DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN MASS EFFECT OR ANY OF THE MUSIC LYRICS USED IN THIS FIC. ONLY THE PLOT OF THIS STORY AND MYSELF HAHAHAHA
A/n: I really am going slow with this; work is killing me! So stick with it folks this will mostly be based in Mass Effect 2, but a fair warning this is a MAJOR A.U. Fic so don't go there with me.
Warning lots of Flashbacks and Author Insert.
Mass Effect the Immortal Series Part 2: Legacy of the Dragon
Chapter 6: The Dragon's Dance
ILLIUM YEAR 2185
A lone dancer stood at the Moonlight Lounge ready to take to the stage. Her poise was true as she slowly walked out into the light. She was an Asari like no other dressed in clothes like no other. The clothes were human make from when she visited Earth and studied human culture.
Slowly her hands began to make slow and silent movements. Her arms were graceful and fluid as she popped out her hip a few times and leaving her top portion stationary she rotated her hips. The audience clapped and cheered. The dancer enchanted them with her flexibility, her poise. Her long dark blue skin and glowing white markings. The jewels she had on her head, neck and arms along with her costume fit naturally for her. It was an ancient human design from the Middle Eastern part of Earth. Still the Asari had taken time to master the art of the dance.
The dancer was then joined by another a male human this time who danced with her enjoying the rhythm of the drums and the soft flow of the violins. They moved as one enjoying their time on stage to the enchanting of the audience.
While they danced a lone figure watched from the rafters her poise was just as graceful. Martha stood in the shadows observing her students distracting the audience while she pursue the real prize. She silently moved through the darkness; a predator on the prowl.
Her prize was at the end of the hallway of the hotel they lodged themselves in. The good thing about being an alleged rock band was that fact that you can book yourself in any high class hotel without paying a single credit. The host and the sponsors pay for your room and board.
Martha quickly exited the hotel using a maintenance opening. Silently she crept over the rooftop of the hotel. Looking at the night sky of Nos Astra, the capital of Illium. Her target was located just several floors down from where she was. Spreading her arms out she let herself fall several stories down. As she fell her body flowed down like the air currents that blew past the buildings.
As she fell she changed her form into something native to Illium. The bird species that she transformed into had a mind like that of a pigeon. The difference is that its neck is longer and its beak is curved like an ibis. The feathers of this creature were blue with white trim and spotted in dark blue spots. The eyes of this creature are red making it look more exotic every glance one takes.
Martha then flew off towards the distant window that it sought. The wings of this bird have evolved to soar through the tall buildings as she dipped down towards the lower floors. The size of this bird thankfully was quite small so it would not be noticed. The alarm systems installed on this particular room were not made for an animal that is considered a city pest.
Landing on the window sill Martha watched the movement from within. The current occupants of the room were busy with amusing themselves. Something someone like Martha no longer does since the feeling has been lost to her years ago. She pretended to eat any sort of crumbs off the floor. The occupants kept to themselves completely ignoring the bird outside. Other birds quickly few down to enjoy the food that thankfully was laid down on the ground for them.
Martha's eyes went up to the security system above and flew quickly out of the way of the cameras and into the shadows. There she shifted back to her original form and taking out her omni-tool overloaded the security system.
Silently as a cat she entered the room. The two occupants were still having fun giving Martha time to go through some files on a nearby computer. Martha was all too familiar with computers and their evolutions since the 1980's. Since she was born in that era she had kept herself up to date with those systems. Even now nearly two hundred years later she became an expert hacker and tech engineer thanks to her late husband. Using that to her advantage she quickly studied the files on the system at the same time keeping her bare feet on the ground.
Her bare feet were her way to feeling for anyone coming at her. She was well aware of those who wish to kill her for what she can do. As soon as she hacked into the system she began to download everything from the man's computer into her omni-tool. As it loaded she made sure to leave no evidence of her existence on this machine. With practice she covered her trail and headed out returning the security system to how it was and flew away in the form of a bird.
When she landed on the roof of the hotel again she resumed her true form and walked back down into the Maintenance shaft and back towards the theater. When she got back the dancers were nearing the end of their session. Martha then had gotten the materials she needed from that room. Signaling the dancers that she was done she faded into the shadows.
NORMANDY SR-0 COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
Martha walked back onto her ship the hallways were filled with her crew. As members of the crew aligned themselves and saluted her she nodded her head in return.
