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[J.Ezra]

Juric nodded his head in agreement as Tolema spoke. "Let's get ready then. Which one of you wants to come with us and which one wants to get your boss? I thought Isis might take to Naomi but I guess that's not a option now..." Then again, what she doesn't know won't hurt her. He chuckled before turning to face Tolema, "I guess we have to sort another one of your messes. Every other day you seem to have stolen someone's plans or kidnap someone's daughter. You need to see a professional about this." he lent back against the wall as he teased the asari. "Shame, I was enjoying this party till people started going on about an evil cover up."

[TheMajonese]

"You shouldn't try to tell me anything, Darya", Chris remarked without looking at her. "I probably won't be able to listen as I might be busy doing undercover work." With her comment Darya unintentionally reminded Chris of how pointless the search for his mother was as the twins were completely in the dark. But he could hold back his anger, because how was Darya supposed to know about this anyway?

 

"I could help you with anything so I guess I'll just take what's left", he then said to Tolema.

 

 

 

Cadi's words didn't make any sense to Naomi. Why would she care about her? Why would she want to help? It could be just a trick, another lie or maybe she was dreaming and this wasn't even real... "I just need a rest, that's all", Naomi sighed wearily, covering her face with one hand and suddenly felt as if she had participated in a marathon. It was incredible what had happened this day, for her it was like a whole week had passed.

 

She grabbed Cadi's hand but avoided looking at the blue haired woman. "I'm sorry for bothering you...I have no idea what's going on with me."

[Kel Riever]

Tolema said, "One more, fine, as long as you two don't fight on the way.  I'll get a vehicle for the four of us, if you can speak to whoever this is you are referring to in the meantime.  No more, though, please."

"Worried about anyone witnessing you bringing it up here?" Aoide asked.

"It's in a small, unmarked box.  Nobody will concern themselves if they see it in passing."

~ ~ ~ ~

Arcadia carefully brought Naomi up by the hand and guided her into the front passenger seat of the skycar.  "There, no need for prying eyes to bother you.  And no need for apologies."

The twins were an enigma for Cadi, but Naomi triggered something in Cadi which she kept to herself.  It was almost as if her wild appearance, or the intense changes in her mood were a reminder that there was more than the day to live for.  Arcadia knew herself as the kind of person who mourned or memorialized the past, but lived for the present.  She had cast aside the binds of her history, remembering them only for the sake of practicality.  Naomi stirred those waters, even if Cadi did not understand completely why.

"Let me call your brother.  You do not bother me in the least, and I ask you to take that to heart.  I do not think I am such a fool when I say that I do not think there is anything wrong with you.  But perhaps, you are right, and I am not the one who can help."  Cadi raised Chris on her com, "Chris, Arcadia.  I am out in the front hotel lot with your sister.  Perhaps you can spare a moment for her out here, away from the scene of whatever is happening up there.  And update me as well."

Cadi came around the skycar to take a seat in the pilot's side, next to Naomi.  She looked over at her and paused before saying, "I will leave you two to talk when Chris comes out.  Maybe, somehow, there is a way through this, whatever it is."  Arcadia didn't know why she offered to be so optimistic, but she couldn't help the pull she felt to say something.  She turned to stare out the skycar's windshield, letting Naomi have some silence.  

 

[TheMajonese]

With a deep sigh Chris shook his head when he heard from Cadi. "I'm on my way", he said before turning to the others. "Well, I have to speak with Arcadia, she's the one handling our missions and stuff."

 

Then he left the room again and went for the elevator. As soon as he was alone Chris contacted Cadi again. "Is Naomi ok? Did she break something...or attack someone?" Worried about his sister he paced back and forth while waiting for the elevator.

 

It had been only a matter of time for Naomi's condition to become worse. And he knew that letting her leave the party alone only had made things worse for her. Right now Chris could just guess what was going on with his sister.

 

 

 

Sitting in a skycar and staring through the car's side window didn't help at all. When Cadi stopped talking there was an unsufferably loud silence. Every little noise suddenly seemed to become louder and louder. Her breath felt like a deafening roar and whenever she slightly shifted her position on the seat it sounded like shattering glass. Naomi wanted to speak just so that the silence would end but her throat felt constricted and she couldn't open her mouth.

 

Suddenly she heard voices. They sounded far away and it was as if dozens of people had begun to speak simultaneously. After looking around Naomi realized that nobody was speaking and that the voices were in her head. Terrified she winced and placed both hands on her forehead, shaking her head while she somehow tried to ignore the voices that became louder as if the speakers were closing in on her. Now Naomi could understand what they were saying.

