Hello Ladies and Gentlemen!
Back it again
As promised in my previous mini-story, this will start right where we left off so let's get down to it!
I don't own any of the Mass Effect Characters. This is strictly for fun.
Freedom's Progress
November 2, 2185
UT-47 Kodiak - Commander Alonso - 1500 hours
"We are nearly there Commander, what are your orders?" Miranda spooked me. The shuttle ride was dead silent. Miranda and I stole side glances at one another while Amanda cleared her throat every now and then to make the silence seem less awkward.
"What did Cerberus find in the other colonies?" I asked.
"Nothing." Lawson's shoulders slumped over.
"No clues at all; it's if all the colonists vanished." Amanda added with grimace.
"Alright, keep your eyes open. I don't expect any survivors but they are top priority. Second, find clues as to what happened. Since Freedom's Progress was recently attacked, we could be the first on the scene."
Both operatives nodded. "Understood Commander." Miranda had a feint smile that caused my insides to turn with disgust. Cheating bitch.
Minutes later...
The hairs on the back of my neck began to crawl. Freedom's Progress is a fucking ghost town. The weather wasn't helping as the sun had already set and the dark clouds created an even gloomier atmosphere.
"Flashlights." I ordered as I turned on the lights on my N7 helmet while Miranda and Sturridge did the same with on their guns.
"Free and clear." Miranda announced as we cleared the first housing quarters. "Strange... No bodies, no structural damage, no signs of battle." She reported softly.
"Stay focused ladies. Be ready for anything." I whispered as I could have sworn I heard something not that far away ahead of us. We came across a blast doors that slowly opened when we approached.
"I've got a bad feeling about this Charlie." Amanda said as she held her shotgun closer.
"Enemies detected." A robotic voice was heard through the air. Robots stood up from another housing shelter in front of us and began shooting at our direction. I was taken by surprise and my shields drained quickly. I ran towards cover and blindly shot behind the guardrail.
"What the fuck are those!" I shouted as my shields began to recharge.
"Shot first, questions later!" Miranda shot the head of one of the robots clean off and exploded. Its partners that were in the proximity of the blast were destroyed instantly. On our left flank, I squinted as I saw what appeared to be a dog, running towards me.
"Aww look, a dog!" I squealed as the dog leaped up towards me. It's large, red circular eyes began to flash. Uh oh... In an instant, blue flames surrounded it and the robot dog flew up towards the air. My eyes followed it until they met Miranda's. "What?" I asked innocently.
"That cute dog?" she pointed with her thumb at the floating mech dog as it went past her head, "was going to self-destruct!" Miranda glared at me. I nervously laughed and scratched my shoulder at her coldness.
"Oh... thanks?" I put on a smile. "All clear, let's keep going." I stood up and moved on. Miranda grumbled something under her breath and as Sturridge caught up to me.
"Two things:" Amanda whispered. "Those we LOKI and FENRIS Mechs. Recently produced by the Hahne-Kedar Corporation to minimize casualties so... just a heads up. Second: You know she's going to kill you one day right?" She said with a lopsided smile.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I'd love to see her try." I said loud enough that Miranda could hear me.
As we stepped into the next room, Avenger rifles were pointed at us. The three of us raised our hands at the group of quarians. Are they involved? What did the humans ever do to the Quarians?
"Stop right there, Cerberus scum." A male Quarian in the center of the group growled as his rifle was pushed into my armor.
"Prazza, stand down! You'd said you let me handle this." A young voice could be heard from the background.
Wait... I-I know that voice! "Tali?" Amanda and I said in unison as the familiar Quarian squished through the menacing Quarians.
"Amanda? Ch-Charlie? Is that-You're alive?" Tali's voice seemed to grow smaller. If I had to guess, she looks like she was smiling...maybe crying with joy?
I smiled and nodded. "Remember when Shepard and I gave you that Geth data?" Tali nodded and ran up to me and I happily greeted her with open arms.
"You're okay." She softly, barely above a whisper and I held her tighter. It was good to see another familiar face. My favorite Quarian. I smiled at myself as we stood there. Nothing else mattered. Not even Miranda, who simply looked at me with a glare.