"Morgana what have we found?" Martha asked
"The data you have uploaded proves that Cerberus has indeed began research on a derelict Reaper. All crew members had been seen showing signs of indoctrination at the earliest stages. The Illusive Man wishes to find the fastest way into the Omega 4 relay to stop the Collectors. At the same time he wishes to find out what the Collectors know about the Reapers. Already he wants to use the technology for himself to help build his army of controlled soldiers." Morgana said.
Martha's eyes narrowed at the sight of the plans on her data pad.
"So he just wants to use the Reapers as a way to gain power. I guess he could not fight off indoctrination after all," Martha sighed as she put it down. Her hears then heard the sounds of something clicking like many feet. Turning she spotted one of her chief engineers Loki the Keeper. The Keeper was found on the citadel some years back his signal box was malfunctioning and since malfunctions like that kill Keepers Martha had fixed his box allowing a looping signal to pass through. That in turn freed the Keeper from his containment of the Citadel and allowed him to think for himself. Martha knew that the Catalyst A.I. was still able to retake control so she let him board her ship as a new member to her crew.
"Yes Loki?" Martha said warmly to the Keeper.
"Master Martha we are picking up radio signals from the room that you were in. It would seem as if our guest is finally back on his feet," he said and Martha smirked.
DESTARA HOTEL ILLIUM
The stage lit up once again at the Destara hotel. The same dancer as before was on stage showing her skills to the audience. They clapped and cheered at her showing off her skills as a dancer. Already the music was playing and an Arab Speaking human was singing on the speakers.
The dancer was joined by a human from the side. This one had dark hair that was wavy and wild that stretched down to her lower back. She mixed her dancing with something more primal as she used different styles from all across the galaxy. The jewels on her body and the coins around her belt added to the exotic effect.
Up in the V.I.P section of the stage however the guest of honor was busy observing the view. He enjoyed the fact that something different came into town. That something was exotic dancers that learned the dancing arts from all across the galaxy and beyond. He never noticed the dark figure that emerged from the shadows as she came closer.
"Still liking your exotic entertainment eh?" a voice said from behind.
Startled he turned to find a pair of glowing red eyes staring back at him.
"Martha," he said
"Nice to see you too," Martha said as she slowly emerged from the shadows.
"So tell me why is the grandmaster of the Order of the Dragons doing here in a place like this?" he said holding a drink.
"I believe you have something I want," Martha said.
The man lit a cigarette and smiled, "You know as well as I do that what you want you will not get," with that he flicked his hand and two men entered the room both armed.
Martha smirked as they came to disarm her. In a flash her hand shot out and hit the first man's solar plexus then she charged at the second with her right leg doing a sweep before he tried to bring his gun to bare. Martha had him down on the ground unconscious.
"Now I believe you have something of mine," Martha said stepping closer.
"Now what is it that you desire," the man said the lights quickly came on and Martha could clearly see him in his tuxedo with his cigarette in his mouth. His short clean cut hair and well trimmed beard was all that any rich and important person would notice.
But not Martha.
She was far too old for that.
She slowly walked towards the man and placed her hands on each side of the chair. Then she leaned in close to him her face nearly on his. She made emphasis on having smoke come out of her mouth and her teeth extra sharp to give emphasis.
"You know Mr. Hock you can play all the games you want but you can't fool me," Martha replied.
"Indeed I can't fool you Grandmaster you have always played me. Even before I became the person I am now. No one can defeat Martha Kahalewai in battle except for two granddaughters who knew your weakness. I guess the great immortal is not so immortal after all," he said smirking.
"You can turn me into a statue again Hock and smash me into pieces but I always come back," Martha replied and then in an instant she was in his face with her hand in his chest.
"Since you are done stalling lets really get to business shall we," Martha said and his eyes widened when he felt her hand surround his heart.
Martha was through playing games she can be both benevolent and wise and ruthless at the same time. Just like the form she chooses to become she can be both destructive and protective. Hock's eyes were wide like saucers when he felt that hand squeeze.
"Now as I said you have something I want and I want to know where it is," Martha said.
Hock could feel her hand squeeze his heart from within and was sweating profusely, "You probably hacked my system on it so why come to me!" he chocked.
"Because the other object I am looking for is not on some computer. The stone you had stolen from me years ago WHERE IS IT!" Martha demanded.
"I keep it somewhere where even you can't penetrate," Hock laughed.
It was then that he felt his heart squeeze. His eyes continued to bulge as Martha squeezed tighter.
