The Assassination of Zaeed Massani by the Coward Vido Santiago

Disclaimer: Mass Effect and its properties are owned by Bioware, not me.

Just a series of short chapters displaying what I'd interpret as the slowly-fraying friendship between Zaeed and Vido when they still ran together in the Blue Suns. I always thought it would be a tale of friendship, betrayal, and revenge. Even though played out to a certain extent in Mass Effect 2, I wanted to go a bit deeper.

I hope you enjoy.


Chora's Den, Citadel.

"I'm tellin' you, Zaeed. The batarians are some of the hardest workers I've seen and they're proven in battle. They'd be a great asset to the Suns!"

The mercenary merely leaned back and smiled, "They're goddamned terrorists, Vido. We're running a business here, can't have something like that tarnish what we've worked for."

With his gaze firmly locked on the rear-end of a dancer, Vido's reply was stunted for a moment, but soon he shouted over the throbbing bass to his partner, "Come on! I've got a handful of contacts on Omega that can set us up with a dozen of them, ready for work. And cheap to, at least for half of what we pay our current roster."

Zaeed just chuckled and took a swig of his drink, smiling as his throat burned from the harsh alcohol. "There's only one thing the batarians are good for."

"What's that?" Vido snorted as he poured a glass of whiskey for himself.

Lifting the bottle again, Zaeed's deep green gaze peered through the dark liquid, "Ale. Can't find stronger stuff, unless you're a krogan, that is."

Anyone could tell Vido was getting agitated, but Zaeed chose to ignore his partner as he took an even deeper swig from the bottle. The 'financial manager' of the Blue Suns leaned forward, mildly sipping his whiskey while staring at a dancer on the far side of the room. Her shirt was missing, giving a 'private session' to a male customer right as his table.

Zaeed began to laugh as he turned to look, "Heh, hell of a place, ain't it?"

"Yeah…" Vido grumbled, quickly downing the rest of his drink. "Not everyday you can watch a woman prance about with her tits out, can you?"

"What?" Zaeed turned to Vido. "Now you're gonna sulk? 'Cuz you didn't get your way? I have enough to worry about trying to manage Griggs and Riktus. I don't need to be looking over my shoulder every five seconds to make sure one of your damn batarians isn't takin' a bead on me."

"Come on," his friend hissed. "We're just barely breaking over even in this economy. Just think if those rumors about the void between the volus and turians are true. Do you ever think how badly we could end up?"

Not listening, Zaeed finished the bottle he had. Quickly beckoning a girl to come over, a very pretty asari, who did so without hesitation. Bending over, he whispered something to her. She then quickly stood and turned for the bar, but before receiving a slap to her rump.

Vido looked disgusted, "You're a pig, Zaeed."

A cocky smile, "And that's why you love me, mate."

"Let's see how much I love you when we both go broke." With that, Vido stormed off with whiskey in hand as his friend cackled with amusement.

Fishing a cigar from his pocket as he watched Vido leave the nightclub, Zaeed lit it and brought it to his lips. After a few quick puffs, the asari returned with a fresh bottle and placed it on the table. She then eagerly straddled the mercenary and slid her slender hands underneath his shirt.

"Now that he's gone," she purred with a rapidly growing grin. "Embrace Eternity."

Zaeed lightly chewed on the butt of his cigar, as if he was seriously considering denying her. "Here?"

"Here's as good a place as any."

He smiled, "You little tart. Come here."


Private Quarters, MSV Iscariot.

"So, what did your boss say?"

Vido clucked his tongue, "He ain't my boss, Solem. We both own an equal share in this."

The hologram rolled his four eyes, "Whatever. Can me and my boys join or not?"

Tossing the now-empty bottle of whiskey off his desk, Vido leaned back in his chair, "Not that simple, Mister Dal'serah. It seems my compatriot doesn't believe batarians would fit in with the Suns." He shrugged. "He's being unreasonable, but I'll cut you a deal."

The batarian growled, crossing his arms, "What kind of deal?"

"I'll bring you and you alone onboard, put you through the paces of any Blue Suns greenhorn."

"What of the rest of my men? We all have families to look after, they need work too!"

"Prove to Zaeed that you can do the work better than any of his regulars, then I can convince him to hire anyone."

Silence fell between the two for a moment, the alien's sharp gaze fell to his feet for a moment. Vido merely watched the hologram of Solem with intent. The batarians were an ugly race to look at, but their brutality in combat was only bested by the krogan.

Finally the alien broke the silence. "Where do I sign?"


Hit me up with a review, if you're feeling it. These will get longer as I go.

Peace.