"Did the data help your people Tali?" I gently pushed away, and Tali nodded.
"Yes but...I can't talk to you about it. Not with Cerberus watching us." Tali looked over my shoulder and I nodded in understanding.
"I could use you on my mission Tali. I-"
"I wish I could Commander." Tali brought her head down, "Nothing would make me happier than to be working with you again." She looked back at her Quarian teammates before looking back at me. "But I have my own mission that is important to the whole Migrant Fleet. I can't stop now, even for you."
"Why are you here then? This is a remote, human colony." Miranda crossed her arms across her luscious breasts. I shook my head of where my mind was going and focused on the conversation outside of it.
"We are here for Veetor, a Quarian who's on his pilgrimage." Tali answered back, looking somewhat at Miranda with caution. "He has gone missing and we were sent here to find him."
"I see... maybe you can help us with what happened here. Human colonists have been attacked and humans have gone missing. Cerberus spent two years reviving me and sent me here to investigate."
"What about Shepard?" Tali asked as she turned her attention back to me.
"Miranda has told me that she has...changed. Apparently she is on indefinite leave from the Alliance." I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't believe it myself but I will soon find her and see for myself."
Tali looked over my shoulder and stared at Miranda. "That's Miranda?" She began, her voice filled with fury. "You backstabbing Bosh'tet! I will kill you for hurting him!" Tali pushed me aside and sprinted towards her. Next thing, I knew the two were on the ground, tussling and exchanging punches.
"Hey stop it!" I quickly rushed over and pulled Miranda's body way while Sturridge grabbed Tali's. I sat Miranda on one of the sofas nearby and I scanned for injuries.
"I'm fine!" she sneered as she looked at Tali direction. She jerked away and stood up but I pushed her back down. There were a few cuts along her face and I reached for my medi-gel.
"Settle down!" I ordered louder than I should have. "I won't have catfights under my command. I expect more from my crew." Miranda's body stiffened and her face turned towards me in surprise. "Even from you." I said softly as I gently dabbed medi-gel on her cheek and her chin. Her face soften under my touch. The final cut was over her brow and the pad of my thumb guided over her perfectly shaped brows. Once the medigel was applied, I noticed a single strand of hair coming loose. My hand began to lift to but I immediately stopped.
What the hell I am doing?
Miranda and I stared into each other eyes for what seemed to be an eternity. My insides began to feel funny and I felt my body temperature rise. I can't explain this feeling. I swallowed to stop myself from saying stupid and I rose. Miranda cleared her throat and quickly stood as well.
"Thank you." She said evenly as she began to walk away.
"My pleasure." I said with a smile as I looked at her. Miranda froze for a split second. Shit, did she think... "It's my job afterall." That sounded even worse! I opened my mouth to clarify myself once more but the chance was gone as she left the room. I sighed in defeat and rubbed my forehead. Smooth Commander...
Omega - Jane Shepard - 1600 hours
Garrus has taken it harder than the both of us. We've been betrayed by Sidonis, a Turian. We have just returned to our base in the Gozu District to find our friends slaughtered. I knocked on his door. I need to be here for my friend.
"Garrus, can I come in?" The red lights turned green in hesitation and the door swung open. Garrus stood by the window, looking at the slums of Omega. It's been our home for almost two years and I've gotten used to it. "Garrus I'm sorry."
No response.
I walked closer to the Ex C-Sec cop. He didn't acknowledge me and continued to look out of his window. "This can't be easy for you." I tried again to start a conversation. "If you want to vent or talk, I'm all ears." This time, turned his head to face me. His mandibles twitched and expressed a look of sadness.
"How did I not see this happen? I should have known." He said simply.
"Nobody expects you to be perfect, Garrus. You know that."
"I...I know, I know it's just... How do you do it?" Garrus crossed his arms and leaned back on the wall. This time, it was I that was staring out the window as I tried to come up with an answer.