"We can do this the easy way Hock or we can do this the hard way either way will be painful to you," she said.
Hock's eyes began to roll back as Martha squeezed harder.
"ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT I YEILD! I WILL TELL YOU WHERE IT IS!" he shouted.
"Good, now tell me where is my memory stone!" Martha growled.
NORMANDY SR-2 NEAR THE PRAGIA SYSTEM
The Normandy appeared over the skies of Pragia the system where Jack insisted they visit. It was a world that brought her both pain and suffering. It was this world that made her life a nightmare.
And it was this world that brought back her humanity.
That reason is sitting beside her. Her best friend and older brother also shared the same thoughts as they began a slow orbit around the planet. Long dead satellites hung over the horizon that are no longer functioning due to poor maintenance.
Jeff stared at the planet that brought so much pain to him. He looked down at his hands where the old scars of his torture remained. Though faint they reminded him of his time on this horrible planet. But the reason he was here was to find closure along with Jack.
"We are now in orbit around the planet Pragia I have the coordinates for the Teltin Facility Commander whenever you are ready," he said.
"Alright Joker just be ready in ten," Commander Shepard said over the comm.
Jack had insisted that Jeff come along too since this was the world where they met. Shepard did not ask why just that she insisted that she be brought here. She figured that as long as Jack was distracted then they can't complete their mission against the Collectors.
So both of them were currently getting the shuttle ready to launch towards the planet. It was hard enough already to deal with this but it had to be done. Slowly with some help Jeff was placed in the shuttle. He went immediately to the control center while Jack, Shepard, Jacob and Miranda went to sit in the passengers section. Garrus sat in the Copilot's chair while Mordin and Zaeed was the last to get on.
The shuttle ride down to Pragia was uneventful as they neared their landing site.
Jack had explained to Shepard about the trees when they saw what remained of the Teltin base.
"Fuck! What the fuck did she do to this place?" Jack said.
"Who?" Shepard asked
"Joker's grandmother," Jack said.
"Joker said that his grandmother lived on Eden Prime?" Shepard said.
"This was before she settled there. She was a spacer before that! And man did she have a temper. I knew she would do something in retaliation for those fuckers taking her grandson but this!" Jack replied.
The ground was in ruins as the shuttle neared the area where the Teltin Facility was. However the buildings were beyond repair and not much of it remained. Only bits and pieces of buildings and deep cracks in the earth told the story of what really happened here in this terrible place.
The shuttle landed just outside of the burned ruins. There was not a single tree growing in this area. Some places still carried smoke from the ground as if the fires never went out. Skeletons of the guards lay all over the place and still there was the smell of burned flesh and metal.
Shepard stepped out of the shuttle and was shocked to see the damage done to the place.
"Normally the trees would grow back in a matter of hours. I am surprised that they refused to grow in this area." Jeff said looking around.
Shepard held her gun out along with Garrus and Jacob. Miranda was running her omni-tool around the area trying to see if there was any residue to what had happened here. There was hardly any trace of what had happened here only the residue of blood and ash.
"Your grandmother Joker must have had some firepower to be able to melt buildings such as these. Cerberus built their facilities to last any assault," Miranda said.
"Hey Cheerleader your friends were assholes they tortured and experimented on us and put enough drugs in us to fuck us over for the rest of our lives." Jack said.
"This was a secret Cerberus Facility," Miranda said.
"Was until Joker's grandmother got pissed off and bombed this place from orbit," Jack said.
They walked around what's left of the courtyard. There was not a single building left standing as far as Shepard could tell. The blackened earth crunched beneath their feet as they moved further into the ruins. The forest was filled with the sounds of distant native birds and other animals. The trees it seems refused to come even close to the charred ground.
As they walked further in and the bodies became more evident they noticed movement at the very center of the ruins. Guns were quickly released and Jeff found himself at the center of the ring. Slowly the figure turned towards them.
"Aresh?" Jack said.
"Jack? Jeff? Is that really you?" he said standing up to his full height.
He was not very tall but he was rather skinny with pock marked skin and clean cut clothes. He slowly approached them from the center and his arms flew open when Jack melted into his embrace and he hugged her back.
"You know this guy?" Shepard asked.
"Yeah we know him. He was one of the kids that my grandmother rescued that day. He and the other kids had been given homes on Eden Prime and other planets since Cerberus has killed off most of the families of the children," Jeff said.
