"Well I've done all I've could for her," said a dark skinned man with tattoos covering his face. He wiped off some violet blood from his hands and sat down across from David and Silia. "Whoever shot her was aiming to kill her. It wasn't a drunken brawl gone wrong."
"What do you mean?" David asked.
"Whoever it was used Tungsten Rounds. It shredded through her armor." The surgeon grabbed a flask from his hip, taking a sip.
"So it wasn't some racist C-Sec officer or a drunkard like you said," Silia rested her chin on her hands. "Someone ordered a hit on her. But who?"
The surgeon shrugged. "Well two years ago a Quarian was shot. But records say it was one of Saren's men who pulled the trigger, so we know it wasn't a repeat offender who did this one."
"Did she have anything on her that would tell us who the hitman was?" David asked.
The surgeon pulled up his Omni-tool. "While scanning her body I found a message. Here, I'll pull it up." He pressed a few buttons and a holographic image of the Quarian's upper body appeared.
"This is Rhaki'Veen nar Shunbay. If you are reading this, then I'm probably dead. If that's the case I need to get information to The Migrant Fleet; Information that could mean the life or death of every Quarian," A list of codes scrolled down next to Rhaki'Veen nar Shunbay's form. "These are transmission codes between a Cerberus Facility on Illium and several spies- one of them near the fleet's current location. Please, if anyone gets this message, send the codes to Admiral Xen." There was the sound of a gun firing, then the message died off.
"The Quarian's got something to do with our mark?" Silia looked surprised.
"It seems so," David rubbed his chin. "This is far from coincidence. I think someone put her near Chora's Den in order for us to find her."
"So do you think the shooter did it?" The surgeon asked.
David shrugged. "I wouldn't put it off the table. But it wouldn't make sense for the hitman to put his victim in an obvious place."
"We can ask her when she wakes up," Silia said. "Right now we need to go to Omega and talk to Kandros."
"Do you think that's wise?" The surgeon asked. "The last time we left we had half the Blood Pack firing on us. I doubt they forgot about us."
"We don't have a choice in the matter. This Cerberus Facility is turning out to me more and more perilous than what Kasumi and I thought." David stood up as Ryan walked in.
"Course is set for Omega. We'll depart as soon as you're ready." Ryan said with a steely voice.
David looked at the surgeon. "Go keep an eye on our guest, Chaz. Let me know when she wakes up."
Chaz stood up and nodded. "Will do."
"I'm going to take a look at our guns," Silia said as she stood up. "If you need me just holler. And don't do anything to get us killed, alright?" Chaz and Silia walked out of the room, leaving David and Ryan alone.
"Is something wrong, Ryan?" David asked.
Ryan scowled. "Yes, actually. It's the fact that we're heading back to Omega! We were nearly killed and you want to waltz right back into the lion's den?"
David sighed. "If it wasn't for the fact that Cerberus is planning something, I'd stay the hell away from Omega. But we need all the help we can get and Nyreen Kandros is willing to help."
"But Terek is still on that worthless piece of rock. If he even smells our exhaust each of us will get ripped to shreds." Ryan retorted.
"We'll be on our guard. And as long as we're in Nyreen's presence the Talon's will keep us safe." David tried to reassure Ryan, but it obviously didn't work.
"Screw that. You think a bunch of Turian Mercs are going to stop the Blood Pack from ending us?" Ryan crossed his arms. "Let's face it: You fucked up the heist."
"I don't deny that I messed up, but this is our only chance," David placed a hand on Ryan's shoulder, but it was instantly shaken off. "If we don't get the Talon Mercs on our side we'll have no way of figuring out what Cerberus is up to."
There was a long silence, then Ryan spoke. "What about our Quarian friend?"
"Once she awakens I'll question her about the data. Afterwards I'll find her a shuttle on Omega to get her back to the Flotilla." David walked through he door with Ryan behind him.
"I doubt anyone's going to want go to The Migrant Fleet, a lot of people still hold resentment towards the Quarians for creating the Geth. Myself included." Ryan stopped by one of the windows.
"What's your deal with non-humans anyway? You're starting to sound more and more like a Cerberus tool than a member of my crew." David glared at Ryan.
Ryan looked back at David with a scowl. "I don't have anything against non-humans who are part of the Council. The other species, the Krogan and Batarians to name a few, are no better than hired thugs."
