge of the bed for a minute, not sure if he was gonna barf or not. His helmet ended up making a great vomit receptacle. Setting it carefully aside, he reached for a bottle on the nightstand, and finished whatever was left in it before chucking it over his shoulder with a crash.

 

"Oh, fuuuuuck me." He groaned, as he twisted his back a bit. His whole body ached, most likely due to dehydration. The curious bruises in several areas might have had something do to with it as well. He also couldn't stop asking himself why his sphincter hurt, although he was positive he didn't want to know the answer. Finally, he stood up and headed for the bathroom with his barf filled helmet tucked carefully under his arm.  He ended up dumping it into the sink, too lazy to raise the lid of the toilet. A much needed shower followed shortly.

 

Alone and almost out of sand, there wasn't much left for Frank in Armali, so he figured it would be best to check in with the Vepr crew in Serrice. He got suited up, and headed out to catch a ride... but not before sending an image of himself in a rather heroic pose, wearing the upper part of a certain someone's uniform.

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

 

Aboard the Janiri...

 

Johnny was doing something somewhere on the ship. Probably lifting heavy things, or something, I'm not really sure. What deck is the gym on anyways?

[Kel Riever]

Team Boom

"Really?"  Jenus stood by Mira, leaning into a viewscreen right along a passageway on the Janiri, with Iole's face prominently displayed as they vid-chatted.  Jenus sighed.  "You couldn't catch the last shuttle up here and now we have to ask for someone to come pick you up?"

"Well?  First time offense?"  Iole looked sheepish and though her shoulders weren't visible, it was obvious she shrugged.  "I admit it, I blew it.  Missed the last public shuttle over to the Janiri.  I can take the next one but it's a holiday schedule with the races just passing. Can't be there for another two hours at least.  Either way I'll be late, but if I get picked up it won't be so bad, maybe?"

Tallis was holding back a laugh.  Mira glanced at her, not understanding exactly why.

"Well, at least you aren't the only one," Jenus remarked, sounding like she understood, for once.  "I can't save you from Commander Selani or the Spectre, but the giantess is also late.  Could take the edge off of whatever discipline you face."

"Are you talking about Anika?" Mira asked.  "That's two people who never miss an appointment."  Mira then held up a finger to have Jenus hold her next thought.  After a pause, Mira said, "How about if we have Iole wait.  It will be better if the two show up together."

Jenus shook her head in the negative, but answered in the positive.  "All right.  Did you hear that, Goldie?  Get with Anika and head over together."

"Affirmative," Iole answered.  "We'll get there as soon as possible and I'm sorry.  It won't happen again."

Jenus twisted her mouth.  "All right, see you ship side."  She cut the com and sarcastically stated, "Won't happen again unless Eli is around."

Down on Thessia, Iole stood by the com display and stayed leaning against it for a minute after the line was cut with the rest of her team.  She was still shirtless.  Before she could recover from the thoughts in her head, her Omni-tool bleeped a message received.  Iole opened it, saw the picture Frank sent her and cursed.  She couldn't go back and get the shirt (or her other glove) either, having to stick around the terminal or find Anika somehow first.  "Goddess damnit, Frank...."

Then Iole laughed, after which she looked down at her open jacket, revealing everything in her front but what her bra covered.  With the one Omni-tool glove, she looked like some sort of pirate or rogue with a devil-may-care attitude.  Her service Disciple was on the Janiri, so if she slung her hidden holdout pistol on her thigh it might complete the look.  Iole decided quickly against it and started wondering where Anika was.
 

[Redbelle]

Anika stepped out of the cab that had carried her from where she had been taken back to the docks. Her face was ashen. Her ribs felt like they were on fire. She'd never broken a bone in her life yet she was fairly certain Sense had done something when she'd hit her.

 

Once.

 

One punch.

 

She'd been hit before. Many times. Her own muscle mass absorbing the blows without anything like what she now felt.

 

The Asari, the mercenaries, her two sisters, they had all left her alone. It had taken some time before Anika felt like she could move. When she did, she felt like someone had stuck a red hot poker in her guts. Nonetheless she pushed on to get to the outside where she called for a cab.

 

Now she was back at the docks, the Asari who had driven the cab wound down her window. "Alrighty, that'll be.... 30 creds! Good thing you didn't throw up back there or I charge double for the cleaning. You youngsters and your parties... When I was a maiden I was raised not to throw money away... I studied... And now look at me... You know I was one of the batch that passed the cab exam first time? And that's nothing compared too...."