"Jeff look at you when word had gotten out that you were in the Alliance I had no idea that you had put on some muscle," Aresh replied as he looked Jeff up and down.
It was then that his eyes settled on the logo on Jeff's shirt, "Cerberus?" he said and then his eyes narrowed.
Jeff slowly started to back away until Jack came in front.
"You two are working for Cerberus? After all they did to us?" he said.
"We are not working for Cerberus," Jack said standing tall.
Aresh eyed them up, "Then explain to me why Jeff and a couple of the other guys here have Cerberus Logo's on their shirts?" he said.
"We are using their resources but we don't actually work for them. We are going after the Collectors," Jack said.
Aresh growled low in his throat, "If there is one thing that I hate more then Cerberus its the Collectors," he said and he turned away from them. His biotics blaring to life.
He then let loose a fireball that destroyed a barely standing building and watched it crumble to the ground.
"Did you do this?" Shepard asked.
"No, this was done long ago by Jeff's grandmother. She had one hell of a temper and when she found out her grandson and all of us were tortured and experimented on she sent those bastards at Cerberus a message. 'Don't fuck with my grandson," Aresh said.
He then pointed to a piece of wall that was left standing. They all had to stare long and hard at the message written in blood.
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin, Huzrah nu, kul do od, wah aan bok lingrah vod, Ahrk fin zul, rok drey kod, nau tol morokei frod, Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin, Ahrk fin Kel lost prodah, do ved viing ko fin krah, Nuz aan sul, fent alok, fod fin vul dovah nok, Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin,
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan,
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!
Ahrk fin tey, boziik fun, do fin gein!
Wo lost fron wah ney dov, ahrk fin reyliik do jul,
Voth aan suleyk wah ronit faal krein
Rul lot Taazokaan motaad voth kein!
Sahrot Thu'um, med aan tuz, vey zeim hokoron pah,
Ol fin Dovahkiin komeyt ok rein!
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan,
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!
Tol fod zeymah win kein meyz fundein!
Alduin, feyn do jun, kruziik vokun staadnau,
Voth aan bahlok wah diivon fin lein!
Fen kos nahlot mahfaeraak ahrk ruz!
Paaz Keizaal fen kos stin nol bein Alduin jot,
Dovahkiin kos fin saviik do muz!
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!
"Who the fuck wrote that?" Jacob asked
Jeff already knew that answer and knew the lyrics by heart. It can only be the work of his grandmother she was the only one twisted enough to do this. He also recognized the song from one of the lullabies that she used to sing to him when he was a child. The words seemed to burn with an intensity that would scare anyone who does not know the language of dragons. He remembered Martha often uses it as a code to speak to others of the Order. It was something that Jeff knew by heart. He and Jack both knew the language and it was not surprising that Martha would do something like this for the children who had died in this horrible place.
There was one thing that Jeff knew it was that when you kill children in front of his grandmother she will kill you without hesitation. That was a major no, no in her book.
"It was written long ago," said Aresh.
"I can tell that," Jacob replied.
"I am sorry but do I look like an archeologist to you," Aresh replied.
"Just what are you doing here Aresh?" Jeff asked.
"I was trying to find some closure from all that has happened years ago. All I ever wanted was to see for myself what happened after Jeff's grandmother went berserk. We only remember bits and pieces of it, but we remember all that happened that day. Just not the end results," Aresh replied.
"So you came back here to find closure, just like Jack," said Shepard.
"Yes," Aresh replied.
The rest of the group had remained quiet as Jack and Jeff walked towards where Aresh was standing. The ruins remained smoking as they each pulled out a necklace with a stone attached to the end. Each was elaborate in form as they looked back towards the crowd.
"We will wait by the shuttle," Garrus said sensing their need for privacy.
They slowly moved away allowing Aresh, Jack and Jeff to stand alone, and remember that horrid day.
The sound of thunder overhead had them all looking up towards the stormy skies. Then just like magic the rain began to fall. It began to pour but the three still stood there looking at the wall where the words were carved into stone.
"Just typical of my grandmother to include the words to a song," Jeff said as he ran his hand along the stone.
It was smooth and durable something only his grandmother would do to remind those who have created this place that she is still hunting them. Jack and Aresh both touched their necklaces that were hidden under their clothes. Jeff did the same reluctantly as he turned towards them.
"I guess we now know what happened after you were sent to the ship," Jeff said to Jack.