"How do I deal with loss?" I asked and I saw Garrus nod through the window's reflection. "I used to be able to tell myself to do better for those that are still under my command. To be there for them when they need help or just want to talk. I spent hours and hours just talking with everyone on almost every ship I have ever served on. Charlie was always beside me, following me around. I always enjoyed his company. We joked, laughed together. We were siblings in a lot of ways...but now?"
"You can't do that anymore." Garrus finished. I nodded as a tear came down my eyes.
"It sounds silly that I'm still mourning him...isn't it? I should move on but I can't. I can't imagine him not being by my side. He was so important to me. Still is. I guess we all have changed..."
"Tell me about it. Hell you changed your hair from that fiery red everyone knows you from." The two of us laughed together. It's true, about a year ago, I let my hair grow a bit and began dying my hair all sorts of colors until I dyed it black. Asari and humans: both men and women alike, looked at me with wandering eyes. I liked the attention so I decided to keep it. Right after changing my hairstyle, I went to a doctor that specialized in changing identities. The light shade of blue didn't go well with my new hair color so I told the doctor to change it to a darker shade. I was pleased with the doctor and gave him a large tip.
"Let's just burry our friends and take our anger on our beloved mercs shall we?"
Garrus nodded enthusiastically and grabbed his sniper rifle. "Let's do this."
Meanwhile...
Freedom's Progress - Operative Lawson
Why the Illusive Man told me to follow Charlie's orders is beyond me. I'm not sure if he's this stupid or is just doing it just to spite me. I groaned and glared my eyes once he turned to me and winked. He's just doing it just to spite me!
"That was not funny!" I grinded my teeth.
"Well we took out the giant mech without a problem. I'd say they joke is on them... Erm, whoever 'them' is." He smiled. Stop smiling damn it! "Come on, Veetor must be inside this door." The Commander, Amanda and I stacked behind the door. With a nod, the three of us entered with guns drawn. The room was occupied by a Quarian, who must be Veetor. He's working on something on the large console in front of him. Multiple screens sat on the wall in front of him as he furiously typed, spewing nonsense as he did so.
"Veetor?" Charlie inched forward.
Veetor shook his head. "No Veetor. Not here. Swarms can't find. Monsters coming. Have to hide."
"I...don't think he can hear you Commander." Sturridge reported the obvious as the male Quarian continued to talk incoherently. I activated my omni-tool and began to shut down the monitors. The Quarian stopped talking and looked confused at the sudden darkness of the monitors. The Commander looked at me with an arched eyebrow.
I shrugged my shoulder, not seeing the problem. "We're just standing here when we could be asking questions." I defended my actions, which were the right ones of course.
The Quarian stood and took a step back once he faced us. "You're human. Where did you hide? How come they didn't find you?"
"Who didn't find us?" I asked.
"The...monsters!" Veetor began, "The swarms. They took everyone."
"Slow down Veetor, tell us what happened." Charlie ordered softly.
"You don't know? No, you didn't see. But I see everything." Veetor faced the console and typed a few commands on the keyboard. The screens came back on and Veetor began showing archived footage of the colony.
"What the hell is that?" Amanda spoke nervously as she pointed at the creatures on screen.
I looked at the frozen image and my eyes widened at the discovery. Are those... "My god, I think it's a Collector!" Amanda, Charlie, and Veetor looked at me with curiosity. I shook my head and exhaled. "They're a species from beyond the Omega 4 relay. Few have seen the Collectors in person. They usually work through intermediaries: working with mercenaries or slavers. If...If they're involved with the Reapers, then that could explain why the colonists have disappeared."
"Seeker swarms!" Veetor exclaimed as he nervously jumped up and down while pointing at the small bugs on screen. "No one can hide. The seekers find you. Freeze you. Then monsters take you away!" The vid froze to show a picture of the Collecters leaving with pods.
"What happened next?" Charlie asked.
"The monsters took the humans onto the ship, then left. The ship flew away! But they'll be back for me. No one escapes. I studied them all. Seekers. Monsters. I recorded the readings with my omni-tool. Lots of readings. Electro-magnetic. Dark Energy." Veetor returned to his seat and lowered his head in fear. I think that's all we'll get out of him.
