_A DAY IN THE LIFE_
"Thank you, please enjoy your stay." The asari clerk said as she handed me back my passport. "Thanks, you too." I turned to leave the I.D. check-in stand and like some sick cosmic joke stumbled on the rug. Smooth move. Way to make a first impression. I think as I hear a small giggle from the clerk. Apparently I needed to get my legs to wake up after that long flight from the Citadel. Note to self economy class sucks no matter what you're flying in. I went to the balcony just outside the docking bay where I could see the whole city shining in the light of the sun. "This should be interesting." Nos Astra, Illium…my new home.
She hates me. Somehow my sister found a way past my jack-of-all-trades skill set and got me the one job I would fail at. "Come on little brother it'll be good for you I mean you love puzzles, you like helping out, and you're good with people." Remembering her words all I could think was Who did she have to get on her knees for to pull this one off. She liked picking on me, but this was a little over the top. However this might be a blessing in disguise. I thought as I passed an Asari in a low-cut v-neck.
"Now let's see how she screwed me on this." I entered the tower housing my new apartment paid for by my "loving" sister. As the door opened I could see the place had a massive marble slab for a floor, red carpet, wood finished walls with gold trim, and even a small cafeteria. Smack dab in the middle was a check-in counter complete with an Asari receptionist in a uniform made to match the exquisite interior. Awesome! That was all I could think as I stumbled my way to the front desk.
"Welcome are you here to check in?" yep definitely a blessing "Uh ya sorry it should be under Mariner." I gave her my name. "One moment please." She started tapping away on her terminal with phenomenal speed. I couldn't stop glancing at her. I've never been good around women I think are attractive. I've always been a good guy friend - that much is easy, but when things go passed that I start having major anxiety. Some of my sisters' friends say that's what's cute about me. Heh guess I'm a hopeless romantic. "Um sir?" The asari speaks up. "Oh sorry, I was just day dreaming." Don't say that when you were staring at her chest you idiot!
"Well Mr. Mariner, it seems your reservation was upgraded to a suite." She stated with a smile. "A what!" I expected something in the basement. "Do you know who did it?" I ask baffled. "Yes, in fact there's a message for you." The girl brought up a cyan hand, and turned the terminal screen for me to read. Please stay safe and have fun, Mother. I was grinning like an idiot. "Thanks mom." The receptionist handed me my keycard. "If you need anything at all please feel free to ask any of the staff." I place the card in my pocket. "Uh, thank you. I'll keep that in mind." Damn it the words 'anything at all' got me flustered… Ahh crap, now I'm blushing. The receptionist gave a quick giggle. "Have a pleasant stay Mr. Mariner." I smiled at her and turned to the elevator.
I arrived at floor 78 room 12 and opened the door. "Damn this place is massive!" It was practically twice the size of a normal room and overly furnished. A 200-inch holoscreen projector was what caught my eye as well as the four post king-sized bed and the varren skin couch. The room was just that a room. The lack of dividing walls made the room feel even bigger then it was. In the back next to a large window was the bed, and a small lounge. In the center was a small kitchen that looked like two half's of a ring. The side with the appliances arced towards the door, and the dining table was the other. The couch was about ten feet away from the holoscreen which was just to my left.
"Wow this is incredible." I tossed my bag to the left were it hit a pedestal holding a vase. "Shit!" I reached for it, but my arms weren't long enough to bridge the gap. "Oh no you don't!" Luckily I was able to hit it with a biotic pull. "I think I'll just leave you on the floor."
My biotics are the main reason I got into biology. It's also why my family has a good amount of money. My powers to move things maybe weak, but I've got something just as good. I'm an enhancer. An enhancer is a new type of biotic that has just started to show up, but it's only in humans so far. I can focus my power in to my body to increase the strength of my bones and muscles by three times. The military's biotic studies programs were willing to pay my Mom five thousand a month for life to study me, and she accepted on the condition that she was with me the whole time.
"That's much better." After I got out of the shower I unpacked my clothes. Mostly the basics: T-shirts, light pants, and shorts. Style didn't matter to me as long as they're comfortable. What did matter were my odd accessories: two bracers, two shin guards, and a sleeveless vest all made out of varren hide. The story behind them is one I love to tell over and over again.
My sister had somehow talked Mom in to having me go with her and two of her friends on a three day camping trip. We went to a moon orbiting a gas giant. During the trip I was (as I suspected) used as a pack mule. On the last night my sister and her friends decided to go swimming in a stream about two hundred yards from camp. From what I was able to put together afterwards one of the girls had left out some chocolate. The smell of the candy called to a varren that was nearby. I woke up to a loud rustling outside my tent. The varren attacked me and I defended myself as best I could. After a few moments the beast let out a roar and lunged at me. That's all I remember until I heard screaming from my right. The voice came from one of my sister's friends.
What she told me, and later the others, is that she came back to grab her omnitool so she could take a photo of the stars. When she got close she heard snarling in the camp and came running. What she saw was the killing blow. She told us that when the beast jumped at me my body glowed a light violet as I grabbed the tree log we used as a bench, and smashed it into the varren's side like a bat. We left at sunrise and carried the animal to the nearest ranger station where we learned it was a huge two hundred and eighty-four pound alpha male, and was a record for the system we were in.
When we called Mom she went nuclear on Alice and the girls for leaving me alone. I stood up for the girl that found me since I had a crush on her, but that never panned out. After we got back home I sent the varren pelt to get made into the accessories and sold the meat. Mom brought me to get tested at an alliance research station shortly after.
Ok so now I think I should set up my intro with the boss. I opened my omnitool and dialed the number Alice gave me. Ring, Ring, Ring click "Detective Anaya."