A/N- This is a sequel to Mass Effect: Strange Heroes, make sure you read that before reading this!
1 year after Shepard's death, in a lab on a space station
"It can't be done, it's not a matter of resources," a man in a lab coat complained to a hologram.
"It's always a matter of resources, we're not losing Shepard," the holograph of a man called The Illusive Man replied.
"Sir, Shepard is clinically brain dead, after that much trauma, THAT long without oxygen. We cannot overcome nature," the doctor reasoned.
The Illuse Man wasn't having it though "Operative Lawson disagrees, she is now in charge of project Lazarus," he commanded.
The doctor held a straight face but inside he was seething. He had graduated top of his class, hell the entire planet of Earth. He was considered one of the best even by the salarians, which got him noticed by Cerberus in the first place, and his boss was sacking him from leading the project.
"Sir, if I may, Miss Lawson doesn't have-" he started.
"When Operative Lawson returns she will be in charge. If you have an issue with my decision, we can meet personally," The Illusive Man stated.
The doctor gulped, knowing what that actually meant "No, sir, but that still doesn't change the fact that we don't have the necessary funding. We've already gone over our budget but it's not enough," he said.
"Don't worry about that, I'm already taking care of the situation," The Illusive Man declared before killing the link.
Arizona, Earth
A shuttle landed outside a small town of prefabs in the middle of the desert, in the distance of every direction tall buildings littered the horizon. Two humans stepped out of the craft into the bright sunlight and glanced around the town. One, a black male, noted that their arrival had gone ignored. He wasn't surprised as air traffic wasn't uncommon to small towns, supply drops and the like. The other human, a woman, couldn't care less what the people here thought of their arrival, she was here on a mission and she planned on finishing it so she could get out of this place and back to work.
As the pair strode down the street the woman ignored the stares she was getting from the males, it wasn't uncommon due to her build.
"There it is," the man stated, pointing to a prefab at the end of the street. The two strode up to the door and knocked. Ten seconds went by without a reply so the man knocked even harder.
"Fuck off," a voice on the inside came.
"Mr. Lerman?" the man asked.
"I said fuck off!" the voice shouted.
The woman was getting impatient "Mr. Lerman, we are here on the request of my employer. He needs your help and pays well," she stated.
The door hissed open to reveal a man wearing nothing but his underwear. The man was tall with shaggy hair and facial hair that needed trimmed.
"Who are you?" he asked.
The man held out a hand "I'm Jacob Taylor and this is Miranda Lawson," he said, then dropped his hand when he realized Lerman wasn't going to shake it.
"Who do you work for?" the man asked.
"We will tell you but it would be better if we discussed this in private, Mr. Lerman," Jacob answered.
"Call me Logan," he stated, beckoned them in "Phaedra!"
Suddenly from the back room a asari wearing nothing but a towel appeared "Yes?"
"I'm gonna need you to step out for a while," he said "I have to talk to these two in private,"
The asari eyed the two up and down, lingering on Miranda with a scowl for a second, then nodded and went into the back, with Logan following, to get dressed.
After she left the three humans stayed standing as the only furniture Logan owned was a his and his daughter's bed.
"Your girlfriend?" Jacob started, trying to be friendly.
Logan stared at him for a second "No, she's just visiting from the Citadel," he stated "Keeps me warm at night,"
Miranda scoffed at that "We're here on the behalf of Cerberus," she said.
Logan suddenly drew his pistol on them "Get the hell out now!" he shouted.
"Easy, Logan," Jacob said "We're not here to kill you or take you in. Our boss has a proposal for you,"
"Tell your boss to go fuck himself, I'm not interested," Logan declared, still holding them at gunpoint.
"I understand your mistrust, but hear us out," Jacob continued.
"I won't work for Cerberus," Logan stated "Get out,"
Miranda spoke up "We're in the middle of a project, one that will change history," she explained "Unfortunately we've gone past our budget and our financial support can't give any more,"
"Look around, does it look like I'm loaded?" Logan stated "Even I had the money, I'd give it to batarians before you people,"
"You may not be able to support us financially," Jacob interjected "But we know you have the skills to...acquire large amounts of money, and that's why we're here,"
Logan finally lowered his weapon "You want me to get back into the game?" he asked "Sorry, but I promised someone special to me that I was done for good,"
"Shepard?" Miranda guessed with a smirk.
"Fuck you," Logan declared.
"Our boss doesn't care how, but he wants you to acquire a large amount of credits for him. After that you won't hear from us again," Jacob explained.
