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Recap: 'Well, I better be ready. So who am I getting at Omega?' Shepard thought to himself as he got out of the bathroom. He looked up the dossiers on his personal terminal only to find three that were located on Omega. Any residual grogginess left him when he saw the same people he dreamt of last night.
'What the fuck?'
Now
Shepard was looking at three dossiers. Well, three dossiers and an email from the Illusive Man.
From: Illusive Man
Shepard:
We've reached an agreement with veteran mercenary Zaeed Massani. You may know the name; Zaeed has been involved in some of the best known (and some utterly unknown) military operations in the Terminus Systems, and is feared as a ruthless and relentless bounty hunter. I felt you might need a man with his skills on your mission, so I arranged to have him join you.
You will find him on Omega, where he's wrapping up his current bounty. Don't worry about his fee; I've taken care of that personally.
Shepard didn't worry about Zaeed's fee. He knew the old man charged a high price. What he was worrying about was the fact that he had dreamt of his mentor's death before reading this. Maybe... maybe it was someone else? He quickly looked at the dossier attached to the email.
Zaeed Massani: The Veteran
- Expert in both personal and small unit combat
- Unparalleled mercenary soldier and bounty hunter
- Known for a willingness to get the job done, no matter the cost
Zaeed Massani is, without a doubt, the most feared mercenary and bounty hunter in the galaxy. His services have been retained by Cerberus at extremely high cost. He is currently awaiting pickup on Omega.
There was even a picture of him. Same scar, same white eye, same everything! What the hell?! Shepard forced himself to calm down. Why? Why did he dream all that? Going out on a limb, he looked at the next dossier for Omega.
Archangel
- Small-unit tactical expertise
- Omni-tool expert and noted sniper
Archangel is a mercenary commander whose operations are noted for their technical expertise and strategic brilliance. He is responsible for high-profile attacks on gang leaders on Omega and can likely be found there.
Huh, the guy sounded pretty good. There was a video along with it. Shepard clicked on it and watched as the same blue-armored turian walked out of an entryway with several others and shot up a blue suns' base. Shepard recognized the armor, but there was no clear picture though. Still, there were plenty of turians that wore blue armor. Even on Omega. Shepard clicked on the next one and any doubt that it was a coincidence was crushed.
Dr. Mordin Solus: The Professor
- Biological weapons expert
- Light weapons training with Salarian Special Tasks Group
Dr. Mordin Solus is a salarian biological weapons expert whose technology may hold the key to countering Collector attacks. He is currently operating a medical clinic in the slums of Omega.
There was a picture of him too. Red and white skin with a missing horn on his head. Shepard lent back in his seat. How? Did he perhaps see this and his mind zeroed in on them before going to bed? He shook his head. This was no time to be focusing on dreams. And if they were possibly visions, well to hell with them! He had enough of those with the prothean beacon.
"Shepard, is there something wrong?" EDI's voice sounded out. Shepard looked to where her avatar popped up.
"No, why do you ask?" He said putting his thoughts at the back of his mind.
"Because your heart rate has increased rapidly. Are you under some sort of duress?" Shepard's brows rose. It was nice that she was asking even if it was out of protocol more than anything else.
"Just a messed up nightmare. Nothing more. Thank you for asking though, EDI." The AI was silent for a split second which was a lot for an AI if Isaac had been any indication.
"You are welcome, Shepard. Logging you out." With that, the blue hologram was gone. Shepard looked back the screen of his terminal.
'Well, even if it were all true I'm certainly not going to let this get to me.' Shepard thought before walking over to his locker and got dressed.
The Normandy flew through the asteroid field with ease as it got ever closer to Omega. The asteroid field had been created by many sloppy and half-assed mining operations of the large asteroid turned space station. From what Shepard knew of Omega it was built in the mined-out husk of a metallic asteroid. Omega has been a haven for criminals, terrorists, and malcontents for thousands of years. At times the station has lain idle and abandoned for centuries, only to be reactivated by a new group of outlaws seeking a fresh start. The space station's original elegant design has given way to haphazard expansion by scrabbling factions of every species. There is no central government or unifying authority on Omega, and nobody can recall a time there ever was one. However, Shepard knew that it had at least three de facto leaders in its history.