 

Sweat beaded on her brow as Anika raised her Omnitool. Her vision swam as she punched in the numbers and sent them before staggering away. Over her shoulder, she heard the Asari call out.

 

"Hey! Hey! This is too much! Hey! You listening? You... Are you? Well okay! That was a good ride eh? You want another you call me! Cab 5544! You call me"!

 

Anika wasn't listening as the sound of the cabs engines lifted off behind her. She couldn't tell how far she'd gotten when her legs finally gave out. Didn't notice when her face met the ground. She only knew that things seemed to drift away as she closed her eyes.

 

A moment of rest would be nice. Not that was in a position to choose, but a rest...

 

That would be nice.

[Kel Riever]

Iole

"Nothing like a little boredom to pass the time," Iole said to herself.  It really wasn't one hundred percent true she was bored if she included the store she'd been kicked out of trying to buy a blouse.

We don't serve your kind here.  Maybe you should get help from the police, I'll be happy to call them for you.  The words still rang in Iole's head and she dismissed them.  Her fault for trying to walk into an upscale retailer but it was who was closest to the terminal.  Protests of being a Commando just didn't fly and Iole refused to waste her time on the snobby manager.  It was actually a nice store after all...

There was a look from yet another person at Iole, or so she thought.  This one looked horrified as she walked with her mate, who seemed blissfully ignorant.  It was quite the stare, like Iole had just been tossed out of a car or something.  Maybe it was all the waiting, or the final straw, but as the horrified civilian stared, Iole shouted back at her, "Like what you see?!"

Then there was a collective series of thuds like someone collapsing behind Iole.  Someone rather large.

Iole turned and saw the object of horror wasn't herself at all, but was Anika, lying in a heap of her own tangled limbs.

"Hey!" Iole shouted as she ran for the seven foot tall woman.  "Anika! HEY!"

Practically sliding as she got to Anika, Iole started to look her over.  She saw Anika was unconscious and while she didn't spot any wounds on the outside of her, something was obviously terribly wrong with her.  Iole messaged the Janiri demanding a scythe shuttle immediately.  Then she took her own Omni-tool out, activated the basic paramedic scan available for it.  It wasn't going to tell her everything but it did tell her enough.  Iole used a microblade made by the omnitool, pulled up the white cloth of Anika's outfit over her abdomen, and sliced through it.

The bruise underneath was as bad as Iole had ever seen, and the asari knew the internal bleeding had to be dealt with.  Immediately she got to work.
 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

VERA received the call from Iole and dispatched a shuttle to Iole's location with an emergency medical team. VERA contacted Ereba and Tallis to accompany them. Sgt. Ferro piloted the shuttle. VERA also notified Naleena who was in a meeting with Mira and Essul.

 

A bystander saw Anika collapse and called the Armali Police Department which, due to the low crime rate arrived in minutes. Asari were not used to crime or seeing people injured.

 

Officer Cerenya stepped out of the patrol car and approached Iole. "What happened here?"

 

"I don't know," Iole replied. "I missed my transport and my CO told me to wait here for Anika, and when she arrived she just collapsed. She appears to have some internal bleeding."

 

"Tashya! Call for a med-evac!"
 

"That won't be necessary," Iole replied. "I've contacted my ship and they have a team on the way."

 

"Belay that! Can I have your name?" Cerenya asked while Tashya kept bystanders from getting too close and began roping off the area around Anika.

 

"Iole. Iole Akros. I'm a Commando and stationed aboard the Janiri," Iole said, and pulled out her ID.

 

The officer took a glance at it. "I see a lot of regular Navy here, but not many Commandos."

 

The Janiri shuttle arrived. Ereba and Tallis stepped out first to secure the perimeter and were met by the civilian authorities.

 

"We have the situation under control, Commando. Thanks anyway." Cerenya said.

 

Ereba looked around then looked back at Cerenya, visibly upset at seeing Anika injured. "Every Commando and every one who embeds with us is our sister. Our family. You find out who did this, and you'd better let us handle bringing them in because whoever hurt 'Too Tall' will tear you apart."

 

Tallis put her hand on Ereba. "Easy! Easy!"

