Semper Fi
Chapter 4
Shepard – 2
Someone knocked on the door just when Shepard finished adjusting her sport bra. She took a white tank top off the chair next to her bed as she gave permission to enter, then walked bare feet to her desk, only wearing her reinforced leggings on her bottom. Tali entered first, conquering as always, followed by Liara, more reserved, both towered by Vakarian who ignored her semi-nakedness with perfection. He stood at parade rest whereas the two girls were more at ease. Shepard hid her smirk by putting on her tank top, then fell on her chair at her desk more than she sat.
"So, we'll be docking on Omega in twenty minutes," she said but they knew that already. "I wanted to review some stuff with you, Vakarian."
"Yes, Commander," he replied. Shepard smiled. Ten days and the guy was still giving her some 'Commander this', 'Commander that'. It was expected of the Alliance part of the crew but not from him. Though she didn't spend a lot of time with him during the trip to Omega. Vakarian had been with the two girls in Lab 1 for the better part of his time, and the rest of it studying with Traynor. Shepard had used this opportunity to keep an eye on Vega. They had trained, talked, reviewed what he knew, all of that crap. She was glad they finally had reached Omega. Vega wasn't a bad guy but she wasn't a big fan of his winning personality. He wanted to impress her. She hated show-offs. They were nothing but trouble.
"Liara and Tali told me you did a great job with your catching up this week," Shepard continued, picking up a little piece of plastic on her desk. She had finished a ship model late last night and cleaned after but it was nearly impossible to recover all the little chips. She threw it in the dustbin. "Traynor also told me she rarely saw someone learn a language so fast. Tell me, Vakarian, did you sleep at all, this week?"
Vakarian's mandibles tightened slightly. Bingo. "I'm fit for duty, Commander," he said, staring at the wall in front of him. Of course you are, big guy, Shepard thought, but there was a difference between being fit for duty and having slept enough. She knew it all too well.
"You better be," she still warned him, taking a serious look. "You screw up a mission and off to the brig you go. I can't let Javik throw you by the airlock because you're technically the Council's property but I'll make sure you won't screw up again, believe me. If you're not one hundred percent with me, I don't want you watching my back, understood? It's better to tell me you're not ready than to get everybody killed."
"I am ready, Commander," he replied, his voice confident and his brow slightly furrowed.
"Didn't you say your new pup would always be with you on missions?" Tali asked. Shepard smirked. Tali, with her sharp tongue and her big brain, was playful, she could tell by the tone of her voice. Tali's mask didn't help to read the Quarian but Shepard had known her for a long time.
"Pup?" she repeated as Vakarian seriously frowned this time. "He's twice your age, Tali."
"He's still a rookie," the Quarian insisted, folding her arms. "I don't like rookies." Shepard fought her own smile and only managed to grimace. If Vakarian was a rookie with his fifteen years in the most powerful army of the galaxy, she wondered what Tali could be. Sure, the Quarians also had a military discipline on their flotilla and the young had to serve for some years but it was nothing compared to the Turians. Though Shepard knew what her friend had in mind. There was a big difference between the army and their line of work.
"Ah," Shepard sighed, "Wrex has a terrible influence on you, seriously."
"And you are avoiding my question, Commander."
Shepard forced a smile. "Yeah, well, in theory Vakarian has to come with me on all official Council missions but this one is not really official. And I'd rather have him wait in the ship than fuck everything up because he studied so much he forgot to sleep." She tried to catch his gaze but Vakarian stared at the models with a rare intensity. He had something to say but wouldn't dare open his mouth without Shepard's approbation. This was getting old. She hoped he would yell something if she had a red dot on the back of her head someday. "Speak up your mind, Vakarian," she commanded.
"You told me the Council sent you to Omega, Commander."
"Two out of three Councilmen, to be precise," she shrugged. "That's enough for me."
"I'd like to have more details about this mission before giving you my answer, Commander," Vakarian said and it really surprised Shepard. It also gave her a bolt of happiness. She liked when Vakarian was more himself than a robot around her.