"What's this 'project' that you are working on?" Logan asked.
"It's classified, but it will involve you more than you think," Miranda said.
"You said this job will pay well," Logan declared "Sounds like you guys are bankrupt, how am I getting paid?"
"Depending on how much you are able to attain, you will get a cut," Miranda explained.
"Not interested," Logan suddenly said "I trust you can see your way out,"
"We didn't want it to come to this, but we prepared," Miranda said "You will help us or your friends will be meeting some of our less friendly colleagues,"
"Don't you fucking dare," Logan warned.
"We won't if you agree to help," Miranda stated with a wicked smile "Return to your old apartment at the Citadel, where in three days two of our people will meet with you,"
"No, if I'm doing this then I choose whose on my team," Logan demanded.
"You will be in charge, but for insurance purposes two of ours will be accompanying you," Miranda stated.
"How much money does your boss need?" Logan asked.
"At least two billion but any more than that would be appreciated," she replied.
Logan sighed "Fine, I'll do it, but I better never see you again,"
Miranda smirked "Can't make any promises," she stated "Remember three days from now, on the Citadel. Let's go Jacob,"
Logan waited until they were long gone before activating his omni-tool and sending a message to Brady, Stephen, and Jester.
3 days later on the Citadel
Logan, Phaedra, and Dana stepped off the transport into the artificial light. Dana was ecstatic at being back on the Citadel, she had hated the climate changes of Earth. Logan had hoped to not have to come back here so soon, too many memories for his liking. After all three got through security, which was more extreme since the last time he was there, Logan called a cab from the transport terminal.
"I better get back to the boys, I don't think my story will hold up for very long," Phaedra stated "Decius isn't as dumb as he looks,"
"I have a hard time believing that," Logan declared. Phaedra just giggled and strode away.
The cab dropped them off at their old apartment building, some of the surrounding structures still going under repairs from the geth attack. Just as they reached the door it opened to reveal to human men.
"Welcome back, bro," Brady said to his long time friend, while giving him a hug.
"Thanks, it's been too long," Logan replied with a smile then turned to the other human "How's it going, Stephen?"
His other long time friend chuckled as they hugged "A lot better now that you're back," he declared.
"So what have I missed since I've been gone?" Logan asked as the four of them made their way inside.
"Not much," Brady replied "It's been boring as hell here on the Citadel,"
"Business is finally slowing down," Stephen added "Ever since the attack I have been so far behind on vehicle repairs. Not that I'm complaining, I'm making bank"
"You would complain if you were working the front desk," Brady declared "Not a day goes by that I don't get cussed out by an angry customer,"
Logan laughed "Wait, you work at the garage now too?" he asked.
His friend nodded "With the Normandy gone, I really didn't know what to do for money. Stephen needed to help his mechanics in the garage but also needed someone for the desk, so he hired me,"
"Speaking of which," Stephen interjected "What have you been up to this whole time,"
"Garrus has been sending me files on wanted criminals," Logan replied "For a fee I help him track them down,"
The group entered Logan's apartment, with Dana running off to her room. The three men settled down in the living room, enjoying the beer Brady had brought as a welcome back gift.
"So, why the sudden decision to return?" Brady asked.
"I missed my bros," Logan replied with a smile.
Stephen shook his head with a smile "Flattering, but come one. We haven't heard from you in nearly five months then suddenly you say you're coming back,"
Logan put his drink down then ran both his hands over his face with a sight "Because I got a job," he finally said.
"Where?" Brady asked "If you needed money you know we would've helped you?"
"Yeah, man," Stephen added sounding slightly indignant "I'm sure there's something around the garage I could have you do,"
"No, guys," Logan declared "I mean a job and of course I'm not going to do it without you two,"
Both his friend's eyes widened "Oh," Brady said, stunned.
Stephen sighed "I don't know man, Sabrina and I are engaged and-"
"What!" Logan shouted "That's great man, congratulations,"
"Thanks, but I don't know if I should be doing... that anymore," Stephen said.
Brady looked apologetic as well "Remember we promised... we promised we were done with that life," he stated.
"I didn't forget, but... come on, one last score," Logan pleaded.
"Why?" Stephen asked.
"I got visited by some people from a dangerous organization and they... encouraged me to do this," Logan explained.
Brady narrowed his eyes "Cerberus," he declared.
"Yeah," Logan confirmed "They were going to send their operatives after you guys and our other friends if I didn't accept,"
"Shit," Brady stated "Did they say why they wanted you to do a job?"
