Zrocker119: What's this? A new chapter so soon. I'm over at my dads for the next few days so I'm going to get in as much typing as I can. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
-DOOM Effect-
"Thank you for your business!" I say as another customer exits the shop.
It had been 2 months since my first time having dinner with Harg's family and things have been rather good for me.
Taranysa and Ralph have grown very attached to me. They always call me Uncle Alex whenever they see me. Those two remind me of my niece and nephew back in my own universe so much that it hurts me a little inside, but I love them just the same.
Bamela is a very kind woman as well. I know that Asari are mono-gendered but it's much easier to just call them women. Anyway she has been nothing but kind to me, almost like my sister in law.
Now that I think about it, Harg is strikingly similar to my older brother. Personality wise that is.
...
...
...
Holy shit I found the ME versions of my brother and his family!
Huh, I'm not really sure of how I'm supposed to coup with this information.
Shaking my head I move to the back of the shop and start going over the stocks. Harg took the day off to spend some time with Bamela and the kids so I'm working the shop alone for the day.
The door opens a little while later and I shout, "I'll be with you in a minute!"
"Take you're time. I'm in no hurry." Replies a feminine voice with an australian accent.
I stop dead as the voice registers in my brain. I would recognize that voice anywhere. I had my Shepard romance her multiple times throughout my playthroughs after all. Shutting off my omni tool I head to the front counter and confirm my suspicions.
Waiting patiently at the counter is Miranda Fucking Lawson.
Let's get one thing straight right fucking now...the games don't do her beauty any justice.
Dark brown hair cascades down her neck, resting comfortably a few inches past her shoulders. Piercing blue/grey eyes. Flawless skin and full lips that look oh so inviting. And lets not forget the skintight body suit does absolutely nothing to hide her perfectly proportioned breasts and ass.
Am I getting a hard on?...Why yes, yes I am.
"Welcome to Harg's arms," I say acting like I don't already know who she is. "Where you can find all of your weapon needs for the best price."
All I receive is a cold stare. "Do you always have to say that?"
"If I want to get paid, then, yes I do." I'm joking of course but that's besides the point. "What is it that I can help you with."
There are two ways that I see this meeting going. I can either expose who she is now and see if I can get a meeting with TIM, or go along with what she has planned and see it plays out.
I'll play her games for now, let her think she's in control.
'VEGA, this woman is Miranda Lawson, the top operative of the terrorist cell known as Cerberus. Try and hack into her omni tool. See what information you can get. But be quiet about it. I don't want them to know about you just yet.'
"Very well. I'll flood her network with junk data should I be detected."
I watch as Miranda reaches behind her, pulls out a pistol and sets it on the counter. I recognize it as a Judgement from the first game.
Picking it up I look it over and assess it. "Judging by the excellent condition this is in I can assume that you aren't her for a cleaning. Upgrade?"
"You would be correct," She flashes me a smile with one hand on her hip. God she looks so sexy when she does that pose. "While my current weapon is reliable-"
"It just doesn't quite punch through shields and armor." I say finishing her train of thought.
"Exactly."
"I got just the thing." Turning my back to the Cerberus operative I search though the weapon racks. 'How's the hack going VEGA?'
"Miss Lawson's firewalls were surprisingly difficult to breach."
'Were?'
"It took me a full 6.0253 second to crack them."
'Getting a bit slow are we?'
I look around for a moment longer and come back to the counter with a new pistol.
"This is the Harpy. It can fire 21 shots before over heating and it packs nearly twice as much punch as the Judgement." I spin it around so the barrel is facing me and offer it to her. She takes it and gives it a look over. "And it's lighter."
"Do you have a range?"
I jerk a thumb over my shoulder. "Out back."
POV Miranda
Keeping a close eye on him, I follow Alexander out back to the firing range.
"I never got your name."
"Alexander Carter, but please call me Alex." He says not breaking stride, "May I know yours?"
"Kathrin Merrett." I lie giving him a cover name.