"Well," Shepard started but Vakarian gave a quick look to Tali and Liara, as if they shouldn't know about that. Shepard trusted her people. She didn't tell them everything, true enough, but Tali and Liara already knew about this one. "They know," Shepard waved it off. She straightened her back in her chair. "I told you we're looking for a Salarian, Professor Mordin Solus, right?" Vakarian nodded. "The guy is a doctor with a thing for genetic. Ex-STG, he worked on a modified version of the genophage more than a decade ago. The Krogans were starting to be resilient, you see? Their organisms were adapting to the genophage, so the Salarians decided to create a new version and spread it in the population. They did so without the Council's permission. But someone tipped off Tevos, the Asari Councilor, and she and Sparatus worked together on the genophage case. They actually started plotting a few years ago because they had to negotiate with the Krogans. Since I worked hard for this, I can tell you we have a deal with the most influential krogan warlords on Tuchanka: they unite their people, create a government and keep it stable for a decade or so and we give them a cure to the genophage."
Shepard let Vakarian integrate this information for a second. It was pretty big news. Turians helped taking care of the Krogans after their rebellion and they had spread the genophage themselves, dooming the population. Well, really it was the Salarians' fault at the origin from Shepard's point of view. They uplifted the Krogans to use them in their war against the Rachnis and the Krogans weren't ready for that. The high infantile death rate before uplifting had stabilized their population growth. With proper medical care, food in profusion and more welcoming worlds for them, they became a problem, to which the Salarians had found a solution: the genophage. But it was a long time ago and now the Krogans were a dying species. Most of the warlords weren't stupid, they knew they had to compromise to save their people. It wouldn't be easy but they would reach the peace the Council was expecting of them. Krogans survived, that was what they did best.
"It's an on-going process," Shepard continued. "The Krogans are doing their part, we have to do ours. Here enters Mordin Solus. He's the best we have to work in secret on a cure."
"He's a Salarian," Vakarian pointed out. "Ex-STG."
"That won't be a problem," Shepard replied, leaning in her chair. "I did my homework, Vakarian, I know Solus is our guy. He won't rat us out to Valern or any Dalatrass. If we're lucky, the Salarians won't know anything until the Krogans are on the good path. I bet they already noticed some changes," she shrugged, "but they still have no idea of what we are plotting. Is that enough for you, Vakarian?"
It took a few seconds for him to answer: "Yes, Commander."
"Are you with me on this?"
"Yes, Commander."
"Good. Tali, you'll be our third man."
"Of course, Commander," Tali replied, mocking the Turian's attitude. Liara looked confused. Shepard arched an eyebrow in her direction.
"Why did you summon me then?" the Asari asked. Shepard usually went to Omega either with Liara, Wrex or Alenko to have another biotic with her. Choosing Tali, who was a tech-girl head to toe, was a curious choice, Shepard was fully aware of that. She had two reasons to do so: first, she didn't expect trouble on Omega, well not more than the usual because there always was some sort of trouble on Omega; secondly, Tali was a dextro, like Vakarian, and she knew good dextro markets on the station. Shepard was actually killing two birds with one stone. With Tali in her team, she would go talk to Solus then head to the markets without going back to the ship to pick the girl up.
"I want you to go shopping for me and use that time to give a tour of Omega to Vega," Shepard explained. She turned to a drawer and took two stickers in it. "Show him around, make sure he understands how dangerous this place can be for a cocky Alliance goon like him. Take Wrex with you, in case the kid does something stupid. No uniform and put that on him." She threw one sticker to Liara and the other to Vakarian. He caught it easily. "Put that on your right shoulder, Vakarian."
"What is it?" he asked as he put the white and red stripped sticker on his armor.
"My banner, if you want," Shepard shrugged. "It's the N7 program's, really, but people in the Terminus Systems associate it with me. That means you're part of my crew and nobody fucks with Commander Shepard's crew, at least on Omega. It's not a free-pass though so watch yourself or we'll be in trouble, understood?"