"Yeah all I remember seeing before I was put on the Normandy was your grandmother's hands burning with fire. I did not know that she would do this," she said spreading her hands out wide.
"She had a temper when it came to children," Jeff replied.
"So now what?" asked Jack
"Aresh have you been keeping up with any activities lately?" Jeff asked
"Yeah, I've only been here for two weeks getting some closure but I keep in touch with what is going on with the others." He said.
"Do you know what is going on?" Jeff replied.
"Yeah, It seems as if your grandmother is after her memory stone a guy named Donovan Hock has it. Last I heard she went to Illium to get it. Our numbers have grown since the fall of the SR-1 Jeff. We now have Salarians joining our cause as well as Elcore. The Batarian Government has reported Reaper activity near the Viper Nebula. They had managed to get an Alliance deep cover operative and is currently holding her in prison. Javik thinks that the Alliance is planing something so have asked the Watchers to keep an eye out for anything suspicious and to keep an eye out on the colony there." Aresh said
"That's 300,000 Batarians living in that planet." Jeff said
"Yeah, the Order is keeping an eye out on that colony and the Watcher is on standby ready to evac the entire colony when they do strike. We have been suspicious of Reaper activity for some time and with the Alliance watching out we now know for sure something is up. Martha thinks that by finding her stone she can answer those questions. You know how her mind works," Aresh said.
"Yeah we all know how her mind works." Jack replied.
"What else do you know?" Jeff asked
"I know about Cerberus's resurrection plan to resurrect Commander Shepard. I see you brought the full project here," Aresh said.
"Yeah, she is the real deal. What did they do about the clone?" Jeff asked.
"Clone? What clone?" Jack asked
"That's right you were in jail when this went down. Apparently Cerberus tried to clone Shepard from a fragment of her DNA. Well that failed when they realized that the clone will not have Shepard's memories. Unlike the Order who uses memory stones to get a person to remember who they are when they failed. Cerberus had ditched the clone and went to find the real Shepard's corpse. Liara T'Soni had stolen the body from the Shadow Broker. That asshole was going to sell it to the Collectors." Jeff said.
"Fuck," Jack replied.
"Yeah so Liara managed to steal the body and bring it to Cerberus who had the means to bring back the dead. Their methods are less then Ethical." Aresh finished.
The three stood there in silence while the rain poured on them. Lightning struck the skies as they bowed their heads low to make sure that nothing was blown.
"So Cerberus brought Commander Shepard back to life?" Jack said
"Yeah, but I bet they had safeguards that not even Miranda knows about. I know she was part of the project that brought her back but remember they do things behind the back of even their most loyal operatives." Aresh finished.
"So somehow they have Shepard on a leash none that she knows about," Jeff said.
"Yeah so I would keep an eye out for Shepard. Make sure that she is alright before proceeding further," Aresh replied.
"I know and if you see my grandmother tell her that Jack and I said hi and tell her what is going on," Jeff said.
"Don't worry I will," Aresh replied.
Both Jeff and Jack began to walk back both their arms were around each others shoulders in a sibling fashion. Apparently they were not the only ones who noticed.
There in the rain was none other then Maria Shepard soaked just as they were as they all held each other in solitude. Her heart went out to them as they neared where they were. She opened her arms like an elder sister and both of them hugged her and held her tight. Jeff began to memorize her scent even under her black armor. It was rosemary, mint and gunpowder. Those were her and he was admiring it all when she slowly pulled apart from them. She nodded to them in understanding her eyes moist and she hugged Jeff especially. Jack saw the look of surprise on Jeff's face and the blush that appeared. She is so going to get him for that.
They all boarded the shuttle. The others did not say anything as Jeff took control of the helm and flew them upwards towards the Normandy.
THREE HOURS LATER
Jack flew across the landing pad her sword swinging was incredible. She moved so fast that the others who sat down watched her dance. Garrus sat down eating a dextro-lipo bar being glad to finally get on their way to the Citadel. Dr. Chakwas was there also enjoying a drink with the Turian. The two of them along with Jeff decided to watch the dance with Jack and the sword. Out of all the crew the only one who knows about dragons was Mordin who was late coming down. Knowing the Salarian he was too into his research.
Jeff had EDI make sure that no one was around to watch Jack go out and do what she does best.
She moved her sword with fluid grace as she used the buckets of water to demonstrate how fast she could swing by slicing water droplets. Garrus was amazed by the skill of the biotic. She moved like she was dancing when she twirled that sword around. Not only that but thanks to EDI Jack could really cut loose with her biotics by splitting the sword in two and dancing around like a true dancer.
