Ch. 4: New Arrival
A day passed by as I waited for this Commander Shepard to arrive at Nos Astra, Ilium. Liara took the time to share a great deal of knowledge with me; from the council alien races and non-council ones to the mass relays and the power of mass effect, then to her time working with Shepard to combat some rogue council spectre named Saren. She also told me about the crew Shepard was working with at the time. A number of them went off to gather allies and reunite broken alliances in preparation for the Reaper invasion while the ones who stayed to work with him had a more personal connection with him. Still with him, and who I would presumably meet, were a Turian named Garrus Vakarian, a Krogan named Urdnot Grunt, two former Cerberus operatives named Jacob Taylor and Miranda, two humans named Kasumi Goto and Jack, a Salarian named Mordin Solus, a "good" Geth named Legion, and a Quarian named Tali Zorah vas Normandy. Those who left the Normandy SR-2 following the mission on the Collector homeworld were an Asari Justicar named Samara, a Drell named Thane Krios, and a mercenary named Zaeed Moussani. What a colorful cast.
I simply could not believe how much things changed since I was in cryo. From us humans thinking we were the only things roaming the universe to being accepted into an incredibly diverse intergalactic community. Biotic development in humans, interstellar travel, things I just could not imagine possible during what seemed to be my previous life. I thought my space combat training in orbit around Jupiter on its moon Europa was incredible; that used to be a two week long flight, now it was a matter of seconds.
While Liara was talking to security officials to clear up the whole gunslinging incident I had just had the day before, I changed into my old digital camouflage trousers and combat boots I was wearing while I was in cryo and threw on a black t-shirt then took a stroll down from her office to the trading floor. Damn security there was slow to respond to things. I walked over to the railing and gazed out at the vast city from there. I then turned around and approached one of the trade kiosks to investigate how it worked. Just as I was about to press one of the buttons, a Volus merchant bumped into me.
"You, out of my way Human clan, I was here first," he shouted at me, so to speak. Grinning at the situation, I decided to instigate some more.
"Have you ever heard of something called manners, buddy? I think you sure could use some," I responded.
"Yeah well have you heard of a busy Volus trying to do some business? I could care less about manners at the moment, Human,"
"Well, would you maybe care a bit more if I put a fist in your face?"
"Okay okay, no need for violence, Human clan. I am just trying to do business here," he responded. I did not think it would be so easy to get him to back down.
"It's okay buddy, I'll let you off the hook for now, but you better watch yourself next time," I answered back with a devilish grin and walked away. I was constantly mesmerized by the giant buildings forming an artificial skyscape in the background. This was an incredibly advanced world. Just as I began approaching another kiosk, Liara came down from her office and approached me.
"Mr. Grimm, everything from the incident has been cleared up. Shepard has informed me that he will be arriving here in about two hours. I encourage you to talk to more of the locals, just get a feel for what this new universe for you is like. But don't let the elegant look of this place fool you, it is just as corrupt and dangerous as any other place in the galaxy. Please, just be wary," she said to me.
"Liara, I grew up poor and in the slums on Earth, surrounded by nothing but violence and poverty. I've dealt with more adversity than you can possibly care to imagine. I'm pretty sure I can handle myself," I responded. She simply nodded then walked to a doorway close by and proceeded through a hallway.
I looked around a bit and noticed a sign by another staircase that said "Eternity". Liara had mentioned that club earlier when we were talking, so I decided to go ahead and check it out. I walked up the stairs, passing by a few Asari and Turians who were having a conversation and nodded to them as I passed by. I walked through another corridor with a galactic news terminal, but passed on hearing the news for the prospect of getting another drink. I then walked through another doorway and into the dimly lit Eternity club. There were patrons of all races present; a Quarian and an Asari talking, a couple of fellow humans having a drink, and some Turians and Salarians chatting up an Asari bartender among others. Some very calm, almost mystical-sounding music was playing. I decided to see what kinds of drinks were available at the bar, so I walked up and took a seat next to the Turians and Salarians.
"How's it going ma'am," I said to the Asari bartender.
"Doing just fine. I don't think I've seen you around here before," she responded.
"Yeah I've been getting that a lot,"
"So what's your story? You look like you've got a lot to say,"
"More than you could even care to know,"
"Fair enough. How about a drink? You look like you should cool your nerves a bit,"
"You read my mind. I'll take the strongest thing you have,"
"Well I won't give you the strongest. Not meant for your DNA it will melt your insides. But I'm sure this will do," she responded as she passed me a shot glass with a red liquid in it. Without hesitation, I downed it and slid the glass back over to her. I had some strong stuff in my past life but damn, this easily outdid everything. My throat burned pretty bad, but I kept my poise and refused to give more of a reaction than a smirk on my face. It was at that point that I realized that I had no "credits" on me to cover it.
"I am sorry, I don't have any credits on me," I said to her.
"Don't worry about it. Liara has all of your expenses on Illium covered. Would you like another?" she responded. That surprised me a bit.
"No thanks, I think I'm just gonna relax in the lounge," I said as the shot hit me. I wasn't drunk, but it definitely got me a little bit tipsy; my tolerance sure went down while I was in cryo. I walked over to a couch around the corner of the bar area and sat down at the table, again gluing my eyes to the scenery from the balcony to my right. A female Quarian then sat down on the couch across the table from me and let out a sigh, shaking her head and threw something down on the table. Curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to initiate my first conversation with a Quarian.
"You alright over there?" I asked.
"What? Oh yes, sorry I'm fine," she responded, looking down at the datapad she threw on the table.