"Yes, Commander," Vakarian replied, straight and all military again.
"Good," Shepard smirked. "I like you, Vakarian. You have a massive stick up your butt but you're not a pain in the ass like some people I know." Vakarian frowned a little but it was nothing compared to Tali's shake of the head. Shepard was pretty sure her Quarian friend rolled her eyes under her mask. "Alright people," she said as she stood up, "we ain't got all day. Vakarian, grab all your weapons and meet us in the shuttle bay."
"Yes, Commander." He didn't even ask why. Shepard smiled as she gave a short list to Liara on paper then walked past him, the girls following her. Vakarian and Liara exited the elevator on crew deck while Shepard and Tali continued to the cargo bay. Steve had already prepared her armor. He knew her so well he had picked up just the perfect parts for Omega – extra ammo and shields boosts. By the time she was done putting on her fifteen kilograms of reinforced metallic trams and plates of ultra-condensed ceramic, Vakarian had joined them. His artillery was outdated and Shepard intended to take him for weapon shopping later but Solus had the priority. Tali chose her beloved shotgun and a heavy pistol. Shepard went for her favorite Carniflex and a Mantis with extra ammo clips. She was a biotic alright but shooting bad guys from a distance to clear their ranks never was a bad idea.
Liara arrived a minute later with Wrex and Vega, wearing old jeans and a tight Tshirt with the logo of some football team on it. He had the sticker on his enormous biceps. None of the men looked happy and Shepard knew she had to say something before the Krogan started ranting. "I count on you to take our ladies home safe, Wrex." The Krogan barked more than he laughed. Ranting aborted. Liara frowned a little.
"I know how to defend myself, Shepard," she reminded her.
"I do remember a force field incident..." Shepard teased. Liara blushed, her cheeks getting of a dark blue.
"I was ages ago!"
"For a Human like me, maybe, but for an Asari..." Liara pouted and walked straight for Ashley to collect her guns. Wrex walked past Shepard, patting her on the shoulder at the same time. She tried to stand strong but she had to step on the side to catch her equilibrium again.
"I know how to defend myself too, you know," Vega mumbled.
"Well, I know you know how to hit the ground," Shepard shrugged, "at least there is that." Vega frowned. He wasn't bad in hand to hand combat but a good aim was more important in their work. The cargo bay was big enough to run combat simulations with drones and paint guns, so of course Shepard had tested the kid. It wasn't a real situation alright but it was good enough to judge someone's reaction time and their aim. She wouldn't let him shoot at long range, that's for sure. "Take a heavy gun with you Vega, no more, no less," Shepard commanded, leaving the smile and the friendliness behind her. "You come from Earth, right? California?" Vega nodded. "You think it's a bad neighborhood but Omega is worse. Show weakness and it will chew you off. But don't act like you own the place either kiddo, because you don't. Nobody does but Aria T'Loak. Don't be an idiot and don't flirt with anybody. Wrex and Liara will be there to save your ass if necessary but it would be better if they don't have to do that, mostly because it'll piss me off and you don't want me to be pissed off, understood?"
"Yes, Commander," Vega replied with a perfect salute. Vakarian frowned again in the corner of Shepard's eyes. She'd have to tell him to seriously chill out. If they had had more time, she would have taken the kid to a bar to try to get him drunk and make him speak. He needed it.
"Alright. EDI?" Shepard called.
"ETA five minutes, Commander," the AI answered through the speakers disseminated in the cargo bay.
"Thanks." Shepard checked her armor one last time by habit. Thanks God for the lighter gravity on Omega. "If the others have to do some shopping, eat an ice cream or whatever, I give them one hour but they don't get out of the ship alone, alright? And no Alliance uniform." She really didn't want that incident to happen again.
"I'll inform the crew, Shepard," EDI confirmed.
