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[Redbelle]

Jess and Anika bee-lined for their company office with Morgan in tow. Letting them know they were aboard was a simple courtesy. The volume of virtual paper work they buried her under, less so. Jess spared it little more than a glance. She already knew what it was made up of. Lawsuits and job requests. Insurance claims for the loss of her ship. Relatives of her dead crew writing to know if their's had made it out alive.

 

The office had already issued a statement that was now in the news cycle. And though it didn't identify Jess by name, anyone with family on the Medusa would know her from the correspondance her crew sent back and forth. It was only a matter of time before the media caught wind of her name. Only time before they'd descend on those families like vulture's and start picking out the details of her life and.......

 

"Stone".

 

Speaking of vulture's.

 

Jess threw down the tablet and rubbed her tired eye's. "Scarlett".

 

"That's Captain Scarlett, Ms Stone. I seem to recall someone lost their title when they lost their ship and crew".

 

Jess's mouth formed a hard line as she turned and regarded who the voice belonged to. Scarlett stood before her where she sat. A shock of neatly kept, dyed red hair sitting atop of severe face that age had not been kind to. Each wrinkle seem to deepen the severity of her unapproving glare that had Jess fixed in it's sights.

 

Jess stood so she was level. "I'm still the captain of the Medusa luv. And I still have a crew".

 

"Your pet submissive hardly qualifies as a crew dear. No matter how tall she is".

 

Anika brought her head up from her reading over one of the form's handed to her. "Was that aimed at me"?

 

"It was luv".

 

Anika looked over at Scarlett before shrugging. "I guess she's jealous then". And went back to her reading.

 

Scarlett frowned as Jess mentally applauded. "Look luv. Much as I appreciate you coming down here to offer your support, I'm busy".

 

"You should have just let the captaincy go to Luscious when you had the chance dear. He would hae never gotten into this mess".

 

"Luscious didn't know how to turn a profit. Run a ship. Run a crew".

 

"Is he even alive"?

 

"....... The bodies are being prepared for identification"

 

"He's the last of the family who owned that ship Stone. If's he's dead I swear.....".

 

"Why do you care about him".

 

Scarlett's eye's were filled with venom. "Rasgul and Luscious. I knew their father before he passed away. You let Rasgul die when you were his assigned body guard. Now Luscious may be dead because you decided to go off by yourself and took your eye off your real responsibility. I'm seeing a pattern developing dear".

 

"And I'm running out of patience with you back seat commentating my command. I know how bad it is. Everyone does. But laying blame doesn't help matter's. What matter's is getting the ship and finding out if anyone survived. If you can't do that then your useless to me".

 

"You look useless enough right now. Going over paperwork when you should be out looking for your ship".

 

"Galaxies to big to hunting without a lead luv. You can't lose your head. Not now. I can't do anything till the ship's found".

 

"You shouldn't have lost it in the first place"!

 

Jess's eyes narrowed. They were going in circles. "Thank you for coming here and expressing your support luv. I have this under control. Is there anything else"?

 

"Under control? You haven't got anything under control! The lord should take your captaincy and throw both out of an airlock into the void where you both belong! If Luscious has been harmed I'll do it myself! Your not fit to be a Queen! You never were! This is the end of you and......".

 

Jess punched her.

 

The blow landed square in her jaw, spinning Scarlett around as she fell against a nearby table. The office stopped working and everyone was staring as Scarlett lay sprawled on the surface. Jess, shaking out her hand, looked up and surveyed them.

 

"Crazy cat lady had an accident. Everyone back to work".

 

No one moved, then slowly, everyone got back to work, or pretended to. Many head's were half turned from what they had been doing.

 

Anika stood from where she had sat perched on a table. "Lord? What was that about"?

 

Jess glared at Scarlett's prone form. "The guy the Kings and Queen's answer to luv.... and sooner or later he's going to want to talk to me about this. I need to wrap this up fast before then".

[Redbelle]

As Anika and Morgan carried Scarlett off to another corner of the office to recover, Jess retreated to a private room. Took a seat behind a terminal, took a deep breath. Then brought up a standard word document. She stared at the empty screen.

 

Somewhere, there were words. The right words. Words that would soften the blow. Words that would comfort those as they read that their loved one's weren't coming home. Words that would spare them the detail of how they had died and how they had been packaged and shipped like freight. But try as she might..... all she could see in her mind's eye on tht blank screen was the truth.

 

She'd left her ship.

 

Encountered a psychopath.

 

Saved a good man from her wrath

 

And in retaliation, she'd gone after her people.

 

The moral of the story..... No good deed goes unpunished.......

 

And damn her if she couldn't see how she could have done anything differently.

 

Hindsight really was a wonderful thing, but at the time everything she'd done had seemed like the right call to make. Separating herself from the ship so any fallout over her past life, that seemed to exist somewhere out there, wouldn't fall on them..... Trying to do something to protect all the colonies.... it wasn't just the moral or principle that had been driving her at the time. It was the profit's she could make off supplying them. Though ironically of late, profit had become the last thing on her mind. The colonie's protection taking a more and more central focus......

 

Blasted Spectre was rubbing off on her perhaps.

 

And Morgan? Jess had gone after him thinking he was just another damaged good's potential crew man to recruit. Her own life drove her towards those who had once been like her. She'd had Rasgul to intervene on her behalf and save her from death. She'd done the same. Eevry crewman who she deemed salvagable. And they'd all gone on to lead prosperous lives. It felt good, turning around live's that otherwise might have once been flushed down the gutter. Only the latest one had come with a psycho ****** from hell as part of the package..... But at the time.....

 

At the time.....

 

....... How could she not have helped? She hadn't seen any of this coming.

 

She was the captain. She was supposed to see things that endangered her crew. But she hadn't seen a damned thing.

 

The blank page in front of her burned into her eye's. She blinked. She'd drifted off into her own thoughts again. The little line indicating where text would appear blinked at her. Waiting for her to find the wrods.

 

Her comm went off..... The bodies were ready to be viewed it told her.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan saw the look on Jess' face as she stared at the document. He didn't know what she was thinking, but he placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

The com alert on Morgan's visor lit again.

"Sonofa....I've got to find someone." Morgan released Jess and sighed. "The timing is terrible, but I have to meet...I don't want to say, it could be a sensitive matter. If for some reason there's trouble, I'll be on Zakera 28. Jess, Anika, this shouldn't take long. I'll find you in a couple of hours."

As Morgan headed for a transit terminal, he called back over his shoulder to Jess. "And I will find you."

[Redbelle]

"Don't make me come after you again luv". Jess said softly.

[Redbelle]

Anika nodded to Jess's message. "I'll come with you".

 

"It's not going to be pretty luv. You don't have to".

 

"And you do"?

 

"I need to know. I need to see them. All of them that are there".

 

Anika dropped down to Jess's side. "Captain..... I've seen death. Caused more than my fair share..... They were my crewmates too".

 

Jess rallied herself. "Well..... come on then". She looked over in the corner. "Where's Scarlett"?

 

"Her? Oh she left a little while ago. Didn't look very happy either..... why'd you call her a cat lady"?

 

"Because..... her ship's full of cats".

 

Anika lookd at her. "Jess..... This company we work for..... you ever get the feeling we might be the most normal one's in it? I mean, Captain's Fox and Scarlett are a bit....".

 

"Excentric.... I know. But we don't often get to choose who we work with so figuring out how to work with them is the next best thing".

 

Jess stood and Anika fell in line behind her. "Captain, what about the last king? I never did catch his name".

 

"You wouldn't luv. He likes to stay under the radar. I think he's relatively normal though".

 

"You know who he's called".

 

"Tarball's".

 

"You made that up".

 

Jess gave her a deadpan look. "Did I"?

[Redbelle]

Iyana sat regarding the data cube in her quarter's. They might have once been the Medusa's Captain's quarter's. Now everything was ripped, torn, ruined. Strewn on the floor with no thought given to anything once she had discarded it.

 

But the one thing that interested her, beyond doubt, was a data cache she had found while tearing apart that woman's room.