"You a mercenary Ms. Merrett?" He asks as he brings up the targets. "How far?"
"25 meters. And no, I work private security." I hear him chuckle under his breath. "Is there something funny about what I said?"
Alex shook his head, "I just get the feeling that your employers spend more time watching you, then you do them." He pauses for a moment then says. "You are a very beautiful woman after all and your choice of uniform probably doesn't help."
I was wondering how long it would take before he makes a move on me. "Is there something wrong with the way I dress?"
"Most would say that you dress slutty." Wouldn't be the first time I've been called that. "But I see a woman that knows how to use what she has got to her advantage."
That...that's actually the first time I've heard that. "Care to explain that statement."
"For one you've got a killer body."
"A very astute observation."
"So I can only imagine how distracting it must be for the ones firing at you. God knows that I'd be staring." He hands me the ammo block and I slide it in. "Fire when you're ready."
Bringing the gun to bear I line up my sights and squeeze the trigger. The grain size rounds, traveling at the fraction of the speed of light, fire down range and hit the target. I fire until the gun over heats and am forced to vent. All of the rounds hit center mass with a tight grouping.
Alexander whistles, "Color me impressed. How's it feel?"
"The weight will take some getting use to but I think that I'll take it." The weapon folds up and I clip it to my side. "How much?"
"That's the newest model, so that'll be 900 credits." He smirks and pulls out a strange looking pistol that was hanging on his side. "But how about a little wager?"
I cross my arms, pushing up my breasts a bit. He does't even try to hide his gaze. "I'm listening."
"We each get one shot. Whoever gets closer to the center of the head wins."
"What are the stakes?"
"If you win I'll sell you the weapon for half price. Should I win you pay full price...and I get to take you out for dinner when I get off work."
I almost chuckle at his wager. He's making this all too easy. "I'll take that bet."
After resetting the target, he bows with his arms gesturing for me to step forward. "Ladies first."
Before he could even straighten up I fire another bullet and hit the target right in the center of the head. "Did I forget to mention that I can take the head off of a mech at 100 meter? Must have slipped my mind."
"Well played well played, but it's my turn." I watch closely as he aims down range. Flicking his thumb the bottom of his weapon unfolds and I hear a thrumming sound. Like something is being charged.
Pew!
A blue bolt fires from his weapon and the entire head of the target explodes, sending bits and pieces everywhere.
'What the hell was that!?' That was no mass accelerator. It almost seemed like an energy weapon.
Hiding my shock I fix him with a glare. "You swindled me."
"I never said anything about not blowing the head off. I get off in 2 hours," He smirks, spinning his gun like a cowboy of old. "By the way the gun is still half off. I just wanted a reason to ask you out."
"Most guys just flat out ask." I say sending him the credits for the gun.
He flashes me a confident smirk, "A gorgeous woman like you've never would've said yes to a man like me. Had to make sure that you'd have to say yes. Did a pretty good job if I do say so myself."
'He's certainly not lacking confidence.' "I just might have said yes. Regardless, I'll send you my address and you can come get me from there."
"Dress in something nice. I've got something fancy in mind."
POV Alex
"So your telling me..."
"Yes."
"That you closed the shop an hour early..."
"Yep."
"Just so you can go on a date."
"Correct." I say to Harg over my omni tool as I get ready for my date with Miranda Lawson. Sorry, Kathrin Merrett.
I could feel Harg's burning gaze, "I should fire you."
Smirking I send him a picture of Miranda that I took when she wasn't looking. What? Don't tell me that you wouldn't have done the same thing.
"Damn." Harg responds.
"I know right." Looking myself over I can't help but admit that I look pretty damn fly. I'm wearing a white dress shirt, black slacks and dress shoes. "Listen I've got to get going now."
"Let me know how it goes."
I cut the connection and check the time. 'VEGA, are the reservations ready?'
"Yes. A table for 2 under the name Carter at the Sunset Steak House. You'd normal have to make reservations a month in advanced."
'Good thing I've got you then. Also what were you able to pull from Miranda's omni tool?'
