This is the seventh chapter to my first series, "The Arrival Has Come". Reviews are welcome and encouraged. The story is set after the Arrival DLC and leads into Mass Effect 3.
*There are some spoilers ahead for ME3.*
As with all disclaimers, I do not own Bioware or Mass Effect, but I certainly wish I did.
The Arrival Has Come
Chapter Seven: Broker
"What's at Hagalaz?" asked Lieutenant Vega. "Besides boiling oceans and stormy weather?"
"The Shadow Broker's base of operations," replied Miranda.
"The… No shit? The Shadow Broker? You know where the Shadow Broker's base is?"
The lieutenant glanced at Shepard, then at Ashley, then at Miranda, and then back at Shepard. Tiberius didn't think it was possible for a man to look more confused.
"You've had this information for how long? And you didn't let the Alliance know? He's been a thorn in their side for the last few decades!"
Shepard promptly ignored Vega's question. He tapped Joker on the shoulder and said, "Get us in close. We'll take the shuttle from here."
The helmsmen nodded. "We'll be here when you get back, Commander. Not going anywhere."
"How could you keep this from the Alliance?" James persisted.
"I have my reasons," Tiberius replied with a casual shrug of his shoulders.
Even Ashley fumed at Shepard. "They better be damn good reasons. You said that bastard sold your corpse to the Collectors."
Shepard just nodded. "He tried to, yes." He enjoyed watching the two Alliance lieutenants get hot and bothered about the situation. If they only knew who the Shadow Broker really was, they wouldn't be so irritated. Well, Ashley might, but that would be for different reasons entirely.
"T, I don't understand," said Ashley. "How could you-"
"Shepard, who are you taking with you down to the base?" Miranda cut in.
Every once in a while Shepard found himself in the odd situation of appreciating Miranda's more annoying talents like getting straight down to business. Such was one of those rare moments.
"You and Garrus are going in with me. Get Garrus down to the cargo bay in five."
"Right away," said the Australian-accented beauty. She flicked her wrist at Shepard in a forced salute and then stormed off to the elevator to pick up Garrus and head to the bay.
"We're not coming with you?" Ashley asked, motioning to herself and Lieutenant Vega.
Shepard stared blankly at the both of them. What, because they were Alliance they expected special treatment? Ashley expected special treatment because…?
Tiberius shook his head as he left the bridge to make his way to the elevator. "No," he said, "you're not."
"And why the hell not?" Ashley asked, strutting right beside him. "I'm a Spectre. By the Council's orders, I'm supposed to keep my eye on you."
If there was one thing Ashley hadn't lost in two years, it was her ability to stand up to Shepard's orders. Especially if it meant she didn't get her way. One thing Shepard loved and similarly hated about her was her steady spitfire attitude that allowed such standing up to occur. Tiberius continued towards the CIC, brushing past both Alliance soldiers. At the elevator he faced Ashley and Vega. The staff lieutenant's arms were crossed indignantly and Ashley's face was a brightening shade of red.
"It'll all make sense when we get back. See you in a few."
With that, he ducked into the elevator and punched the destination button for the cargo bay before he could hear any more protests.
"Shepard, I have detected two shuttles in the Shadow Broker's shuttle bay," EDI informed him. "Life signs indicate that there are twenty armed men spread throughout. I have scanned the atmosphere and found a ship registered to Eclipse mercenaries. What do you wish to do?"
"Eclipse? Do you know who hired them?"
"I have not found sufficient information in their data banks to answer that. The employer's tracks were well covered. However, I have picked up on some of the mercenaries' communications. Many of them are making references to an asari, though I do not think they have found Dr. T'Soni as of yet."
Shepard groaned. Why did things like this always have to happen?
"They could be talking about Liara. If that's the case, she's in trouble and we don't have time to waltz in there," said Shepard. His mind immediately began racing for a plan of attack.
"I can seize control of the Eclipse vessel if you wish, Commander," EDI reminded him.
The fact that the AI could override an enemy ship's systems made Shepard giddy. With a few words from the commander, EDI's cyberwarfare capacities could cripple the Eclipse vessel. It was completely unfair to the opponent, but having an edge like that was what had kept Shepard and the rest of the team alive during the raid on the Collector base.
