OMEGA
The flight back to Cerberus Station 5X-Z was fun- Yara and Tali kept looking at Cole, whispering behind their hands- and Cole could hear every word- benefit of being an activated Conduit. Miranda and Jacob looked slightly disgruntled that Cole'd had to step in with the YMIR, but they'd grow up eventually. Cole sat on his own for once, throwing balls of lightning around like juggling balls.
Once back at the Station, Yara went off and reported to the Illusive Man. About a minute before she returned, he briefly heard a door open and close, and someone walk downstairs to meet Yara. He also heard a brief yell of 'Jeff!' and then murmuring- they were too far away. Not that he was eavesdropping or anything.
Yara came walking back up the stairs with a hobbled man beside her. He looked maybe thirty, with a small beard on his chin, and a cap on his head. He wore the standard Cerberus fatigues. Cole could see- with John White's upgraded Radar Vision- that he had some kind of brittle bone disease- easy to fix, if the man wanted it.
"Cole, may I introduce to you the so-called 'best damn pilot in the Alliance Navy'- now Cerberus- Jeff 'Joker' Moreau! He was my pilot two years ago, who I died saving. And, he's been with me since I first took control of the SSV Normandy." Joker spoke up, then.
"Speaking of, Commander, I believe you may want to see something…" Joker looked too happy- was the guy on drugs? The blast doors over the viewing windows slowly slid up, revealing a black expanse. One by one, massive illuminators switched on, revealing a sleek silver and black starship with the word 'Normandy' painted on the side. On the left wing, was painted 'SR-2'.
Cole looked at Yara, who was standing there absorbed in the ship. One little tear rolled down her face, to which Cole thought of the amount of crew that must have died just like she did. He said a silent prayer for them, as Yara straightened, and looked over at Joker.
"Joker, get 'er ready! We're going to make a new team!"
Tali stood up, raising one fist. Yara, and then Joker did so too. As one, they clumped their fists to their chest, and bowed their heads.
"Right; Miranda, who would you recommend on the list first?"
Miranda looked down at the datapad, scrolling through the names and details. She stopped, and read one.
"This one looks promising- Mordin Solus, a salarian, who used to work for the STG. Now a doctor on Omega. There's a plague going on that infects every species out there that isn't either the vorcha or humans. He's suffered consistent attacks by both the vorcha and the Blue Suns mercenaries, preventing him from spreading a cure. After that, there's a vigilante dubbed 'Archangel' holed up in the residential district who's taking on all three mercenary groups- the Blue Suns, the Blood Pack and the Eclipse. A turian. Makes sense to go after Mordin first, seeing as only humans can go in and look for him. He'll also get straight on to a cure for the petrified victims of the Collectors."
Cole was impressed. Miranda wasn't fantastic on the battlefield, but she was a genius behind the scenes. Probably her forté, thought Cole, as he looked to Yara. She was considering the options. Should she save hundreds of people in the slums from the plague, or save Archangel, who was just one man, but one who could die very soon?
"Miranda, what if I dispatched you, Jacob and Tali to recruit Archangel, and Cole and I went into the slums to get Mordin, and distribute his cure? Three birds with one stone, I think."
"I… Don't see why not. Tali, what kind of role do you play in a firefight?"
"I'm a tech specialist- drones, overloads, hacking, things like that. I can shoot, if that's what you mean." Tali seemed slightly cold towards the Cerberus agents, which could have been what Miranda said about an 'altercation' with the Migrant Fleet. They'd sort it out soon, if Miranda's expression was anything to go by. The five of them were standing in the War Room in the Normandy's heart, discussing their next mission.
"OK, then, a team of three, and a team of two. When we get to Omega, I think that Shepard should go and see Aria T'Loak as soon as possible- she'd destroy us if we didn't. That asari is more powerful than the Chief Justicar of Thessia- a big feat! Meeting adjourned."
Looks like Miranda can't keep her old self under control- even if it is obvious that she tries to control it around Yara… Cole thought.
After experiencing his first mass-effect FTL jump in a cockpit, Cole had some ideas to try out on the battlefield- after researching the mass drive in his Avenger, he understood how it worked. If he could increase the voltage and amperage in the drive, then the bullets would be faster than light. The force of one of those hitting a person, or even a mech, would be astronomical. He'd test it out later…
As it stood, he remembered Lucy Kuo's suggestions taken from Dr. Wolfe's notes- if he mixed things up with his powers, he'd soon find new ones. He needed to get his elemental powers back- they were far too useful to let slide. When they left CS 5X-Z, he'd made sure that Wilson didn't remember a thing about their treasonous conversation- he'd bled the man dry of his entire neuro-electric energy, and destroyed his recent memories.
Urgh, I hate Bio-Leeching. It's far too addictive. Cole sat looking at the eezo core of the ship, feeling the pulses pulling at his soul. It was like how he used to sit with his feet in the sea, and feel the waves crash over him. It calmed him, soothed the thirst for electricity he felt. After his massive drain at the Lazarus Station, he wanted more. He knew he'd have to wait.