 

You're not crazy, Naomi! You're probably the sanest person I know...

 

Mom, where's daddy? You never talk about him...

 

What the hell was that, Tyler? Going in, all by yourself without any backup? I need a good soldier who follows orders, not another wannabe hero!

 

Look at that freak! How can she be Chris' brother? And why does he always hang out with her?

 

Help me! HELP! AH...! That f*cking b*tch is crazy...! What the hell is wrong with you?

 

...I am here for that reason. For you.

 

Hi, Naomi. It's mom...

 

Bowing forward and clenching her teeth Naomi held her breath and covered her face with both hands. A few seconds she just sat there without moving, then her body trembled uncontrollably. There was a single sob, followed again by silence.

[Kel Riever]

Cadi wasn't scared, though she thought perhaps someone else would be.  The woman next to her in the car was suffering and that was foremost on her mind.  

"Your sister is safe with me now," Arcadia responded to Chris, "Just come on over as soon as you are able."

Switching her mic off, Arcadia watched Naomi.  "I will do whatever I can for you."  She didn't know if she was getting through, but without knowing anything that would make Naomi feel better, Cadi went on with something she would have wanted to tell Naomi anyway.  "You've helped us, and I appreciate that.  You got in that show and with that band, before anyone else.  Without help.  Smart.  It would be a shame if we could not keep you because of whatever has happened."

Ardacia leaned back in her seat and let out a long, slow breath.  "They're up there because of you, Naomi.  You got them there.  You found the asari who had come after us.  And now we have more, far more than we anticipated in our hands.  Success, yes?  Look at all the people who want to get into see this band and can't.  Look at the rest of us in this team.  You beat us all, Naomi."

[TheMajonese]

Cadi's voice seemed to come from far, far away and her words needed time to reach Naomi's mind. Although she wanted to ask Cadi why she didn't just leave her, she couldn't open her mouth to speak. It was as if her body refused to move. Naomi was still trying to hold back the tears but to no avail.

 

When he stepped onto the parking lot Chris looked out for Cadi's skycar and when he spotted it, he lost no time and quickly approached, worrying about Naomi. If Cadi felt the need to call him to come here then it had to be serious.

 

Stepping around the car to the front passenger seat Chris opened the door and freezed in shock when he saw his sister covering her face while silently weeping tears. Chris felt a sharp pain in his chest when he saw Naomi like this. "Come on, sis, let's get you up...!", he said shakily and helped his trembling sister to get out of the car. "Thank you!", he then turned to Cadi.

 

It was obvious that Naomi couldn't stand on her feet so Chris helped her to lean against the front of the car. Her eyes were still closed and tears ran over her face. "So...what is it?", Chris asked while sitting down right next to her. He put one arm around her and tried to look her in the eyes. Then he waited patiently for her to answer since she needed time to speak.

 

"I don't know...", Naomi replied sobbing. "Chris...what's going on with me...?", she wanted to know with fear and desperation in her voice.

 

"Nothing!", Chris gave back and smiled. "Naomi, you're just stressed and there's nothing wrong about loosing your nerves!" She just shook her head in disbelief and cringed. "Naomi, I'm serious...you were just amazing today! You made your way into the concert hall, found out about Tolema, got us to that party...I know how hard it was for you but you still did everything right." Although he really wanted to give her that compliment it obviously didn't really get to her.

 

With a deep sigh he let Naomi press her head against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. "I know what's on your mind, I know it." he said smiling and didn't care that Cadi could be listening to every single word. "You still think you're crazy, am I right?" With another sob Naomi nodded. Brushing some of her hair out of Naomi's face Chris continued. "You're not crazy, Naomi! You're not crazy, you're not insane, mad, possessed or however people may call you! I know that I already said that some years ago but I meant it like that, I still do. Yes, you are special, you are different than the others. But not because of your feelings, it's because you're my sister." A faint smile appeared on Naomi's face. One thing Chris was really good at, was to make his words sound meaningful.

 

A while they just sat there without saying anything. Everything was quiet except for occasional sobs from Naomi. "I know that you're exhausted and tired", Chris eventually remarked. "You should get some rest, just lay down and sleep and don't think about anything! You will see, in a few hours everything will be fine. And I'm sure I will be back until then. And afterwards we will figure something out to find mom, I promise. So...you want me to call a taxi to get you back to our apartment?" After a few moments she nodded.