"We need to get him out of here." I turned towards Charlie. "We need that data. Grab the Quarian and let's get out of here."
The door behind us swung open and I closed my eyes in defeat. I knew that Charlie's friend just waltz in. "What? Veetor is injured, he needs medical treatment, not a damned interrogation!"
"We won't hurt him Tali," Sturridge defended. "We just need to see if he knows anything else. He'll be returned unharmed."
"Her people tried to betray us already Strurridge." I glared at my operative. "If we give him to her, we'll never get that intel."
"Veetor goes with Tali." Charlie said simply.
I did a double take. Is he insane? "Wh-what?"
Charlie turned around and grabbed my shoulder. "He's traumatized and need medical treatment. Tali will give us the information from that Omni-tool and she will return to the flotilla."
I shook my head in defiance. "But-"
"No buts Miranda. That's an order." His eyes were demanding but his touch was soft and gentle. My cheeked felt warm and I cleared my throat to stop myself from showing weakness.
"Understood Commander." I pressed the commands into my onmi-tool and sent the shuttle to pick us up.
"Thanks Charlie." The female Quarian began, "I'm glad that you're in charge. If there's anything I find that can help you, I'll send them right away."
SSV Normandy SR-2 - Briefing Room - Commander Alonso - 1700 hours
"Alonso. Good work on Freedom's Progress." Illusive Man began, "I've read the report Lawson gave me and I'm surprised to see your friend Tali to be there. It was unexpected." Bullshit! "As agreed, the Quarians have given us the data and I begun analyzing it. But more importantly, you have confirmed that the Collectors are working with the Reapers."
"Why do I get the feeling you already knew this." I crossed my arms in suspicion. He's one Illusive bastard. Heh, I get it.
"I've had my suspicions. They quickly travel between the Terminus systems and the unmapped Omega 4 relay. My guess is that the Collector ships have a unique technology that lets them safely travel beyond the relay. If they can manipulate the relays; that provides more evidence that they are somehow connected with the Reapers."
I massaged my stubble as I pondered with the evidence placed before me. There's no way Sturridge, Lawson and I can take down the reapers. I needed more. I needed the old team back. "If we're going to war with Reapers, I need an army...or a very solid team."
The Illusive Man smiled and stood from his chair. "I've compiled a list of the top soldiers, scientists, and mercenaries. You'll get dossiers on the best of them. Finding them, convincing them could be difficult but I think you will get the job done. This is your mission Commander and the fate of the galaxy is on your hands. While you assemble your team, I'll begin tracking the Collectors and send the intel straight to you."
I shook my head. "I don't want them. I want Shepard's old team by my side." No way I'm trusting mercs to have my back.
"That was two years ago Alonso. Most of them have moved on." I measured the Illusive Man. By his tone, I can tell he's hiding something from me. I should press on, see if I can get any answers.
"Where's Ashley Williams?" The question I've been dying to ask. I need to know where she is. If I can find her, she'll join me for sure.
"She's with the Alliance. She recently received a promotion but her profile is well classified." The Illusive Man responded evenly. Damn it!
"What about Shepard?" I asked.
"She is on suspension from the Alliance... other than that, I don't know where she is. We need her on board as well but I don't know where she is." I sighed inwardly as my chances of getting the people I need are getting smaller and smaller.
"Garrus Vakarian?" Come on he should be available right? Please?
"The Turian dissapeared a few months after the first Normandy was destroyed. Even we haven't been unable to locate him." Fuck!
"Wrex..." I began to sound more desperate.
"After the Normandy was destroyed, he moved back to Tuchunka, where he has stayed since."
"Liara T'Soni." I swear if she's busy...
"She's on Illium. My sources say that she is working with the Shadow Broker. If that's the case, then she can't be trusted." What? The Shadow Broker? That can't be right... she... she wouldn't! I need to talk to her. Or somebody!
I pinched my nose and exhaled in frustration. "Fine! I can see that they're busy. Send me the list then. I'll get started."