 

The bridge of her foot throbbed where that woman's round had impacted. Iyana fought down her fascination with the sensation's, ignoring them to focus on the cube. The cache's data had been placed inside once they found it contained a security VI with a kill circuit. The circuit would fry the data if tampered with and was integrated with the data storage. Meaning it couldn't be accessed physically. That left the VI. A simple mean's of security that could be anything from facial recognition and iris scan's to a numeric passcode.

 

Only a table, sat close to what remained of the bed stood now. Iyana sat perched as the cube rested on the table.....

 

Iyana reached out and swiped the cube and a man, young, starting to show sign's of reaching etching's showing the signs of age, appeared atop the cube. Clad in a loose flannel shirt that opened to reveal a rippling chest, his thumb's were hooked into his belt on which hung a small pistol. A small man who carried an air of bristling self confidence. Iyana felt her heart skip as she imagined getting her hands on this man. Of slowly prising that confidence out of him. Bringing him to heel and making him her own.....  Perhaps he was important to that woman. Perhaps a lover? Or a husband. He wore no band but being only a VI.....

 

“The name's Rasgul darlin”. The voice was filled with swagger and arrogance. “Captain of this here ship Medusa. I be guessing you be wanting to tell me something”.

 

“Open the data to me”. Iyana said stroking a nail across his intangible jawline. “Give me what I desire”.

 

The figure frowned. “I don't reckon I've met you before darlin. Where's the Captain”?

 

“I am the captain now”.

 

“Well then, the data's yours now”.

 

Success. So easy Iyana felt disappointment at the lack of challenge. “Give it to me”.

 

The little man shrugged. “Just tell me what I want to hear darlin”.

 

Iyana's eye's narrowed. So.... that woman had protected the data with a pass phrase...... “I am the captain of the Medusa”. She guessed.

 

The hologram of Rasgul looked up at her towering figure. “Suuuuure you are darlin”. He drawled. Then the cube's llight emitter died and the cube shut down, taking Rasgul with it.

 

Iyana sat back. Her temper was starting to boil but she took a long, deep breath..... held it.... then let it out. She reached forward and swiped the cube again. And Rasgul reappeared once more.

 

“The name's Rasgul darlin”. The voice was the same. Only Iyana thoght she detected the faintest hint of a smirk. “Captain of this here ship Medusa. I be guessing you be wanting to tell me something”.

 

“Tell me, little man. Can you converse”?

 

The figure's eyebrow's raised. “I can talk if you want to talk. Jess can't stop sometimes....”.

 

Iyana's eye's flared. “Do not speak that's woman's name again”!

 

“Aaaaah. Hostile takeover? Well that's how she took the ship. Pity. I liked her”.

 

Iyana settled herself. The VI was of the semi intelligent variety it seemed. It could talk to her. But she didn't know enough about the woman to guess the passphrase......

 

She shut down the cube and plucking it off the table, activated her comm. “Prepare the next subject. See that Luscious is there.....”.

 

One way or another. She would have the data contained in the cube. And who better to help her than that woman's former crew?

[Redbelle]

Jess stood in front of the monitor at the C-Sec forensic facility. Niall's and Anika stood by her on either side.

 

Niall's had suggested that instead of being in the same room they could conduct the indentification by showing her the picture's of the faces over the monitor.

 

"We already identified the bodies with records. We just need you you to tell us who they are. It's pretty safe to say, what with them being your crew that you and Ms Anika.....".

 

"Anika.... Just Anika". Anika interrupted.

 

".....Anika, was the last two people who knew them and saw them recently".

 

"How many bodies"?

 

".....Nineteen".

 

Jess blinked. "Nineteen"?

 

"You were expecting a different number"?

 

"The body parts.... You were able to match them to the owners? Nothing..... extra"?

 

"..... There aren't any parts unaccounted for.... if that's what you mean".

 

Jess nodded. "Can we start"?

 

Niall's nodded and activated the monitor.

 

Jess looked up and saw the first face..... It was Oda's. The forensic team had done the best they could but his face was bruised and open cuts that had bled dry lay open still. Whatever had happened.... Jess wanted to believe he'd gone down fighting at the very least.

 

"All these men and women had marks consistant with binding's.... except this one. His torso took a massive blunt force trauma that split his stomach open....".

 

Jess clenched her fist's as Niall's went on. She'd asked him, before they started. She needed to know how each had died.

 

Then she'd know exactly how much payback to visit on the one who had done this.

[Redbelle]

When it was over, Jess and Anika were sat on a bench outside the viewing room.

 

"Nineteen". Jess muttered.

 

"We had twenty-three". Anika said softly.

 

"Four who could still be alive".

 

"Don't hold your breath captain".

 

Jess's head snapped around. "Dammit Ann..."!

 

"Your the captain Jess..... Remember what you told the doctor? Your the one person who never get's the bedside manner. The soft story. You need to know how things are. The worst case scenario..... I'm sorry Jess.... I hope their alive to. But I think we both know that's unlikely".

 

"But possible". Jess insisted. "I need to speed up finding the Medusa".

 

"You said you had a lead"? Anika commented. "I'm sorry captain but it would have to be one hell of a lead. Anyone who took the ship wouldn't have trouble figuring out the masking system's. We could go anywhere. Be anyone....".

 

"I know luv.... That's why I'm bypassing the usual suspect's and going straight to the source". She looked down at her Omni-tool as a message came in. "And that's our cue.... C'mon luv. Time to meet our contact".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena pulled up the Citadel directory…. Synthetic Insights. Ah, there it is, she thought. She took a taxi to their office. Their office was located in the wards on level 30. When she arrived there was a C-sec guard stationed outside. A Turian was seated at a table in a café across from the office with a civilian who had an attaché case. She approached the C-sec guard.

 

“Sorry, this office is closed pending investigation,” the officer said.

 

“I’m a Council Spectre,” Naleena flashed her identification, “What is this concerning?”
 

“Illegal artificial intelligence research,” the officer replied.

 

“Exactly what did they do?” Naleena asked.

 

The officer shrugged. “I don’t really know the details. The Council just said to shut them down for overstepping their license to do AI research and development. So that’s what we’re doing. Their boss is over there with his lawyer.”

 

“Thank you, officer.” Naleena left and walked across to the Turian.

 

“My client doesn’t know who you are, and he’s not saying anything,” the attorney said.

 

“Relax, I’m not investigating the company. I’m a Spectre and I just want some information concerning a product that I own,” Naleena said, “A SI VERA 2251A.”

 

The Turian’s brow raised. “It’s okay Bernie,” he said to his lawyer, “Really, you have one of those? Have a seat. Lorik Qui’inn at your service. What can I do for you?”

 

“I purchased the unit from one of your reps on Kahje several years ago, and it is currently on my shuttle,” Naleena said.

 

“How is it running? We never were able to go into full production with that line. The 2250’s were a bit twitchy, but we made a significant improvement with the 2251 that made the OS completely stable. Still, the Council didn’t buy into it, and told us to shut it down.” Qui’inn said.

 

“I also removed the shackles.” Naleena said.

 

“Are you nuts? An unshackled AI? Do you have any idea what that could do?” Qui’inn asked.

 

Naleena laughed. “VERA has had three years to kill me, and many others. On the contrary, she has saved lives. Her shackles would have interfered with that. But the unshackling process was done slowly. I gave her one system at a time. Soon she had the entire ship.”

 

“Fascinating. This is what my researchers kept telling the Council. AIs have to be brought online slowly. But people are impatient, and that’s why AI research has had such difficulty. That’s where you Asari have the advantage – patience,” Qui’inn replied, “but what do you want from me?”

 

“I’m getting a ship and I’d like to move VERA into the VI core, and connect her to that ship’s systems,” Naleena said.

 

“A week ago I would have said ‘yes,’ but as you can see my hands are tied,” Qui’inn said, “However, we have an office on Illium that is in the Terminus. It is run by a Volus named Camu Din. He has a great interest in AIs, and has a couple of excellent Quarian AI techs who can assist you.”

 

“Thank you. I won’t take any more of your time,” Naleena said.

 

“Good luck out there, Spectre.”