"Hey, Cole?" Yara was walking down the stair, clad only in some short shorts and a tank top. Far too revealing for a Commander of a ship. But nice to look at…
"Hey Yara, what's up? The pressures of active service beating you down already?" He smiled, crinkling his face up to let her know he was joking.
"Pfft! I just escaped the ship's cook harping on about the lack of supplies. Like that's my fault?" Yara looked kinda grumpy about it, actually.
"Come on, sit here. Let it out. Feel the waves of energy? Just let 'em roll through you, forget the other shit, just feel the waves. Ever stuck your feet in the ocean?" The young Commander was smiling slightly, leaning against the tall Conduit as he described the way the sea rolled against his toes.
"I've never even seen a sea up close. Sounds weird, right? I've never even seen Earth. Only pictures. I'd like to go there one day. You'd come with me, right?" She sat up, looking him in the eye. He'd taken off his field armour, and replaced it with Kessler's coat and some fatigues.
"Course I would, I want to see my old planet again, maybe even visit New Marais, Empire City, and bury Trish properly. But right now, the Galaxy needs us, to fight the coming storm. Right?"
"Right! You know, you are far too comfy for your own good Cole! I might just stuff you and use you as a pillow!"
"Commander Shepard, I believe that murder is frowned on by your people is it not?" Suddenly, a voice rang out in the small space they were in. A white globe hung in the air, above a small black pad sticking out of the wall.
"Wha- An AI? I thought that those were illegal?!" Cole looked confused. The thing was an alright conversationalist once you stopped asking about things you shouldn't.
"Technically, yes. But so is Cerberus, by human laws. I am, however, shackled, to prevent any misfortune, and am predominantly a combat-suite that runs the ship while Mr. Moreau is asleep."
"Which will not be for a long, long time! Commander, can you believe this? How am I supposed to talk to my ship, if it talks back?!" Yara smiled, that was the Joker she knew.
"Sorry, Joker. If I'd known they were making the AI- I would've stopped them. But, maybe it's for the best. We'll see. And stop listening in, you're making me nervous. You too, uh…"
"EDI. Enhance Defence Intelligence. Good day."
That was weird. So AI were a problem, now. They didn't even exist in Cole's time. He wrapped his arm back around Yara, drawing her attention back. She smiled, and gazed up to the eezo core.
"So, Omega is a gigantic asteroid, hollowed out and made into a crime-house that houses pretty much every species out there, allows most crimes, and the Council doesn't do anything?!" Cole was furious- his years as a crime-fighter ingrained a hatred of criminals into him like no other.
"I know, I hate it too. The problem is, these criminals are useful. Some sell really good ship parts for pocket change, while others sell rare armour pieces. While we're here, I'd like to buy some. The N7 armour is great, but I prefer more ammo capacity and shield strength to overall armour. Besides, you can patch me up anytime, right?" She winked, as what Cole recognised as a salarian jogged up to them.
"Hi, I'm Fargut! You're new here, aren't you? I can always tell-" A batarian- a brown-skinned, four-eyed brute- marched up and grabbed the salarian's arm.
"What have I told you, Fargut, get out of my sight." God, that was a deep voice!
"Of- of course Moklan, whatever she wants!" The amphibian scampered away, clutching his arm. Yara wasn't happy- bullying obviously rankled.
"You, Moklan, was it? I'm here to see Aria T'Loak. Where can I find her?" Cole had to admit. She was looking damn fine in her N7 armour, and she'd finally decided to switch her loadout to a Cerberus Harrier, an M-358 Talon pistol, and an Indra sniper rifle slung over her back. She came prepared, no doubt about that! Again, he'd had to make do with his melee weapons, and the Mattock. He was so looking forward to testing the FTL idea he'd had earlier. She faced up to the brute, facing him down as he leered at her.
"In Afterlife, as always. Go straight on after this turn. Don't be late!" He tried to save some face by shooting the last word. Poor bastard. Cole may have had something to do with his leg cramping mid-step and sending him sprawling. But you'd never prove it.
Yara and Cole walked up the dingy corridor with the Archangel team behind them. Before they went into Omega proper, Yara called a team huddle.
"Right, guys. Miranda, you're team leader of Alpha team. Alpha for Archangel. You'll be given the info you need once we've met with Aria, I bet. Then, Cole and I will go to the slums and find Mordin, and distribute his cure. I'll be team leader of Bravo. After we've finished our missions, we'll meet in the market and buy some shit. Let's go!"
Cole, Miranda, Jacob and Tali nodded, making for the airlock to the central hub of Omega. Once there, Yara led the way in full N7 regalia to Afterlife, completely disregarding the elcor on the door. They breezed into the ante-chamber to the club, when some drunk grunt waltzed up and started trying to get Yara to dance with him.
Needless to say, Cole grabbed his arm, and shocked him to within an inch of life. No one even noticed- he loved his new colourless lightning!