"I don't believe you. What's going on with you?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it. I don't even know you, why would I tell you?"
"Well let me start over. I'm Blaine," I responded, leaning to the table and extending a hand to hers. She hesitantly extended hers to mine.
"Mari, Mari'Sal nar Tayya," she said as she shook my hand. What a mouthful. With a smile, I continued my conversation with her.
"Pleased to meet you Mari,"
"Nice to meet you too, Blaine. I'm sorry I just have so much going on I am so frustrated,"
"I understand. If I can help you with something just…" I said as I was cut off by some Turian who came over to the table and tapped on her shoulder.
"You better figure out how to fix this fast. I'm not going to wait forever while you chat with this human," the asshole said. Not appreciating the interruption, I interjected.
"Excuse me. I suggest you be polite to the lady. And I also suggest you do not interrupt me when I am speaking again," I sternly said to him.
"Human, you better mind your business. I do not care for your concerns, I will interrupt whoever I need to. You are of no significance to me," he responded. Angered, I stood up and walked up to him so he could look at me face to face.
"Blaine, don't," Mari said. I ignored her of course.
"I'm going to tell you this once. I'm the last person, human, or whatever whose path you want to cross. So if you want to keep your face in one piece, have some respect. I want to help Ms. Mari out, so maybe you should tell me what's going on so I can assist her,"
"It's none of your damn business. She owes us a pretty hefty amount of credits, something I'm sure you can't help her with. She either needs to pay us back or she will need to enlist in being an indentured servant with us," he said. When he said the words "indentured servant", I could see her shudder from the corner of my eye. I had no tolerance for that.
"Her being your 'indentured servant' is out of the question. Give her a payment plan or something instead,"
"Not happening human. I really suggest you don't make a scene, I have people who will make your life a living hell if you escalate this further," he said as he grabbed her by the arm and shoved me back. I immediately grabbed his wrist and broke his hand from her and twisted it so he could not move his arm without breaking it. He then drew a pistol from his side with his other arm so I quickly hit him square in that wrist, forcing him to drop the gun. I then let go of his restrained wrist and headbutted him hard, knocking him to the ground unconscious. As if on cue, three more Turians charged towards me. The first one threw a punch at me, so I sidestepped and put my knee hard in his gut. As he fell to the ground, the other two attacked at the same time. I methodically turned their attacks against them and layed them out on the ground as well. I then walked back over to the original one and slapped his face a few times until he was conscious again.
"We're going to make a deal right now. Mari is released from her debt, and you and your boys get to walk away alive. Got it?"
"Yes," he responded in a daze.
"Good," I said and walked back over to the awe-stricken Mari.
"You ok?" I asked as I kneeled beside her.
"Yes. Thank you so much," she responded, sounding like she was in tears. She then got up and gave me a hug. I didn't know what to make of it, receiving a hug from an alien. It was strangely nice though, so I returned the motion.
"You just let me know if these assholes, or anyone else for that matter, give you shit again," I said to her, in a purposely loud voice as I looked at the group of Turians as they stumbled out of Eternity. She nodded her head as we released our hug.
"Impressive. You should work as a bouncer here. If I have to get rid of idiots from here they end up getting hurt pretty bad, which never looks good for business," the Asari bartender called out to me with a grin on her face. I grinned back to her then turned around and sat back down on the couch across from Mari. We then had a pretty long conversation. She told me all about Quarian culture and history while I told her about my past and why I was so clueless about everything. The only part I did not reveal to her was my past combat experience with the Reapers; I wasn't sure how touchy a subject that was to speak about. We spent about an hour talking, during which I proceeded to have a few more shots to keep the nice buzz I had going. At that point I knew it was about that time to get back to Liara's office, since Shepard was supposed to be there then. I walked over to Mari and gave her a hug and told her I had to get going. I asked her if there was any way to keep in contact, and she told me that the Quarian Tali who I would soon meet would be able to make that happen. I then walked out of Eternity and back out to the trading floor.
I spotted Liara, walking onto the trading floor from the docking bay with a male human with N7 armor on and a Quarian and a Turian by his side. I walked towards them and we all stopped just short of each other.
"Sergeant Grimm, I am Commander Shepard. Pleased to meet you," he said and extended his hand to me. I returned the gesture.
"So, it's Reapers we're after," I responded.
"Yes. They're coming and they're planning on exterminating every living thing in the galaxy, but I don't think they counted on someone who has already fought and defeated some of their kind to be alive and part of the fight,"
"Well I think they have some bigger problems. I'm not satisfied with killing a few of them for killing my teammates and best friends and for bringing my life at the time to a stop. They didn't manage to kill me, and that's a giant mistake on their part. I want all of them dead," I responded.
"You sound like the exact guy we want to help us do this. Damn glad to have you on the team, my name is Garrus Vakarian," he said to me.
"And I am Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, pleased to have you with us," she followed up.
"Let me make one thing clear. Just because we have the same goals, doesn't mean I am all of a sudden your puppet. I don't know any of you, and I have a number of things I'd like to take care of before I start worrying about the Reapers," I responded.
"Liara, I have the information you need to take down the Shadow Broker. For real this time," Shepard said to her after he nodded his head to my statement.
"Are you sure?" she responded.
"Positive. Tali, Garrus, go with Sergeant Grimm back to the Normandy and get him acclimated on board while we take care of this," he said and walked with her up the stairs to her office. I then turned around to my new comrades.
"Well, shall we?" I said with a smirk.