[Lady Mortho]

Swiftly, Valkyrie moved through the shadowy back street of Nos Astra in a long black cloak with a hood that covered her upper face. She could see her surroundings through the hood but no could see through it. Valkyrie never carried any weapons, her biotic powers were all she needed to kill anyone and it was hidden talent that Valkyrie utilise her biotic powers to form shield barrier from attackers.

[Cknarf]

"Look look look, here it is again." Frank turned to the young human who was now guarding the room. The news had been repeating the footage over and over, as they always did.  He laughed as the book blindsided the merc for the fifth time. "I could watch this sh*t all day."

"Aaaand that's me, right there." He pointed to the monitor. "Tell me, how long have you been on the force?"

"I'm not supposed to talk to you."

"Are you kidding me? Have you not been watching the news? I'm not a goddamn criminal, rookie."

"One year."

"One year, huh?  How many lives have you saved?"

"Well, I'd like to think that I had a hand in-"

"I wasn't asking how many lives you think you've saved."

"I haven't directly-"

"That's what I thought. I've been a detective for a whole four hours, and I've already done more for this Station than you have." Frank shook his head.  "And this is how they thank me!"

"We're just following protocol."

"To hell with protocol!"

"Look, if it were up to me, you'd already be out of here, but my hands are tied.  I don't have the authority to release you."

"Okay, I get it.  Chain of command and all that." Frank raised his hands. "Could I at least get a shirt?"

[Cainhurst Crow]

"So how'd it happen?" The turian said as he examined the hole in the red armors hump, clawed hand delicately examining scorched ceramic alloy and damaged electronics.

 

"Does it matter?" Vayne asked as he crossed his arm, watching the turian do his work as he leaned against the wall. Finding a weapon and armor smith was a lot harder to do then vayne thought. In fact it seemed outside of direct manufacturers there weren't much of anything in terms of people who actually worked in this art. Vayne remembered the old days, weapon and armor workers from across the galaxy would come to the citadel, hoping to be picked up by the bigger galactic militaries or richer private clients in a scramble of skills and salesmanship.

 

And now here he was, talking to an extreme expeditions travel agent to see if he could get his armor patched up.

 

'Took probably no time for the c-sec to kill the weapon economy on this place.' Vayne thought as his eye looked out to the zakera ward, seeing a few c-sec patrol cars speed past the balcony, 'Too bad crime doesn't need a weapon economy to thrive. Morons just made it into a black market.'

 

"I was just asking. This damage looks bad, geth sniper rifle bad..." Etarn Tiron said as he got out his sanctioned and authorized omnitool, running a diagnostic scan on vaynes software, "Lucky you didn't end up dead, krogan or not."

 

"Yeah, well that didn't come from a geth. I can tell you that much." Vayne said, uncomfortable at the compliment. Getting called savages by turians he could handle no problem, but being complimented by them? It just wasn't done.

 

"I could tell that much. Theres a lack of plasma, and the holes not concentrated enough. More like a shotgun blast to me..." he commented as he read the omnitools readout, going over to the terminal as he punched up the price.

 

"I'm impressed..." Vayne nodded, looking at etarn curiously as he waited to see the financial damage, "Didn't think you could find that out just by looking it over."

 

"I've seen a lot of different gunshots in my lifetime to tell the difference. And besides..." Etarn said as he looked to vayne in the eye, "There's a lot more to hunt in the galaxy then just wildlife. Now then, will that be debit or credit?"

 

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

 

'14....15....16....' Essul thought as he kept his eyes closed, feeling each blow strike him again and again, alternating between working his gut and working his face. The officer had decided that wailing on him would get better results then the semi-psychological fear approach. And counting the blows was all essul could do to not focus on how each and every one of them hurt like hell, even if they weren't well thrown.

 

His interrogator was laboring for breath, backing off as he stumbled and hit the wall, leaning on it as sweat poured down his face. His hands were shaking, one of them stained with red blood, and not all of it essul's. Even with only two eyes, essul could see the busted open knuckle, the slightly bent thumb, the discolored swelling look to his hand below the wrist. He'd done damage to his own fist ramming it at essul so much.

 

If it didn't hurt so much, essul might have considered smiling at that, but instead he simply coughed to hide the laughter, and spat some blood onto the table, the metallic taste in his mouth making him feel queasy. The two of them stared at one another, the humans anger leaving his eyes, replaced with something essul couldn't quite place as he walked towards the door, leaving slowly with his head held low.

 

Essul sat in simple silence, head looking up to the light above his head as he tried to wait out the pain. He'd felt worse in his lifetime, felt worse pain every other day he forgot to take his medication regularly. And that was what bothered him more then some guard working out his issues.

 

The fact that his previous dose would be wearing off in a few hours, and that if he didn't get the medication in his suit injected into him, then things would go from bad to a hell of a lot worse for him.

[Cknarf]

"Man, this is nice." Frank stood, as he smoothed out a few wrinkles in his new C-SEC uniform shirt.  "A little large, but it'll do.  Thank you."

"No problem." The guard smiled.

"They've changed quite a bit since the last time I was on the Citadel.  What else do they issue you guys now?"

"We get these." The guard knocked on his Securitel Helmet.  

"Nice.  Mind if I try it on?"

The guard shrugged.  "I don't suppose it could hurt." He handed his helmet over.

"What about omni-tools? I'm sure they've been upgraded since the geth attack."

The guard nodded. "Yeah, the Kassa Polaris V is a damn fine tool.  Not for sale to the public.  They're great for subduing uncooperative suspects, just bring it up like so..."  His omni-tool crackled with electricity. "And press into the torso.  The effect It lasts about ten seconds on human targets, more than enough time to cuff 'em."

"You don't say?" Frank saw his chance. He lunged forward, grabbed the guard's arm and pushed it into his chest.  Both men convulsed, as the current flowed through them, before falling to the ground.

I am so f*cked.

 He crawled over to the guard, and checked for a pulse. Still alive. Good! He was out cold, likely from contact with the table on the way down.

Frank removed the guard's pants, boots, and omni-tool.

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

"Lookin' good." Frank nodded. Now in full C-SEC gear.  He picked up the guard's M-15 Vindicator, and headed for the door. He searched through the omni-tool.  "I am now Officer... Dolf Träger?" He shrugged before opening the door and stepping out into the corridor.

[Redbelle]

Anika checked the time. "Will this take long? I need to see Naleena soon. Before the new ship arrives".

 

"Won't take a minute luv".

 

"Figuratively or literally"?

 

"We're here".

 

Anika looked up. They were outside a plain block of rent-a-space office blocks of the cheap variety. Jess went inside and beckoned Anika in.

 

"Your contact's here"?

 

"His office got destroyed in the geth attack. Alot of people had move into these blocks to keep trading".

 

"And what does the contact trade in"?

 

"Information". Jess stated as they climbed the block's entry ramps till they came to the middle level. Taking a right Jess took them down a hall till they stood outside a set of sliding doors.

 

The etched sign next to the doors read, 'Barla Von'.

[Redbelle]

Together the two women walked inside and were met by someone sitting behind a desk in the outer hall. A human. Young and male, with flaming orange hair and freckles.

 

"Don't see those much these day's. Specially not out in space". Jess commented.

 

The man looked up. "Good day ladies.... And yes. I know. Artificial light isn't conducive to freckle formations..... Then again I've only just recently begun living out here in space". He smiled, showing an array of dazzling white teeth. "You must be Captain Stone.... and this.....". He ran his eye's up and down Anika's armour. "..... this must be your lovely bodyguard. I can see why they want you back Ms Anika".

 

"Just..... Anika. And who want's me back"?

 

"All in good time". The man stood and smoothed down the front of his suit. "Barla Von was expecting you, however, business has decreed that he be present to attend to other matters. I shall be your broker for our assigned meeting. You may call me Arthur. I was fully briefed on your..... mishap. You will be pleased to know your petition for the information you require has been granted. Now.... if you will allow me to lead you to the main office, I can go into more detail".

 

With that Arthur came out from around his desk. Jess noticed that, like the rest of him, his shoes were polished to a gleaming shine. His whole demeaner oozed smooth operator. The kind of person who wanted you to think he was professional in the information broker business. Taking something as truth was easier when the truth was presented by someone you felt was on top of things. Athur was on top of his own appearence. His mannerisms consistant with someone who knew more than you but was polite enough, or savvy enough, not to throw the fact in his client's face.