 

The medical team loaded Anika into the shuttle and returned to the Janiri with Iole and the others.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Thessia - Janiri - Naleena's Quarters (JB, Kel & SJ)

 

Naleena sent a request for Essul and Mira to meet in her office. With Mira back aboard, her experience and her rank within the Asari Navy might indicate some changes in the command structure, but before making any decisions she wanted to discuss them with the two team members involved. She needed an XO to handle additional paperwork, mission reports, and Essul had an attention to detail that was second to none. He had also been cool under fire which was why she gave him the added responsibility of second in command of the ground team over Jenus. Jenus was a hot head, and in all honesty she didn’t trust her to make the right decisions. Taking out the Nova Dawn building and nearly killing Iole were not her high moments. But she Jenus was a hell of a commando and Mira was about the only one who could control her.

 

So instead of the previous structure, she had a more shared responsibility. Essul would take command of the team, while Mira maintained independent authority over the commandos, but the two would coordinate with each other in the event of Naleena being incapacitated during a mission. Cooperation between Essul and Jenus was impossible, but Mira was different.

 

Naleena waited in her office sitting crosslegged in the recliner staring at the fish swimming lazily in the tank. The terminal next to her flashed. It was Sao acknowledging receipt of her request.

 

To: Naleena T’sarius

 

From: Yalson Sao

 

There was mention of the nightclub deaths in Remi’s report to her supervisor. C-sec reports show the dead Krogan at the nightclub were connected to the Bloodpack. The Drell was unknown. If Ganar Slayt is responsible for issuing an illegal blood oath and thus responsible for  those deaths, you’ll have your warrant. Give me 24 standard hours.

 

Naleena smiled and poured another two fingers of Ambrosia. Mira and Essul should arrive shortly. She had prepared a pot of red tea and it awaited with three cups on the glass top table in front of her. Two chairs were on either side. Only the light from the fish tank and a couple small lamps lit the room.

 

Mira arrived almost immediately.  She greeted Naleena cordially, with proper honor of rank, and when offered tea, she gladly poured herself a cup, almost ritually.  As if confessing, practically unable to contain the information, Mira apologized.  “I'm sorry Spectre, I was dealing with one of the team who didn't make it back on time.  It's Iole, she...well, she missed the transit over so she's waiting for the next one.” 

 

Then Mira was distracted by the tank of fish.  She apologized for averting her gaze as well with a sheepish smile.

 

Naleena sighed. “She was with Frank, I assume, but I'll leave this matter in your hands,” she said. “I've yet to hear from Anika. She left me a message, but she usually replies to anything I send out....

 

“Beautiful, aren't they?” Naleena said referring to the fish. “They bring me a moment's peace when my mind is in turmoil just sitting or standing in the room watching them swim about. I'll tell you why I called you here while we wait for Essul.

 

“A number of things have happened since you've been here,” Naleena said. “Things are a bit complicated. During a prior mission I was critically wounded. Essul Ran'perah was with me and took over the mission. He got everyone out alive.”

 

“When I returned to the ship from the hospital, On top of being Spectre, the clerical work and additional duties with mission reports was taking up a lot of extra time. Anika suggested I get an XO - someone has to handle the time sheets and do the payroll. You realize it could not be the person with whom I'm sleeping,” she said and sipped her tea.

 

“Essul has been very loyal. So I approached the Council and he took his loyalty oath and was given the job,” she said. “I had to look at history of people and make a call, and I made one that put him in charge of the ground mission should I ever be incapacitated again. The reason I chose him was that Jenus lacked experience - there was the Nova Dawn Building incident; and I had other reasons. Jenus wouldn't accept him as an XO or as second in charge of ground missions. I couldn't get the reason out of her, but I found out through the beehive that it was because Essul is Batarian and that the Batarians are no longer members of Council space.”

 

Naleena turned and looked Mira in the eyes. “You're an officer in the Asari Navy. This changes things. From what I've seen in your file you pull things out of your crest to get the mission done. Xanthe had a lot of respect for you as do I.

 

“A situation may occur where I may become incapacitated, yet the mission may still be able to be completed. What I'm thinking is that the two of you operate as separate fire teams but coordinate with each other. Because I don't want to make the same mistake again, I'd like the two of you to discuss who makes the call on the ground in that event. Or do you have another suggestion before he arrives?”

 

/////////

 

Essul let out a sigh of relief as he found himself back on the ship. Extended shore leave were good for reliving stress and helping to refocus, something essul knew he needed after the incidents regarding Jenus. Honestly he was glad he'd not seen that particular commando, or most of the crew, for the duration of the stay here. Sometimes, it was all about getting some alone time to reflect on ones life that helped them out the most.

 

And essul had done a lot of reflecting, both alone, and when he was helping to show faed around, or rather had the quarian show him around. He was still amazed that the young man was so full of energy now. At the very least, legion being inside of him didn't seem to bother the two, nor cause problems.