David groaned. "You're one of those fanatics aren't you? One of those guys thinking that since our species has a spot on the council we're better than everyone else."
"I value order." Ryan shrugged.
"If you value order, then why the hell are you on my ship? You know damn well that some of the stuff we do is chaotic at best." David said.
"I'm doing this because . . . I used to be a member of C-Sec. I saw how corrupt the force was. If I'm going to be surrounded by scum, I'd rather them be upfront about it. That's why I joined your crew." Ryan said,
David chuckled. "Well I'll take that as a compliment. Go tell the helmsmen that we're ready to head out. I'm going to check up on a few things before we dock on Omega."
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David walked into the 'medical bay' of the Revenant. It was actually a spare cargo-hold turned into a med-bay. Chaz built it after Silia's arm was broken in four places and they were nowhere near a Mass Relay. Chaz stood up from his desk. "She's awake."
"Did she say anything?" David asked.
Chaz's face flushed a little. "No . . . but she did try and take my gun. Left a nasty scratch on my arm. I had to restrain her to the bed but she calmed down enough for me to explain what happened." He led David around a corner until Rhaki'Veen was in view.
"Who's this?" She asked with distain.
"David Parish, Captain of the Revenant." David held out his hand, but Rhaki'Veen didn't shake it.
"You're the one who saved me?" She sat up slightly.
David nodded and sat next to her. "Yes. My crewmember Silia and I carried you to the ship. You took one hell of a hit, kid."
"No kidding. Keelah this stings." The Quarian held her wound.
"I'm sorry. If there's anything you need, Rhaki'Veen-" David started to say.
"Rhaki. Just call me Rhaki. You're saying the last part wrong so there's no reason to twist your tongue. And I'm fine. I just need to get back to the fleet. I'm assuming you saw the message?" Rhaki raised her hand to her head.
David smirked and nodded. "Yes, we did. That's also why I'm here. That Cerberus base you were talking about is the target of a heist. A heist I'm a part of. I need to know anything and everything you can tell me."
"A Heist? What are you, a part of a gang?" Rhaki asked, amused. Even though David couldn't see through he mask, he swore that she was smirking.
"Kind of. I'm working with a team of people to break into that Cerberus facility on Illium. I couldn't make out the codes in your message, so if you could tell me what they are I'd be grateful." David replied.
Rhaki sighed. "I'm sorry but I can't tell you. It's not that I don't trust you- frankly I'm grateful for saving my life- but it involves secrets about The Flotilla that I cannot allow."
"Are you planning to use this information on your Pilgrimage?" David asked. The Pilgrimage was the Qurian rite of passage, in which a Quarian who's reached the age of adulthood must go out and find something that could benefit their fleet.
Rhaki shifted. "H . . .how do you know about my Plgrimage?"
"I've worked with a few Quarians. You go by 'nar' Shunbay, not Vas. The Shunbay is your birth ship."
"I'm surprised that you remember that. Not many humans know about our culture and customs." Rhaki spoke with amusement again.
"I was born on a starship. I didn't step on a planet until I was 14," David looked at Rhaki. "So I kind of have a connection to the Quarian's in that regard."
"In that regard, yes. But you don't have a weakened immune system and a home world that's taken over by the Geth." Rhaki replied.
"I'd be lying if I said I did," David said. "Look, I'm not forcing you to do anything, but we could use any help on this heist. If not . . . then we'll find you a passage back to your fleet when we reach Omega. I have business there and we didn't want to take you to the doctors since C-Sec was after you."
"I appreciate that, but I need to get back to my fleet. If they don't get the information on my Omni-Tool then we'll be screwed." Rhaki said with general solemnness.
David nodded. Granted he wouldn't have minded the extra tech help, but he knew that Quarian's valued family. "Once we reach Omega we'll find a shuttle that will take you to the Fleet," He got up and removed the strap from around her waist. Rhaki sat up and touched her side gingerly. "Until then you're free to do what you want on the ship."
"You're letting a Quarian lose on your ship?" Rhaki looked at David. "Some people might find that crazy."
"Trust me, I don't think you'll find anything of use on this rust bucket. Besides, you don't want to spend the trip in bed do you?" David smiled.
Rhaki got up and held out her hand, which David shook. "Thank you, Captain."
"Just call me David." David replied.