"Just how many archaic weapons you had in your stuff Jack?" asked Garrus.
"Quite a bit it is good to keep sharp. I bet Jeff had some too before he went to the Alliance," she mocked.
"Shut up about that," Jeff said,
"Make me!" Jack mocked
In a flash Jeff used his biotics to tackle Jack to the ground and both were laughing as he started to tickle her. She then shoved him off of her a little too hard.
Jeff went flying into the wall but before he did he did a flip in midair and used his legs as a spring.
Launching himself off he then did a number of flips before landing on Jack again. Jack this time took her sword out and fought back.
Jeff did the same as he parried with his sword. Moving as if his life depended on it he avoided hit after hit. He was using his biotics to protect his bones from harm. Jack was using that to her advantage as she tried to ware him down. Garrus was impressed by the movements of these two as they blocked, parried, and struck at one another.
It was when Jeff disarmed Jack that things gotten more intense. Jack had used her biotics to move the buckets of water against Jeff. Jeff moved out of the way and used fluid hand movements to swing the water back at Jack. It was a water toss. Jack then moved the water away from her and switched to fire. Jeff called the water up and froze it in his hands turning it into a bow staff. Twirling it around he parried the fireballs.
Twirling it like a kung-fu master he sailed over Jack as she called her two swords up again by extending her hands. Jeff twirled his weapon around but Jack smirked as she came across the room with her two swords on fire.
The hissing noise that came from it melted through Jeff's staff and it evaporated into steam. Jack brought down her swords again but Jeff blocked by putting his hands up and clapping them around the blade.
Garrus was even more impressed with his friend's show of strength. The blue biotics helped to keep his legs from giving out on him but he knew that eventually Jeff would tire and when that happened he did not know.
The fight was intense Jeff did a series of flips to get away from Jack and her swords. Eventually they both were sweating from head to foot. Only bruises were shown but they used their sweat to heal themselves.
Jeff gave a swift kick to Jack's face sending her flying to the ground. She had gotten to her feet and felt her face and tasting the blood that came from her nose. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out a small cylinder. Smirking Jeff did the same and both gotten into fighting positions again. Pulling out a second one they both hooked it up together and faced each other.
"Now what are those two things for...?" Garrus was about ask when they both lit up and they began to attack each other.
"Ok I rest my case," he said.
The two clashed like never before as lightsabers met with a rain of fire and lightning. The two clashed in a lightning battle of such intensity that Garrus found himself enjoying the dextro friendly popcorn that Dr. Chakwas provided. The two watched as the lightsabers came clashing together and Jeff and Jack both found themselves sweating as they faced each other. Jeff then rushed at Jack and the other extended her hand to blow him away from her.
Jeff flew across the shuttle deck only to twist in the air like a cat and land on the door to the airlock and bounce back at Jack. The two continued their triad till they both grew tired and sore. When both could barely hold up a lightsaber they quickly extinguished it and bowed low to each other.
Jeff then let go of the biotics he used to keep his bones intact and nearly collapsed. Garrus was on him in an instant and was surprised to find that Jeff is really light! With his muscular build he was surprised that the human was lighter then others he had to hold up.
"Just get me to a shower and I will be fine," Jeff said.
"I want to look at you after your shower Jeff," Dr. Chakwas said.
Nodding Jeff was carried to the elevator. The trip was short seeing as the crew deck was cleared of any personnel. Miranda was in her office so she would not see anyone as they snuck Jeff to the men's room to clean up. Garrus was there to help him into the shower and get him some clean clothes. Jack went into the women's restroom to get cleaned up as well.
MEN'S BATHROOM
"Damn Joker did not know you had it in you to fight like that!" Garrus said as he helped him into the stall.
Jeff was used to people helping him when he was injured so it did not bother him so much that a Turian was helping him bathe. Garrus had to take a bath himself seeing as he too was dirty. Working in the guns all day did not help matters.
Since only the handicap stall is the only one large enough for anyone to use Jeff began to undress and Garrus helped him down to nothing. Since both of them used to shower together on the SR-1 which had no stalls for showers they were used to seeing each other naked even after all these years.
Jeff just sat there as the water began to message him and Garrus quickly cleaned himself up hoping to help Jeff with his injuries. Seeing the human suddenly have his bruises disappear from the water washing over him Garrus could not help but be amazed at this human.