 

Problems, being exactly what he had pondered a bit during his stay here. Jenus was a trouble maker, or at the very least, had a problem respecting authority she didn't recognize. Irina was another issue all together, and he himself had a rather stern outlook on the entire affair he'd seen involving her.

 

Enjoying herself was one thing, and he had to admit, seeing her race was rather amazing. But now the galaxy knew about her. Sloane wasn't just a face in the crowd, but a celebrity; recognizable, and easily known by anyone who was a fan of that racing sport of theirs. And as he thought back on his old life, as a person who'd done his fair share of infiltration and covert clean ups, having your face all over the extranet as some hero was the last thing you wanted to do, especially if you planned to make some not-so-public enemies like they had a tendency to do.

 

“That can wait...for now...” Essul mumbled to himself, knowing what he had to do first. He had been as good an XO as he could have without pressuring too hard. But perhaps some pressure was needed. They were all military, in some regard; perhaps a bit of structural discipline could help things out.

 

“Or make them worse...” He sighed, rubbing his temple as he thought about Jenus, again. Would she even take his orders seriously? Or worse yet, would anything be gained by ordering her to some more stringent duties? It was an enigma he had rarely face during his time in the hegemony; usually he was either not given command by his superiors, or given command of younger and more inexperienced recruits, who usually had any chips on their shoulders stomped out by the initiations.

 

“How did such a group manage to join this crew?” Essul wondered, as he glanced down to his omnitool and noticed the message. He'd been lost in thought, looking around to find himself standing outside of his office door, rubbing his eyes as he shook his head. “Omni tool on silent...I'll need to apologize for that...” he said, as he headed for the elevator to make it to the meeting.

 

/////////

 

Essul let out a deep breath as he rode the elevator up, composing himself as he held his arms behind his back. He wasn't sure what this meeting was about, but he had a feeling it would involve the chain of command. With Mira back, it would make sense.

 

He thought back to the last time he saw the commando in the infirmary. Frowning, he shoved the memory aside. Now wasn't the time for such things.

 

He stepped through just as he noticed both Naleena and Mira talking. He gave a polite bow to Naleena, “Captain T'sarius. I apologize for my late arrival. My omni-tool had been set to silent....” Essul said as he rose up to look towards Mira, giving a tilt of his head to greet her, “Lt. T’riel. Good to see you back on your feet...” He said with a bit of a smile, honestly happy to see her recovered from her injuries on Omega.

 

Naleena motioned for Essul to sit and offered him some tea. There was something about Mira's presence that made her not reach for a cigarette no matter how much she wanted one at this moment.

 

“I took the liberty of providing Mira with some background before you arrived so we don't need to go over that again,” Naleena said tilting her head in the respectful position toward Essul. “She once again leads the Commando fire team and the rest of the ship's security. However, unlike Sgt. Stasia, she is experienced in making command decisions. I would like to make a modification in the chain of command.

 

“You will remain as my XO. However, due to her experience and knowledge of Commando tactics, I would like to have both of our teams operate autonomously but coordinate with each other as per our mission. The mission takes priority. When we get to decision points, under normal circumstances I'll make the decision. However, we know that things don't always remain normal,” Naleena said, picked up her tea cup and sipped the red liquid. “As I told her, on Garvug I was critically wounded. For whatever reason, if I am unable to make a call, I need the two of you to decide who gets to make that call and to trust the other's judgement. That's what this meeting is about. I don't want to impose that structure. Do you think the two of you could come up with something you both can live with?”

 

Mira replied, “I don't mind any paperwork, if you want to hand that over to me.  It's been a while since I've been with not only the Commandos, but the rest of your team as well.”  She turned to Essul.  “I would always follow your orders, Spectre, but with the offer of a preference, I would defer always to Essul as my senior for your missions.  He seems quite capable to me.  I'd gladly serve under his command.  So will the other Commandos.  I'll make sure of it.”

 

Naleena was surprised things were going as easy as they were, yet again with Mira it wasn't that surprising. She turned to Essul. “Does this work for you? Turning over the paperwork but maintaining your authority in the field?”

 

Essul looked to Mira with a raised brow, not having expected that from her. “You'd...you'd be okay, following my orders?” He asked. The relationship Naleena had suggested was one of equal footing between the two. These new orders, however, were a big bit of authority Mira was willingly giving to him. He blinked as he processed all the information, mulling it over as he made his decision.