"Already done. I recommend starting with the Salarian Mordin Solus. He's a brilliant scientist and is the man for the job to fight the seeker swarms." Yeah this is my show. I pick who I want to tackle. I nodded nonetheless and quickly disconnected the call and made my way towards the CIC to take a look at the dossiers.
"New messages for you Commander." Kelly smiled as I walked passed her. I smiled in return and went over to my terminal on the far side. Alright let's see. There's Mordin: worked in STG for a few years. Expert geneticist, doctor and scientist. Considered ruthless at times. Seems like the man for the job. There's these Mercenaries from Omega: Archangel and Lucifer...cute. I rolled my eyes at the two names. What two idiots came up with those names? Archangel is an expert tactician and strategist while Lucifer is a ruthless soldier and natural leader. Both of them are responsible for the attacks on the three major gangs stationed on Omega. Zaeed Massani: Ruthless bounty hunter and mercenary soldier. He's been in countless battles and has a few scars to show for it.
Well it looks like we're heading to Omega. "Joker, set a course to Omega."
"Aye aye. Should be there tomorrow afternoon." I turned around and headed for the elevator. I pressed the button for the crew deck and get to know my crew. My stomach growled once the elevator doors opened. I should probably eat something too.
"Hey Charlie." I jumped and turned around.
"Oh hey Amanda. God you scared me." I breathed out through my nose as I grabbed myself a tray.
"I see that I can still do that to you." The engineer giggled.
"I guess so. Here to join me?" I asked. Amanda nodded and introduced me to the cook, Rupert Gardner. He seemed nice for a Cerberus agent. I felt sorry for him once he began to talk about how he lost his family. Amanda and I said our thanks and went to the large table on the mess hall.
"I guess I should say that I'm impressed what I've seen so far out there in the field. I was nervous for you out there." I admitted. "Glad you proved me wrong."
"I've had a lot of help from Operative Lawson. She's been my mentor for quite some time now." The engineer's eyes glimmered as she spoke. I looked at her with curiosity. "What?" she asked as she stuff herself with slop.
"It's just... everything has changed. I remember how young and innocent you were back on the Normandy. Now I look at you and well... you've matured. I don't know if I should be proud of you or sad that I wasn't around for that." Amanda reached over and grabbed my hands and held them firmly. "I missed two years and the whole team is gone. Now I'm here. Alive. And being asked to do who knows what. I'll probably die again once this whole Collector thing is over. I doubt Cerberus has enough money to spend on my resurrection again."
"You're not going to die Charlie. Not with your new squad there to have your back. We won't let you down."
"Thanks." I smiled and nodded before we began talking about other unimportant things for about half an hour.
"I should get back to my duties Commander. I'll be down in Engineering, if you want to talk. You should probably go talk to your ex." Amanda grinned, "Her office is in the old Captain's quarters." Amanda winked, cleaned up and left to her post.
I sighed as I looked at Lawson's door. I guess she's right. Well, here goes nothing. I punched the door's controls and there she was. Working on her terminal, doing whatever she does. Her hands move so fast!
"Hello Commander. Something I can help you with?" Her tone was friendly and comforting. I gave her a thin smile and sat one of her chairs in front of her desk.
"I wanted to apologize for my foolishness back there. It was-"
"-Completely unprofessional and not to mention childish." Miranda butted in. Her fingers stopped moving and her welcoming tone had long since dissipated.
"Yeah... that. Sorry." I scratched my shoulder nervously and I began to blush.
"You don't take this whole situation seriously do you?" she asked.
"What thing?" I asked with confusion in my voice.
"Taking charge I mean. During the last mission, I...I couldn't help but feel like you didn't care to be there. Apart from your orders from the shuttle, there wasn't a plan for you. You were-"
"-There wasn't a plan after that." I quickly interrupted.
Miranda looked at me with shock as soon as I said that. "Commander, there should always be a plan!"
"I don't do plans Lawson. Things just happen."
"Like the mech dog? The incident with the FENRIS mech could have been avoided!" Miranda slammed her fists on the table, which startled me. "I'm responsible for your safety! Things would've gotten a whole lot worse if I hadn't gotten involved."
"I can take care of myself Miranda!" I snarled at her name. I'm not taking this! Not from her. Even if she is my XO.