 

"Ok, let's get up then, sis..." Again Chris had to help her to get back on her feet. The tears had blurred her vision so he lead her to the back of the skycar where she leaned against it and stared with crossed arms to the ground. "I need a second to speak with Cadi, ok?"

 

Sheepishly rubbing his neck Chris walked around the car and approached Arcadia. "I'm really sorry, Cadi...I should have told you about it. My sister...she is someone who really shows emotions but she doesn't know about her own feelings...it can be difficult sometimes..." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I can totally understand if you think she shouldn't be part of the stormhammers because of that."

[Kel Riever]

Cadi glanced from Naomi to Chris, then got out so she could speak to him.  He was over ten centimeters taller than her, but she looked up with her steely blue eyes, searching his face for a minute.  "If you or Naomi wishes to leave, as I said to her before you came, I will not stop you."  Then she pushed aside her hair with a hand, and angled her head a bit.  "But I am not the one who thinks any such thing.  I see that you two are inseparable.  If that is how it will be, where the one of you speaks for the other, then tell me this, Chris Tyler, will it be better for you if Naomi is not here?  Will it be better for her?  Are your prospects somewhere else greater?  If so, then I release you from any obligation you may feel you have to me or this company."

Removing one glove, Arcadia reached up slowly to Chris' cheek with one hand.  "There is a place here for you and your sister, if you want it, though.  I have a need for you both.  This issue does not change that."  She withdrew her hand.  "I admit I do not understand, though I have overheard much of what you have said.  Naomi, she does not speak to me.  But she speaks to you.  What will become of either of you if you are not there for each other?  I dare only say you should journey together and if staying with Stormhammer means we must consider some...amendments, then at least we have the resources to make them."

Arcadia glanced to Naomi again, then back to Chris.  Suspecting that she was really speaking to both the twins, she asked, "What say you, Tyler?"

[TheMajonese]

Chris stared at his feet while he pondered on Cadi's words. He got the feeling that Cadi had a talent for seeing through the people she encountered. Even he doubted that he could have put his and Naomi's situation into words like Arcadia just did. On the other side he had no idea what to think of that woman, it was a bit hard to see her just as the manager of some mercenary organisation.

 

"You're right", he eventually said with another sigh and lowered his voice a bit. "There's nobody left to care for her beside me. She always had a hard time and she always will have and I know that it somehow is my fault. But I will never leave her, no matter what happens."

 

For a moment Chris wasn't sure if he should tell Arcadia but then he decided that she should have at least a rough idea of what was going on inside of his sister. "We lost contact with our mother. She just disappeared...as if she never existed. She never told us about here whereabouts or what she was actually doing, she just said that she helps making the galaxy a better place. And now she's just gone and we have no idea what to do. That's why we came to the Citadel, we somehow hoped to maybe find anything that could help us with the search. And that's why I don't want to leave the stormhammers...at least not yet. You know, information can be really expensive, sometimes."

 

Chris glanced to his sister before turning back to Cadi. "To be honest...I don't know what we're going to do next but you were right; it's either the two or none of us. Right now I just want to make sure that she can have some rest, that's all I can do..." He opened his omni-tool and browsed through some of the Citadel services until he found something. After ordering a taxi to the parking lot he gave Cadi a smile. "Naomi will be fine, I know it. It's not the first time she's like that. Next time you see her she'll be like before. And about this mission we're about to take on...I'm in, I don't want to leave it unfinished."

 

He wanted to turn around and go back to his sister but then something came to his mind. "And Cadi...I already said it, but...thank you!" With a joyless laugh Chris added: "Whenever people see Naomi like that they either ignore her or look at her as if she was a wild animal. But you didn't. You tried to help even if you can't get to her. You have no idea how much this means to me...and to Naomi as well, even though she won't admit it. Sorry, but I have to ask...you don't know us, you could have just leave her alone like everyone does. So...why are you helping us?"

[Kel Riever]

A slight color came to Arcadia's cheeks, and she distracted herself briefly by putting her gauntlet back on. "Because you are helping me by being here." She hesitated when she glanced up at Chris again. "And because I like you. There's too much in you and your sister to let slip by, have thrown to the wolves to be left to fend for yourselves, as much as you might be able to survive. This isn't only about survival for me. I want people at my sides who I can trust. I have that sense, Chris, that I can trust you and Naomi. So what are a few bumps along the way?"