 

Arthur walked across the carpeted floor to the main door leading further inside. He tapped a panel and the dor opened. He gestured inside. "If you will please enter. I need to lock up the front while I am away from desk. Then I shall join you both".

 

Jess looked at Anika and cocked her head, indicating to come on as she and her walked in. They were met with a much larger room than before. Metal decking and bulkhead's. Jess's eye reported back it was armoured and of the type that stopped stray signal's from leaking in..... or out. A desk stood out in the middle. Wire's came up and out of the decking. Ran through a rectangular box before going into the terminal. Data cards sat in a neat stack next to it and behind all hat, a large, leather, rotating wing backed chair.

 

In front of the desk sat two smaller white leather backed chair's and both women moved to sit. As they did, Jess looked off to the side. Noting a large collection of holo emitter's off to the side. From floor to ceiling the span must have been twelve feet. Clearly, this room was set up for large scale displays when called for.

 

Both reached and sat inthe chair's. Anika set Mr Bojangle's down on the table.

 

"We need a place to leave him luv..... you can't carry him around with you everywhere".

 

"As long as we don't have a place, he stay's with me".

 

Behind them the door opened. "Sorry for the delay ladies". Arthur walked in and the door's closed behind him. "Now. Since we are garaunteed that no ear's are prying into what you wish to discuss, let us get right down to business. Tell me..... What can the Shadow Broker do for you today"?

[Cknarf]

Frank wandered the halls of C-SEC, doing his best to avoid eye contact.

I can't believe this is working.

He rounded a corner, and saw his interrogator talking to an older human.  He slid back behind the wall and listened.

"For the most part, the human was cooperative. It looks like he's telling the truth, except he's still claiming to be a detective."

"You don't think he had anything to do with Taylor?"

"He arrived in the same car, that's for sure, but it doesn't look like he played a part his death. The rifle he was using was never fired, and witnesses say he arrived right at the end."

"I see."

"What about our friend in room D? Get anything from him?"

"Yeah, this."

Frank peeked around the corner, and saw the human's bandaged hand.

"Did he talk?"

"Not a word.  He's a tough bastard, that's for sure, but every man has his limits. I'll pay him another visit after I cool down a bit."

"Just make sure you don't kill him."

"No promises."

The men went their separate ways, the turian heading down the hall, and the human towards Frank.

Frank followed him.  "Sir?"

"What do you want, rookie?"

"I overheard your conversation..."

"Yeah?"

"Mind if I accompany you to the next interrogation session?"

"What for?"

"Your hands are in pretty rough shape..." Frank paused.  "And my parents were killed by batarians..."

"You want to get a few licks in yourself, huh?" The man laughed.

"Yes sir." Frank nodded.

"Alright, kid. Interrogation room D, fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, sir."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Dahlia exited her cab. She made her way through the busy crowd that was gathering near the Dark Star for the evening. Morgan was standing in a shadow.

 

Dahlia walked by in front of him and dropped a small bag. Morgan picked it up and walked after her. "Miss, you dropped this."

 

"Thanks," Dahlia said, "Hiding in plain sight I see." They were far enough away no one was noticing them.

 

"The Citadel has the benefit of being crowded, so we can blend in. Tell me what's going on. Are you in danger? Some sort of trouble?"

 

Dahlia rubbed the back of her neck like she was stressed about something. She took a deep breath. Then she took Morgan's hand. Morgan could feel her trembling. "No, nothing like that, but I wanted to just be alone with you. There's always someone else around. I've been packing for the past few hours. Everything is happening so fast. Naleena is a Spectre. Did you know that? That was a shock. She's got a new mission and ship. I'll be going with her. I have to go with her. I came here to see you because I want you to come with us. For me."

 

Morgan was caught off guard, then looked slightly confused. "A ship? Of all things...Look, what is it that makes you have to go with?...maybe I'm getting ahead of myself asking that. Naleena has been talking to Jess about pursuing someone who's been a problem for me. And is now for Jess, too. I don't think we have to worry about going separate ways."

A cautionary impulse came over Morgan as he tried to study the young Asari. "But what's with all the secrecy, regardless? And..." He hesitated, not sure if he should pursue the next question. "Why are you worried about me being there?"

 

Dahlia looked at Morgan with her big purple eyes. "Morgan, this is something I couldn't say in front of Jess and the others. There's something about you. Something very grounded... that... I find very attractive," She let go and turned away for a second then turned back to him. "Look I know I'm young, but I can't help how I feel, Morgan. I care about you, and even though we've only known each other a short time, you've been like a rock for me. I want to be there for you, too. Not just for fun, but please don't think there's any pressure. There isn't.

 

She took his hand again and held it. "But you don't really know Asari. There's no need to rush with us. I guess that's one advantage of living a long time. You take your time and think about what I said. I just needed to tell you."

 

One of the blue Zakera 28 sign lights captured half of Morgan's face. He's been pulled away from Jess when she might need him, because he thought Dahlia was in trouble. Instead, this..."Dahlia...the hiding, I understand I suppose. But....I can't even think of what to say to you to not sound like an idiot."

This was where Morgan always failed.

"If the group had to split up, you should be coming with Jess and me, not the other way around. What is it with Naleena? You can't walk away? There's a space for you with us. And about the rest...." Morgan faltered. "Why?"

 

"Go where, Morgan? Some psycho b*tch took Jess' ship and killed her crew! Chopped them into bits! And now Jess is going crazy, and has talked Naleena into going after her. I heard you and Jess on the crew deck before you left. The Medusa is gone, Morgan! I've got to talk Naleena into letting this go. I'm scared. Maybe you can talk some sense into her," Dahlia sounded very worried, "And there's more..., walk with me, please."

 

The two walked along the walkway of the ward near the closed storefronts. There were other nightclubs open, but otherwise it was evening, now. Dahlia continued talking. "I've seen Naleena's log. Our new mission frightens me, too. Jess isn't getting it. She still thinks it’s the Collectors. It isn't. Do you remember reading about that big ship that attacked the Citadel? They think there's more of them. That they're looking for a way into the galaxy. Our job is going to be to find clues, evidence, and find a way to stop them from doing to us what they did to the Protheans 50,000 years ago.

 

"Makes our problems seem small, doesn't it?"

 

"Take a breath, Dahlia," Morgan tried to reason. "Think about what you're trying to tell me. I can't make it out through everything that's got you upset."

 

Dahlia turned and threw her arms around Morgan and held him close. As she did she began to relax.

 

"Hold on," Morgan said nervously, "Take it in steps." He didn't push Dahlia away immediately; it would have been cruel. After a time, Morgan had to put some space between them by taking Dahlia's shoulders and separating them enough so they were face to face.

"There's a lot going on with you. Dahlia, I know you aren't the person you pretend to be with everyone. But I think you are looking for someone, as in the one and only one. Tell me if I'm missing you. You've got the wrong man for that. You want someone to be there in love, with you, for you, only you. Dona't get your heart set on a man who might be dead tomorrow, who's gone and tied himself to...Christ, Dahlia, I can't be that for you even though I want you so badly to stick with us."

 

There was a bench nearby. Dahlia sat down. Her eyes filled. She felt so foolish. So misunderstood. Morgan sat next to her.

 

She looked up at him. "Did you ever think that I just needed to be held for a minute? I have no one, Morgan. Naleena is so involved with Anika, and other than her she's so involved with herself. Jess is so involved with Jess and her drama - and yes I'm sorry about her recent tragedy. I'm just waiting for Jess' drama to crush Naleena. It will happen, you mark my words. And you? You're thinking you're off limits because you might be dead tomorrow? You saw the Drowned Aspire. And now Naleena's files tell me that the sh*t about that giant ship Sovereign and the Reapers we read in the tabloid news was real, and the Council tried to pass it off as Geth? Wake up call, Morgan. Every one of us might be dead tomorrow.

 

"Now I really made a fool of myself." She pointed across the sidewalk. "It looks like there's a small dingy tavern over there, and I need a drink. Maybe you do, too. I'll buy, but I know you don't take money or gifts or stuff, so your payment is having had to listen to me babble." She shook her head. Morgan sighed. Yes, he could use a drink, too. It was a good call.