One had been some turian that for the life of him, Shepard didn't know much of. That leader gave way to the next who killed him, ate his heart and wore his skull on his armor. That krogan was Shepard's former teacher on krogan culture, Patriarch. Patriarch ruled undisputed on Omega until some time in the 1980s when his trusted lieutenant turned on him and defeated him in single combat. That person now ruled over Omega with an iron fist brimming with biotic energy. Aria T'Loak, the Pirate Queen, biotic boss, and Shepard's former boss and biotic teacher. Not to mention the mother of his ex.
Yeah, he wasn't exactly looking forward to meeting her again.
The Normandy finally weaved past the asteroid field and came into the shadow of the old, jellyfish-silhouetted station. The ship flew past the many spires and columns of the station. Various lights dotted the rustic buildings. Shepard gave Joker the coordinates to best docking bay he could get that wasn't in use at the moment.
"So we're here. Man, this place is a dump." Joker said having seen some of the place already. Shepard was right beside him, clad in his armor looking out the window.
"Yeah, it is. Omega is what I like to call the dark, twisted counterpart to the Citadel. The name Omega is mostly what humans call it, but that's not its only name. All species got a name for it. The asari call it the heart of evil. The turians, the world without order. The salarians, the place of secrets. The krogan, the land of opportunity. And they're not the only species you'll find here either. Vorcha and batarians are among them too. So if you ever want to leave and explore this place, Joker, take an armed escort with you." Joker looked at him like he was insane.
"The hell I'm going out onto that station. I want to be on my ship just in case one of those asteroids decides to collide with the place." Shepard raised his eyebrow.
"That won't happen. Those red rods and red ring were massive mass effect field generators. They'll redirect any debris. But you staying on the ship is a smart choice."
"Really?" Shepard nodded his head.
"Omega's inhabitants are usually lawless. The only ones who had been able to establish some limited order would be the mercenary groups here."
"You know I'm liking this place less and less. No one's going to try to steal ship while we're docked right?" Shepard shook his head negatively.
"Not here, no." That was when Miranda and Jacob came walking up to them. Both were wearing their usual armor and were using the standard weapons they preferred.
"You two ready?" Shepard asked. Both nodded. Shepard turned back to Joker.
"We're going to be here a while so get comfy." Shepard made to walk out but stopped himself. "If a guy calling himself Jackie Chun tries to get in, for the love of God, don't let him in. If there is a guy calling himself Isaac Clarke, trying to contact me through here, he's cool." With that Shepard, Miranda and Jacob entered the airlock. Joker looked at Shepard's back in confusion. There would actually be people who would try to contact him from this station?
Shepard and company were in the airlock waiting for the decontamination sequence to finish.
"EDI, what do you know about our quarries here?" Shepard asked trying to pass the time. EDI responded quickly to him over the radio.
"I'm receiving quarantine warnings about the slums where Dr. Mordin Solus runs the clinic. Anticipate resistance at the transport station. I have also accessed messages between mercenary groups regarding plans to deal with Archangel. There's a recruiting station at Afterlife that may have information on him."
"And Zaeed Massani?" Shepard asked.
"I'm afraid there is nothing that I can find save for that he has docked onto the station."
"I see. Thank you, EDI." Shepard said as the decontamination stopped. The airlock opened and the trio exited. Within seconds, Shepard smelt the putrid, stale air that was Omega's atmosphere. He almost felt nostalgic as his eyes watered a little from the strong stench. Almost. He blinked away the smell and kept walking. The team stepped out into an old rusted out hallway. The windows showing the inside rock of the asteroid were covered in dust and grime. The three didn't even get that far down the hallway before a salarian walked down to meet them. Shepard could immediately tell that the salarian was a con man the second his eyes landed on him. The salarian gave them a smile and opened his arms wide in greeting.
"Ah! Welcome to Omega! You're new here, aren't you? I can always tell."
'Oh, I bet you can.' Shepard thought as his fingers inched toward his pistol. That was when a batarian came up behind the salarian. A batarian Shepard recognized. "Allow me to-" The batarian placed an armored hand on the salarian's shoulder before pulling him away from the group none to gently. The salarian's attitude changed from shifty confidence to fear within a second.
"Oh... hello, Moklan! I was just-" The salarian started to say before the batarian cut him off.
"Leave, Fargut. Now." Moklan ordered.
"Of course, Moklan! Whatever she wants!" The salarian agreed, shakily nodding his head. Moklan made either to strike him or make a shooing motion, but the salarian ran off as Moklan's hand raised up.