Cadi laughed at that point, the mirth uplifting, as if she hadn't a worry in the world. As if everything that had happened with Chris and Naomi was simply a step on a long, carefree journey, despite being in the business of facing death at a moment's notice. There might have been more for Arcadia to say, but she sensed it was not the time for anything other than a genuine concern for the twins. "Come now, tell me what has transpired in the room above, with this band, and what you are all concocting up there." Cadi felt the need to change topics before she would give away her other thoughts.

[Cknarf]

“Mmph.” Kurik grunted, as he rolled onto his side. The damp cloth that had been placed on his forehead slipped off, and fell the floor with a splat. Slowly, his eyes cracked open. He sat up, still a bit disoriented, tearing away the sheets that had snagged on some of the sharper parts of his carapace. It took him a moment to adjust to the dimly lit bedroom.

 

Kurik wasted no time attempting to contact the others, reflexively tapping at his left forearm.

 

“Arcadia, I--” Was as far as he got, before realizing his omni-tool was missing.

 

He stared for a moment at his bare arm, then down at himself. Kurik was half naked, and completely unarmed, in an unfamiliar apartment.

[TheMajonese]

Chris slightly raised a brow at Arcadia's words. There were a few things that would be really interesting to know about Cadi but that could wait for now. Chris couldn't help but be impressed by her character even though he knew next to nothing about her. And even as someone who wasn't good at reading other people Chris found her sincerity and her confidence remarkable.

 

"I can tell you what's going on with the others", he then said, "I just want to wait for that taxi to bring Naomi to our apartment." When Chris walked back to the rear of the car he found Naomi still leaning against the car, now completely silent and seemingly calmed down. He put an arm around her they both waited for the taxi to arrive. It didn't take long, only a few moments, and they heard the sound of a car's engine before a red car appeared and landed on a free spot of the parking lot.

 

"You want me to come with you?", Chris asked his sister and was startled when he saw the vacant expression in her reddened eyes. It wasn't the first time Naomi lost her nerves but it was always unbearable to see her like that. From one moment to the next she became enraged, scared, desperated and confused. Chris was convinced that her reaction was just sane, as no normal person could suffer all these emotions at once.

 

As a reply Naomi shook her head and slowly began to move. "I'm fine...", she said in a low voice that didn't really sound like her.

 

"You sure?", Chris asked and when his sister nodded he let out a deep sigh. "I'll be back soon, I doubt that this will take much longer..." Watching Naomi getting into the taxi was the worst thing to happen this evening. Now that she was away Chris felt like he should have been with her in that skycar but he knew that there wasn't much he could do for her at the moment.

 

When Chris came back to Arcadia he tried to forget about Naomi and her condition but he couldn't clear his mind. He began to describe everything to Cadi what he knew about the recent events though he had to leave out some details. He still had no idea how Naomi had been able to get into the concert hall in the first place. Then Chris continued with the party in the hotel where he and Naomi had tried to distract the others while Menos had talked with Tolema. When he came to the point when he had blown their cover because of his guilty conscience towards Aoide he let out a short laugh. "I'm just not good at doing this undercover stuff", was his remark before he continued and eventually finished his little report.

 

"So Tolema stole some prototype from Ariake and right now they try to figure out how to use it against the company. We offered our help but someone has to convince Isis, the band's second owner, to agree to hiring us for this job."

[Kel Riever]

"Yes, well next time we will leave the cloak and dagger to someone else," Cadi said and nodded as she understood.  "But it was a good test.  Isis, this co-owner of the band, I would pick someone who you think is best to speak with her, and I do not see a problem with retrieving this prototype.  We must be done with it, whatever the case, and I suspect that means handing it over to parties who will deal with it appropriately.  Specifically who I am open to ideas on, but first I agree acquiring the device and bringing it into secure keeping is paramount."

An alert signaled on Cadi's omni-tool.  "Hmmn, it looks like you'll have to bring that message back.  I'm going to have to wait out here to meet someone."

[hotdogbsg]

The short, slender man of African heritage with dreadlocks who had met him as soon as he arrived now guided the guest into a dark room, illuminated only by the light of three computer screens.  “Jon Waggoner, I introduce you to Major Reith.”

There was a surge in the glow of embers from the cigar Reith was smoking as he inhaled, and then released a long, heavy smoke cloud.  All that was visible of the man who owned Stormhammer was the edge of his silhouette captured by the screen light at his back, and the top tufts of his white, military style crew cut.  “No need for introductions, Kamau.  Major Waggoner and I have met before.”  Reith offered his hand to Jon.  “Glad you could make it.  Pardon the lighting; I prefer the lack of it.”