"Much of the data was heavily encrypted. Should any attempted to crack it been made, even I would've been detected. From the little I managed to collect though, it would seem that Ms. Lawson has been watching you for the last several weeks."
'Given how paranoid Cerberus is I'm surprised that you got that much.'
Heading out the door I go to the transit station. Punching in Miranda's address I find out that it's only 10 minutes away. Coincidence? I think not.
A few minutes later I find myself standing outside of her apartment.
'How do I look VEGA?' Now that I think about it, I probably should've asked that question before I left.
"You look quite sharp sir."
'Thank you VEGA.'
Ringing the bell(do they still have those in the future?) I wait for about 30 seconds before the door opens and my mind almost shuts down.
Miranda stood before me in an ankle length, black, single strap dress that has a slit on going down her left leg. In her ears are what I can only assume to be diamonds earrings. Her hair is virtually unchanged although I do detect the sent of strawberries. She's still wearing heels though.
'Damn.'
"Is this too fancy for what you have in mind?" She asks confidently and spins around, showing that the back of her dress in left open. I also notice that she isn't wearing a bra. And yet her breasts have hardly any sag to them.
God damn it Bioware! Why do you have to make your women so damn sexy!?
"On the contrary, I'm starting to think that I'm the one that's under dressed." I take her hand and kiss it. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself." She loops her arm through mine and we're on are way.
Stepping out of the skycar I move the the passenger seat and hold out my hand.
"How gentlemanly," Miranda says offering a slight smile.
Walking arm in arm to the restaurant, drawing many stares as we do. A guy of my size and a woman with Miranda's looks tend to do that.
Sure this whole thing is all for show on Miranda's end, but I'm going to make an impression. Hopefully we'll both be walking away in one piece tonight.
"Table for 2," I address the Turian waiter. "Under the name Carter."
He scans the list for a second and nods, "I have you right here. This way please."
He takes us to are table and I pull out Miranda's seat. "Why thank you."
"My father raised no caveman." It goes unnoticed by everyone else but I see the slight twitch in her eye at the mention of my father. Oh right, she has daddy issues.
Taking a seat for myself it doesn't take us too long to order food and drinks. I order a steak with steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes. Miranda the same but replaces the vegetables with mushrooms and asparagus. Once the Waiter returns with our orders I decide to start the conversation.
"So, Ms. Merrett-"
"Please, call me Kathrin. You have me call you Alex so it's only fair that I allow you the same courtesy."
I smile at her, "Okay then, Kathrin, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself."
"What is it that you want to know?" She asks taking a sip of her wine.
"I eager to know how a woman like yourself gets to work private security."
"Ah, I'm afraid that's a long story."
"The nights still young and we've got plenty of time." I cut into my medium rare steak and take a bite. My mouth is assaulted by an intense flavor as the juices hit my taste buds. It's grilled to perfection.
"I guess it all started with my father." Miranda began, "For starters he never wanted a daughter, he wanted a successor to his company. So that's what he tried grooming me into. Once I was old and brave enough I ran away and joined the Alliance. Stayed there for a few years before I realized that I wasn't cut out for the military so I started working as private security."
'Huh,' I think. 'That's not to far from the truth.' Guess it's easier to tell big lies with little bits and pieces of the truth mixed onto it.
"I was never in the military myself, but I spent some time as a freelancing mercenary. After the dozen jobs though, the notion of accepting money for killing somebody left a bad taste in my mouth. So I quit, took all of the money I had saved up and came to the Citadel." I chuckle, "You know what I do now."
"Do you enjoy your new job."
"Very. My boss wasn't in today but he's a good man. Well, a good Krogan. What about you."
"When my employers aren't trying to cop a feel, then yes. I find my job quite enjoyable."
I smirk and say, "Can you blame them though? You do have a amazing ass."
"My Alex, that's quite bold of you."
I just smile and take another drink. 'You haven't seen nothing yet.'
Dinner went quite well. Even though I knew Miranda was only paying me the whole time, I couldn't help but enjoy her company. She's a beautiful woman after all. Have I made that clear enough yet?