"Hey Commander," Joker interrupted before Shepard could thank EDI again, "buy me some lecture while you're out, would you? And not 'pony club magazine' this time."
"I'm not buying you porn, Joker," Shepard replied, replacing her sniper rifle a little on her back. She was more used to have her Black Widow there than a Mantis but her favorite sniper rifle was too uncommon to parade with it on Omega.
"C'mooooon!" the pilot whined.
"I'll do it," Wrex offered. Shepard shook her head as Joker thanked a Krogan very pleased of himself. She waited until the communication was off to speak again.
"Find him something really disgusting, would you? Like Elcor on Hanar porn or whatever." Wrex laughed out loud and Shepard had a genuine smile. She'll have to ask the recordings to EDI later.
Bray was waiting for them on the docks when they exited the Normandy – Liara, Wrex and Vega went their separate way without wasting time. Strange man, that Bray. Right hand of Aria, he was pretty chill for a Batarian. Shepard supposed he hadn't been raised on Khar'shan, otherwise he would have been a lot less friendly towards Humans in general. Though he treated her differently. Bray had had a thing for Shepard ever since they had known each other, he told her himself. He liked her attitude, her strong will, her combat skills and her red hair. Batarians liked red hair, or fur in their case. "People from the fire" were fierce warriors in their culture, from what Shepard had learned. She fitted the description pretty well.
"Shepard!" Bray greeted her with open arms. "My favorite Human!"
"Hi Bray!" Shepard replied with a genuine smile. She liked the guy. He was a devoted badass, very efficient and competent. The galaxy needed more men like Bray. "Spying on me for Aria already?"
"Someone had to volunteer," he smiled. "Better be me than some assholes who won't recognize beauty when they see it." Tali snorted behind Shepard. Bray gave the girl a cold look then turned to the tall Turian in blue armor. The white and red sticker caught his attention. "Who's the ugly one?" Bray asked on a colder tone.
"My protegee," Shepard shrugged.
"Your protegee?" Bray repeated mockingly. "I didn't know you were the kind to babysit, Shepard. How much did his mommy pay you? I can probably double that."
"People with my skills don't come cheap," Shepard replied with a smart smile, "and the Council pays more than you ever could."
"Too bad," the Batarian said, taking his cigarettes from a pocket. "You'd be the richest mercenary of the galaxy, you know that?"
"Oh I know," Shepard assured. She watched him light his cigarette and inhale the thick smoke. Human made, she could tell by the smell. The smell! She didn't have a cigarette in years but it still was very tempting. She could almost taste the bitterness on her lips. Shepard folded her arms, as if it could protect her from temptation. "Anyway, I'm here for business, not to enjoy your company."
"That hurts, Shep," Bray laughed, the smoke swirling in the air around him like a jealous dragon. Shepard held her breath. "What brings you to Omega then?"
"Mordin Solus. You know him?"
"Who doesn't on this rock?" Bray replied. He opened an arm to show them the way. Shepard followed him, zigzagging a little to evade the smell of the cigarette. Where was the disgusting and famous Omega fragrance when she needed it? It had given her headaches and nausea sometimes but it seemed to have been replaced by the delicious and pernicious odor of the tobacco. "He has a clinic in some shitty district but you'll have to talk to Aria if you want to see the guy."
"She protects him?" Shepard asked.
"She wants him dead," Bray told her, "but he managed to stay alive so far. Dangerous man we have there, I tell you." Shepard nodded. That was unpleasant news. Aria was not the kind of ruler to keep a potential threat around if she could make it disappear one way or another. Solus' dossier clearly stated to not mess with him, but, if he was on Aria's personal list of people to keep alive because she couldn't kill them, that meant Shepard had underestimated the guy. Prudence was required.
The docking bay where the Normandy had been authorized to land was the biggest one and had direct access to the heart of Omega. The door opened on a vast place surrounded by shops, restaurants, bars and other businesses dedicated to release stress in various ways, most of them between the legs of a woman. There were lights, noises and smells everywhere, a blur of information making it difficult to focus on anything in particular, people above all. There were too many anyway, from all around the galaxy, even some specimen of rare species, sometimes unknown ones.