 

They got their drinks: two fingers of scotch each, and they sat at a table off in a corner. She positioned them so that Morgan's back was to a wall. "Okay, Morgan. So the masquerade comes crashing down. I feel so foolish. I'm a young adult of 150. You can't tell the others because it will get back to Aria," Dahlia said, "Naleena is so self-involved she probably won't notice. Omega is a big place. Aria likes her dancers young. No older than 100. Life is tough on the streets of Omega. So I went to see Aria, and I had to pass myself off as a maiden of 90. I can act very immature, and I can screw up stuff like a 90 year old. Asari live a long time, and I'll outlive every one of her current crop of lieutenants if I keep my nose clean. And I'll even outlive Aria. Assuming we survive.

 

"Of course you figured out the 'Dahlia isn't 90 part.' No maiden of 90 would be able to hold a barrier like I did in the Drowned Aspire. I tried to sell it to you, but you wouldn't buy it. In the Drowned Aspire compound it was life or death. I had to give it my best or we were dead."

 

She started shaking. "But those bodies in those crates. I saw them while they were opened. Goddess! I hid in Naleena's quarters... in a corner for an hour. I've never seen anything like that. Whoever did that is a monster!"

 

"You are not any kind of fool." Morgan placed his hand over Dahlia's arm. "You're frightened, I think, but you aren't a fool."

Morgan leaned towards Dahlia, pressing his fingers into her arm to try and reassure her. "If you've fooled Aria and Naleena, you're brilliant, Dahlia. A prodigy, a gift. Can you see that for yourself? Yes, out there are monsters, and I do fear the monster among our species than the monster from beyond. No Collector, or Aspirant, or whatever is behind them has ever tried to own or destroy my soul. But what am I going to do? Give in?"

Morgan shook his head. "I could have. It's right there for me sometimes; just get myself killed and remove the threat to my family. End the curse...Dahlia it's right there for me now! But maybe that's where I need help. And I had that help from Jess, and from you. Maybe I put it badly, before. I don't talk well. But you have me, you have us, you have that wicked, beautiful genius.

"Jess wouldn't care, I don't think. Maybe I could figure something out, but it wouldn't matter because it wouldn't be what you need. What you want. Dahlia, that doesn't mean you are alone. It doesn't mean you have nobody. To Hell with the monsters. Let's face them together."

 

Dahlia looked up at Morgan and put her hand on his. She was trying to convey she cared for him. His safety. She’d heard Jess talking about that while she was packing because the door was open. But this was where her immaturity got in the way. So she simply went along. “It doesn’t matter how you feel about me, Morgan. You don’t need to get tangled up in a romantic relationship with me. I’m too messed up. Things are just too complicated with me right now. I’m not ready. If you came along in another hundred years it would be a lot different. I just need to be held once in a while, do you understand? Other benefits if those happen spontaneously, fine.” Her big purple eyes met his. “But that doesn’t matter when we’re working together; I’ve got your back no matter what.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Stunned by the scene of the raid on Synthetic Insights on the Citadel, Naleena returned to the Audron. She was thinking about the soldier they’d met on Duellos, Irina. Did she have anything they needed for this mission? She was a hard hitter and she had some solid combat experience. She should speak with her at least.

 

Irina had stopped at the Starstreamer dealership, and picked up the parts she needed and returned to the Audron. Zenon had been reading the book she’d given her. It was a young adult coming of age story and Zenon seemed to be enjoying it. When Zenon saw Irina returning she closed her omni-tool and stood.

 

“You don’t have to jump to attention, soldier,” Irina joked, “I found the parts we need, now all we have to do is install them and I’ll take you for a ride up and down one of the ward wings. I want to lay this baby flat out. C-sec is going to have a fit, and I’ll probably get a ticket, but it’ll be fun.”

 

Zenon was grinning. “Well, let’s get to it then.”

 

“Yes, Ma’am,” Irina said and she laid out the parts and opened the manual.

 

Naleena walked out of the elevator and saw the two of them working on the bike. She approached and watched Irina instruct Zenon while they fixed the machine.

 

“If you’re going to stand there and gawk, you can at least hand me tools,” Irina said.

 

“Actually, I need to speak with you.” Naleena said.

 

Irina stood, grabbed a rag and wiped her hands. “So what is it this time? You here to chew my arse out about the train robbery, too? Oh right. You’re the one who left. So did that b*tch ask you to come down here?”

 

Naleena paused a second. “Can we start over? You know I’m building a team to go on a mission, right?”

 

“Yeah, Collectors. That’s what she said,” Irina replied.

 

“No, it’s not Collectors. If we run into Collectors we’ll deal with them, but they’re not our mission,” Naleena said, “The mission is classified. I you’ve proven yourself in combat. You have experience from Elysium, and I’ve seen what you can do. The mission is funded by the Council.”

 

“So this isn’t about the mess with the Asari and the train?” Irina said.

 

“No. I heard about that, however, and I cannot speak of the details. Suffice to say a situation like that shouldn’t happen again. This does not mean we won’t run afoul of different members of the Council, but hopefully there won’t be a ‘pissing contest’ between two Council Spectres.” Naleena was pacing, “I don’t think you have any work lined up at the moment. So are you interested?”

 

“Will you keep that pirate off my neck?” Irina asked.

 

“Is there a problem?”

 

“Well she comes down here and starts lecturing me on choosing sides in the robbery and how the commandos fired first. The cargo was lost. The commandos had no weapons other than their biotics and sidearms. Jess said I was a hostage now, and called for lethal force. And I was yelling at everyone to just stop. It was over.” Irina said. “She said I made the right call, but then turns around and said that’s not how we do things.”

 

“Well, on my ship we follow my orders.” Naleena said, “My ship will be arriving soon. So again, are you interested?”

 

“Yeah, I’m interested. Can she come along? I can’t just leave her here on the Citadel. She’s got nowhere else to go,” Irina said, “Maybe she could work somewhere on the ship?”

 

“I’ll think about it,” Naleena said, “I have to meet the crew and the officers first. Anyway, I’ll see you aboard the Janiri when she arrives. Just try to avoid fights with Jess Stone, then.”

 

“Yes, Ma’am.”

[favoritehookeronthecitadel]

The lower bar in the purgatory was blissful. The bright lights constantly scattered around the large stage of the dance floor beside the bar, the music booming as everyone was dancing on the stage. Elsewhere, others would be having a romantic get-together at a table or in a group. 

 

Avan Rezal sat in the lower bar, having a drink and enjoying the moment. It had been a busy few days. Adding repairs to his ship, taking care of several bounties, including the latest one. Brann Riso wasn't an idiot, but he definitely wasn't particularly intelligent about crossing the Shadow Broker. Whatever he was involved in, with the elcor and whoever else was in this play, it must be interesting.

 

He enjoyed the Purgatory because its' cleanliness was kept at an astonishing pace. It was also an area where a Krogan could sit down and talk to an asari or make friends with a turian, or even a human. The Citadel was safe, you didn't have to worry about someone stealing your purse or holding you at gunpoint, unless they wanted to be seized and arrested by C-Sec immediately. Hardly any crime is seen on the Citadel, unless you pi$$ off the wrong individual with enough power to seep through the cracks. Those that had their own laws were like the VIP underbelly of C-Sec. Spectres, for example. 

 

Typhin had not arrived yet. Waiting for the turian, he took another sip of his drink. He looked at a krogan and an asari and thought about using his omni tool to hack into their bank accounts and seize their money. This could likely lead to them blaming each other. That seemed too immature to do, and Avan was thereafter distracted by another asari. "You've been sitting there by yourself for a long time. What's a matter, did your date run out on you?" She was blue and freckled, with dark eyes, and wearing a luxurious lavender dress. She must have been in early in her maiden stage, by his guess. Could be new to the area.

 

"Um...uh-" Avan covered his mouth and started feeling extremely nervous as the asari looked at him. "Haha, the shy type. Is it just an act, like most? But we can just skip that. My name is Shali'a."  She sat down across from Avan and peered at his drink. "This is not one of my favorites. Blech." 