"Hold off," Shepard replied. "With the stealth systems engaged, they shouldn't be able to find us. Tell Joker to pull out to a safer distance unless we call in for support."
"Of course, Commander. Good luck."
EDI's comm link switched off just as the elevator dropped into the cargo bay. The doors opened and he found Garrus and Miranda loading up for the jaunt to the Shadow Broker base.
He couldn't look at either of them the same anymore. Knowing that they eavesdropped on his conversation with Ashley felt something akin to betrayal. Especially with Garrus. The turian was his friend. Friends were supposed to talk about things face to face, not listen in behind each other's backs. But what could Shepard do? Send the whole group of snoops to the brig? For as much as he wanted to, just to assert that his private business was his own, he needed everyone on the Normandy at work.
Tiberius decided to play it cool and zero in on his 'Commander' mode, at least until the job was done and Liara was safely onboard the Normandy.
Garrus collapsed his Avenger assault rifle and clipped it to his back. Miranda checked the sights on her SMG and then automatically touched a hand to the back of her neck, checking to make sure her amp was secure.
"EDI just told me that there are Eclipse mercs crawling all over the base," said Tiberius as the three of them walked towards the new Alliance-colored Kodiak. The shuttle driver bounced up into the cockpit and opened the doors for them. After Shepard told the driver to take them to the base's shuttle bay, the three of them climbed inside the Kodiak. "She said that they were talking about an asari. At this point in time, we don't know if they were talking about the employer or Liara. For now we will assume that Liara has been compromised."
"What's the plan, Commander?" Miranda asked.
Engines roared to life and the Kodiak lifted off as the cargo bay door opened. The shuttle lurched forward and to steady himself, Shepard propped a hand against the ledge of his seat.
"Avoid the mercs if we can. If that's not possible, we can try and figure out what they're doing here. If it comes to a fight, give them hell. Grab Liara and get out of here. That's the main objective."
Both Garrus and Miranda acknowledged the plan with nods of determination. The ride from the Normandy to the base was bumpy and choppy at best, with all three of them grabbing onto and holding something by the time the shuttle touched down. Doors opened and they hopped out.
Shepard itched to get his finger on Charlotte's trigger. The possibility of a fight buzzed through his veins.
At the back of the shuttle bay was a crowd of mercs gathered around a large crate. Four were outfitted in black and yellow Eclipse hardsuits. One, a batarian, wore Rosenkov heavy Titan armor and looked vaguely familiar to Shepard.
The Eclipse mercs drew their weapons upon sight of Tiberius and his squad. Miranda and Garrus whipped out their own guns in retaliation. Shepard ignored the itch in his fingers to grab the Phalanx heavy pistol from his side and pop off each of the bastards. The batarian, appearing to be in charge, looked up from a datapad in his hands and squinted as the trio approached.
"Alliance military?" asked the batarian, still squinting. He pointed to the Kodiak, the Alliance symbol emblazoned on its thrusters and panels. "What the hell are you guys doing out here? Wait… Shepard?"
Both groups were now standing a few feet from each other. That was when Shepard finally recognized the batarian.
"Anto?"
"Last I heard, you blew a batarian star system to hell," the guard rattled. "Good for you! Stupid bastards think colonizing a world will make us seem civil. Batarians are meant for blood. Not for sucking up to the damned Council."
At least one batarian in the galaxy didn't hate Shepard for blowing up a colony. Still wasn't very reassuring.
"What are you doing here? Aria let you go or something?" asked Shepard, referring to Omega's asari ruler.
"No, no," said the four-eyed anthropoid. He glanced over his shoulder and snapped at the Eclipse. "Put your guns down, you idiots. This is Shepard! Aria owes him!"
The mercs hesitantly put down their guns. Tiberius motioned for Garrus and Miranda to do the same. They each gave him warning looks as they lowered their respective weapons.
