Night had fallen over the resort and the black sands were alive with guests. None of them knew anything of the thresher maw attack weeks earlier. A live techno band, Expel 10, was playing on stage near the sand. The real celebration, however, would start tomorrow on the official opening day.
Ashley was busy getting ready for the party going on in the hotel's club. She walked out of the bathroom followed by a haze of steam from her recent hot shower. The towel fell casually from her naked body as she dug around her seabag for some underwear. Looking over at a picture of Shepard on the night stand, she smiled thinking of their first night together.
On the bed lay a long dark blue dress. Putting it on proved to be a hassle. She nearly dislocated her arm trying to zip up the back. Seeing it was a strapless dress, she knew half the night would be spent pulling up the front. On top of that, the slit on the side was cut a little too high for her liking. The torso was very snug accenting her hips, undoubtedly designed that way.
The dress had been delivered to her room from Nyala. A note informed her that the party was formal wear only. For a moment, Ashley considered not going. What else was there to do? Might as well try to enjoy her time on this rock. For tonight, she let her dark brown hair hang down around her shoulders. Before heading out the door she put on some heels and a couple sprays of perfume. She didn't plan on hooking up with anyone but still wanted to look presentable.
The club downstairs was dimly lit. Loud music vibrated the very air and drowned out conversation. A light haze of cigarette smoke difted along the ceiling. When cancer was cured, cigarettes had become fasionable again. Investors, minor celebrities, and politicians of all races danced together on the open floor. More than a few asari were present in skimpy dresses. Most likely they were being paid to just be there.
Ashley headed straight for the bar on the far side taking a seat. A turian bartender came by giving her a knowing nod. She said, "White russian."
"I don't know that one," he said. His mandibles twitched in an expression of confusion.
"Kaluha, vodka, and a dash of creamer," explained Ashley. Drinking at non-human bars was a pain in the ass. The turian gave her a funny look but went looking for the ingredients. It wasn't long before he returned with the mocha colored drink. "How much?"
"On the house..." The bartender smiled and pointed out into the dance floor, "That woman over there, Nyala, told me that your drinks are on her tab."
Ashley turned in her seat to see Nyala dancing with a turian and another human. The asari noticed her and winked seductively. Ashley turned back around and sipped gingerly on her drink. This wasn't the first time she had been hit on by an asari but it still made her uncomfortable.
"Are you Chief Williams?" asked a strange voice.
"Yes," Ashley looked to see a salarian take a seat next to her. "You must be Juran."
"You are correct. Humans are so diverse in hair, eyes, and shape that it wasn't hard to find you," said Juran with a friendly grin. His skin was grey with dark orange tatoos around his chin and eyes. The salarian looked a little funny wearing a tuxedo which seemed to be of human design. "That's an old drink you have there."
"Can salarians digest human food?" asked Ashley as she gently swirled the liquid around.
"Yes, it's just the turians and quarians you have to look out for. In some cases the krogan too. Although I wouldn't suggest eating anything they would consider edible," explained Juran. The turian came by taking his order then shortly poured him a flourescent purple drink. Juran went on, "I studied for a time on Earth. Student exchange program. To help pay for college I became a bartender."
"Interesting..." murmured Ashley drinking a little faster. "What were you able to find out about our friend? The maw I mean."
"Only bits and pieces were left..." began Juran. A disturbed look came across his face. "Judging by the acid and toxins left on the tissue... this creature is unlike any thresher maw I've heard of. If the nest was located where the victim died then we would have a lot more deaths on our hands. This maw must be moving freely among the volcanic sands. Strange behavior indeed."
"I just want to kill it and get off this rock," grumbled Ashley finishing her drink.
"When humans say things like that I wonder if it was a mistake letting them join the council," said Juran plainly.
Anger filled Ashley upon hearing that. "Listen jackass, I've seen everything humanity has done for the rest of the galaxy first hand. You wouldn't even be here if not for Shepard and me."
"Ah yes, you mean stopping the Geth attack on the Citadel," said Juran smugly. "Don't try to pass off that garbage about reapers on me Williams."
"You weren't there so what the hell do you know?" snorted Ashley.
Nyala sauntered over to Ashley in time to hear her exchange with Joran. Deciding to intervene, she stepped in between them and placed a hand on Ashley's bare shoulder caressing it. "Forget about this over educated prick. Come dance with me."
"Alright," said Ashley without hesitation. It wasn't something she had in mind. Getting away from Joran before popping him in the jaw was more important.
Joran didn't say a word as Nyala led Ashley by the hand over to the dance floor. He never subscribed to conspiracy theories without substantial proof. Being blunt about such subjects often earned him the ire of many people.
"I haven't danced in a while," warned Ashley. Standing in the middle of the packed floor felt awkward. The last time she danced was back on Eden Prime before Shepard even arrived. 'Shepard' she thought. 'I never got the chance to show him my moves'
"As long as you don't stand there like an elcor you'll be fine," smiled Nyala.
For a time they danced separately. Ashley made some clumsy half steps until she became comfortable. Before long she was moving in a nice fluid motion along to the heavy techno beat. The latest dance craze involved a lot of thrusting your arms into the air or out to the side. This of course posed the risk of getting punched in the face. Through out the galaxy dancing seemed to have become something only women practiced at. Looking around the floor Ashley noticed how most of the men were only shuffling their feet.