 

Jon took the offered hand and shook it firmly, allowing himself a small, friendly smile. "Don't worry about it." He replied, "Suits the mood." Reith's guest gave no hint of being at ill ease in the setting, seeming to appreciate the atmosphere of the room as he quickly took it in before turning his attention back to Reith. Waggoner was dressed simply; a plain black tee shirt clung tightly to his muscular frame while his lower half was outfitted with standard Alliance issue camo pants tucked into a pair of black combat boots. A gleaming Rolex Daytona clasped tightly on the left wrist of a pair of tanned arms completed the look.

 

"Thank you for seeing me Major," Jon continued, Reith seemingly waiting for him to speak, "It's been a while...." Jon let the sentence hang in the air purposefully. They both knew how long it was and the ex-Intelligence man had no desire to bring up Torfan.

 

"It has.  This place looks like s**t compared to what we got in the Alliance, and is about as functional right now as a pyjak with one finger.  But I've got to start somewhere, Waggoner, and that's here, Stormhammer.  Ground up, rock solid foundation, and I'm hoping I've got the people who make that.  Maybe that includes you."

Reith handed a datapad to Jon with written details on the company, but paid little heed to it, instead talking directly about Stormhammer and what it was about.  The cigar would glow more brightly every now and then as Reith took comfort in his heavy drags.  "I'm hell bent on a code, you know me, Waggoner.  It isn't worth anything without that.  And we're only a handful of people right now, but I'll tell you now that the second in command is hard core, tough as I've seen them come.  The rest I haven't met but I've gotten my updates and I think it looks good.  You'll respect them, Waggoner, because they're not just a bunch of murderers for hire.  They're made of something more." 

 

"So I've heard," replied Jon, glancing at the datapad held in his hand. "I wouldn't be here otherwise. Got sick of the Alliance politics, people in charge who aren't there on merit but I'm still a solider Reith. Just looking for something else that happens to pay well without ignoring my ethics. Maybe I've found it?"

 

"No obligations right now, not until you've had a chance to see how things are for yourself.  I'll get you over to Arcadia...that's the second I was telling you about.  Arcadia Del Castillo.  She's on scene, not a combat situation, but she and everyone are ready for anything.  Or you can wait here for them to get back.  Your choice.  If you are going out to meet her, I'll get you anything you need and don't have through Vihaan Devi.  He's what I've got for a quartermaster among other things, the salarian you'll see around here.  Dont' expect anything fancy, we haven't properly geared up for much, but we've got the basics available."

 

"Take me to Arcadia," Jon replied after a few seconds, "Might as well meet the second in command if I'm thinking about sticking around. Don't have any gear with me unfortunately, save for my Carnifex." Jon tapped the pistol on his hip lightly with his finger. "Should we move out now?"

 

"I have to stay around here to get some order.  There's a lot to do behind the scenes for where we may be headed next.  It shouldn't be a problem, though, I'll let her know you're coming so she'll be expecting you, and she'll be able to handle it.  You'll have her location uploaded to your omni-tiool, as well as her picture so you know who you'll be looking for.  Grab a Citadel Transit skycar, the tab's on me for whatever you need for this trip, and I don't think you'll require anything more than your pistol, but if you'd feel better otherwise, grab anything else from the next room over."

 

With that the meeting was over, Waggoner gave a nod and turned on his heel. Deciding to forgo any extra equipment me made a direct line for the nearest skycar terminal.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Menos watched most of his team and tolema move out, leaving him more or less the sole stormhammer member present at what used to be a normal party for atypical celebrities. He glanced over to Aiode with a curious look as he stopped shuffling his deck.

 

"So seem to be taking all this pretty damn well, I gotta say..." Menos said as he pocketed his cards one more in their proper pocket, grinning at the thought, "Nothing by it, mind you. Just that I can't imagine most peoples reactions being to jump head first into the fray. It's a good trait to have, if you don't mind me saying it." He said, rather impressed by how things went.

 

"So this Isis...what exactly makes her so hard to talk to that you went through this whole thing to set someone up to do it? She can't be that bad." He said, not really informed on just what it was he was talking about.

[TheMajonese]

It was no problem for Chris to get back to the party since everyone probably still believed that he was one of the fans that the band had brought here. Only Tolema, Aoide and Juric knew what was going on. While looking for Tolema Chris headed to the food table and grabbed a few things before he approached the asari.

 

"At the moment Arcadia is busy meeting someone but we can go now and get that prototype if you're ready."

[Kel Riever]

Tolema turned to Juric and gave him a nod.  She then waved over Chris and Darya.  "We'll be back within an hour."  To the Stormhammer members she said, "I hope you realize this is an all nighter.  No lightweights allowed."  The last part Tolema mentioned with a grin.

