"Nala!" I called out. "Nala'Zorah!"
Damn Citadel, why does it have to be so populated?
"Nala'Zorah nar Iliad, where are you?" Crowds, crowds, alleys, scattered people, more crowds... This place just has to be huge, doesn't it? Wait, is that her? I ran forward, pushing through and around pedestrians. Down an alley, turn a corner. Keelah, this is pointless! I slumped down next to a wall, questioning my choice of words and religion. Why do I pray to the Quarian deity? Hell if I know. Why did I not tell Nala earlier? Because I'm an idiot, that's why.
I sighed.
"Well, there goes my chance of doing this... and keeping her onboard." I grumbled. "Alright, time to get up." I did so and began walking to the stairs.
If she's not here, she'll be somewhere else. I found myself in one of the lower Zakera wards.
I surveyed the people. In a crowd? Nope. Against a wall? Nope. At a store? Nope.
Walking around, I passed an alleyway. I peeked inside. Thugs? Check. Guns? Check. Purple-shawled Quarian? Double check. She is going to kill herself...
"Well little missy, I don't think you can just pass on through here." One of the thugs said.
"And why not?" Nala responded, agitated.
"Because this is our turf, and if you want to pass, you got to pay."
"Like hell I will."
Nala pulled out her Katana shotgun, which was almost instantly met by eight other various guns.
"She is going to kill herself... unless I help." I drew my Mantis and switched to armor-piercing ammo, glad that I had bought it.
"Okay, okay. Let's not get ahead of ourselves." One of the thugs said, probably the leader. "There's no need for anyone to get hurt here. Just hand over whatever creds you have, and you can be on your way."
"No."
"Look, I'm trying to help you here. This guy," he placed his hand on a Krogan thug, "just loves a fight, but I'd rather not let him have his moment of passion."
"I don't have any credits." Nala said defensively.
"Hmm... Well there's always more than one way to pay off a debt." The gang began to advance on her.
I decided to take my shot. Sniper Mode allowed me to get off four shots, each of them knocking the guns out of a few thugs hands.
"What the fuck?" The leader, who I had disarmed, spouted. The remaining guns pointed over to me. I was behind a crate.
"Well hi there." I stood up from my crouched position. "I'd really appreciate it if you didn't take advantage of the young woman."
"Like we'll listen to you!" A thug shouted.
"Think about what you just said. As well as what just happened. Within two-and-a-half seconds, I fired off four shots, each disarming whoever I bothered aiming at. Now... if I can hit your guns from this distance that accurately, don't you think that I could do much worse?"
A Turian thug moved to fire. I moved in turn, letting off a shot into his leg, bringing him to the ground screaming in pain.
"See?" I reloaded. "Violence doesn't need to occur. Just let her go, and we'll forget this all ever happened, okay?"
"No." The Krogan said, throwing the Krogan-signature biotic push, glowing that odd red color.
I ducked behind the cover just as it reached me, but the force of it sent the crate hurdling over me. Laying on my back, I fired a shot into his head, a nice little spurt of blood following it along with his body collapsing to the ground.
"Holy hell!" One of the thugs yelled. I stood again, brushing myself off.
"Do you really want to do this?" I asked.
"N-no! Just fucking take her!" The leader stuttered, ushering Nala in my direction.
"Thank you." I said as she neared me. Wait... Oh no, she's still angry.
Nala's Omni-tool appeared and my shield shorted out, making me drop to a knee.
"Damn it, stop doing that! It smarts like hell." She crossed her arms.
"I didn't need your help."
"Says you. Look at how many guns were pointed you! You would have either been killed or worse!"
"No, I wouldn't have. But what's worse than death?"
"There's a lot about the criminal underworld you don't know about... Right guys?" A few gave nods.
"Well... I still don't need your help."
"Sure you don't."
"I don't!"
"Whatever you sa-"
Nala halted my words with another Energy Drain, making me drop to all fours.
"Aah! That freaking hurts!" The thug leader started to laugh.
"Look boys, young love." The rest of the gang started to laugh.
"Shut up!" Nala yelled, shocking him with an Energy Drain and knocking him unconscious, which quieted the laughing. I managed to stand.
"Look, you may not need my help, but I do need yours." I told her.
"Is that right?" She asked.
"Yeah, but, can we have this conversation somewhere else? Please."
"Fine, see you at the ship." She walked out.
"Well... I'll be taking my leave guys." The gang was tending to their unconscious leader and dead Krogan member. A few of them gave me angry sneers. "I have a rule. Attack me, and I attack you. So... sorry about him. Bye."
I walked out of the alley and towards docking hangar thirty-two.