"28...29...30... ready or not, here I come!" I crouch down lower in the bushes, giggling uncontrollably. Garrus draws closer, following the sound of my laughter. "Come on Jade! You promised a challenge!" I stifle my laughter. Just as I lose sight of him, he shouts "found you!" and grabs me by my waist, lifting me above the bushes. He is surprisingly strong for a ten year old.
"Put me down! Put me down!" I laugh, as he pulls me clear of the bushes. We live in a Turian/Human joint colony in the Attican Traverse, on the planet Mindoir, it's a step towards co-existence between our two races. He gently sets me down and I turn to face him, a big grin plastered on my face. "Race you to the Big Mill?" He flares his mandibles in silent agreement, and we race through town, into the corn fields. Just as we reach the mill, the sound of a cruiser stops us in our tracks. We turn to see a strange ship dock at the spaceport. Seconds later, chaos erupts, gunfire and explosions ring out through the settlement, the screams of our families reaching us from far away.
Garrus grabs my hand, dragging me behind him. "Jade... remember that secret place?" he looks back at me.
"Yes, I remember" tears stream down my face as I futilely pull against his grip. "Garrus! We have to go back! Let me go!" he tightens his grip. Suddenly he stops. "Garrus?" he holds a finger to his mouth, cocking his head. Just then, I hear footsteps and shouts.
"Jade, you need to run. Go to our secret place. Hide there, and I'll come find you, OK?" he pushes me forward. "Go!"
"Garrus, I'm not leaving you!" I hiss. The footsteps draw closer.
"Yes, yes you are" he bolts off, crashing through the corn stalks, making as much noise as possible. He's to fast, I can't possibly follow, so I run towards our hideout. I have just reached the hill when I hear Garrus shout in pain. I turn and see them drag him off towards their ship. Sobbing, I run the rest of the way to our hideout and gently shut the door behind me.
Gasping, I bolt upright in bed, soaking in sweat. It's been a long time since I dreamed of Mindoir, or my childhood friend for that matter. Glancing at my wrist, I see that I have two new messages on my Omni tool. Sighing, I get out of bed and head to the shower. God... what an awful dream... that's the first time in at least five years that I've had that dream. I turn up the heat, letting the hot water soothe my aching muscles. I dry off and get dressed. Sitting on my balcony with a cup of tea I open the message on my Omni tool.
Shepard:
It has come to our attention that a certain Nassana Dantius has been tragically killed by still unknown means. As was implied previously, a transfer of 50,000 credits has been wired to an account under the alias you contacted us with. We hope you will consider us for your services again in the future.
Signed,
Rubio Talmer
Kassa Fabrication Rep.
Smiling, I access the account, and transfer it to fifty others that will wire it to my main account in ten business days. I then access the second message, from my contact on Omega.
Shepard:
It seems a very important Turian is having some issues regarding one Kasumi Goto. It seems he was robbed by Miss Goto, and is looking for someone to take her down. Considering your interest in contacting her, it would be most prudent to take this opportunity. The would be client is General Oraka, he is seen frequenting the bar Afterlife, in Omega. I am sure you will be able to contact him, if you so choose.
Kai Leng
"Hmmm... interesting. I've been looking for an excuse to find her. Thank you General Oraka..." with a sly grin, I stretch and then walk to my garage. "Time to go shopping, I suppose" I steer my car to the presidium shopping district. As I step out of my car, a group of Quarian children run by, laughing at their Krogan companion, who is apparently playing a game of chase with them. Things like that is what makes the Galaxy great... walking past the Alien specialized stores, I finally find the store I was looking for. Je' Tame, a franchise straight from Paris itself. Walking in, I am met with more than a few envious stares from the assortment of women in the store. Heading straight for the elegant apparel section, my eyes spot an ebony black dress, made of fine chain links. It is form fitting, and very modern in style. I grab it and head for the dressing room. It fits perfectly, of course. I look in the full length mirror, admiring my high cheekbones, slim jawline, full lips, piercing ice blue eyes, fiery red hair, and slender, yet curvy frame. In the dress, I look so far from an assassin, it's almost funny. It's exactly what it will take to get Oraka's attention though. Changing back into my civilian garb, I exit the dressing room and grab the matching shoes. As I approach the check out line, I see the clerk admiring my body. Most likely thinking I had upgrades done. Jokes on her, my mom was just as hot as I am, and all natural. As she rings up the clothes she gives me yet another sideways glance. "It's all natural, you know." she blushes and glances up at me. "My body? It's completely natural, I was born like this. So no before you ask, I can't tell you where I got my upgrades because I have none, aside from the standard Lx9 implant."
"I'm terribly sorry Miss Lisbeth! I didn't mean to be rude... it's just, well, your so beautiful, and I thought... but I can see I was wrong" she stutters as she hands me my things. "I hope that I have not ruined our chances of having you back again."
"It's all right, I can understand where you are coming from, and you can count on my coming again" she breathes out a sigh of relief. I turn and exit into the Plaza. My stomach growls, so I head to Apollo's Café to grab a bite to eat and reserve a seat on a transport to Omega. The waiter comes and take my order, and I reserve an empty first class cabin to Omega on my Omni tool.
"Jade? Is that you?" says a familiar voice behind me.