"Anyways," Anto continued, "the Shadow Broker's been sending agents to Omega for years. Pisses Aria off every single time. We've caught most of them. Last one we caught didn't even know it was the Shadow Broker who hired him. Stupid turian. Finally caught the last one a few days ago. Interrogated him until he was bleeding out of every orifice. Aria wasn't having a good day. Pointed us in this direction and here we are."
"For what exactly?" asked Garrus.
"We're gonna blow this little shit's entire operation to hell," Anto replied with a guttural guffaw. "Aria's paranoid already, but now she's out to get everybody before they get her. We've already planted three bombs throughout the base. Whoever the Shadow Broker is, he won't survive the shitload of explosives we've got set up."
The batarian tossed his datapad to the merc on his left.
"What about you, Shepard? Got a little business to do with the Broker too?"
Tiberius found himself in a predicament…again. He could employ his charms and lie to Aria's right-hand man or he could just end the bullshit and put a bullet through the batarian's head. But he also didn't want to upset Aria in case one of the mercs was able to get a message out. For as much as Shepard disagreed her methods, she could prove to be a powerful ally in the war with the Reapers…
Bluffing seemed like the better option.
As long as it worked long enough to get Liara out safely.
"I'm here to settle a score," Shepard lied. "The Broker planned to sell my body to the Collectors when I died. I'm just returning a favor."
"Never knew you to be the revenge type, but I guess people change. Heard about your fight with the Collectors. That was some nasty shit," said the batarian. He paused for a moment and stared pensively at Tiberius. "Alright, Shepard. We'll give you ten minutes. After that, you have five minutes before the bombs detonate. Any longer than that and this place is your newest grave. I've got a job to do and I sure ain't going to drop it for you."
"Understood," the commander replied. "Tell your mercs to stand down. We're headed in."
"I'll radio ahead. They'll let you through."
With a nod in the direction of the base entrance, the batarian sent Shepard, Garrus and Miranda off. Before the door closed behind them, Shepard heard Anto give orders to the Eclipse mercenaries to let them in.
In the labyrinth of halls, Miranda hissed at Shepard. "What the hell are you thinking, Commander? Anto could blow the whole base to pieces right now!"
"No, he won't."
"How do you know?" asked Garrus, unclipping and unlocking his Avenger from his back.
"Gut feeling?" Miranda mocked.
"Anto's right. Aria owes me after I helped her with Patriarch," Shepard replied. "He wouldn't do anything to make her mad. That's our reassurance. Right now, let's just get to central operations and get Liara out of there."
"And our escape?"
"We'll worry about that once we have Liara with us."
"All this trouble over one asari," said Garrus. "I liked T'Soni when she was with us, Shepard, but is she really worth it?"
"I hauled your ass off Omega," Shepard bit back. "Don't forget that. I'll do whatever it takes to keep my people safe."
All conversation ended when the squad came upon a group of mercs. They were armed to the teeth: barriers, shotguns, ML-77 grenade launchers, and threatening stares. There were six of them posted just outside the hallway leading into central operations. On top of a crate of thermal clips was another box. Upon closer investigation, Shepard recognized a red-numbered timer and a console.
The box was one of the bombs.
The asari merc in charge of the outpost glared at Shepard. "You the human we're supposed to let through?" she sniveled.
"Yeah."
She laughed. "Good luck getting in. We've already lost four to that corridor's automated defenses. Shadow Broker's as bloody paranoid as Aria. There's also a lock on the central operations door. Unless you're a quarian, good luck hacking through that shit."
The three of them looked at each other for a moment and then stepped forward.
"Can you open this door?" asked Shepard. "We're going in."
The asari shrugged and chucked her shotgun against her shoulder. "Your funeral pal. Shelon, let the poor bastard in."
A salarian tech leaned over the door's console and plugged away. Three seconds later, the door opened with a chirp and a hiss. Shepard grabbed Charlotte from his back and unbolted her locks, letting her slide into his hands. Just in case. Hopefully Liara wouldn't turn the automated defenses on them.
Shepard, Garrus and Miranda passed through the door into the hallway leading to central operations. As soon as they were all inside, the asari howled with laughter.
"You stupid bastard! You think we're going to let you live? We know who you are, Shepard. Eclipse for life! Hope you enjoy burning in hell!"
