Angel
By 7hrill
Chapter 3
Bioware owns all characters within.
Shepard was mostly healed from her encounter with the tank krogan, Grunt. There was a little pain in her side, but the mission came first. Time to pick up a convict. She wasn't sure about this one. TIM hadn't given her any info about what the girl was in for, just that she was a super-biotic.
And now they were trapped in a prison. The warden had apparently decided he could get more for Shepard than Cerberus was paying for Jack. Shepard was very glad they insisted on keeping their weapons. She was also glad she brought Garrus and Grunt on this run. She would need their strength.
They take out the group the warden sent to force them into a cell, then start running towards the maximum security section. A little computer hacking and they find Jack's location. Unfortunately they have to open all cells in the prison block to release her.
Well, the warden deserves this... Shepard releases the entire cell block. Peering down through plate glass to the release area below, she notices several large mechs initiating up.
They watch Jack as she is raised vertically out of her cell. Her head is shaved and she's hardly wearing anything on her torso. Some straps cover the important areas, but the rest is bare. Well, not really bare. That is the most elaborate collection of tattoos I've seen outside an exhibit. Then Jack wakes up.
Jack struggles momentarily with her restraints, then rips them apart. The three large mechs focus on her. Then Shepard feels the largest accumulation of biotic power she's ever felt, and it's all over for the mechs. Jack disappears out a new hole in the wall.
"Wow! Let's get her!" Shepard yells as she runs down the stairs to the release area. Garrus and Grunt follow quickly. They jump over the husks of three large mechs and through the hole in the wall. They have to slow down quickly, there are guards and prisoners fighting everywhere.
A few firefights later, and they get to speak directly to the warden.
"You're valuable Shepard, I could sold you and made a fortune off of you!"
What is it with these guys? Is everyone in the universe a greedy bastard?
"But you're too much trouble. At least I'll still have Jack after I kill y..." He was cut off by a well placed sniper shot from Garrus. Shepard looked over at him and gave him a smile.
They find Jack fuming in the loading area. She turns around with biotics flaring when she hears their approach.
"You're in a bad situation, and we're here to get you out."
"Shit, you sound like a pussy. I'm not going anywhere with you. You're Cerberus." Sounds like there's history between Jack and Cerberus. One more thing omitted from the dossier.
"I'm here to ask you for help." Shepard throws an olive branch.
"You show up in a Cerberus frigate to take me away somewhere. Do you think I'm stupid?" Jack spits out the words with venom. Apparently there's a lot of history.
"This ship is going down in flames. I've got the only way out. I'm asking for your help."
"Just shoot her and patch her up on the ship." Grunt offers.
"I'd like to see you try." Jack isn't amenable to the idea.
"We're not going to attack her." Shepard lets her know the situation.
"Good." Jack was finally being reasonable. "Look, you want me to come with you. Make it worth my while."
"Tell what you're thinking"
"I bet your ship's got lots of Cerberus databases. I want to look at those files. See what Cerberus has got on me. You want me on your team. Let me go through those databases. "
"I'll give you full access." Then Shepard thought ...and Miranda's probably going to kill me.
Miranda didn't try to kill Shepard when they got back to the ship, but she did give her a withering look that might have been worse.
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They visited the Citadel and picked up the thief. A lovely earth-born with serious camouflage and tech skills. Kasumi had agreed to join the mission as long as Shepard helped her steal something from a rich jerk. Since the location was close and Shepard hated rich assholes, she decided to take care of it right away.
The mission turned very personal once they headed back towards the Normandy with Keiji's greybox. Keiji was Kasumi's lover, and the greybox was a form of memory storage device. Kasumi had apparently dearly loved her man Keiji, and didn't want to lose the memories in the device. However the box also contained information desired by evil bastards across the universe, and had to be destroyed or Kasumi would be running until the end of her days. In the end Shepard destroyed the data herself, saving Kasumi from having to do it. Kasumi took it hard, but thanked Shepard for her help.
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Shepard went down to the lowest level of the ship to explore the mystery that is Jack. Jack was raised in a Cerberus research facility from a very young age. They conducted experiments to make her into a biotic killing machine. She escaped as a child and has been on the run for years. She hadn't found the information she needed in the Cerberus databanks, but it was only a matter of time.
Shepard pitied her. Jack had no chance of being normal. No chance at all.
Shepard returned to her cabin for some rest.
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Corporal Davies contacted Shepard during their final approach.
"We're looking good Lieutenant. The objective is just ahead."
Shepard peered intently ahead. The problem wasn't something she heard, but something she didn't. There wasn't enough ambient animal noise in this area.
Little did she know, there were several beacons in the clearing ahead, specifically designed for thresher maws. They released a frequency so low that only thresher maws of a certain size could hear. They also spooked all local fauna, causing the disquiet that Shepard now felt.