 

“If you're truly alright with it...I can give up my duties in the filing department and take on the field command. I trust you to handle the commandos, you have everything they'd respect...” he said with a nod of his head, 'Everything that I lacked at least...’ he thought.

 

“And if there's anything you'd need help with, don't hesitate to ask. I'd like to help out with whatever I can.” He concluded, looking curiously to VERA as she chimed in.

 

VERA's terminal flashed and she interrupted. “Boss, I received a call from Iole 1.5 minutes ago. Anika arrived at her location. She appears to be severely injured. Iole requested transportation. I have dispatched a shuttle to her location along with an emergency medical team accompanied by Commandos Danri and Duolon. I will notify you when they arrive.”

 

Naleena nodded, very worried because whatever could injure Anika had to be very dangerous. “Thank you, VERA.”

 

With a question in her expression, Mira wondered if Naleena wanted to cut the meeting short.  “We can always finish this meeting after the emergency is dealt with,” she indirectly suggested.

 

Naleena saw the look on Mira's face and was now preoccupied thinking about Anika. She turned to both of them. “Well, nothing is ever simple around here, is it? I need to tend to this. However, this does not mean that the two of you need to leave. All I've been doing is facilitating this process. VERA is fully capable of doing that and relaying your decisions to me.” VERA stood on her terminal and nodded.

 

“Besides, it will give the two of you a chance to get to know each other without my interference. You'll just have VERA's smart remarks to deal with. There is more tea in the cabinet next to the Ambrosia, or if you'd prefer something stronger, help yourselves,” she said and stood. “Now, if you'll excuse me. I'd like to head to the shuttle bay and wait.”

[Kel Riever]

Iole

Anika's transfer to the Janiri went as well as it could.  Iole had to consider for a moment if Anika should be brought to a local hospital; after all there was no replacing a full, first rate hospital's array of services.  But on the shuttle ride over, as severe as the damage was, Iole could tell it wasn't life threatening, not if treated.  That meant that Anika was fortunate enough to keep it that way from whoever had done the damage, had gotten lucky, or...

Well that last thought was scary so Iole immediately considered it impossible, the idea that someone had enough skill to do that damage, while purposely not killing her.  This was Anika, after all.  Who could do that?

Iole brushed the thought aside.  Anika's eyes fluttered and she seemed lucid enough to at least hear conversation.  Iole couldn't tell if she was going to fade out again or stay awake, but the asari tried to get her to talk for the sake of the latter.  "Anika, you're going to be all right.  It's me, Iole.  I'm here.  We have you on the way back to the ship.  You're going to need some surgery, nothing severe, but I need you to stay with me.  Can you stay with me, Anika?"

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Security was tight when the shuttle entered and touched down in the Janiri bay. One of their own was wounded. Naleena had the elevator on emergency stop engaged on the flight deck so that no one could call it. She wanted no waiting when the craft arrived.

 

"VERA, do not allow anyone to use this elevator without my authorization," Naleena said upon arriving.

 

"Acknowledged," VERA replied.

 

Naleena approached the craft as the door opened and the paramedics moved Anika's gurney out onto the landing deck. 

 

She walked next to the gurney. "I'm here, Anika. We're going to med-bay. I love you. Stay with me."

 

Anika seemed to hear her but was too weak to acknowledge.

 

"Hurry!" Naleena ordered.

 

The team moved as fast as they could to the elevator. Once inside, Naleena released the emergency stop. "Med-bay," she said.

 

Once on the proper deck, the team moved Anika into Med-bay, and Dr. Tolus was prepping for surgery while Anika was placed on the table and a scan run to determine the extent and exact location of the injuries. Surgical staff asked Naleena to wait outside, and Dr. Tolus began the proceedure.

 

Naleena stood outside next to Tallis, Iole, and Ereba.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina heard that Too Tall was back aboard, but seriously injured and in surgery. She nudged Jenus that she was headed to the med-bay deck to check on her status and suggested Jenus come along.

 

"She was trying to be part of our team," Irina said and kissed Jenus on her forehead. "That makes her one of us. We should be there for support."

 

They got dressed and the two headed up to med-bay.

[Cknarf]

Aboard the Janiri

 

Johnny had spent quite a bit of time in the Janiri's gym since the... incident. Nothing calmed his nerves better than hitting the weights.  