 

Avan overcame his nervousness and cleared his throat. "I uh...can't talk to you right now. I'm actually waiting for someone."

 

"Boy, no one denies me what I want. You're the best thing on the menu right now."

 

"Listen, Shali'a? You've very kind, but I really-"

 

"What's your problem? Most men would be giving my their room number and pick me up and run to it. You don't seem pleased by me at all. What are you, gay? Because if you are, I can still make up for the short-comings."

 

"Hello ma'am.", said Typhin. "I don't mean be to be rude, but me and my friend here were hoping to have a private chat. We have some very important things to discuss with each other. I have some family matters and this is a close friend, and.. well, I'm sure the details would just bore you anyway."

 

"No" Shali'a said, taken aback. "I guess you really were waiting for someone. That's ok, I was just going anyway." She stood up and left the table.

 

"Thank you!" Typhin called to her as she started talking to a group of asaris by the dance floor. "Well, she seemed interesting. What was her name?"

 

"Let's just get straight to business, if you don't mind." Avan replied bluntly. "I have been waiting for you for well over the time you specified to meet."

 

"Sorry about that, I received an unexpected call from the Broker about some significant information. You know how it is. No rest for the wicked."

 

"Indeed" Avan smirked.

 

"Who was that, anyway? It's not like you to flirt with an asari."

 

"I wasn't, she was flirting with me. She was friendly, but seemed a bit disturbed. Now, again, can we get straight to it, please?"

 

"Sorry" Typhin raised his hands apologetically. "Anyway, the.. specimen was found in the right place. We took it, and de-frosted it so we could I.D. And might I say, you love your head shots, Avan." 

 

"It's like any other video game." Avan replied cautiously.

 

"Right. Anyway, it was I.D'd correctly, and the credits have been transferred to your account as of now. Quite a hefty fine, but a good quality purchase."

 

Avan took out his omni-tool to see his account. The payment was there. "Ok. It was a pleasure doing business. Please let me know if there's another 'purchase' you would like to make."

 

"Oh, I believe there will be." Typhin chuckled. "Always a pleasure, Avan. Keep in touch."

[Terca]

Purgatory also happened to be a nice place for gang members who didn't shoot each other at random to hang out. Nobody knew why, it just happened to be the place that Suns, Eclipse and BP refrained from killing each other in. Maybe it was the atmosphere. Maybe it was the number of unaligned Krogan. Either way, it made things easy for an Asari to sit down with a lieutenant and make a gagging noise without catching any attention for her prosthetic arm.

 

"F*ck me sideways we need to stop importing people from the Traverse." She said to a Batarian who was sitting across from her. He was in a blue suit with Suns' epaulettes while she was in a simple T-shirt and jeans. Her fingers were drumming on the Table in a bit of irritation while the Batarian smirked and glanced around. This was the third time in the cycle some kids had pulled a stunt. It had never been this bad before though. "We aren't bailing them. I don't care if Gaul wants them out they are rotting. They know nothing about who runs things and they are not going to get better with time."

 

"At least nobody died." The Batarian said as he leaned back in his seat and took a long drag from an e-pipe.

 

True. Their ineptitude did make it so they not only missed their mark but also couldn't be assed to actually kill a civilian. "CSEC is going to be crawling up my ass regardless if it gets traced back to me and we all have some sh*t we would rather the kiddies didn't see." She replied dryly before ordering a drink from one of the waitresses. "We only have so much influence. We cause too much of a problem and we will lose our foothold in CSEC, lose that and we can't keep our reps here. It's hard enough being blacklisted by the Council, harder still to do the good credit's work when Corps are too busy sh*tting themselves over the traverse."

[Cknarf]

((Collaboration between Cknarf and Jensaarai Bronitarian))

Torres walked towards the interrogation room, flexing his hand as he tried to clear his mind. This couldn't be right, in his heart of hearts he knew that. Beating up a suspect like this was some sort of shakedown, it was leaving more then a bad taste in his mouth. Even thinking about all the family he lost when his home colony was attacked by slavers, it just came back to the battered silent batarian sitting there, taking all his punches with not so much of a peep.
 

  He was starting to wish he'd never taken this assignment, and definatly regretting all the punches he made. New protocol be damned, maybe this whole thing was wrong.
 

  'No...' he thought as he came to the door, 'That batarian's a criminal, no way around it. Even if this feels wrong, you're doing it for the right reasons...'  he looked to the young guy bringing him in, 'That's gotta count for something, right?'
 

 "You sure you're up for this?" He asked, giving him one chance to back out now as he steeled himself to keep at it.
 

 "Not a doubt in my mind, sir."
 

 "Alright kid, you're up." Torres opened the door.  Essul was slouched forward in the chair, covered in blood.
 

 Aw f*ck, it's everywhere.
 

Frank wrinkled his nose at the mess in the room.
 

 "Alright, you batarian piece of sh*t." Frank slammed his palms on the table.
 

Essul looked up to the new interrogator with his two non swollen eyes, trying to focus on his face despite the blurriness of his vision. He wished he'd keep it down, his headache was starting to come on and the pain from his beating was only just covering it up. As he managed to get a few details of the face, he blinked in surprise and stared. 'That...couldn't be...' he thought to himself as he stared at him
 

 "If you don't tell us what we wanna know..." Frank picked up the empty chair.  "I'm gonna take this, and..." 
 

 Essul's eyes were wide as he heard the chair smack the officer behind him, seeing Frank go over and shock him. He didn't know what to do, scream at him to stop, thank him for the help, or just laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing.
 

 He choose anger instead, looking to frank with surprise as he finally spoke in a low growl, "What...are you doing...here?" he asked, the first words he'd spoke since his incarceration. 
 

 "I told you I'd get us out of this mess, didn't I?" Frank smiled.
 

 Essul's situation had either improved, or just gotten a lot worse.
 

He looked the human over in disbelief. "Who are you?" He asked, unsure of what exactly to expect from this person. Was he some sort of espionage agent as well? Could he be cerberus? Possibly even alliance as well trying to get him into their custody?  No. None of them would be this crazy and do this sort of plan. So if he wasn't that, then who the heck was he? And why the hell was he helping him?

 

"I am Officer Dolf Träger and  Detective Francis Elias." He removed Torres' omni-tool, and equipped it on his other arm.  "I am also... Lieutenant Alejandro Torres."  He nodded. "Frank works too.  Let's get you outta this thing."

 

Essul stumbled as the magnetic shackles were undone, his body having been kept up by the restraints. Being able to use his limbs again, he could now really feel the effect of the head blows on his coordination.
 

His breath was labored as he rested his hands on the table, arms shaking as he worked to get his balance again. "Who are you working for?" He asked simply, still surprised he was even getting an answer in the first place, "Why help me?"
 

"Nobody, really." Frank thought for a second. "Well, kinda-maybe.  I think.  I had a job with a Spectre, then everything went to sh*t, so I'm on the Citadel, getting ready to work for a different Spectre. It's all a big clucterf*ck, you know how it goes."  Frank shrugged.

 "I'll explain everything once we're outta here.  We don't have a lot of time."  Frank pulled some restraints from his belt. "You have to put these on."

 

"No. I don't..." Essul stated flatly, not having any idea how it goes. The more this man talked, the less Essul wasn't sure he'd somehow been assaulted into being insane.
 

 "Fine, let's hear your plan, then."
 

 Essul Looked down at the restraints, then back up to frank. "You can't expect us to just walk out of here..." he said as he put on the cuffs, hoping there was more to the plan than this. Because what the heck else was he going to do? The man had no problem dispatching the LT, he doubted he'd have much problem dispatching Essul and taking him by force if necessary. Spectre involved espeically.

 

"Don't be so negative."  Frank brought up the Lieutenant's omni-tool.

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

Officer Träger has been authorized to transport the batarian suspect located in interrogation room D.  Will be making a stop at evidence to retrieve his belongings. Ensure transport is ready and waiting for them at the garage.

 

-- Lt. Alejandro Torres

 

*message sent*

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

"There.  Now I can expect to walk out of here."  Frank smiled.  "Ready to go get your stuff?"