Shepard had been amazed by the station the first time she had walked there. People lived and died in the mines. The little money they made each day was spent in the evening in alcohol or amusements. Gangs didn't hide their businesses and paraded in the streets. Hookers from all known species waited, alined against the metal walls. Children of ten looked used and fatigued like adults. It was exactly the same as on Earth. Omega was on the other side of the galaxy and populated mostly by aliens but the exact same shit she always had known was happening here. Shepard had found it fascinating, a confirmation Humans were not worst than any other species, something hard to remember sometimes.
Bray led them to the Afterlife, the biggest nightclub on Omega and the blue queen's den – by far Shepard's favorite place on the station. The loud techno music resonated through her body and she couldn't help but feel sorry for Vakarian. Turians didn't have ears or ear canals; their whole skull acted like a receptor, their fringes and thick skin conducting the sounds to their nervous system. They hated loud sounds like those and were very sensitive to low vibrations. Nihlus always cringed when he came here. A quick look to Vakarian told Shepard she'd have to hurry.
People let them pass easily – it helped to wear a heavy armor and to have with her a very displeased Turian giving death glares around. Shepard accelerated slightly. She knew Aria's throne room or whatever she called that balcony was quieter than the rest of the club. She trotted up the stairs, passing by Bray with an apologetic smile. The Batarian wouldn't mind, he liked to see her butt, as he claimed it numerous times. Shepard stepped on the balcony, where Aria's usual ass-lickers waited for her to notice them, poor mortals. The Asari was busy sipping a drink on her sofa, magnificently ignoring the people around. Shepard couldn't hide her smile.
"What's up, gurl?" she said on the most vulgar tone she could. The crowd of devoted admirers stared at her like she was nothing but a bug addressing a Goddess. It amused Shepard greatly.
Aria finished her drink and licked her delicate lips with more sensuality and technique than a pro in front of a camera. Shepard was a bit jealous of the Asari's skills but Aria had eight hundred years to practice. They weren't playing in the same category.
"Shepard", Aria greeted her with a smile. She gave her glass to an assistant, then patted the sofa on her left. Shepard went up the few stairs to sit next to Omega's queen. Aria put her cold hand on Shepard's glove. Asaris strangely had a very low body temperature, even if their homeworld was hot. It was one of the so many oddities of this galaxy. "It's been three months, more or less."
"I was busy taking down Cerberus cells," Shepard shrugged. "'sides, I knew you'd be fine."
Aria forced her smile and sent a little bolt of her biotics through her touch. Shepard felt it through the thick fabric of her glove but didn't show it. "Of course," the queen replied with confidence, leaning in her sofa, releasing Shepard's hand. "Who's the Turian?" she asked more seriously.
"My protegee," Shepard repeated.
"Your protegee," Aria mocked. That must have been a trend Shepard didn't know about. Though Aria studied Vakarian carefully for long seconds. Said Turian didn't let her impress him and he gave her back the same cold and calculating stare. Apparently he didn't receive the notive about not being too cocky on Omega. "Garrus Vakarian, is that right?" Aria asked. Shepard nodded. Of course Aria knew. She wasn't in the information business but she had a very extended web of informers through the galaxy. Vakarian's actions during the attack on the Citadel were unknown of the public but Aria was something else, really. She probably already knew a lot about him, from his Spectre nomination to his favorite brand of underwear. Aria turned to Shepard. "You really have a thing for Turians, don't you?"
"You know me," Shepard teased, "the bigger, the better." Aria had a genuine smile but returned to her business face fast.
"What brings you to Omega, Shepard? You can't be here with your charming little pest and your new boy toy armed like that just to enjoy my company."
"I'm here for Mordin Solus and Bray told me you wanted him dead."
"If you have to kill him, please, go ahead."