"Blasted scavengers." Moklan turned to Shepard. "Welcome back to Omega... Shepard."
"Hello, Moklan. How are things?" Shepard asked cooly. If Moklan was here, that meant Aria sent him. That meant she knew Shepard was here!
"You've got some balls coming back here. We had you tagged the moment you entered the Terminus Systems. You're not as subtle as you think."
"I wasn't trying to be subtle. If you're here, I'm guessing that means Aria wants to see me?" Shepard asked crossing his arms.
"Aria wants to know what brings a dead spectre, and former agent of her's, to Omega. I suggest you go to Afterlife now and present yourself." Moklan said, getting more threatening at the end. Shepard raised an eyebrow at him.
"Easy, Moklan. I may have been gone for two years, but that doesn't mean you can threaten me even with Aria backing you." Shepard said in a frigid voice. The batarian hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Things explode around you, Shepard. You can't blame Aria for keeping an eye on you."
"I don't. I was going to meet with her again before continuing my business. I haven't forgotten Omega's only rule." The batarian nodded before stepping away to leave.
"Afterlife. Now." Moklan said.
"I'll be there shortly. You can count on it." Shepard replied lazily. Moklan left quickly enough. Looks like the Ghost of the Terminus hadn't lost his touch after all. The group followed after Moklan before Shepard saw something familiar. The hallway itself seemed to tug at Shepard's mind until he saw something further down. He walked down the hallway, almost breaking into a jog as Miranda and Jacob followed him. They eventually came to the end of it to find what, or more specifically who, Shepard was looking for.
In front of them was an older man in yellow armor with tattoos going down his arm. In front of him was a beaten up batarian. It was Zaeed and his latest bounty. Shepard was frozen for a moment. Every detail was similar. Right down to what was being said.
"Ugh... please." The batarian groaned.
"Shut it." Zaeed said before kneeing the batarian in the stomach. "No one said you could talk, jackass." Shepard made ready to stop the batarian from jumping Zaeed like he saw last time but now that he was there the batarian looked at him.
"Please... you have to help me." The batarian begged pitifully. Zaeed kicked him again making the batarian lose his breath.
"I said shut it!" Shepard approached the man from behind.
"Well, you certainly haven't lost your touch Zaeed, what's it been? Sixteen years? Have you managed to nail Vido yet?" The old mercenary stiffened before he slowly turned around to face Shepard. His old mentor had become a little more grizzly looking since they last spoke. The eye that Shepard made for him when he was younger seemed to be working still so that was good. Shepard smirked at Zaeed who still looked a little surprised.
"Shepard, it seems rumors of your death were greatly embellished. Heard you took down your down targets. Right damn impressive that was, kid. Who'd have thought the little punk I left here would be the crazy lunatic in front of me now." Zaeed replied with a grin at the end. That grin left though, "As for Vido, well, that stain his still around."
"But before we do anything more, I hear we have a galaxy to save." Shepard smirked.
"I assume you've been briefed?" Zaeed nodded.
"I've done my homework. Cerberus sent me all I need to know." Shepard's smirk was gone at the mention of Cerberus. The fact that he and Zaeed were on the same mission together was too much of coincidence.
"What's your relationship with Cerberus?" Shepard asked having feared that Zaeed had been in contact with organization when he was training him.
"Easy. Cerberus is paying me a lot of money to help you and on your mission. That's the long and short."
"Not many mercs would take a suicide mission for the pay. Not even you."
"Most mercs don't get an offer like the one Cerberus sent me. This mission doesn't sound like good business. But... your Illusive Man can move a lot of credits. Besides... I had to see for myself if you were on this too." Shepard almost chuckled before his gaze dropped to the batarian who was getting back up. The batarian suddenly lurched toward's Zaeed's belt just like in the dream. Shepard, however wasn't going to let that happen. He gestured to the batarian who was suddenly caught in a stasis field. Huh, so he still had that? Great. He honestly didn't know it was going to work. Zaeed looked behind him to see his prisoner completely stunned in a grabbing position before turning back to Shepard.
"So you did become a biotic. Full of surprises as always. I could have handled him though."
"I'd rather he not set off your grenades. I've seen what those things can do." Shepard said, "But now that we're on the subject, my contacts told me we're picking up one man. Not two."
"Batarian delinquent. Pissed off someone rich enough to hire me to go after him. And for my 'bring 'em in alive' rates even." Shepard gave an appreciative whistle.