Parting the people who'd gathered in the main room, Tolema led the way out of the suite.  A couple of hotel security gave looks of approval to everyone leaving and a number of excited fans down the hall who had breached the floor searched for Seirenes members while being corralled back by more security.  Once it was clear that nobody leaving was 'important', they let the group go with a few half-hearted please of 'can you let me in? I'll make it worth your while...' and other promises. 

Once on the elevator, Tolema hit the panel for 'up'. "We'll catch a skycar on the platform above.  It will be faster and avoid the lobby.

~ ~ ~ ~

Aoide watched Chris leave with mixed emotions.  She was distracted, finally, by Menos' shuffling and watched him deftly turn the cards in his hands while she listened to him.  After he finished speaking, she replied, "First, I hate the scum who try to get away with disgusting things like this.  And the best weapon I've got is music.  Whatever happens to Capella and Ariake, will be worst if what they did gets out there to people.  Just the music won't be enough, though, not for what they've got coming.  It has to get public, and as dangerous as it looks right now, I think it's far worse while they think they can shut people up.

"Then there is Isis," Aoide said before taking a moment to think.  She stared out towards the guitarist's room, as if it would help her see through walls.  "We're just not the same kind of people.  I'm direct.  I use my voice.  She's not.  She uses her instrument to speak.  That's in a metaphorical and a literal sense.  We work great together because we are not the same kind of people.  But she does not like direct confrontation.  She inclined to tell me 'no' because she knows I'll put myself into something without worrying about the consequences.  Or even if I do pay attention to the consequences.  She'll tell me 'no' just to slow me down, to give it time."  Aoide chuckled a bit.  "Ironic, isn't it?  I'm the one who is supposed to live ten times longer than her, and I'm the impatient one."

With a shrug, Aoide added, "Maybe you could talk to her, Menos.  Don't worry about her 'state' so to speak.  She's like that.  She'll be able to make sense of what you are saying and respond in kind.  I don't think anyone will catch her at a better time than tonight, either.  Tomorrow, when we wake up, it's on to the next show."

[TheMajonese]

On the way to the skycar Chris tried not to think of Naomi but it seemed to be impossible. He still tried to figure out what had caused her to lose it. At some point this evening something must have happened to her, maybe at the party or earlier, when she sneaked into the concert hall...Wait a second...! Chris looked around as if he was searching someone. Being too distracted with his sister he completely forgot to ask Cadi about something.

 

"Hey Darya!", Chris approached her. "You have an idea where Kurik is? At first I thought that he's with you and Cadi but I haven't seen him since we entered the concert hall."

[J.Ezra]

Juric glanced over at Chris as he spoke. "Kurik another one of your Stormhammer members? Speaking of, how long have been going? I don't recall your group being around when I first came here looking for work."  He was genuinely interested as he hadn't heard of them when he had arrived on the Citadel. Finding work had been hard as a freelancer so he had searched for a group to join up with and he couldn't remember any called Stormhammer. They were a...unique bunch, maybe not designed for infiltration but he could comment in that department.

 

[TheMajonese]

Chris turned to the krogan and nodded. "Kurik is a turian, he was with us at the concert hall but he somehow disappeared." So far he hadn't spoke with Juric yet and didn't know anything about him except the fact that the krogan was something like the Seirenes personal bodyguard. Chris had only met a few krogans and from what he could tell, most of them seemed to be mercenaries who spoke like once a day if at all and spent the rest of the time glaring at everyone who came too close to them.

 

"About the stormhammers...", Chris continued, "I can't tell you much since the escort of the salarian girl was supposed to be our first job. When my sister and I came to the Citadel we didn't know about it either. It was actually just a coincidence that we ended up with the stormhammers and as far as I know Stormhammer has only a couple of members at the moment, probably not more than ten, but I haven't even met all of them yet."

[Cainhurst Crow]

Menos pondered what Aiode told him, wondering if he could even talk to this person if she liked to be intentionally difficult. Did he need to lie or manipulate her, since she seemed to like indirect, cloak and dagger communication? Thinking on what she aid, especially the instrument part, made menos sigh with frustration.

 

"I'm not going to have to beat her in some rock off to get her to listen, am I?" He asked jokingly, finding the thought of their conflicts getting solve this way, especially when deciding what kind of food to eat, rather bemusing, "I'll go try and talk to her. Hope I get farther then a No..." He said, wondering if he could do this as he walked towards the guitarists room.