"They're working on a project and they ran out of money," Logan said "I don't know what the project is about either,"
The three fell silent for a moment before Stephen spoke up "I'm in," he declared.
"What? Really?" Logan asked getting hopeful.
His friend nodded "Yeah," Stephen answered "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you?"
Logan and Stephen then looked to Brady who sighed "What's our cut?" he asked.
"As always, depends on how much we are able to get," Logan replied.
Once again he sighed "Whatever, count me in," he finally stated.
"I really appreciate this, guys," Logan declared "Now, if I can get an answer from Jester then the team will be settled, mostly,"
Stephen checked his omni-tool's time "Well I better take off, Sabrina wants to go out tonight," he stated before standing.
"Mind dropping me off at my apartment?" Brady asked "I have something I need to do,"
Stephen nodded and the two said their goodbyes to Logan and soon he was left in the silence of his apartment.
4 hours later
Logan stood in his kitchen half listening to the vid terminal in the other room. It was getting late, by Earth standards, and he was still expecting the Cerberus visit. Dana was sound asleep in her room, which he was thankful for. Logan was brought out of his thoughts by a knock at his door and using his omni-tool he unlocked the door. He strode to the center of his living room, waiting for the two to enter. He didn't wait long and soon two human males rounded the corner. One was a tall and muscular with a completely shaved head and the other was
"Jester?" Logan asked in shock.
"Operative Hudnall to you," he replied.
"You joined Cerberus?" Logan declared angrily.
"Yeah, I did," the man replied just as angry "Six months, six long months I waited for a call from you. You said you would bring me along on more jobs but you never did,"
"Jest- Brandon, I'm sorry," Logan stated "I got hung up, I-"
"Ran off to join the military," Brandon interrupted "Leaving me hanging. I needed credits and Cerberus was able to offer me more than what we made on that omni-tool job,"
"You saw how important it was to stop Saren," Logan retorted.
"Yeah I did, but I didn't think you would ever run off like that," he snarled "Jack either, or should I say Brady?"
The other mad, who was smiling at the situation, finally spoke up "Alright, kiddies, enough," he stated "As you already know I'm here to be on your team,"
"Yeah," Logan replied "I've already got the rest of the team ready-"
"Erm, excuse me?" the operative interjected "I have a team already ready to go,"
"Yeah, well you see, I don't give a shit," Logan declared "I'm in charge of this job, I choose the team,"
"You may be in charge, but I'm not going to trust my life to your people," he sneered.
"My people?" Logan stated "My people aren't sick pieces of shit
that deserve nothing less than a brutal murder,"
The two stared each other down for a moment before the man nodded "Fine, but my boss will hear about this," he said.
"Fine by me, I was told by a Ms. Lawson that I was in charge," Logan countered.
"That bitch, huh," the man huffed "Shoulda known. Dumb slut has to stick her nose in every Cerberus operation possible,"
"Of course," Brandon said "Bosses pet, she most likely slept her way up the ranks,"
"Shut up, Hudnall," the other operative demanded. Brandon swallowed hard but didn't say anymore.
"Kiddies," Logan mocked "I think we're done here. I'll let you know when and where we're all meeting at to sit this up,"
"Fine, but if you try to set us up," the man pointedly looked to a picture of Logan and his daughter "I'll become her new daddy,"
Brandon was visibly taken aback "Come on, Lloyd, no need for that," he stated.
"Shut up," Lloyd snarled "They paired you with me so I can get you to grow a pair of balls. I'm starting to think that's impossible,"
"Just because he has a heart doesn't mean he has no balls," Logan declared.
Lloyd snarled at him but turned and headed towards the door. Brandon started to follow, but Logan grabbed his arm.
"Jester, I really am sorry but you can't trust Cerberus," Logan pleaded.
"They're more reliable than you, even if I have to put up with Operative Fallows," he replied then headed for the door and soon Logan was left in silence again.
Logan's apartment, 1 week later
Several data pads were spread out on a table in front of Logan. Stephen and himself had compiled a list of possible high income targets to hit. Early on he made a rule that their target must not be a clean business. He wanted to hit a business that dealt with dirty money. He was also worried about civilian casualties but knew that might be inevitable. His thoughts were interrupted by his door opening but he wasn't alarmed as he had received a message from Brady earlier that he had a surprise. He didn't have to wait long until his friend appeared around the corner.
"Logan, have I got something for you," he stated grinning from ear to ear "I present to you our sixth member of the team,"
Brady stepped over to allow room and the person that came around the corner had Logan's jaw drop to the floor.
"Tali?"