"Your normal rates are expensive enough, but your alive rates are almost twice that." The stasis field dropped letting the batarian fall on the ground like a rag doll.
"Please... I didn't do it..." The batarian moaned out before Zaeed kicked him in the face.
"I said shut it." Zaeed growled. He was staring down at the batarian, but resumed talking to Shepard, "Tried to lead me on a chase all over the Systems. He should have known better. These people always run to Omega."
"Ain't that the truth. So what's going to happen to him?" Shepard asked as he stared down the batarian too.
"You know the drill, or have you forgotten? I'm going turn him in for the bounty. Don't much care what happens after that." Shepard regained his smirk as he stuck his hand out.
"Good to have you, Zaeed. We have a lot to do." Shepard said as he and Zaeed shook hands.
"That's what they tell me, but with you involved... I'm sure it will be interesting." Zaeed took out his omni-tool which turned into an omni-bow. He gestured the batarian to get up. The batarian rockily stood up on his feet.
"I assume the Illusive Man told you about our arrangement?"
"What kind of arrangement?" Shepard asked. The Illusive Man failed to put that in the dossier, but he wasn't complaining.
"Good thing I asked. Picked up a mission a little while back, just before I signed on with Cerberus. Thought might be interested. You remember Vido Santiago, right?" Shepard nodded, already having an idea of where Zaeed was going with this.
"Head of the blue suns. Runs the whole organization and your mortal enemy." Shepard said making Zaeed nod.
"Seems he recently captured an Eldfell-Ashland refinery on Zorya and is using their workers for slave labor." Shepard's eyes narrowed, "The company wants it dealt with."
"We'll get that done, I'll make sure of it, but it'll be a while before then." Shepard replied. Vido just went up on his list of people to kill. Zaeed smirked at him knowing that Shepard wouldn't let Vido go if he was keeping slaves.
"Good. Get it out of the way so we can concentrate on being big goddamn heroes." Zaeed said with some excitement. The batarian seeing his captor's attention was on Shepard made a break for it. The batarian got 5 meters away before Zaeed fired an omni-bolt into the batarian's leg. The fool cried out as he fell to the ground clutching his wounded limb, trying to stem the blood flow.
"I better turn this thing in before it starts to stink." Zaeed began to walk away, "I'll be locked and loaded next time you're ready to get some killing done."
"Get to the ship, pick a room, and meet us outside of Afterlife in a few minutes, Zaeed. I have a feeling we're going to need you soon." Shepard said remembering what EDI had informed him before leaving the Normandy.
"Right." Zaeed acknowledged before leaving their sight. Miranda and Jacob turned to him.
"Have you two met before?" Miranda asked making Shepard look at her.
"He's the one who trained me after Mindoir." Was all Shepard said as he walked past them. The two followed him through the hallways questions still buzzing in their minds. Shepard had been trained by Zaeed Massani?
"Seriously? You were trained by him?" This time Jacob had asked. It was somewhat difficult to believe that Shepard had been trained by a mercenary.
"Yes, he picked me up on Mindoir after the raid and I asked him to train me. He did for five years and that was the end of it. Now, come on. We need to meet with Aria. She doesn't like to be kept waiting." Shepard replied before they came to the exit. They went through the door to see the initial district which showed Omega in its full glory with the skyline filled with numerous transports and cars. Shepard had to take a minute as he walked over to the railing, looking out towards the rest of Omega.
The station was low on light, a testament to how dark the place was. The shadow which covered most of the station was dotted by multiple little lights bringing about various shapes of buildings and structures. There was one big light in the distance that acted as an artificial sun of sorts for most of Omega. He was truly back. It felt kind of strange. He had been by this place, seen this view multiple times in his time as the Ghost and later in Aria's employ, and only now did he really feel anything for it.
'Talk about the call of home.' He thought dryly. His nostalgia was cut short by Miranda voicing her opinion.
"Omega. What a pisshole. I've had to come here on business before. Feel like I need a shower afterword-in addition to normal decontamination." Her comment made Shepard nod his head absently. He had certainly felt that way for a time during his first few weeks on the station. But he got over it quickly enough.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. You get used to it given enough time." By the look on Miranda's face, Shepard could tell she didn't want to be on the station long enough for that. Shepard snorted before walking along the familiar streets.