"I take it that is from your biotics right?" Garrus said.
"Yep, it was one of the first things my grandmother taught me," Jeff replied.
"Healing? Imagine the possibilities of that talent Joker many people would want to know how you learned how to heal with your biotics," Garrus said.
"Yeah it was a popular thing back on Earth when the Order of the Dragon was in its full glory," Jeff replied.
"What about now?" Garrus said.
"Well we will have to wait and see," Jeff replied.
Garrus can clearly see where all the bruises, burns and marks on Jeff from the various weapons had hit him were. The water as it washed over him suddenly made the wounds start to heal and wash away. He watched as Jeff waved his hand and all those marks just disappeared.
When Jeff was finished Garrus helped him put on his uniform and Jeff put on his own braces. Once he was fully dressed with his cap back on his head and Garrus in his civilian clothes. They made their way out to the mess hall. There Jack was waiting for them and pointed to the Medbay. Nodding Jeff made his way to the medbay to get his check up with the doctor. Dr. Chakwas examined him over to make sure he was alright. When he was fine she let him go to get something to eat.
"Now I have not danced like that in ages," Jack said as she poured on the food.
"Yeah, Well when we get to the Citadel I won't have to worry anymore about this crap every again," Jeff grimaced at the rations placed on the table before them.
"I have to agree and pity the cook since he is basically stuck on this stuff," Garrus replied.
"Don't worry Rupert added stuff that was Dextro for you Garrus," Jeff replied.
The Turian liked that.
CITADEL
"Kasumi Goto I presume," a voice said startling the thief.
Kasumi turned to find a figure in the shadows with a hood on her head just like her.
Unlike her however this figure was wearing a cloak that extends down to her ankles.
"Martha I presume," she said.
The figure smirked before removing her hood. Up in the rafters of the Citadel Wards it was an ideal hiding spot for two people who would rather not be seen.
"I have the data you requested and much more," she said holding out something that Kasumi thought she would never see again.
"Keiji's Greybox! How did you get it?" Kasumi asked
"I had a nice little chat with Mr. Hock the man who had taken that greybox from Keiji and yourself. When I heard about your problem I figured I could help with getting that Greybox for you when I went to retrieve what belonged to me," Martha replied.
"Your memory stone I presume," Kasumi said.
"Yes, when I saw the greybox next to the stone I knew who it belonged to. I knew Keiji personally he was a good friend of mine and his family was under the protection of the Dragons. Just like yours is," Martha replied.
"I can't thank you enough Kahalewai-san you had done me a great honor after all." Kasumi said.
"There is something I need you to do, I've heard that Cerberus has contacted you is that correct?" Martha said.
"Yes they had. I was going to use them to get the greybox back, but since you had already retrieved it for me I was considering canceling their offer. But when I read why they wanted me I could not help but be curious as to why they are tracking the best thief in the galaxy to fight an army of monsters." Kasumi replied.
Martha smirked, "Commander Shepard needs all the help she can get fighting the Collectors. The Alliance has refused to help as well as the Citadel Council so that leaves her enemy to help her fight the Reapers."
Kasumi had to think about it for a bit her mind was elsewhere.
"The Reapers are coming aren't they?" Kasumi asked
"Yes, they are coming just like the Watchers told us they would," Martha replied.
Kasumi was looking down at the passing sky cars that zoomed by along their specialized roadways.
"Just like in the stories that grandpa used to tell me and the other children of the Goto clan. The Reapers who have killed billions of races just justify their twisted means of ascension," Kasumi said.
"Yep," Martha replied.
"Very well I will accept their offer then, but what is in it for you?" Kasumi asked.
"I want you to find out what Cerberus is up to. Someone of the Goto Clan of Ninja must surely be able to gather that amount of data now would you," Martha said.
"Yes, I can do that and the Greybox is payment enough as it is," Kasumi said.
"You don't have to worry about the information that Keiji has hidden on it. I've already extracted it from the greybox so it is safe for you to have in your hands," Martha replied.
With tears of joy Kasumi hugged Martha tight. The other woman hugged her back before backing away.
"The Goto Clan will forever be in your debt Kahalewai-san and I will watch Cerberus for you," she said.
Martha nodded before vanishing into the shadows once more. Kasumi knows that she is gone. All she has to do is wait for the Normandy to arrive and then the dragon's dance will begin.
TBC