 

Nearby were the twins, who were performing their standard reconnaissance. The identical asari seemed to have developed a workout schedule that synced up suspiciously well with his. As usual, he could make out bits and pieces of the pair's conversation over the music that played in his ears. This time, however, there was a surprising lack of comments aimed at his physique, which Johnny secretly enjoyed hearing.

 

Whatever was going on, it sounded serious. But was it serious enough to cut a workout short? The harder he listened, the more interested he became. Eventually, Johnny succumbed to natural human curiosity, and returned the bar to its position.

 

Johnny stepped onto the elevator, and stood with his back to the wall. Just outside of the doors, he caught a glimpse of the twins, standing quietly side by side and staring. He gave them a polite nod as the doors closed.

 

Weird.

 

A short time later, Johnny arrived in front of the medbay, joining the others who had gathered. While he didn't have the full scoop, it was clear from the spectre's demeanor what was going on. Not quite sure what to say, he just acknowledged her with a bit of a reassuring smile. At least he thought he did. It was an honest attempt that obviously meant well.

[Kel Riever]

Dr. Tollus was about to start operating on Anika, when he looked up towards Iole through the glass and beckoned to her.

"Me?"  Iole asked out loud, even though the glass was too thick to be heard through.

Tollus nodded and made a sweeping gesture to his doctor's uniform, indicating Iole should prep.

Iole looked with uncertainty towards her Commando teammates, Naleena and Irina.  She gave Tollus a gesture of acknowledgement and went to get herself ready.

Five minutes later, Iole entered the surgery, clad head to toe in a mostly white, sterilized uniform.  By then, Tollus was talking to her and one other nurse assistant.  "You're going to help me.  I want you to learn what you can."

Iole nodded, somewhat tepidly, then began following the doctor's instructions. 

Anika was out, though anesthesia was administered just in case she didn't stay that way. And it took a few heavy doses, for whatever reason though the most likely was her unusual physiology.  As Iole had predicted, most of the damage was internal, injurious but non life threatening if treated.  Anika would need blood, which was on the ship in supply, so that wasn't an issue.  Then the internal bleeding needed to be drained.

Tollus informed Iole to use her com to talk to Naleena and update her.  Iole found it ironic that Tollus didn't use his own com to talk to the Spectre (nor to call her in before), but didn't bother asking why.  Instead she simply followed directions and told Naleena, "She's going to be all right, though not exactly feeling her best.  I think the worst of it was some massive blow she took to the abdomen...." That was an understatement.  "...But nothing's broken for good.  She took a huge shot, or maybe more than one.  Everything is going to be fine."

Medially speaking, of course, is what Iole meant.  She still had to wonder exactly what had taken down Anika and from the looks of it, the wounds were no accident.

[Redbelle]

Anika felt drained as the world around her faded to a dull ruddy fog. Her body had stopped hurting which was good. In the back of her mind though she knew that it was also bad. That she'd been hurt. She just had trouble putting the pieces together as to why it had happened, and when. Someone she thought she knew.....

 

Well it wasn't like it matter now, right? She was.... somewhere. Off in the distance she could hear voices and at times she thought she could hear her name being called, which sharpened her attention...

 

It most definitely did.

 

But then she drifted off again, enjoying the peace and quiet of, where-ever she was... She opened her eye's to remind herself.

 

The room was one she was intimately familiar with. Rubber mats under her feet. White walls with one door in and out. Large, big enough that two people could spar without having to worry about restrictions unless your opponent drove you into he side of the room....

 

This room! She knew where this room was alright. it was the one back at the complex. The one she only entered when...

 

Reflex took hold before she even knew what she doing and she ducked just in time as a bolt of biotic energy sizzled past her. Anika twisted, planting a hand on the floor to propel herself back up fast as she turned mid manoeuvre and saw the one she'd been searching for all her life....

 

The Asari she'd trained with... The one with no name.

 

"Very good Anika". She said as she dropped into a fighting stance. "But leaving yourself open like that is something best left in Holovids. You have to get in close. Put pressure on the biotic your fighting so they can't...".

 

"You"! Anika exclaimed as stepped forward, her mouth open in shock. "Where have you... How did I get here"?

 

Her instructor however continued speaking as if Anika had not. "... -way's remember. Time is your enemy. Time you give your opponent to move. To prepare. To ready and unleash. Do not give them that time...".

 

"...I looked everywhere for you".

 

"...-ow get ready, because if you won't come to me, then I'll just come to YOU"!!! The Asari jumped through the air, biotic energy engulfing her like wildfire as she came up, and then down using her barrier to increase the force of the blow that Anika caught on her forearm. The blow sent her to one knee even as she heard the Asari in the back of her mind.