"Come on. May as well keep moving." The two followed him silently. They walked for a few moments until Shepard saw the familiar structure of Afterlife. The club's music was blasting so loudly you could hear from outside, as usual. Its pink holographic display was showing three asari dancers dancing seductively as two flamethrowers were blowing out flames on either side. Shepard looked at the door to see a line had formed with an elcor bouncer at the front. Shepard raised an eyebrow. Same old, same old.
"Come on let me in. Aria's expecting me!" The annoyed human at the front said as Shepard moved past everyone and approached.
"Annoyed: If she were expecting you, you would already be inside." The bouncer replied in a bored tone. Shepard could just barely detect the annoyance in his voice.
"Ugh! You've let ten people in while I've been standing here!"
"Uncaring: They were VIPs."
"Don't you know who I am?"
"Matter-of-factly: No, I don't. Get in line."
"Look, I'll pay you. I'm prepared to offer you 50 credits." The human tried as he pulled out his omni-tool. Shepard had enough and just moved past the elcor who noticed him.
"With barely restrained menace: Where do you think you're going?" The human was looking at him in shock. Shepard calmly turned to the bouncer and gave him a once-over. He was new to the job, or at least new enough that he didn't know Shepard.
"I'm going to speak with Aria. Got a problem with that?" Shepard asked nonchalantly. The bouncer didn't scare him. Shepard turned to the door to find two batarians guarding it. One held an assault rifle while the other had a datapad, no doubt listing all possible VIPs and appointments. The batarian with the datapad looked at him before looking at the list.
"Name?" Shepard had to suppress a smirk.
"John Shepard." The batarian froze momentarily before giving him a glare.
"Very funny, human. Everyone knows he's dead. Now get the hell out of here before we shoot you." The batarian snarled as the other aimed at him. This time Shepard did smirk.
"Why don't you look on your list?" Shepard said confidently even though he could see Miranda and Jacob fingering their pistols. The batarian snarled before looking back at it. A few seconds went by before all four of the batarian's eyes widened. Said eyes rose to see him again the anger completely gone and replaced with more than a little nervousness.
"He's clean. Let him through." The batarian lowered his rifle before looking back ahead. The elcor bouncer, who had been lumbering up for a fight backed off slowly before returning to his post.
"And my squad?" Shepard asked.
"They're allowed in so long as they are with you." The batarian said. Shepard nodded as the doors opened. The three walked into the long hallway without much of a fuss, save for a group of batarians that Shepard easily scared off. One of the batarians actually made a throat-slitting motion at a Shepard before he aimed his pistol at the batarian who ran away quickly. The three walked down the hall and came to the upper area of Afterlife. The music washed over Shepard, along with other things like the smell of sweat, alcohol, drugs and other things.
'Oh the memories.' Shepard smirked. He passed by several tables smelling the alcohol and whatever they were smoking. He could hear people chatting away with whatever they were doing. Some were miners, smugglers, mercenaries, and other things as they kept on chatting. He stopped short as he got to the bar. Looking up at the stairs leading to the throne he thought about how he should approach Aria. On one hand, take his squad up to her and have either a civilized talk or get shot at. On another hand, same thing but leaving his squad at the bar, possibly reducing any hostility, and if not, providing a better surprise attack with Aria's guards keeping their eyes on him who would be at the center. Shepard turned to Miranda and Jacob.
"Why don't you two stay and have a drink?" He said nodding to the bar. When both seemed to protest, Shepard added, "You being up there with me will be of little help. Aria will most likely address me and only me."
Miranda seemed to catch on to what he was saying before nodding, giving the guards on the stairs a glance, "Come on, Jacob. The Commander can handle this."
Jacob almost seemed to argue but one glare from Miranda and he shut his mouth quickly. The two went to stand at the bar as Shepard turned and walked up the stairs. As he moved up the steps, Shepard nodded to the batarian guard holding a rifle.
"Anto."
"You want to talk? Talk to Aria." Anto grumbled. Shepard rolled his eyes. Same old Anto. Shepard made it to upper floor and was greeted by the sight of Omega's throne with its queen looking out over her kingdom. She was clad in a black leather suit that stuck to her figure like a second skin almost. She wore a red white sleepless jacket over it giving her some modesty. In front of her was a deluxe leather couch that was the best credits could buy on the station. She had two asari dancers that were dancing erotically on either side of said couch. If that was not enough, she was surrounded by multiple guards Who did not seem distracted in the least by the dancers. Not to mention that there were several high class, at least for Omega, patrons who were there to seemingly talk business with Aria.