An hour and several drinks later, Ashley was still at it. Nyala was never more than a few feet away. Both women had developed a light sweat as did everyone else. More people were starting to fill the floor pushing those already on closer together. Nyala seized the opportunity to take Ashley by the hips and draw her in. Their bodies occasionally brushed together much to the asari's delight. In the past few years Ashley had learned to get over her xenophobia and simply indulged Nyala. The alcohol also helped a great deal with that.
"I'm glad you came out tonight," said Nyala in Ashley's ear. The music made conventional conversation nearly impossible. "You look really sexy in that dress."
"Uh, thanks," smiled Ashley, unsure of just how much she should indulge the asari. "You look really, nice, too."
Nyala moved in even closer so that they were cheek to cheek dancing sensually together. Ashley's eyes darted around to see if anyone was looking. Everyone else was too busy trying not to look stupid while dancing. In this age, seeing an asari with a female human seemed to be fairly common.
"Have you heard anything from the krogan yet?" asked Ashley in a weak attempt to keep things professional.
"Nope," said Nyala plainly. She stayed in step with Ashley keeping her very close. A small grin of amusement crept onto her face as she sensed the human's uneasiness. Putting her lips to Ashley's ear she whispered, "I've got his dossier in my room if you want to see it."
"Sounds good to me," said Ashley following Nyala out from the dance floor. Leaving the club left Ashley feeling chilled. The air conditioning hit her damp skin like ice. Drinking and dancing had raised her body heat creating a false sense of being cold.
Nyala's room was located on the top floor in the back corner of the building. It had a balcony that overlooked the volcanic sands as well as the outdoor party. The room was rectangular in shape containing a small kitchen, office, bedroom, and bathroom. Everything was furnished to appear elegant and wealthy. Overhead the ceiling was completely made of glass giving a full view of the stars. The room would rival the apartments on the Citadel's presidium.
"Do you live here?" asked Ashley as she took in the room.
Supressing a small laugh, Nyala answered, "No, I have a large estate on Thessia. I just use this place when I'm here on business. I like to have the best... and I always get the best." Nyala let her hand slide across Ashley's lower back as she spoke.
Ashley was too awe-struck by the room to notice Nyala's hand. Instead she went further into the extravagant room heading for the balcony. The nearby planet lit up the sands causing them to sparkle like a reflection of the stars above. The people below on the rocky part of the ground seemed to be having a lot of fun. It made Ashley wish she had more time for these sort of things.
"Here, I made us some drinks," said Nyala handing over a mixed concoction of flourescent fluids.
Ashley sipped the drink then grimaced. The taste was very strong. "What is this stuff?"
"Ethereal, it's from the asari homeworld. I like to close the night with one of these," explained Nyala. She eyed Ashley's body for a moment before taking a step behind her.
"It's not bad. Do you..." Ashley paused when she felt Nyala kiss her bare left shoulder. "Have the dossier?"
"His name is Korik," answered Nyala. She gently brushed Ashley's hair off to one side exposing her neck. Tactfully she placed another kiss where the neck meets the collar bone. "He's a commercial hunter, specializing in thresher maws. He'll be here in the morning."
"You could've told me that downstairs," sighed Ashley. The alcohol was coursing its way through her veins causing her to feel warm and fuzzy. For a moment she thought of the asari scientist, Alenia, whom she met a year ago aboard the Isandlwana. After a hard fought battle against an unknown alien species they had shared a special moment together. However, that was under extraordinary circumstances.
Nyala continued her advances pressing her lips to Ashley's neck. Moving up to her ear she nibbled on it whispering, "I know, I just wanted to get you into my room."
Ashley was getting goosebumps but knew she had to put an end to it. Especially when she felt Nyala pulling at her dress's zipper. Before she could say anything; the roar of a thresher maw came in from the black sands. People started screaming and running towards the hotel. Ashley sprung into action leaving Nyala behind.
Kicking her heels off in the process, Ashley took the stairs bounding over several steps. Reaching the bottom floor she ran for the nearest exit. Now she was glad for the dress being cut high in the legs as it allowed her to sprint without restriction. Aliens were pouring into the hotel from the outdoor portion. Most were hysterical, crying, or injured from being trampled or getting hit by the maw's toxic acid.
A turian guard was standing by looking confused. He undoubtedly didn't think he'd ever have to use the M-8 Avenger in his hands. Ashley relieved him of the weapon by snatching it while on the run. Reaching the top of a rocky dune, she could see a large shadowy figure moving fast through the sand. Some nearby asari were pointing at it full of horror.
Ashley didn't get a good look at the thresher before it went under but this maw had her full attention now. Hopelessly she fired a few shots where the maw had disappeared. Even if it reappeared, an assault rifle might as well be a water gun. The turian guard ran up behind her looking over the sands for the maw. Disgusted with how helpless she felt; Ashley handed the weapon back to the guard. Tomorrow morning she was going to take that maw down.
A/N: Like I've said, this is all for shits and giggles so there will be gratuitous moments of Ashley being sexy. Alenia, is an OC from my Mass Aliens fanfic. It's a crossover with the Aliens franchise. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it.