"We need more information about Ghost, what you gave us isn't helping."
Neff gasps in pain and lack of air as the Krogan presses him onto the wall even harder.
"Ok…kay, I saw Ghost… an hour ago… climbing into a window across the street… saw a human walk by it shortly after… a female with black hair… think her name is Carla… Carla White."
The Krogan grunts approvingly, dropping the dying Turian. Neff scurries away like a roach in light. The Krogan gives off a triumphant chuckle, "We got you now Ghost."
White searches the market district, the Krogan nowhere in sight. She focuses her senses, the world expanding as her eyes become sharper in concentration and her ears filter through the bustling buzz of the busy market. As she makes it back to the entrance and starts walking her way back home she picks up the Krogan's voice.
"That wasn't Ghost, wrong hair color. Must have been some random civilian, the real Ghost must be back at home. Come on."
"Carla is in trouble." White mutters as she starts to run down the streets to her home.
As she enters her street, she finds a large crowd surrounding two figures, the Krogan holding a screaming Carla by her hair. Carla pleads for her life as a shotgun is aimed at her stomach, tears running down her cheeks. People in the crowds give mixed responses, begging the Krogan to stop, or egging him on as White watches in horror.
She edges out the crowd before she dashes down into an empty alley and drops her bag. With all the speed she can muster she pulls on her black armor and arms herself with her sniper rifle, kicking the lightened bag under a nearby dumpster. The Krogan tenses his finger on the shotgun's trigger, chuckling happily. Carla gasps and sobs, begging for her life to deaf ears. The Krogan leans towards his prey, close enough that his sticky hot breath covers the pale skin of the woman, "Now you will pay for killing my squad leader you good for nothing…"
A concussive shot takes the Krogan's shields down and distracts him from his moment. He lifts his head to the roof of the building where he tore the woman from her bed to see a black figure aiming a sniper rifle in his direction. He drops Carla and roars angrily, aiming his assault rifle in Ghost's direction. The figure places the sniper rifle on her back and gives a half salute, running in the direction of the markets.
The Krogan gives pursuit, growling angrily. Ghost jumps from building to building before using a fire escape to make it to the ground, dashing through the market doors. She passes a cigarette smoking Elcor, a hissing Vorcha, and a Quarian down on his luck to race into the lower levels of Afterlife. The Krogan, as to be expected, is close at her heels.
Panicking, Ghost sprints to the stair case to the upper level with the raged Krogan gaining quickly. Ghost hastens her movements and dashes through Afterlife, heading to the exit. She makes it to the door and jogs into the final exit hallway. She looks around, a vent grabbing her attention, but she has hesitated too long. Krogan throws her into the side wall causing a few Batarians to run out of the way and watch with their four eyed gazes.
The impact causes Ghost's shields to shatter and stuns her. Shaking off the clouds of dizziness, she grabs for her pistol, but finds the impact had thrown it off her side and out of arm's reach. White manages to stand but is knocked off her feet as she is charged again, rolling away from a stomping foot. She manages to stand once again and run, feeling the way half of her sniper rifle is swinging and tapping onto the armor on her legs, unusable. She hastily searches for her pistol, finding that it had skidded to the far side of the room.
Steading her breath she sprints for her life, sliding the last few feet and picking grabs the pistol. She reloads the pistol, glancing upwards to see the Krogan raising his shotgun. Pushing the thermal clip into place she raises the pistol and fires. The ping of the bullet bouncing off his armor fills the room as it is followed by multiple more.
Ghost immediately stands and starts quickly sidestepping, making sure she continues moving. As she continues she finds that exhaustion is slowly taking her accuracy, causing her hands to shake. In a vain attempt Ghost closes her eyes and focuses her breathing. Slowing she feels her blood rush, fueling her concentration.
She growls as she raises her pistol and fires multiple successive shot right at the Krogan's head. The armor is chipped away and fresh blood is splattered onto the grimy floor. The line of impacts causes the Krogan to lower his weapon and fall, landing in his own blood.
Ghost lowers her pistol, the adrenaline rush leaving her quickly. Her breathing is shallow and her body is weak. Her legs nearly give out and she stumbles forward a couple steps, vomit at her throat. Her vision is blurring, the floor as grey smudge. She tries to right herself but falls farther, landing on her hands and knees. Her eyes slowly close to darkness…
She finds herself waking on a comfortable leather surface. Opening her eyes she finds that she isn't looking through her visor. Upon realization her body sits up right, spurred with surprise. Looking around she sees an all too familiar face.
"Aria… wait, what! How am I here, where is my armor?"
Panic fills White as she foolishly looks around her seat.
"Aw, you finally decide to wake up, took you half a day." White stops and glares up at Aria's arrogant smile, "I saw that fight you had through the security cameras, and I am reluctant to say that I am impressed. Few can take down a Krogan Warlord single handedly, not to mention with just a standard pistol and on the edge of complete exhaustion."
"Why am I here?"