"I'll make him disappear alright," Shepard smirked, "but I need him alive."
"Of course you do," Aria frowned, "but I can't let this asshole leave Omega."
"He'll walk out of this Hell hole unharmed with me, whether it pleases you or not," Shepard warned.
"It cannot be done," Aria insisted. Shepard opened her mouth to continue the argument but Aria shut her up with a cold look. "The decision is not up to me. Solus has to stay on Omega." Shepard frowned. Did that mean the Salarians knew about the cure? Did they persuade Aria to keep Solus on Omega one way or another? In any case, Shepard couldn't let that happen.
"Why?" she asked. Aria stared at Vakarian. "Whatever the reason, I can help," Shepard insisted.
"No you don't," Aria snorted. Shepard stood. If she couldn't help, the Salarians were not involved. "Don't do anything stupid, Shepard," Aria warned and her men around tensed, ready to take their guns. Vakarian was already evaluating in which order he would take them down, while Tali almost had the hand on her shotgun. "You can't win every time."
"I need Solus."
"Me too."
"It's..."
"If you weren't my friend, you'd be dead by now, Shepard," Aria interrupted. "Now go, have fun with your new Turian, drinks on me."
There was nothing Shepard could do for now so she followed Aria's advice, minus the drinks and the fun with the very tensed Vakarian. Once outside of the club, Shepard took a deep breath. A look around told her Bray hadn't followed her but Aria had eyes everywhere. "EDI," Shepard called by radio, "find me Mordin Solus."
"I took the liberty to locate his clinic after your meeting with Aria T'Loak and uploaded the information on your omnitool," the AI replied instantaneously.
"Did I ever tell you how much I love you, EDI?" Shepard asked jokingly, consulting the map.
"Numerous times, Shepard. May I increment the counter with this new occurrence?"
"Yep. Got him, thanks EDI."
"Always a pleasure, Commander."
"Now, let's go shopping," Shepard declared. She took the direction of the markets, keeping an eye on the people around. She made sure to stay in sight for a few minutes, checking stands and talking like nothing had happened with Tali. The Quarian had already an idea of the plan but Vakarian had no clue at all. He kept being all tall and tensed, ready to shoot anyone coming too close. It became necessary to disappear quickly. Shepard found some elevators and called one. She made sure they were the only ones to enter it. Tali hacked the poor rusty thing within ten seconds and blocked it between two floors. "Good thing you're here, Vakarian," Shepard smirked as realization hit the Turian. He complied nonetheless, first helping Shepard to get on the roof, then lifting Tali. It didn't take him any effort to follow them and they jumped in the elevator shaft.
It took them thirty minutes to crawl through Omega to reach the district where Solus' clinic was. Shepard made sure to keep a low profile while they walked in the streets even if it was stupid. Aria knew she would come around and the queen's men were probably waiting for them already, maybe with guns. And she didn't have her assault rifle. This thing was damn useful in this kind of close range combat. Vakarian had his but he'd need it. She could always grab his shotgun or submachine gun if needed. She just hoped he was the kind to share his toys – which was doubtful considering he was a Turian.
"Commander Shepard," a salarian voice called. Shepard took her gun and pointed it to the dark alley where the voice came from. Vakarian and Tali had the same reflex.
"Who is this?" Shepard asked playfully but it was to hide her tension.
"Were searching for me," the Salarian replied. "Quick, this way."
"Professor Solus?" Shepard insisted, though she had no time to wait for an answer. The Salarian, a shadow within the shadows, turned over and started walking fast. Shepard gave a look around and followed him, ready to shoot anything. Vakarian automatically took the rear guard. Thanks God and the Spirits for military training.
They followed the supposed Solus for five minutes or so, catching glimpses of his silhouette. Light skin color, right horn missing, pretty tall and slander for a Salarian, wearing a lab coat, moving with assurance but not as swiftly as he used to. By the time the Salarian stopped under a bright green neon sign for a massage salon, Shepard knew she had the right guy in front of her. The green light made his reddish skin darker, enhancing his skin patterns.