"The clearing is right ahead Lieutenant."
Shepard was just about vibrating in her seat. There was nothing to be heard for miles.
They breached the forest wall and entered the clearing. The silence was deafening.
Most of the squad was quiet, but there were a few who, like Shepard, were on the edge of their seats, ready for anything. When the tremors first started, these were the first out of their seats with their pistols drawn. They circled in place, trying to locate the threat. . Too bad no one could be ready for what happened.
Only Shepard recognized the scale of the threat. Too large to threaten with conventional weapons. She located one of the beacons, shiny and new among a jungle of tarnished metal and forest.
"Davies! Hit that with an overload!"
"Hit what?" He searched around for Shepard's target. "What is it?"
"Corporal!" He heard the urgency in her voice and immediately complied. The beacon exploded in a shower of sparks.
Shepard saw another almost immediately, then another, then another. She knew there were too many. She threw a warp at one and started running towards the next.
"Take out the beacons!" Only a few knew what she was talking about. A small portion of her squad was up and moving when the attack came. The first thresher maw flipped the largest personnel carrier and killed half her squad instantly. The second flipped the tank, not killing many, but destroying the greatest threat.
Shepard ran around the edge of the clearing destroying the beacons, one after another. When she turned back to the center of the clearing after destroying the last one, her squad was decimated. No one was vertical. Davies was half under an overturned truck, reaching towards Shepard. She approached Davies, searching for other signs of movement. There was nothing.
The thresher maws retreated after the lures were destroyed.
"I'm sorry, Corporal. I'm so sorry." She held his hand until he was gone.
She contacted command and let them know about the trap and how to anticipate it. Then she gave a list of soldier's names to be recognized.
Shepard woke up crying.
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Miranda walked out of her office to see Shepard sitting with her hot chocolate again. Shepard gave her a look but didn't say anything.
"Trouble sleeping?" Miranda asked.
"Do you come out here for anyone? Or just me?" Shepard's dream still had her in a bad mood.
"Well, you aren't the only person I leave my office for, but you are definitely the most important." Miranda got herself some tea.
"Because I was your project for two years." Shepard stated the obvious.
"Yes, but that's not the only reason." Miranda sat down and took a sip.
"And I'm your Commander."
"Yes...but again, those are not the only reasons. As your XO, I need to know if you're having trouble sleeping. I am here to help you in any way."
Shepard considered getting up, but decided to see where the conversation went. I doubt you'd be willing to give me the help I really need. Shepard pondered, then said. "I can understand that, though I'd rather not talk about my troubles."
"Should I contact Dr. Chakwas? She should have something to help you sleep." Miranda offered.
"You know sleep aids adversely affect biotics, and as you said, you need me at my best." Shepard said.
"So, how have you solved this previously?" Miranda asked.
"With a really good friend." Shepard looked down into her cup. She was getting nervous about the conversation.
"I'm sure Chambers would be happy to stop by..." Miranda started.
"No, thank you. That's not really the kind of friend I'm looking for. Psychologists do not help, especially overly friendly types."
"Ah, yes. She is a bit overwhelming...and obvious. Hopefully she hasn't offended you." Miranda shook her head.
"No, I don't mind aggressive behavior, even obvious aggressive romantic suggestions. It's just that she's not really my type, and her personality grates on me after a while."
"Yes, I have that same trouble with her. Lucky for her, she's good with the rest of the crew." She smiled at Shepard. Miranda found herself getting more and more comfortable in Shepard's company. When we're not fighting for dominance, any way. Miranda looked down at her own mug.
Shepard saw the smile leave Miranda's face. "What's wrong?" She asked. She resisted the urge to reach across and touch her hand.
Miranda looked back up with an expression that said she'd been caught doing something. "What?" Apparently Shepard had read her emotions.
Shepard just looked at her.
Miranda decided to lay the issue bare. "Let's see... How do I put this? You and I seem to get along fine during normal conversation or interactions. However, during missions and meetings you constantly undermine my authority. Even when you agree with me and follow my suggestion I can tell you consider going against me. I can't tell if you are using me as a surrogate for abuse intended for Cerberus, or if you genuinely do not want my advice or assistance." Shepard started to say something, but Miranda held up her hand.
"Every decision you've made has been correct, even when you went against my advice. You inspire the crew like no leader I've ever seen. And your combat skills are outstanding for someone without implants. Frankly, it's intimidating. I've been trained by the best leadership counselors, served under fleet admirals, and lead my own teams for ten years. I might question your methods and your attitude, but there is no denying your ability." Miranda paused. "As my own experience with Wilson has shown, I don't have the same skill. You didn't have my training, education, or upgrades, and you still get better results." Miranda couldn't look Shepard in the eye.