Yes. Alright then moving on.
It wasn't much later that the 2 of us were done eating and in my apartment.
"Do you always bring women back to your place on the first date?" Miranda asks, looking around from her spot on the sofa.
I come walking in from the kitchen with 2 shot glasses and pint of whisky. "Only the ones that I like." I pour us each a shot and hand her one. She goes to take a drink but I stop her.
"Hold on now. If you want to drink, then you've got to play the game."
She raises a delicate eyebrow, "Oh? And what game would that be?"
"The rules are very simple. We each make a statement about the other and if your right they take a drink. If you're wrong though, you take the drink."
"Is that all?"
"Also the statements can't be obvious. For example. You have brown hair." I say gesturing to her chocolate locks. "That's very obvious and an unfair statement, as I know you'll have to drink."
"I think I understand it."
I smile, "Great then I'll go first." I take a moment to study her. "You seem to be the loner type. I'd say that's because you didn't have many friends growing up."
She raise a brow but takes a drink. "Okay then my turn." Miranda looks me over and says, "You're a player that never stays with a woman for very long."
I smirk and only drink half of my shot. "You're half write. I never stayed with a woman for long because they find me to be childish at times."
"Oh, how so."
"Sorry but you'll have to guess to get that answer." I think about my next statement. "Your father was hard on you growing up and that's why you resent him."
She frowns at this, "That's not fair. You already know the answer to that."
I hold up my hands in surrender. "Right, dick move! I'll take the drink for this one." I finish my shot and fill it back up. "Let me try again. You never spent time with your mother. Either because she died or was never around."
She slowly raises her glass and takes a drink. I take one as well.
"Look at that! Something we both have in common!"
"I thinks it's my turn." She says looking slightly irritated. "You never planned on being a gun for hire. It was a spur of the moment decision."
I take another shot. "Correct. I actually went to school with the idea of being an animator." She fails to stifle a laugh. She should laugh more often. It's a nice look. "What? I'll have you know that I'm very good at it."
"I'm sorry." Wow that actually sounded genuine, "It's just that it's hard to picture you doing something as mundane at that."
"Har har laugh it up." I say jokingly.
For some reason we both take a drink. It was my turn again.
'I think It's about time that we stop playing games and end this charade.' It's a pity though, I was enjoying this date.
"You have a sibling." Her eyes widen slightly at that. Probable because that she has made no notion of having one during any of our conversations. "Not only that, but a younger one. A sister if I had to guess."
I take a drink as her hand moves closer to her right thigh, where I'm sure the pistol I sold her earlier lies. "You were never in the Alliance, but joined a certain human supremacy group."
Her hand edges closer, almost on top of it.
I decide to put the final nail in the coffin. "How about that your name isn't Kathrin Merrett." Finishing my shot I set down the glass and rest my hands on my lap.
"What seems to be the problem Ms. Lawson?" I ask making her hesitate, "Never been the one that has been caught off guard?"
With lightning speeds she draws her weapon and aims at me, but because I was expecting it I'm able to bat the gun out of her hand, sending it across the room.
"Pointing the very gun that I sold you at me. That's not very nice."
I roll over the couch to avoid a kick to the chin. Hitting the floor I jump up and lash out with a jab.
Miranda dodges the punch, jumps and wraps her legs around my outstretched arm. Not expecting the sudden extra weight, it throws me off balance and she capitalizes on it. Twisting her body she takes me to the ground with my arm caught in an arm-bar hold.
She tries breaking my arm, but what she doesn't count on is for me to get to my feet and lift her like she's weightless. I wrench her arms loose and throw her with enough force to send her crashing into the wall on the opposite side of the room.
She doesn't stay down though and is back on her feet a moment later. I throw a left-right combo but she just dances around by punches effortlessly, drops down and sweeps my feet out from under me.