"Wanted to see me?" Solus asked.
"Yes Sir," Shepard replied but she didn't quite put her gun away. Tali relaxed a little. Vakarian stayed on his guard, though he traded his gun for his assault rifle and pointed it in the direction they came from. "Is it safe to talk here?"
"As safe as possible considering location," Solus shrugged. "Heard you were looking for me, knew Aria wouldn't permit it so took the necessary dispositions."
"Thanks," Shepard said, frowning a little. Strange language pattern. Maybe her translator needed an update on his dialect or something. "I'm here to ask your help on a secret project the Council is working on."
"Secret project," Solus repeated, scrutinizing Shepard's face to detect any sign of lie or any clue. Salarians had a thing for details. They could overview a crowd in a blink of an eye and analyze everybody's behavior the next. That was one of the reasons Shepard always felt uneasy around Salarians. She felt naked in front of them. Not that she had a lot to hide, she was pretty straight-forward, but that didn't mean she liked piercing-armor vision either. "Shepard, first Human Spectre, been for five years," Solus started, stroking his chin, "protegee of Nihlus Kryik, turian Spectre, himself protegee of illustrious Saren Arterius. Vastly known by masses, result of ambassador Goyle's promotion of human interests. Earth-born, orphan..."
"Yes," Shepard interrupted, "everybody knows that."
"Impetuous," Solus continued, "ruthless but efficient, the best if were to believe rumors." Tali snorted.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Shepard mumbled.
"Works on prothean data," Solus kept going, not paying attention to them anymore, "and geth technology. Can't be, no matching interest and too old to start over with new studies. Cerberus? Conducted genetic researches but no expert on human biology. Said Council. Galactic matter? Should recommend other competent and younger scientists. Too old, yes, not enough time."
"And you're wasting it," Tali remarked, folding her arms. Solus barely noticed her, continuing with his mumbling. Shepard gave a serious look to Tali. She liked the kid but the Quarian could be too reckless sometimes. Wrex really did have a bad influence on her. Shepard would have to talk to them. Great. She swore half of her job as the commanding officer of the Normandy was to talk to people. She never signed up for that.
The Salarian was still talking, searching for the reason she could be interested in him. They didn't have all day, dammit. "We need you regarding the..."
"Genophage!" Solus interrupted, suddenly looking up, index pointed in the air.
"Yes," Shepard confirmed. "The Council is making a deal with the Krogans. Peace for a cure, basically."
"Yes," Solus nodded, "logical. Worked on genophage modifications but too old. Didn't take time factor into consideration."
"We did," Shepard replied. "Half the work is already done." Solus did something she hadn't expected: he laughed. It wasn't a joyful laugh but a mean, mocking one. Salarians rarely were condescending with other species. They could because they were smarter than anyone else in the galaxy but it was a waste of time from their point of view, time they could use to work. It was surprising to see one actually laughing at them. But Shepard wasn't upset. She had an as up her sleeve. "It's your ex-assistant's work, Maelon's." Solus stopped laughing.
"Maelon, alive?" he asked, concerned. "But disappeared, hid his traces, though sources sure of destination, Tuchanka."
"I don't know if he's still alive," Shepard shrugged. "I arrested him in 87 and his work was kept secret by the Council until they were sure the Krogans would cooperate. You're the best in your field, Professor Solus," Shepard insisted, "we need you."
"87," Solus repeated – he liked to do that apparently. "First year as Spectre, under Kryik's supervision."
"That's right."
"Not Kryik," the Salarian pointed, staring at Vakarian. The Turian gave a quick look over his shoulder, not a nice one. Shepard nodded slightly. It was taking them too long, she knew it. "Own protegee?" Salarians and their damn curiosity! Well, she had had him with it to begin with but now it was getting annoying.