Miranda scoffed in response. "Clearly."
"What's that supposed to mean?" My brows furrowed as I sensed an argument approaching.
"It means that you're suicidal. You do not care about your well being when you should be! What you did on Freedom's Progress was unbelievable. Are you bloody insane?" Miranda was now practically leaning over her desk.
"There are many things that I am Operative Lawson," I got up from my chair and mimicked Miranda's posture so that we were just inches from one another. "but I am not insane!"
"Your actions say otherwise. I still don't even understand why The Illusive Man even decided to revive you." Lawson pushed herself off the desk and angrily crossed her arms. "Why I fell for you is another question." That was like a hit in the gut. A low blow.
"Oh we're going there are we? Finally!" My brows furrowed as I clenched my hands to form a fist. "Be my guest princess because last time I checked, it was you who ended things. You! It was clear how much you loved me."
"Yet you went to be with Williams in an heartbeat." Lawson quickly averted the guilt to her but I won't stand for that.
"Leave her out of this!" I quickly shouted. "She has nothing to do with this." I shook my head in frustration. "I went to her after you cheated on me. Don't you fucking pin this shit on her because it's not her fault!"
"Yet, she's not the one who revived you. I did!"
"So you're saying that you did this because you love me?" I don't get this woman.
"Not even close." Her radiant blue eyes glared into mine as if I was insane to even mention it. I don't get this woman at all!
I flailed my arms in frustration. "I've had enough of this." I turned heal and walked out of her office. Soft clacks could be heard following me.
"This conversation isn't over Commander." Miranda's petite hands grabbed my wrist and I quickly pulled away and turned to her in anger.
"Do not touch me!" I flared my biotics instantly.
"You can't possibly hurt me Charlie." Miranda countered as she did the same.
"And you can't either. I'm your pet project remember?" We stared each other down until we both surrendered in unison.
"And the CO so start acting like one!" she yelled.
"Isn't that why you're the XO? To keep me in check?" I replied coolly.
"Th-That doesn't mean that I'm not here to babysit you Charlie!"
"You could if you wanted to, sweetheart." I smirked at the brunette who seemed to get angrier and angrier by the second.
"I said don't call me that!"
"I know. I just love it when you get angry my love." I quickly reached to touch her face once. Miranda jolted away but I reached for her again. The pad of my thumb grazed where her cuts once were. I dropped my hands and I smiled as the cuts have been fully healed though there was a small bruise near her chin line. I grinned at Miranda's sudden blush.
"Just..." Miranda pinched her nose in frustration. "Don't let the mech incident happen again." she finished softly.
"No promises." I smiled wickedly, which Miranda responded with shaking her head in annoyance. We stared at each other for what seemed to be a long time after that. The air around me started to get very hot. I could see a few crew members have been staring at us since we've walked out of the XO office.
"Was there something else or were you here just here to pester me?" I think I've had enough of the icy cold bitch for one day.
"No. Get back to your precious work." I turned around and headed towards the elevator. I pressed the elevator that would take me back to my cabin where surely a welcoming bed would be there for me. As I walked into my cabin for the first time, I stopped and froze as soon as I noticed the large but empty fish tank I had for the wall. My brows lifted in surprise as I pictured tons of fish swimming freely inside.
"You guys can build a ship, I will give you that." I said aloud to myself. I turned towards my bed and flopped towards it and fell into a deep sleep.
Alrighty, gosh this chapter took a lot out of me, especially the last bit there. As much as I love Miranda, Charlie and the beautiful operative will continue to tangle for a bit.
I have some things in store for fighting couple ;)
Next stop is Omega and the meeting with Aria and the Mercenary duo mission which means that their will be tears flowing in the next chapter :p
So with the first chapter in the books, I hope that you enjoyed reading it. Leave a review and favorite, follow and subscribe to me and my story for story/chapter updates.
Thank you to my previous story reviewers. and I want to address one particular reviewer: Yes, Charlie's parents died in the Attack of the Citadel but unfortunately, he doesn't know yet. He will know eventually.
Until next time