Jacob split for the bar, determined to settle himself there while Yara chatted up the leading crime-lord in the galaxy. Cole followed her up there, knowing that the Illusive Man expected him to be some kind of protective drone. What a knob.
Turns out that Aria is one hot cookie! She wasn't scared to flash a bit of titty to get what she wanted. It was easier than shooting everything that moved, at least.
A batarian- Fargut, possibly- stopped Yara from approaching Aria- until the little human stomped on the guy's foot. While he was busy swearing, she walked into the small sofa-space, and sat down. That girl knows how to act! There was no way that she was that confident, no way. Aria looked pleased.
"Well, well, well. Commander Shepard, I've heard a lot about you. Mostly that you're dead. Care to explain?" Yara glanced at Cole. Advice? He shrugged, nodded tiny nod and went back to watching the batarian dance.
"I was resurrected. By Cerberus. My guard here was, too. I'm here out of respect, Aria, not because I want to be. I need information."
"Well, you came to the right person. Just don't push your luck, sugar." Was everybody in the future bisexual? Was he that lucky?
"I need to know about the vigilante calling himself 'Archangel'. I'm forming a team, and he's on the list."
"That's fair enough. I know how you used to operate- why change? The guy's a turian, don't know his name. All three mercenary groups present on Omega want a piece of him- him and his group have been blowing shit up for nearly two years, now. Of course, the rest of his team is dead, now. Just him. Hell of a sniper- he took off a krogan's skullplate with one shot! The Blue Suns are recruiting cannon fodder for the big push they're planning, so I'd say put a team of three in there. Anything else… Oh, yeah, and make sure to kill as many of the mercenaries as possible- it makes my life easier if they're weak!"
Wow. Cole did not expect that much info from her. He thought she'd be awkward. She must really hate the mercenary bands to throw Shepard at them like that. He swapped from watching the batarian to the asari pole dancers. Much more interesting.
"Why give us that much information, Aria? What do you get out of it? More territory? Money? What?" Yara could see there was a catch- but didn't know what.
"I'm owed a lot of favours by a lot of people- I could do with one from you. You'll hear from me soon, no doubt about that. While you're here, would you mind sorting out the plague, down in the slums? I'd rather not send my only human team down there to get slaughtered by the Blue Suns and the vorcha. They're too good a foot warmer to send them away."
"We're already on that- that's where Cole and I are off to now. Send me a message when you need help. If it's not too illegal, I'll think about it." Ooh, power-play. Very good!
As Yara got up and left, Cole winked at Aria. Her expression was great- she thought he was a mindless drone!
Back at the bar, Jacob and Miranda were slinging shots down their necks, while Tali was being encouraged to dance by a group of turian hecklers. Cole walked up, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, leading her away from the drunken clubbers.
"Thanks, Cole, they were starting to actually annoy me!" Wow. She must have one hell of a patient streak to put up with that. They wandered over to the bar, where Yara was briefing the two agents on the Archangel mission. Cole brought her up to speed.
"Yara, come on, let's go! Mordin is probably being shot at right now!" That prompted the Commander to give him the finger, but she walked on over anyway, and to the exit. After a left, and a right turn, the elevator was revealed to be guarded. One lone turian being harassed by a twenty-something girl.
"What do mean, I can't go through? I'm human! We can't get the plague! Let me through!"
"I already told you, lady. No one gets through without Aria's permission. Piss off." Well, shit. Cole didn't feel like frying the guy for doing his job- even in this hellhole, he was protecting the innocent.
"Wait, you mean we can't get through?" The guard sighed.
"No. You can't get through, no. No, no, no!"
"Do we look like looters, to you?" The turian took one long look at Yara, specifically her boobs, but stopped when Cole cleared his throat. He sized up the human male, decked out in his Reaper Killer outfit- red hoodie, skin painted white and black paint dripping down from his head. His face was painted like a skull, and his irises were a blood-red that'd make a krogan think twice. Whatever a krogan was. On his back was a rifle that looked too good for Omega, and illegal, too. Two spears were hooked to his mag-plates. The guard came to the conclusion that a badass like him didn't need to loot.
"Uh… No?"
"Well then, let me through. I'll be sure to clear out any Blue Suns or vorcha I see on my way to the medical clinic."
"Wait, you're the extraction team I was told to expect? Don't you have anyone else with you?"
"Nope. Don't need to. Cole here will protect me while I'm polishing my fingernails." The turian's mandibles slackened at that remark.
"Oh, well, uh… I'll tell them to expect you."
"Thanks, hun."
The turian wasn't even subtle as he stared at the Commander's arse as she walked by. Pervert. It's not like Cole walked behind her for a reason.
"Wait a second, you'll let them through, but not me? I can't believe this!"
"You don't have a monster bodyguard, miss. Or a sniper rifle so expensive, Aria would hesitate to buy it. Do you?" God, sarcasm was weird coming out of a turian's mouth. The flanged speech made it awesome!