"Yep. My mentor doesn't have the proper resources to help you if you decide to work for the Council," Shepard explained. "But I have a ship, the best in the galaxy when it comes to stealth and discretion. Officially, I'll hire you to study the potential of multispecies crews like mine. Unofficially, you'll work on the genophage."
"Current salarian Councilor agreed?" Solus asked, really surprised.
"No, of course not," Shepard smirked. "Though he did sign for the study." Solus had the most vicious smile Shepard ever saw on a Salarian.
"Never liked Valern. Brother of Dalatrass Elerin." Shepard nodded. Elerin had taken control of the second biggest duchy on Sur'Kesh three years ago after the mysterious death of her predecessor, Miohaeru. A Solus. Aged of six at the time, Miohaeru didn't leave any daughter to keep her bloodline running and Elerin had inherited of the throne, despite the existence of numerous sisters, aunts, nieces and cousins. Shepard didn't understand all the details because salarian politic was a nightmare but she knew Elerin wasn't considered as a rightful Dalatrass. The nomination of one of her brothers as Councilor years prior to that didn't help her either. Rumors said he had helped her to gain control of the duchy. Shepard didn't know if it was true but it helped her case in any case. The professor had lost his allegiance to his Dalatrass with the death of his great-great-great-niece or something and probably wouldn't cooperate with Valern. He was virtually free to do whatever he wanted, like coming on Omega and threatening Aria or working on a cure for the genophage.
"Are you interested in my offer, Professor?" Shepard asked. "We can talk numbers and advantages later on the Normandy, that would be wiser, but I can assure you the Council is ready to be very generous."
"Money not of importance," Solus shrugged, "already exceeded normal salarian lifespan and no project in the near future. Foresee a problem nonetheless." Of course there was a problem, Shepard thought. She never met someone and offered them a place on her ship without a problem suddenly coming up. There always was a catch. She just arched an eyebrow and waited. Which didn't take long because Solus didn't seem to need air to talk. "My clinic," he said. "Did a good work so far, gained trust, build something solid. Planed retirement on Omega."
"I can think of better places for retirement," Tali commented. Shepard gave her a cold look this time. The Quarian got the message and straightened her back.
"Do you need time to find a successor or something?" Shepard asked patiently. They didn't have much time, as Solus had pointed out numerous times. He was old for a Salarian and he could die on her any minute. Sparatus and Tevos knew it but they had decided to take the risk nonetheless. Solus would be able to do a lot of work by himself even with the little time he had.
"Already have one, my assistant, Daniel Abrams, Human, a doctor by your standards."
"But?" Shepard smiled – by human standards? Asshole.
"Sent him this morning to Blue Suns territory. Didn't return. Can't leave Omega if Abrams dead."
"Alright, we'll get him," Shepard grunted. "How long will it take you to pack your things and put everything in order?"
"Will be ready by noon."
"Good." That'd leave Shepard three hours to find the assistant and go shopping. It seemed reasonable. "Contact the Normandy and see the rest with my executive officer then, that's his job. He has a line of credits ready for you. Feel free to buy whatever you need, supplies, machines, all you deem necessary, that'll be on the Council's tab anyway."
"Understood," Solus nodded. Shepard didn't have to turn her head to know Vakarian was looking at her. Damn Turians and their piercing eyes. He'd dig a hole in her skull before soon.
"Yes, Vakarian?" she asked. Tali turned to look at him but Shepard didn't.
"What about Aria T'Loak?" he said. "Didn't she say she wouldn't let the Professor go?"
"Aria not a problem," Solus answered before Shepard could reply she didn't give a damn about Aria. She looked at the Salarian who gave her a strange smile in return.
"You sure about that?" Shepard had a bad feeling about this.
"Not a problem," Solus assured. He keyed with his omnitool a second. "Here, coordinates of Abrams."
"Alright," Shepard sighed, receiving the data. She transferred it to Tali and Vakarian, under the cold eyes of the Salarian. She really didn't like his smile. "Let's go say hello to the Blue Suns."
TBC