 

He wondered what it was he would do. He came to the rooms door, and after a moments thought, raised a hand up to knock. He'd try this, and if there wasn't an answer, he'd probably just pick the lock, or hack it, or shoot it open if it meant maybe getting Isis's attention better.

[Kel Riever]

The skycar with Juric, Chris, Darya and Tolema arrived before anyone had expected.  "Sorry to cut the conversation short," Tolema said as she piloted the X3M above the midway point of a residential apartment building in a low rent district of the Tayseri ward.

All buildings on the Citadel, even in the less fortunate areas, had an outwardly seeming utopian aspect to them; they were clean, well kept, and looked occupied.  But appearances weren't everything.  Buildings such as the one Tolema was heading to were often empty if they couldn't be filled by people who could at least afford the leases which were pricey even for low end areas.  As a consequence, people were often funneled into rent controlled areas, and social programs attempted to account for shortcomings.  In this case, it looked as if on the twenty four story structure that only the lower half of the building was occupied, while the upper half was closed off.  A perfect place to hide a small object, if someone could break through the security meant to keep out squatters.

There wasn't even an alert system set up for when the X3M came into the landing zone for the twentieth floor, only a warning that the platform was closed and to enter through the ground lobby.  Tolema exited, slipped to the entrance doorway, activated her Omni-tool, and began hacking the lock.  "I reset the lock, but left the cameras disabled.  It seems nobody's cared, either."  There wasn't much of a question about Tolema's abilities; she had the lock open on the door in less than thirty seconds, and the group was able to get inside without incident.

The place was mostly dark, but infrequently placed lamps provided dim light and good appearances from the outside.  A small lobby with a desk was the first chamber through the doorway, then a set of double doors was left open to a hallway that passed left and right.  Tolema moved up, pointed left, and said, "This way."  The group headed passed closed doors, doors left open like the inner lobby doors, and even rooms with doors removed, their dark interiors yawning vacantly.  All was quiet until the sound of laughter further ahead around a bend in the hallway shattered the silence.

Tolema stopped.  "No one should be here," she whispered.

~ ~ ~ ~

"Occupied," said the voice from the other side of the door Menos knocked on.  It was clear that the door was unlocked from the panel. Before Menos could figure out if Isis was going to give him a difficult time about entering, he heard her speak again.  "I'm just f**king with you.  Come in."

The door slid aside and Menos saw what was a good sized bedroom for a suite, not opulent, but well furnished.  Isis lay across the bed on the far side of the room, her head hanging half off the side, upside down, giving her what must have been a peculiar angle on the door.  The rest of the guitarist lay sprawled across the bed, relaxed, legs placed in a sort of triangle pattern with one straight, and the other bent with booted ankle across the shin of the first.  Like a lover, Isis' black Les Paul lay next to her, its gloss surface catching the light of the room that came only from two lamps. 

Isis' lids were half open, and she smoked what was clearly not a cigarette.  Whatever place she was in, she didn't seem completely out of sorts, maintaining more of an in-between state.  There was only the slightest lift of her eyebrow when she realized it was Menos entering.

"Should I hate you?" was the first question Isis asked.

[TheMajonese]

When they heard the laughter Chris raised an eyebrow and turned with a questioning look to the asari. Then he immediately grabbed his Mattock and redied himself for anything. For him these situations were always the same; hoping the best, expecting the worst. Of course it was way too early to expect something like a firefight but Chris now regretted not wearing his heavy armor, it would have made him feel better. 

 

"It could be anyone...and they probably haven't noticed us", he noted and listened carefully while looking out for any nearby movement. "You think we should approach whoever is in there?", Chris asked Tolema and the others in a low voice. "If so,we should split up, just in case. That way two of us could stay in the shadows and interfere if things get ugly." His feeling told him that there was a connection between the hidden protoype technology in this abandoned building and the laughing person.

[Cknarf]

Kurik immediately began searching the room for a weapon.  He decided on a decorative marble obelisk that sat upon the dresser. He grabbed it, and tossed it up and down a few times, feeling the weight of it in his hand.

 

This will suffice.

 

Kurik opened the door to the bedroom, and slipped into the hallway. Sticking close to the wall, he moved down the corridor until reaching a small living area. He listened in on the conversation.

 

“We should have just taken him to the hospital. Or C-SEC...”

 

“Rhys…”

 

“But noooooooo! We had to bring him here.”

 

“Would you drop it already?”