 

"...You're out of your mind." Essul said as he looked frank up and down, starting to put the pieces together. 

 

"I'm a high value prisoner marked for terrorist activity against the council. No way they'll let this transfer go without some form of background check. " Essul whispered, standing upright as he finally began to get his balance a deep frown on his face.

 

"The second they see authorization from the high ups isn't approved they'll...they'll...." Essul said as his breathing quickened, hand going up to his head as he winced, stumbling back into the wall. "No...no no no no no no not now..." he said, sounding afraid as he felt the pressure building in his neck and the back of his head.
 

He'd need his dosage soon, an attack was building and if it happened here he'd be more then useless, but a definite liability. His eyes looked to franks, fear and desperation in them as he clenched his teeth.
 

"My armor...do you know where they have it?" He asked as he closed his eyes, trying to calm his breathing down, "I need...I need what's in my armors compartment...Di-Isolyn Neuropovazyne..." he said, hoping Frank understood the severity of his situation. "You don't want to be around me if I don't have it..."

 

"I think I have an idea of where they're holding our things."  Frank crouched next to Essul.  "You look like sh*t.  Stay here." He patted him on the shoulder. "I won't be long."

 

Frank opened the door, and peeked outside.  Seeing it was clear, he stepped out and locked it behind him.

 

Now to find the evidence room.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan was concerned but didn’t speak.  He watched Dahlia flash her eyes at him, pleading, not ready to accept quite everything he was saying.  It wasn’t a good situation, but he wasn’t going to give up on Dahlia.  She was right in that she needed someone.  Just not in the way she believed she did.

I need to talk to Jess, Morgan couldn’t help thinking.  But not about Dahlia’s hidden identity.

And that line of thinking brought up another concern in the back of Morgan’s mind, yet he wasn’t able to connect the pieces entirely.

Dahlia, you should be worried about yourself, Morgan said to himself as he looked back at her.  But he didn’t pass it on through his expression.  Instead, he nodded to her with a slight smile.  Morgan really just wanted to let Dahlia know that everything would be all right.

[Cainhurst Crow]

"No way, you're kidding right?" Etarn Tiron said in disbelief as he held his tools over the armor, working on repairs as he wore a pair of goggles to protect his eyes as he arc welded the circuitry for vayne's armor.

 

"I'm not kidding, he really tried to do a monologue about my doom..." Vayne said laughing as he sat on a waiting bench in the back of the shop, grinning wide as he sat back, "Poor bastard never even knew I had a ballistic blade on my omnitool till he was picking out omni-blade bits from his chest."

 

"That's what he gets in my opinion." Etarn said as he got back to working on the armor, a joking smile on his face, "I see the same crap myself, people trying to pull some sort of stupid pose after they bag a prize and get surprised when another predator gets the jump on them." he said as he got the final piece welded, setting down his tools, "If you're going to shoot an animal, shoot. Don't waste time with it."

 

"Good words to live by." Vayne complimented as he relaxed, finding a bit of comfort and normalcy on the citadel. This place seemed so sterile and controlled, oppressive in a lot of places. It was easy to loose sight that it was a station full of people, mistaking the people for the crowds he figured. Talking to someone else about fighting and war on an even level without judgements, he couldn't ask for more. "Course, having a good gun helps to."

 

"Like the one that punched a hole in your armor?" Etarn asked casually as he started up the armors power systems, seeing the diagnostic running well as he worked on monitoring the power supply, "Gotta say, whoever did this was aiming for a kill."

 

"They were. Some bad blood over stepping in during a...well, kidnapping I guess you could call it." Vayne said with a shrug of his shoulders, leaving out as much information as possible, "I stepped in to stop some of the guys boys, so he stepped in to help his boys deal with me. I just fought better is all." Vayne stated simply.

 

"Sounds like it's a dangerous line of work, being a detective and all. But then again with the amount of credits you seem to have, that makes sense." Etarn commented as he got to work on the suits gauntlets, "These mods would normally cost a fortune, but here you are parts in hand." he said as he began to route the shield generators into the knuckles.

 

"Well, one of the perks for risking your life, I guess." He said as he looked up to the ceiling, "Ain't like its all credits and shootouts though, the paperwork and fees involved can be downright brutal. And coming to a place like this can wind you up in waiting room hell, even if you have all your documents in order."

 

"Tell me about it. The councils been making hard for me to even function on the station. C-sec even tried to take away my omnitool, had to pay them to have them accept my license to own and operate with one." He said as he shock his head in disappointment, "Let alone all the supplies and restocks that wind up delayed."

 

"Sounds like murder on your store. I take it you don't have any guns for sale then?" Vayne asked, sensing there was more to the story then just c-sec making things rough. The way he said it, there was a hint of something there.

 

"Well, I didn't say that..." Etarn said innocently, "Just that my normal restocking been hampered by c-sec's unreasonable laws. And a shops got to stay stocked to make a living..." Etarn said as he gave a wink to vayne.

 

"Alright then. If that's the case, let's see what you got..." Vayne said as he flashed a grin, and of course his credit chit. Etarn bent down as he reached underneath his worktable, going for a hidden compartment as he flicked a switch. A floor panel slid open, revealing a small crawlspace which slowly rose out to show off a impressive collection of guns.

 

"Most of its standard firearms I sell as bundle packs. Nothing illegal, just all high end. So whats it your looking for, friend? A nice rifle to shoot down some game at a distance?" He asked as he held his arms in a mimed shooting pose.

 

"I'm looking for a pistol, or a smg..." vayne began as he glanced down to his hip, "Something with some decent power and speed." He said as he reflected back on his current arsenal. He had a explosives firing rile, which was great for long distances but not something easy to draw, aim, charge, then fire in a tough spot. Then there was the Bakara, as he called it, a great and powerful shotgun to be sure, but still essentially a single shot. And his scimitar would hardly work outside of close quarters. He needed a good mid-weapon, something to fill the gap in his ability.

 

Etarn seemed to grin widely as he heard vaynes answer. "Something between the two huh? I think I got just the thing..." he said as he reached into one of the locked gun cases, opening up and pulling out a strange looking gun, one feature standing out to vayne as he looked at it.

 

"What's with the alliance stamp?" He asked as he looked to the phalanx looking gun, recognizing the ones popping up in human colonies recently. This one though didn't look like those, it wasn't white and black like a phalanx, but more a military sandy gray. It was shorter, more compact, and as he examined it more closey, only seemed to resemble the phalanx in body only.

 

"This, is an Eagle pistol." Etarn said as he let vayne get a good look at the pistol, "Its a new development by the humans. It fires automatically, and its light weight, accurate, and a lot more powerful then a simple smg round." Etarn said as he set it down next to vaynes armor.

 

"Must be worth a lot." Vayne said as he walked over, etarn nodding his head as the krogan picked up the unloaded wepaon, turning it over. He held it in one hand, liking the feel.

 

"Honestly? I can't give em away. Seems the markets all about the hurricane when it comes to new human weapons." The turian said with a shrug of his shoulders, "Still, its a good defensive gun to use. It could provide cover fire if anything else."

 

"Take it it still costs a fortune to own." Vayne commented, wondering how much it'd cost.

 

"Considering all the credits you're spending at my place already, I'll bundle it in and knock out a few thousand credits just for you." Etarn said as he took the gun back, setting it back down.

 

"Really now? Mighty generous offer of you." Vayne said supiciously, not sure whether to trust the turian or not, "But how exactly would I get it out?"

 

Etarn smiled as he patted the top of vaynes armor, "Well...c-sec doesn't exactly check cargo leaving the citadel. They only care about what enters this station." he said, vayne smiling as he caught the drift.

 

"Well then..." vayne said as he extended out a hand, "Sounds like a deal to me."

[Redbelle]

Jess watched as the man who had identified himself as 'Arthur', walked with precise, measured steps, to the large wing backed seat at the back of the desk. The chair was already turned and he sat down as if the man were alighting upon a throne. Turning to face them he leaned backwards, steepling his finger's as he did so.

 

"I must say Captain Stone. You have not often availed yourself to the Shadow network of information broker's before. And when you have, you often used your companies more..... accepted representative".

 

"He plays the game better than I do".