Shepard was stunned. Miranda had not only thawed a little bit towards her, but she had shown a remarkable amount of trust. Some commanders would use this revelation against her. "Miranda, you might be built to be perfect, but no one is perfect at everything. It might sound like guidance counselor bullshit, this is the truth: work towards your strength, let experts handle everything else."
"I need Garrus for ship weaponry and combat expertise. I need Mordin for scientific expertise. I need Jacob for personal weaponry and biotics. I need Kasumi for camouflage and technical expertise. Each of them know what I need them for. Jacob does not try to best Garrus with the sniper rifle. Mordin does not try to match Kasumi in close combat skill." Shepard paused to finish her hot chocolate.
"Miranda, I need you for your tactical skill, sentinel expertise, data analysis, and combat skills. The only reason you aren't my most valuable crew member is your loyalty to Cerberus. I realize you have a personal reason for that loyalty, but I will do my best to convince you they are a terrorist organization and shift your loyalty to a more worthy target. I could give you scathing reports about their activities on the human race." Shepard paused, thinking about what she had said. "Now that I've most likely worn out my welcome... I appreciate your candor about this, you've given me some things to think about. Thanks, Miranda." Shepard leaves. Miranda is both elated and discouraged. Shepard expressed her worth at the same time she showed her concern. Shepard already knew Cerberus helped her when no one else did, and now that comes between Miranda and the most inspiring leader she's ever had.
After Shepard leaves, Miranda realizes she hadn't done anything about Shepard's sleep troubles.
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Horizon. TIM let Shepard know about an attack, supposedly while it was underway, and Kaidan was there. Shepard thought it would be great to see him again, if he wasn't already dead.
"Joker, head to Horizon."
"Aye, aye, Commander."
"Miranda and Grunt, suit up."
Mordin's anti swarm fix worked beautifully. Shepard would have to thank him when she got back to the ship.
The Collectors used beam weapons along with their conventional guns. Some also had directional barriers. They weren't too difficult to take out, as long as you stayed under cover for the beam weapons. Shepard found one of the beam weapons for herself after a few minutes. It looked weird, but worked wonderfully.
A short time and several collectors later, they were introduced to a new collector calling itself Harbringer that would take control of other Collectors with an ominous "Assuming control." He was tougher than the other Collectors, and had a slow moving but devastating attack. He also addressed Shepard directly.
Soon after their first encounter with the Harbringer they hacked the door into a storage building and found a live human. He had been able to close and lock the doors before the swarm got to him. He was too much of a wuss to go with them, but he did give them the location of the defense turrets. They'd have to figure out how to get them running themselves.
The team had to take out several Scions, Husks, Collectors, Harbringers, and a huge flying thing that had husk heads in its mouth, then the defense towers were operational. EDI was proving her worth with every mission. Shepard was getting fond of the AI.
The defense towers started making holes in the collector vessel, so it wisely decided to cut its losses and run.
Once the ship was gone the mechanic showed up, apparently upset that Shepard hadn't managed to save all the colonists.
"What did you expect me to do? You should be happy we saved your ass. All the other colonies have been completely emptied." Shepard was not willing to pander to the fool.
"It was a good fight, Shepard." Grunt said.
"Shepard, wait, I know that name. You're some kinda big Alliance hero."
"Formerly Alliance old man..." Shepard is interrupted by the arrival of Kaidan.
"Commander Shepard, captain of the Normandy, the first human specter, savior of the Citadel. You're in the presence of a legend, and a ghost." Kaidan! He's had my back since the beginning. The mechanic left, muttering something about Alliance types. "I thought you were dead Commander, we all did."
"It's been too long Kaidan, how have you been?"
"That's all you have to say? After two years you show up and act like nothing happened? I would have followed you anywhere, Commander. Thinking you were gone... it was like losing a limb. Why didn't you try to contact me? Why didn't you let me know you were alive?" Kaidan asked.
"I was out for two years. You've moved on with your career and your life. Why reopen old wounds?" Shepard thought Anderson would have mentioned something to Kaidan, but maybe he thought it wasn't his place.
"I did move on. At least, I thought I did. But now we've got reports about you and Cerberus." Kaidan looked thoughtful.
"Reports? So much for security." Shepard thought Miranda was being a little dramatic. It's not like they haven't been seen on highly populated planets and the Citadel.
"Alliance intel thought Cerberus might be behind the missing colonists. They got a tip that this one might be the next one hit. Anderson stonewalled me, but there were rumors that you weren't dead. That you were working for the enemy." Kaidan was glaring now.
"Our colonies are disappearing. The Alliance is turning their back on them. Cerberus is the only group willing to do something about it." Shepard added, surely Kaidan had noticed.