 

“Hell no, I’m not going to ‘drop it’. I can’t believe I let you talk me into bringing this guy into our home! You hardly even know him! I bet he’s in there getting a buncha… I don’t know, smelly bird residue all over my sheets or something. Why is he in my bed again?”

 

“Because you didn’t want to carry him the extra few steps to my room?”

 

“Whatever. As soon as he’s awake, I want him gone, Erica.”

 

Recognizing one of the voices, and deciding that he was in a relatively friendly place, Kurik carefully set the obelisk down, and revealed himself.

 

“Great! You’re up! Now get your sh*t and get out.” Spoke a rather large, angry looking human who was leaning against the wall.

 

“Rhys!”

 

“What?”

 

“That’s no way to treat a guest. What would mom think?”

 

“Oh, my bad. Welcome to my home, stranger. Please, feel free to get your smelly bird fluids all over the place, including my sofa!”

 

Kurik nodded, and took a seat on the couch.

 

“You…”

 

“Rhys. Out. Now.”

 

“No way! I’m not leaving you in here with--”

 

“GO!”

 

The angry human stared hard for a moment at Kurik, before finally leaving the room.

 

“Don’t mind him. How are you feeling?”

 

“Less than optimal.” Kurik replied.

 

“I figured so. You weren’t looking so good when we found you.”

 

“How did I get here?”

 

“Rhys and I… Well, Rhys carried you back to our car, and we brought you home.”

 

“You’re welcome!” Came a shout from the kitchen.

 

“It’s a wonder C-SEC didn’t pick you up before we did. It’s quite a ways from the concert hall to the commons.”

 

“How do you know about the concert?” Kurik asked. “Have you been following me?”

 

“No, of course not.” Erica chuckled. “Your omni was still open, and I happened to notice the tickets. I didn’t take you for a Sirenes fan, Kurik.”

 

“I’m not. I was there for work.”

 

“What is work, exactly? There’s not a whole lot of jobs that require guns on the Citadel.”

 

“I’m currently employed as a private military contractor.”

 

“A merc? Pfff. You sure know how to pick ‘em sis.” Rhys appeared back in the doorway. “What outfit are you with? Blue Suns? I know they hire a lot of you.”

 

Erica glared at her brother.

 

“Formerly. I have since signed on with a new company.”

 

“Whatever. They’re all the same to me.”

 

Kurik glanced at the clock.

 

“Where is my equipment?”

 

“Rhys?” Erica gestured with her head.

 

Rhys left, and returned with Kurik’s gear a moment later. He immediately began suiting up.

 

“I got as much of the paint off as I could.” Erica smiled

 

“Thank you.” Kurik nodded

Rhys handed over his weapons, but not without ejecting the thermal clips first. Next was his boot knife, then finally his omni-tool.

 

“I should be going now.” Kurik checked the time once more.

 

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

 

“I added my info to your omni-tool. Get a hold of me if you wanna go out some time.”

 

Kurik just nodded again, before heading out. He ain’t got time for these hoes.

“Arcadia, it’s Kurik. There were… complications.”

[Cainhurst Crow]

Menos looked down towards Isis curiously as he gave his honest answer.

 

"Don't know..." Menos said as he shrugged his shoulder, "Aiode and Tolema seem to think I'm alright, and me and a few others are trying to do them a favor to repay all the craziness..." he said, thought crossed his arms, not really smirking as he gave talking to the gutarist a shot, not really feeling like putting on his usual cocky facade.

 

"I'd probably wait to see whether you hate me or not. But I'm an overly cautious type, so take that advice as you will..." He said, leaning against the door.

[Kel Riever]

Isis turned away to stare up at the ceiling.  She took a puff, lingered in thought, and said, "Isn't that the way of things?  Everybody wants something.  And if they don't get it, they run off to try to find it somewhere else.  I hope this favor isn't some buzz kill, because if it is I'd rather you'd have left me alone."  The woman made a flourish with her hand, lazily moving it through the wisps of smoke that rose upwards.  She lost herself in the display, as if it had some sort of answer for her.

~ ~ ~ ~

Arcadia got a message, but it wasn't from someone named Jon Waggoner who she was expecting.  It was from Kurik.  "What kind of complications?" she asked back.  "Are you all right?"

~ ~ ~ ~

The laughter in the building with Chris, Juric, Tolema and Darya turned to rough conversation, with several voices, not about anything in particular other than getting drunk.  Tolema listened carefully and said, "That's at least eight, maybe ten.  There's a lounge on this floor around the bend where I put the device and it sounds like whoever that is, is in the same room."