Garrus cursed violently at the asari and Miranda popped a few shots between the sliding doors before they shut.
"Damn it! Now what?" Miranda asked once they were trapped inside.
"Same thing!" Shepard hollered at her. As if he hadn't given the same orders before. "Get Liara and get out."
The three of them proceeded to central operations, guns raised in case of any surprises. On their way to the door on the opposite side of the hall, they passed the four bodies that the asari Eclipse had told them about. Heavy turret fire and shredder rounds combined to tear through the mercs' shields and leave them as indistinguishable, bloody corpses.
Shepard noted the silent turrets above the door that followed their path. They hadn't been fired upon, so Tiberius assumed that Liara was watching them. Garrus stepped towards the door's console, but it opened automatically.
Shepard took the first cautious step into central operations and scanned the fairly empty room. Consoles and screens lined one side of the room, and standing in front of the main screen was a slender, blue-skinned asari. She turned as the trio entered.
"I was wondering when you would come for me, Shepard," said Liara.
"The Reapers-"
"I know. Come on," she said, turning back to her console. "We've got to get out of here. Anto just activated the bombs. We have five minutes. Feron!"
From an adjacent room, an olive and goldenrod-colored drell appeared. His black eyes were attached to the highlighter orange omni-tool on his wrist. He advanced into the central room and then towards Shepard.
Without removing his eyes from his omni-tool, he said, "From here, I can control the station. I've locked down the shuttle bay and activated the defenses. That should keep the Eclipse busy until we make it to your shuttle."
"If we let the bombs go off, everyone will think the Shadow Broker is dead."
"You're okay with that?"
Her bright blue eyes flashed as she pulled an OSD from inside her jacket. "I have everything I need to continue my operations on this disk," she said. "For now, let's just get out of here." She tucked the OSD back where it came.
"Four minutes and thirty seconds," Feron alerted.
"Let's get out of here. Garrus, cover Feron."
"That will be unnecessary," said the drell. He whipped a Carnifex pistol from his jacket. "What is the human expression? 'Walking and chewing gum'?"
Shepard led the way back into the hall. With a swiping motion from Feron's omni-tool, the door that the asari had locked reopened. The squad of five moved into the next hallway, surprisingly empty of mercenaries. They ran through that hallway as quickly as they could, weapons at the ready. As they approached the door leading to the shuttle bay, Feron said, "Scanners indicate that there are thirteen mercs alive, including Mr. Anto. They have taken out the main turret and are launching grenades at the other four."
"Will the turrets turn on us?" asked Garrus.
"No. I can rewrite the mainframe to recognize the Eclipse mercenaries as the enemy. Give me a second."
"Speaking of seconds… How long do we have?"
"Three minutes."
"We'll make it," said Shepard. "Open the door."
Feron made another swiping motion across the door's holographic display and it slid open.
A cacophony of gunfire and indiscernible shouting blasted against Shepard's ears as soon as the door opened. A human Eclipse trooper turned at the sound of the door opening.
"They're with the Broker!" she screamed.
She raised her assault rifle, but not before Shepard squeezed Charlotte's trigger and sent an array of disruptor rounds straight into her shields.
Garrus finished her off with a hip-shot from his Avenger. Shepard edged his way into the shuttle bay and grabbed some cover behind a row of docking consoles. More shouting filled the air and heated projectiles whizzed over his head. Miranda unleashed a heavy warp on a vanguard and then followed Garrus to the right of the bay.
Feron's eyes finally lifted from his omni-tool. He grabbed a thermal clip from the bandolier at his waist and punched it into his pistol before standing and firing. Liara slapped a nearby engineer with a singularity and took cover beside Shepard. He glanced once over the console, checking to see if he had a clear path, and then hurdled the equipment and ran straight into the thick of the battle. Charlotte's firepower blasted through the kinetic barriers of two troopers, followed by a concussive shot that sent them screaming to the ground.
He ducked behind a row of canisters just as a rocket nailed the wall behind him. Shepard signaled Miranda and Garrus to move up in order to flank the mercenaries. Another concussive shot and a crippling slam later and both of them downed three more Eclipse.