"To many, being able to sit here is an honor. I thought it would be a good gift for your feat."
White narrows her eyes. She knows how people speak, and knows when they are holding back. She can easily sense that through T'Loak's smugness.
"Your tone tells a different story. What is the real reason I'm here?"
Aria turns her head to White, impressed. Her smile widens as she straightens in her seat, leaning to meet White's gaze several inches beneath hers. White remains still, sleep having strengthened her resolve, turning it to stone.
"While you were asleep, someone came asking for you, a former Specter by the name of Commander Shepard."
"Bull-shit, Shepard is dead, rotten in her grave."
"Oh yes she is. I saw her guns and all, and she asked me where to find you. I gave her Carla's address…"
"How do you know Carla is associated with me?"
"She's a friend of mine. In fact, I'm the one charged to care for you if she dies."
"What!? But…"
"You are more important than you think, I can't say any more."
White stares at Aria in shock, blinking multiple times in surprise.
"Why put me on a possible suicide mission if I am so important?"
"It is what you are meant to do, you are a soldier. Not some petty freelance assassin."
Aria's face softens slightly and White just stares in surprise. White stays silent in thought, sighing as she reaches her conclusion.
"How long ago was this?"
"A couple minutes, better hurry now."
"Shepard is heading to the apartment district. Blood Pack is still in that area."
Aria nods as White looks away from her eyes. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nods, "I need my armor."
Aria smiles as she gestures to the other side of the couch, where a large blanket has been placed. White removes the blanket to see her newly cleaned armor laid next to a new pistol and sniper rifle. She puts the armor on and equips the weapons. She makes to exit, but stops at the stairs to look back at Aria.
"Thanks."
Aria nods as Ghost descends the exiting stairs. Taking in one big breath, Ghost heads home. As she enters her street she sees a terrifying sight. Dead bodies everywhere, most shot, some dead to multiple broken ribs. Blood Pack mercs and their Varren, with some innocents tossed inside for effect.
Ghost approaches slowly only to stop at the dead body she knew so well, Carla. Shot in the back of the head, eyes wide open in frozen fear. The assassin looks around some more, but doesn't find any sign of Shepard.
Tears pricking her eyes she kneels by Carla, saying nothing she closes the woman's eyes. She stays there and just stares at the body. Ghost sighs sadly as she turns to the alley where she had left her items. Standing up slowly she moves towards it, entering slowly.
Pushing away the pain in her chest she pulls her bag out from under the dumpster. She opens it and takes out Mr. Bon Bon, holding him with both hands. She rubs his belly with her thumb and swallows a sob. Putting him back she zips the bag up and puts it on her back.
She goes back to Carla and again kneels by her, holding in tears. She places a hand on Carla's head, sweeping hair away from her brow.
"Bye Carla, Mr. Bon Bon wishes you luck in death. We'll miss you, even if you made me continue to be the assassin I don't want to be, stole my well-earned credits for your booze, and only gave me nutrition paste for dextro-amino species. I forgive you, you dirty little bitch."
"We didn't come in time to save her."
Ghost jumps to her feet and aims her pistol in the voice's direction. She lowers it to see a redheaded woman in black armor. Behind her are two humans, a dark skinned man and a dark haired woman. Ghost puts her pistol back at her side and lowers her head.
"There was no possible way you that you could have come in time. It's been over half a day since they came. I don't blame you."
"We're sorry for your loss." The dark haired woman utters kindly.
"No need for any sympathy. I never liked her anyway. She was abusive, and a full on drunk." Ghost pauses as she attempts to gather wits about her, "I've been told you were looking for me, Commander."
"We need your help with a critical mission. Collectors are taking human colonies, and we are the only ones willing to stop them." Shepard responds, a tint of sorrow in her voice easily covered by her commanding tone.
Ghost had heard of the Collectors before, mostly from gossip on the streets. What she remembers is that they are a race that has access to advanced technology, usually seen when performing covert operations. They usually take people with natural 'unique' properties. Yet this is unique, for this isn't just a small group being taken, but a whole race. Joining this mission couple save billions.
"I accept your offer, anything to bring right to the wrong that I have brought here with the death of…" Ghost makes to say Carla's name, but finds her throat tightening dangerously in guilt so she stops, licking her lips as she tries again, "…so many innocent people."
"We should go before more Blood Pack come."
Ghost nods in response, all her words catching deeply in her throat. Shepard and the other two sense her internal battle and stay silent as well. The four find their way to the Normandy.
Joker turns as the airlock opens and Shepard, Jacob, and Miranda enter battle weary. He makes to turn back when a short female figure in black armor walks in, a large bag on her back. He had received Shepard's call saying that she had recruited Omega's Ghost.
He laughed at the thought that she had really recruited the illusive Omega's Ghost, but as the figure turns her head towards him he finds it no longer funny. Ghost gives him a light salute and walks down the hallway to the elevator. Joker turns back to the controls, regretting laughing at Shepard's abilities.
