Mass Effect: Surreptitious

Chapter Seven:

"Citadel Security has considered the ship that blew up early last night was not an act of terrorism, and the breach into C-Sec was a drill being run and not a prisoner escape like many rumors have suggested."

Since news of the explosion reached the media, everyone on the citadel began to use more caution. A Krogan sat alone in Chora's Den listening to the news.

"Humph, bullshit if you ask me. We all know damn well this wasn't a coincidence."

Irritated by the news the Krogan rose from his seat and left the bar. As soon as he left the bar, he heard a familiar voice.

"It's been a while Chax. I was hoping…"

Before the sentence could be finished Chax through his arm at the individual. The Krogan's brute strength collided with the wall missing his target. Enraged by this, Chax rushed forward in a bloodied rage straight at the individual. The individual now become clear, she was an Asari. Unphased by the charging Krogan, the Asari stood her ground. She lunged forward and hit the Krogan paralyzing him with a stasis field. Chax was un-able to continue charging.

"You shouldn't have come here Syntalia. Once you let me loose I'm going to kill you. Do you think I forgot what happened? You have some nerve showing your face to me, after what you did!"

Syntalia walked up to Chax and wrapped her arm around him.

"Now Chax, I know we've had our…disagreements in the past, but I am here strictly on business."

Her words seemed to anger Chax even more.

"I don't give a damn about your business. You betrayed me once; I won't let it happen again. If you don't kill me right now as soon as this field is let down I will make sure your ass is pushing up daisies in the morning."

Syntalia began to laugh hysterically. Her facial expression then suddenly changed and became serious.

"Listen up and listen good, I am only going to say this once. A Salarian scientist was responsible for making that ship explode. That's not what I am worried about however. He took three of my "business partners" hostage in the process. I am going to go free them and I want your help. I knew it would be "troublesome" for you to see to this, but I have an offer you can't refuse. I have information for you of a scientist working to cure the Genophage."

This statement peaked Chax's interest. The Krogan began to calm himself.

"How do I know you're telling the truth? How do I know you won't just betray me again once the task is done?"

Syntalia let the krogan go and walked to the front of him. She lowered the stasis field around him. She reached into her back pocket and grabbed a data disk. Un-expectantly, she threw it to the Krogan. Chax caught the disk and carefully examined it.

"There you have the information upfront. Now are you going to help me or should I kill you and burn the disk?"

Chax looked down at the disk again and began thinking. After a few moments's he nodded at her.

"Why are you interested in saving these three individuals?

Syntalia shot him a wicked grin.

"I finished a job and before I could get paid, this happened. If I rescue them I can turn this into hazard pay."

Syntalia turned around and walked off. She waved her hand signaling Chax to follow her. The two left Chora's den and hopped into Syntalia's vehicle and flew off.

"It's time to wake up."

A hard punch hit Chris in the chest. Alarmed and surprised Chris shot awake in pain. The room he was in was dark; he couldn't see a thing.

"Ah, you're finally awake. That's good. Now the fun can begin!"

A blinding light flashed. Chris was strapped to what appeared to be a medical bed. Axel and Sara were in the same room tied up to chairs. Both had blindfolds on and restraints over their mouths.

"Let them go Paroth! This is between you and me." Chris yelled.

Paroth appeared into the light walking around Chris's medical bed.

"No, no, no now it is going to be fun. We are going to have many experiments. I genius I will become. I'll be a hero amongst my people."

Paroth turned his attention to Axel and Sara. He walked over and stood in front of them. He removed their blindfolds. Axel immediately began struggling to get free.

"Interesting how this one struggles. He wants to hurt me I can feel it. The female she looks terrified. Why is this? You human's are strange creatures. So much I can learn about you. Who is first though? I am so excited I can't choose. I think, yes she will do."

"Put a hand on her and it will be the last thing you ever do you son of a bitch!" Chris yelled.

Paroth looked at Chris suspiciously.

"Very interesting, you must have feelings for this one, yes? Then I should definitely start with her!"

Paroth grabbed Sara and cut the ropes holding her down. He grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the floor. Axel began to struggle even more. Chris thought about using some of his biotic power's, but if it backfired it could end up killing them all. Then an explosion knocked the door of the room they were in off its hinges.

A Krogan and Asari emerged from the wreckage. Paroth looked a little stunned, but not surprised.

"Chax, I see you have brought me another subject to experiment with? I just wish you wouldn't use such forceful entries like that."

Syntalia looked surprised then turned her gun on Chax. Chax still with his gun drawn towards Paroth noticed this, but continued to keep his gun on Paroth.

"Not this time Paroth, we may have worked together in the past since I am a bounty hunter, but that's all about to change. I'm here for those humans. Release them before I lose my temper."

Syntalia continued to observe him. Her gun remained pointed at Chax. Paroth charged Chris and pulled out a syringe. He jammed it into Chris's leg right as Chax fired his weapon, killing Paroth. Syntalia lowered her weapon and ran over to Chris. Chax walked over to Sara and helped her to her feet, then proceeded to free Axel.

Syntalia worried about Chris, removed the syringe. Chax untied him. Chris sat up looking like he was entering a daze.

"Take…me…to…my ship…get VBI inserted into the systems…have her run an analysis of this…"

Chris fell over. Chax and Syntalia picked him up. She looked back at Sara and Axel.

"You two do whatever the hell you want. My job of saving your asses is complete. We need to get him to his ship. If you two are coming, move your asses."

Sara looked up at Axel and nodded.

Axel thought to himself. "Just let the bastard die, we'll take his ship and get the hell out of here."

Axel nodded at Sara and they followed Chax and Syntalia.