Tiberius shot blindly around the corner until Charlotte protested. He brought her back around, ejected the thermal clip and jammed another inside the Revenant's chamber. Loaded, he skirted around the edge of the canisters and pulled the trigger. Incendiary rounds burned through shield and armor. The asari and salarians in front of him disintegrated before his eyes.
"Shepard!" screamed a batarian from the other side of the bay. Tiberius looked up just in time to dodge another rocket from Anto's heavy weapon. "Aria won't let you get away with this!"
When an asari commando jumped in front of Shepard and peppered his shields with a shotgun burst, Shepard's right thumb pressed against his omni-tool activator. He dropped Charlotte to his left hand and pulled back his right arm for a heavy punch. In switchblade fashion, the omni-tool released a holographic blade and Shepard drove the orange beam of light into the asari's hardsuit.
A combination of heat and tech hit the commando's suit. Her barriers shattered, shields dropped, and her suit overloaded in a painful malfunction that flushed heat and nerve degeneration through her system. She was stunned, wide-eyed and shocked but still alive. To finish her off, Shepard brought the barrel of his Revenant up to her chin and squeezed the trigger.
Dark burgundy blood spattered against Shepard's chestplate. The dead asari slid to the floor.
Shepard's omni-tool beeped and the blade returned to its regular omni-tool shape. The commander grinned. He would have to thank Mordin when he saw him again.
Another explosion burst behind him and Shepard stared down the stock of his rifle at Anto. Miranda, Garrus and Shepard gunned the batarian down before he could launch another rocket.
The fight was over a little too quickly if anyone asked the slaughtered Eclipse mercs.
"Hurry," said Feron, running past Shepard towards the Kodiak. "One minute!" He waved his omni-tool at the shuttle bay doors and they opened.
The other four quickly jumped in. The shuttle driver shook and sweated as he got the Kodiak running. Shepard stared out the window into the shuttle just before they left to see the carnage they left behind. Bodies, weapons and blasted turret debris were strewn everywhere. Two Eclipse shuttles, unmanned and unmoving, sat idly in the bay.
"Forty-five seconds!" Feron shouted.
The driver revved the thrusters and the quintuplet grabbed onto their seats.
Shepard pressed his earpiece.
"Joker? Joker?" Shepard was half-afraid that Hagalaz's stormy atmosphere would interfere with the radio.
"Where the hell are you, Commander?" came the Normandy's response.
"Make this a grab and go, Joker," said Shepard. "That base is going to blow."
"Are you nuts? We won't make it out in time!"
"If there's one pilot in this goddamn galaxy who can save our asses, it's you Joker! Double time!"
Looking out the window Tiberius witnessed the Normandy, painted in her new colors, climbing the skies to meet the Kodiak's intercept trajectory.
"Fifteen seconds!" Feron announced as the Normandy's cargo door opened and the Kodiak dropped inside.
And fifteen seconds later the Shadow Broker's base blew up, catching the unaware Eclipse vessel in its wake. But the Normandy was out of range of the explosion, safe and sound as it left orbit.
Tiberius wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his armored hand.
"Let's not do that again any time soon, eh Commander?" Garrus suggested as they stepped out of the Kodiak.
"Agreed."
Shepard finally clipped Charlotte onto the back of his chestplate with his other weapons. Relieved that the fiasco was over with, he headed towards the elevator with his four companions. Before he could summon the elevator, it opened.
An awestruck Ashley and equally dumbfounded Lieutenant Vega stood there for a moment. Eyes flashed in all directions. Shepard hadn't planned on Ashley and Liara meeting again like this; a more formal setting perhaps, not one where they had just come off one of the most terrifying shuttle trips of their lives.
"Are you shitting me?" Ashley asked. Hard brown eyes narrowed at Tiberius. "Liara's the Shadow Broker?"
Before Tiberius could explain, the Spectre lunged at the asari, hands ready to strangle the unsuspecting woman.
Sorry this took me so long to write. Life happens, ya know? Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter! Thanks for all of your encouragement, favorites, reviews and suggestions. I love it and you guys are awesome!