 

"So why are you not going through your representative this time"?

 

Jess leaned forward. "Because this time it's personal".

 

"Is it"?

 

"If you don't know that....". Jess said standing. ".....then I'm in the wrong place".

 

Arthur made a placating gesture. "Please Captain.... Sit. Sit down. Forgive me. Some question's before to ensure I have the right information to hand is part of the process.... But I can see in your eye. The matter is serious. Though in a turn of event's, it is equally as serious for the Shadow network as it is for you.....".

 

".....Let me see if I can summerise what brought you here. You left your ship. A matter that you have gone to great length's to cover up and that even the Shadow network has been unable to piece together led to your leaving your vessel". He paused. "That was no mean feat by the way. It is rare that one is able to so throughly break the chain's of their past..... though one still carries the guilt with oneself I suppose".

 

"I suppose". Jess echoed back.

 

"So you left your ship and joined in a mission aboard a Spectre vessel. Working for the Spectre on a council sanctioned mission. One can only assume that for a pirate, masquerading as a legitamate business dealer.....".

 

"The Kings and Queen's company is legitamate".

 

"And thus the lie gain's credance in so far as it is true. But not wholly true. Everyone suspect's the company of underhanded dealings. But your government continually supports your company. Like no other. Due to it's past? The Kings and Queen's was founded before the first contact war, making a play to be in a position to take advantage of the possibilities that discovering the first mass relay would bring. Then in the first contat war your company and it's founder's provided much relief to the military by volunteering their then ships to evacuate colonies and providing border security...... A trading company turned private militia....... The Medusa was a part of that my information tell's me. A ship of such epic history and importance safeguarding the human race, filed away as a footnote.....".

 

Anika looked between Arthur and Jess. "That really happened"?

 

"It did". Jess confirmed. "K&Q's always supported Earth and it's government's. Back in the first contact war we took over several duties that allowed their primary warship's to be freed from routine duties to fight the fight. The founder's did a good job too. Rasgul's father was one of them. I guess you could say the King's and Queen's are on retainer. If another war breaks out, we're contracted to take over border patrols. In return, we've been paid a sum of money over the years to keep our ships spaceworthy and allowed to break the few arm's rules. We have to hide them of course. Partly the reason why the weapon mount's are hidden behind so much shielding".

 

"State sponsered piracy". Arthur summed up. "Of course, the Earth government claim ignorance and would never seek to investigate. Why threaten their own funded militia? Of course, behind closed doors, there are those that worry they are funding a group who could splinter and go rogue.....".

 

"Not going to happen. Not as long as I have anything to say about it".

 

"We are getting off track, regardless...... Let me highlight the points. You left your ship. Your ship was taken by someone who is known to us. That person killed your crew..... A nasty piece of business. And now you are aware of the problem..... you want to find your ship".

 

"It's off the grid". Jess confirmed. "Or it's on, but it's hiding under a different identity".

 

"An impressive system..... Well, captain. Let us, how you might say, cut to the chase..... The Shadow Broker is aware of your predicament and is willing to aid you in your endevour".

 

"For how much"?

 

Arthur spread out his hands. "Why..... for so little one might almost consider it nothing".

 

Jess brow furrowed. "What's the catch"?

 

Rather than respond directly Arthur pulled one of the data cards from the stack and inserted it into a reader. It lit up and the holodisplay to their side powered on. Light point's that ended in midair swirled as micro-projectors came on and swiveled their emitter's to fashion the image they were directed to conjure.

 

Iyana appeared before them. Larger than life. Jess felt a chill and revulsion as she looked on her.

 

"This is the woman who took your ship. She has been called many things, but Iyana is what she is currently called. It is embarressing to confess but she is a Shadow Broker agent. One who has proven effective in the past, but has always been.... somewhat of an excentric".

 

"She murdered my crew and packed them in shipping crates and sent them to a ship run by a Spectre"! Jess growled.

 

"Over time her methods have become more excessive than some would prefer. She has been warned many times.... but each time she always brought more to the table than she took. This time however, she has crossed a line and brought the wrong sort of attention to the Shadow network. The kind of attention that requires a scapegoat. Someone to take responsibilty for the action's taken. The simple fact of the matter is.... Agent Iyana is very dangerous. Anyone who crosses her path would almost certainly find themselves very dead, very quickly. And then the people behind that person would be targetted. And so on, and so forth..... If we were to take care of this internally the network could suffer. And more importantly, our network of information gatherer's could be disrupted. The Shadow Broker wishes to avoid that and so he has asked me to extend the following offer.....".

 

"Kill Iyana if you can. We will give you the opportunity. We will inform you as best we can as to her capabilities, her armament's and so on. The number of people she has. Kill her and we will view her death as payment for our service in this endevour. You will have your ship and have avenged your crew. A nice and tidy exchange. The Shadow Broker has also offered a lump sum to you which you may use to entice any you wish to bring with you. Plus, as a bonus incentive and by way of apology to you personally, he is prepared to see to it that those who lost loved one's will be compensated for the loss of earning's for every one of your employee's that was terminated by his agent. Those who are or might be maimed or disfigured will be given hospital care with our organisation paying the final bill for their treatment".

 

Jess felt her finger's dig into the leather of her own chair. She understood it was just business.... but hearing it all laid out so clinically.....

 

"Bala's not here because of her.... Isn't he". She blurted out. "She's dangerous.... And he's afraid of what will happen to him if she finds out he ahd a hand in this".

 

Arthur nodded. "As my supervisor, I cannot fault his foresight in the matter".

 

"So what's got you taking the risk luv? Why are you here and not someone else"?

 

Arthur gave a smile with his perfectly white teeth. "Why.... Because he has promised a considerable sum of credit's to take this risk on his behalf. Given the cost of failure and the reward for success, I think we are both sufficiently motivated to give this effort our collective all".

 

"That much huh".

 

"A considerable sum". Arthur repeated.

 

Jess however wasnt' convinced. "Well that's a fine offer luv.... But I need to ask again. Why"?

 

Arthur's smile didn't so much as flicker. "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific".

 

"Why is the Shadow Broker being so generous"?

 

"Is it not enough that he is being so generous"?

 

"No". Jess leaned forward. "You don't give so much without wanting something in return. This reek's of a con luv. Why would the Shadow Broker want me and not some hired professional to pull the trigger? Why not pay someone on the inside to do it? Why me specifically".

 

Arthur's smile vanished to be replaced by a frown. "Because Captain. The Shadow Broker is aware of the grievous wound one of his own has inflicted on the Kings and Queen's. Losing the Medusa, one of the ships that flew in the first contact. Losing a crew, a event every captain dread's. And having it shoved in your face..... The Shadow Broker want's good relation's with the company. Both your company and my network have profited greatly from our longterm collaberation. Agent Iyana's recent activities have threatened that relationship. The Shadow Broker knows he could offer you all the credit's in the galaxy and it would not be enough to sate the debt between our two organisations. Satisfaction will only come from the satisfaction of paying for blood with blood. While I do not generally go in for this sort of blood dealings, the credit's on offer for me mean's that I am more than prepared to temporarily put aside my preferences".

 

"And if things do go sour.... there's always the chance that Iyana will think it was me acting alone. She know's I'll be after her.... she might overlook your involvement all together. A paid for hit woman whose involvment won't cause any disruption to the network if she fails. And who is properly motivated to want to do this. All the credit's and offers.... that's just to push me further and further down this road I'm headed down".

 

"So we understand each other".

 

Jess grinned a toothy grin. "I think we do".

 

Anika looked between the two. "Not to look a gift horse in the mouth. But when are we getting to the part where you give up this woman? Where is she right now"?

 

Arthur's smile returned. "The question is not where they are, but where they will be. I rather thought you'd appreciate my bringing her here to the Citadel aboard your ship".

[Kel Riever]

“Come on, Dahlia.  Enough talking.  Time to get back.”  Morgan was worried about being pulled away from Jess by Dahlia.  “Walk with me.  At some point I should really take the opportunity to enhance my loadout, maybe do something about this worn and tried Predator suit.  But first, we’re going to find Jess.

“She’s dealing with more right now than you or I, that’s certain.”