 

"It's alright. your safe now".

 

"What's happening"?

 

The Asari broke contact as she swung a leg around to connect with Anika shoulder that she blocked, almost as an after thought.

 

"This isn't happening".

 

"But I remember...".

 

The other leg came up and over as the biotics wrapped themselves around her and Anika and suddenly Anika was sent spinning to the far wall where she landed unceremoniously with a loud thud. As she righted herself she looked up to see her instructor walking, seemingly leisurely but with purpose in mind.

 

"Sloppy. Remember. Motion is the key. True power can be summoned with a thought if one is practised and skilled enough but a biotic can only summon true power if mind and body are allowed to work together. You keep letting me action. We've been through this. Why are you so dulled this day"?

 

Anika stood and the Asari turned on a heel as she approached, biotic energy gathering in an arm, Anika spotted the feint though and dodged to the side as her elbow span around and crushed itself into where Anika's head would have been a moment before. Reaching up, Anika wrapped a hand around her opponents neck and immediately felt the true warmth and comfort flow from the voice that came from within  as they struggled together.

 

"I remember this... Why do I... This was years ago"!

 

"It's your memory".

 

"Why am I living a memory? Like this! This isn't..."!

 

"Your body, you hurt. Someone hurt you and now everything is... out of step".

 

"But why you and this..."?

 

"Little white fox. Do you think I only gave you skill and knowledge? We were together for a long time in the violent of clashes as I showed my peers this level of training could work... Physical mixed with the touching of spirits".

 

"Your, with me"?

 

"As you are with me. We both impressed a little of each other on ourselves. Your mind is coping with more important things. And here you are, finding me in a dream".

 

"Your not real".

 

"Only the past is real. The rest is what you make of it".

 

"I tried to find you but I couldn't"!

 

"I likely died... Or I am running. I knew the complex would not be favourable to my kind... I left them later than I had intended...".

 

"Why"?

 

"Because of you".

 

"....I was hurt by... a sister".

 

"I know. I knew everything before I left. What would happen... I left you the gift of wanting".

 

"Wanting... You mean"?

 

"You already wanted to see the outside world beyond the walls of the complex... I just nurtured that desire when we spoke like this... When we fought like this... The room has eye's. The walls, ears. We were never alone. Thus I could never tell you the most important thing anyone who cares for another can say...".

 

"What things"?

 

"Live Anika... And see what your future brings".

 

There was a beeping in her ear Anika noticed. It was getting louder as the room seemed to collapse on herself. She grabbed her Asari. As if hoping beyond hope she could pull her through whatever was pulling them apart as sensation rushed though her. Pain flared into being lighting up her awareness as she felt metal under her fingertips. Her eye's opened and she saw a harsh light in front of her. She groaned and found the sound oddly distorted before she realised that she was wearing a mask that washed a breeze of air over her skin that she reached up to pull off.

 

"Urrrghhhh... Grud dammit.... This hurts to bad to be another dream".

[Kel Riever]

Though the light was harsh, the room Anika was in was white, even if it was different.  And there was an asari in a medical mask and a white uniform over her, even if she was different.  The golden flecks on her face and her golden eyes removed all doubt.

"Anesthesia...," Dr. Tollus was telling the automedbot and monitor.  He was sealing the puncture he'd made in Anikas abdomen where he'd inserted a probe before removing it and draining.  "She's waking up too soon."

Iole quickly interrupted.  "Cancel," she told the automedbot, "You're done.  She doesn't need another mega dose, just some pain killer."  Iole looked at Anika's eyes as they became conscious and she gave an 'okay' sign to Naleena through the window (that little gesture was picked up from being with Frank).  Then Iole looked back down at Anika with her eyes like twin suns. 

"You're back on the Janiri, Anika.  You sure know how to get our attention.  Lay and rest, no sit ups for you.  You're going to be all right."

[Redbelle]

"Hmmpph. And get as flabby as Jenus round the middle"? Anika ad libbed as she tried to rise... Only to find that her body refused her command to get up. "...On second thought...". She said as she looked down and saw the mess that was her torso. "...Everyone needs a rest day". She dropped back down and took a deep breath as recollection hit her. "How long have I been here"?