"You can't really believe that! We both know what Cerberus is really like, what they're capable of... I wanted to believe the rumors that you were alive, but I never expected anything like this. You've turned your back on everything we stood for." That might be taking it a bit far, Kaidan.
"Kaidan, you know me. You know I'd only do this for right reason. You saw it yourself. The Collectors are targeting human colonies. And they're working with the reapers!"
"I want to believe you, Shepard. But I don't trust Cerberus. They could be using the threat of a Reaper to manipulate you. What if they're behind it? What if they're working with the Collectors?" That seemed to Shepard to be a very large leap considering how temporary this alliance could be.
"Typical Alliance attitude. You're so afraid of Cerberus that you're blind to the real threat." Shepard gave Miranda a quick look. She looked down.
"You're letting how you feel about their history get in the way of the facts."
"Maybe. Or maybe you feel like you owe Cerberus because they saved you. Maybe you're the one who's not thinking straight. You've changed. But I know where my loyalties lie. I'm an Alliance soldier. Always will be. I've got to report back to the Citadel. They can decide if they believe your story or not." Kaidan was not playing nice.
"So long Kaidan." Thanks for standing by me, no matter what.
"So long commander. Good luck."
"Joker, send the shuttle. I've had enough of this colony."
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The Illusive Man gave Shepard a few more dossiers to look through, but she had a bit much on her mind at the moment. She did notice the name on the top file, Tali'Zorah vas Neema!
"Joker, set course for Haestrom."
"You got it, Commander"
Shepard went to the lounge. She had a drink.
"Like some company Shepard?" Kasumi sat down beside her.
"I don't think I'll be very good company right now, Kasumi." I can't believe Kaidan. I'm the traitor!?
"Then I'll play bartender. Here you go." Kasumi poured a drink and handed it to Shepard. It was pink. Shepard took a sip.
"Pretty good." She gave a weak smile to Kasumi.
"Guy troubles?" Kasumi asked.
"What?! No! Um...I mean, he is a guy, and I am having trouble with him, but not that kind of trouble. I'm not really interested in guys, though he would like it to be different. " Kaidan made that perfectly clear on the original Normandy. She paused to take another drink.
"No, the trouble is...I've been dead for two years. Cerberus brings me back to life, and asks me to investigate the colony abductions. I mean, sure, Cerberus has done plenty of things that make my stomach churn, but it's not like I'm participating in those kinds of missions. Not to mention the Alliance has completely given up on everything I discovered, even to the extreme of saying that I made it all up." Shepard growled.
Kasumi knew better than to interrupt.
"And now Kaidan shows up, expecting me to call him the instant I woke up, and tells me I should come back to the Alliance, even though they are ignoring the colony abductions. And even though losing me was like losing a limb, he can't join us because we're with Cerberus." Shepard downed the rest of her drink.
Kasumi made her another.
"I wish Liara were here. She could help me sort through this..." She took another drink.
"I heard you two were close." Joker had given Kasumi intimate details, which might or might not be based in reality.
"Yes, we were very close..." Shepard saw Kasumi's knowing smile. "No! Not like that! I mean, she slept with me, to keep my nightmares away, but we were always fully clothed." Kasumi gave her an incredulous look.
"And you don't believe me at all. Hmmm... You see, I get nightmares about several things that I'd rather not discuss, but they wake me up, often. They go away when I'm with someone, and by 'with' I mean touching, not...um...doing anything sexual. Though she probably would have been ok with it. I like my women with more strength, authority, force. Liara, though a great friend, was too soft for me." Sam looked at Kasumi's expression. "I'm going to be quiet now."
She drained the rest of her drink.
"That's sweet. I can appreciate the need for contact to settle the nerves. I can also appreciate the desire for a forceful partner, though Keiji always left that up to me." Kasumi gave her another.
Shepard hadn't mentioned any of this to anyone but Liara, and that was in her head, definitely not out loud. She wasn't sure why she was revealing it to Kasumi.
"Anyone you are interested in?" Kasumi was playing the consummate bartender. Shepard guessed she'd done this professionally at one time or another.
"I don't know. Possibly. She's so hard to read, and hardly shows any emotions. I don't even know if she likes girls." Shepard was staring down at the bar.
"Oh, the Ice Queen. Good luck with that one." Shepard looked up quickly, but saw she'd given a bit too much information.
"I know. Why do I always fall in love with girls that are completely impossible to reach. My last girl crush was completely straight. Tough as nails, completely gorgeous, but straight as a ruler." Shepard paused, then looked straight at Kasumi, "Don't you say anything to anyone." Kasumi made a zipping lips motion.
In an hour Shepard was passed out on the chaise. Kasumi came over and covered her with a blanket.
Later that night Shepard muttered something about someone named Ashley, and started sobbing. Kasumi sat next to her and put a hand on her head. Shepard quieted down.