Gravity takes hold and I hit the floor hard. Damn she's faster than I expected. I get back up to find the barrel of a gun in my face. Acting fast I grab it and force it upwards. Before she can get a shot off I squeeze down as hard as I can, crushing the weapon.
Letting the now useless weapon fall to the floor, I grab her arm, spin her around and wrap an arm around her neck. I start to apply pressure, "Calm down! Don't make me hurt you more then I already have!" 'I really don't want to!' I mentally add.
I silently curse as she starts to glow purple and I'm grown into the wall by her biotics.
'How the fuck did I forget she can do that?!' I don't have time to dwell on it as I'm lifted into the air and am promptly slammed face first into the the ground face.
I'm then suspended into the air and held there. Miranda approaches me, but I notice that she's sweating quite a bit.
POV Miranda
"How the hell do you know about me!?" This simple recon/seduction mission had gone south really fast. "I gave no notion of who I am!"
Even though I have him suspended in mid air, which in of itself is much more taxing then it should be, he still has that cocky smirk.
"I know much more then that Miranda." His smirk turns into a soft smile, "When was the last time you check in on Oriana?"
I glare and slam him into the wall, "What do you know about her!?"
Despite what I've done he keeps on smiling, "You're protective of your genetic twin, your family. You're not nearly as heartless as you want people to think." His eyes start to glow a soft shade of red and it suddenly becomes even harder to keep him held in place. "Put me down and let's talk this through. I never wanted to fight in the first place. You're the one that jumped the gun...literally."
"We have nothing to talk about," I say coldly and throw him into the opposite wall. Falling to the floor he coughs up blood and gets back to his feet. I flare my biotics and send another throw at him, but unlike last time he stays standing.
He raises his head and I see that his eyes have turned completely red. Letting out a primal roar he charges. I barely have time to put up a barrier when he crashes into me. My barrier does next to nothing as he tackles me through the couch and onto the floor.
God I'm sure a charging Krogan in a bloodrage would've hurt less. I'm fairly certain that one of my ribs is either bruised or broken and that it's harder to breath.
I try pushing him off of me but the feeling of a gun being pressed to my chin stops me dead. Knowing that I'm done for if I make any sudden moves I have no choice but to wait and see what he has planed.
After several seconds of nothing happening, I look to see his eyes staring back into mine, them having gone back to being there normal color.
"Please stop." He pleads, "I don't want us to be enemies Miranda." As if to emphasize this statement, he tosses his weapon aside. He rolls onto his back in the area next to me.
I immediately move on top of him, a hand brimming with biotics near his throat.
"Threat of death aside...I don't really mind this position all that much." He says smirking slightly at are current positions. Him beneath me and me straddling him.
What an ass.
"Call him." He suddenly says after a few moments of silence. "And before you asks, I mean Jack Harper. Wait, he goes by The Illusive Man now."
My eyes widen at his new display of knowing something impossible. "How-"
"Trust me when I say that you won't believe me." He sighs, "Just know that we both want the same thing."
"And that is?"
"The safety of humanity."
"Why should I trust you?" I ask with narrowed eyes.
"I could give you some bullshit reason, but I won't. You have no fucking reason to trust me."
There's a pregnant pause and I slowly get up. "We'll have to go to my place to talk him."
"We both know that's a lie," He says getting to his feet. "But fuck it." He disappears into his room.
Alex returns moments later, his date clothes replaced by his foreign armor. "I'm ready when you are...by the way you owe me an reparations for apartment damages."
I can tell that this is just the beginning of a very long headache.
-END-
Zrocker119: What? Oh you thought that Alex would play along longer than that. F*** that! He's got plans and he doesn't want Cerberus getting in the way. So he's gonna talk to the head of the snake, or dog in this case.
As to what was going on during the fight with his eyes changing color, that was him just going momentarily berserk. In that state he can rip a Baron apart with his bare hands, so him charging through a biotic throw would be no problem. Now as we've seen Alex isn't completely immune to biotics, but the argent energy in his body gives him a deadly advantage.
I'm already working on the next chapter so be ready for that.
Till then as always Fav/Follow and review!