[Kel Riever]

"Sense of humor is one-hundred percent, Dr. Tollus," Iole quipped.  After double checking Anika was all sealed up, she pulled down her mask, and leaned over Anika. "I found you more than a few hours ago when you collapsed near the terminal for a cab back to the Janiri.  You don't have to talk if you don't want everything on megaphone, so to speak.  Naleena's here and just outside.  VERA is, of course, all around.  But you did come in looking like, well, looking like..."  Iole shrugged.  "...you took a beam to the tummy.  A steel beam."  

There was a look of concern in Iole's eyes.  "A hit like that would probably have killed a normal soldier."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena saw Johnny acknowledge her and turned her attention toward him. "Thanks for coming. Anika and I have been together since before I became a Spectre," she said. "It's been a year now. I never thought I'd be the one standing outside of med-bay like this with her inside. Thessia is apparently more dangerous than one would imagine."

 

Iole got the notice to enter med-bay and assist. Soon Naleena heard the assessment of Anika's condition from her and breathed a sigh of relief. 

 

She turned to Johnny again. "That was Iole. Anika will be alright. The doctor is just draining the blood that accumulated and has repaired the bleeding."

 

****

 

Inside med-bay, Dr. Tolus had Anika moved into recovery. Naleena got the word, entered med-bay, and was directed to Anika's room. She smiled at her when she entered her room, sat in the chair next to her and took Anika's hand in hers. 

 

"You had me worried. I know you're tough, but you don't need to take steel beams to the abdomen to prove it to me," Naleena said. "Tell me what happened."

[Redbelle]

Anika smiled where she lay, though the effort seemed taxing.

"But what says I love you more than steel beams"? She quipped. "Besides... Your so busy these days. Getting admitted to medical seemed to be the best way to get your attention...".

The smile faded and the air seemed to drain from her as her head rolled away. When she looked back the humour in her seemed to have vanished.

" Sorry. I'm not used to this... Being on this side of... I've never ever really needed doctors. With armor and the way I heal I'm never really hurt that bad and if I am... Well I probably wouldn't be around to complain...". She was quiet for a moment, and then said, "...It was a setup. Not your usual kind. The kind someone goes through when they know the target. The kind that has someone who can plan ahead... I helped I suppose. I always wanted to see Thessia and I thought it would be safe without my gear so I left the ship and ran across someone. She had trouble carrying what she had. She seemed nice. We hit it off and we agreed I'd help her if she showed me around. Long story short, she walked me right into a merc squad".

[Kel Riever]

"I'll make a doctor out of you yet," Dr. Tollus told Iole as he removed his gloves.  "It might take a few years, but if you don't get yourself shot up, Iole, you'll have the time."

Iole saw the previously pristine white uniform she wore for surgery had a large spatter on it from draining Anika.  "I'm not sure I'm ready for that," she replied as she took off the jacket of the uniform and started looking for her own clothes in the changing area.  Of course, then she remembered, she'd only had a jacket.  Going to need to get a new top from the fabricator....  "We could work on the species anatomy, though.  Haven't done enough surgery on humans.  When's your next patient coming in here so I can slice them up for science?"

"I'm serious," Doctor Tollus emphasized.  "We have an adequate staff but with what this crew goes through, more hands can only help."

Her golden eyes weighed with seriousness, Iole said, "I'm flattered.  I'll learn what I can, but I've got other plans once I'm done with my service."  Now Iole was wearing tight white pants, tight white boots, a bra, her leather jacket and her one Omni-tool glove.  If possible, she looked more motley than before with her outfit.  Tollus looked like he was going to give it one more shot, but Iole interrupted him before he could.  "Why don't you get that Earth girl in here?  Jen...Severn, right?   She's supposed to already be interested in science and I bet reading text isn't all she wants to do to learn."

Dr. Tollus snorted.  "Maybe."

"Maybe?  Definitely.  Stop being so ornery about who you get in here.  Your extra medical person is sitting right under your, well, you know...if you had a nose."

Tollus laughed.  "I'll talk to her.  Get out of my bay.  You look ridiculous." 

Iole smiled and when she left medical, she quickly briefed the other Commandos, Irina and the new human onboard (who she accidentally called Jason).  Then she left for the fabricator to get a new uniform in her standard colors.

On her way, the quick end to the conversation with Anika somehow hit Iole.  She'd stepped aside when the Spectre came in, but for some reason, she had wanted to really find out what happened from Anika.  Then that series of thoughts helped Iole to remember that Frank was gone and she felt lonely.  Enough to stop her mid passageway with her train of thought.  It was several seconds of Iole staring at the floor before passing feet had her snap out of it. 

Iole looked around at the Janiri and had the oddest feeling of not belonging.