But Shepard knew they were all guards. It was impressive to say the least. Even the two dancers that Aria had were trained to kill. He knew because he had once been a part of them. So it was with a sigh that Shepard climbed the last few stairs until he was directly behind Aria.
"That's close enough." The Pirate Queen spoke not looking at him. Shepard stopped immediately as he heard several guns become unholstered and aimed at him. He made no move to resist... at least not yet. Aria nodded at the batarian guard standing beside her to do something. Shepard recognized the batarian as Garka as the guns were lowered. Garka's omni-tool lit up and showed a full body scanner showing Shepard's outline and, if he wasn't mistaken, his biometric records.
"Stand still." Garka ordered as the scan progressed. Shepard found himself irritated by this unnecessary precaution. Who else would have the stones to come to Omega wearing his face? Who?! Feeling his anger take over he grabbed Garka by the chest plate and pulled him close.
"Try it and you'll be scanning the inside of your colon, Garka!" Shepard growled. Garka's expression had a flicker of fear pass through his eyes as, unknown to Shepard, his eyes flared red for a split second before going back to normal. Aria actually chuckled at Shepard's threat.
"I'd almost pay to see that. But it's not an option. You want to talk, you get scanned." Shepard quickly calmed himself as he let go of Garka who got back to scanning, but now keeping the maximum distance he could to be out of Shepard's reach. Shepard gave a cold stare at Aria's back now as he willed himself to cool down.
"All you had to do was ask if you wanted to be sure, Aria." He said making sure she heard him.
"I don't ask, as you well know. Besides, that can be anyone wearing your face." Aria replied as she continued to face away from him. Shepard sighed. Aria's general paranoia was at work again. Not that he blamed her. He'd seen more than a few would-be-assassins try to get to Aria. One got close enough, right where he was standing actually. But he didn't actually make it since both Shepard and Aria had been there. Long story short, the guy ended up as paste on the wall courtesy of two powerful biotic throws.
"He's clean." Garka said looking somewhat disappointed. Aria turned to him with a studious gaze. He noticed her eyes gleam over his orange scars more than anything else.
"You've got some explaining to do, Shepard." Aria stated as she bade him to sit down. Shepard did so, not wanting to slight Aria. At least not when she was within arms reach.
"I'm sure I do." He sat down on the couch feeling himself sink into the cushion a little. "Though you might disappointed."
Aria looked at him curiously, "Oh really?"
"Yeah, one minute, the Normandy's exploding around me. The next, I'm waking up on an operating table." Shepard ran a finger over his scars.
Aria nodded. She knew he would tell the truth. Not the whole truth, but enough. "I see."
"I've got some questions, myself."
"Depends on the questions." Shepard gave a small smirk. Same old Aria too.
"Well, first off, you still running Omega?" He asked with his smirk growing bigger. Aria gave a dry chuckle of mirth. She turned away from him as she stared out towards the club, the neon light illuminating her face.
"I am Omega." She said as she spread her arms before turning back to him, "But you need more. Everyone always needs more something. And, as you know, they all come to me. I'm the boss, CEO, queen if you're feeling dramatic." Shepard rolled his eyes discreetly. Aria was a bit on the dramatic side when it came to her rule. "It doesn't matter. Omega has no entitled ruler and only one rule." Aria sat down on the center of the couch in a relaxed position.
"Don't fuck with Aria." Both Shepard and Aria said at the same time. Aria allowed a small smile to form on her face, pleased with the fact Shepard remembered that much. That smile was gone just as quickly as it formed.
"Good to see the regime hasn't changed much while I have been... indisposed." Shepard quipped, hesitating on the last word. It still bothered him that he had been dead and brought back.
"So what can I do for you?" Aria asked with a raised eyebrow. Shepard mulled over what he could ask. Whatever questions about Aria, Omega, and her indifference to himself would be redundant seeing as he already knew so he decided to get down straight to business.
"I'm looking for Mordin Solus. Do you know where to find him?" Shepard asked as he relaxed into the couch.
"The salarian doctor?" Aria's tone became interested, "Last I heard he was trying to help plague victims in the quarantine zone." Aria actually smiled again, "I always like Mordin. He's as likely to shoot you as he is to heal you."
Shepard looked at Aria quizzically. Did she know Mordin?
"What can you tell me about him?"
"Used to be part of the Salarian Special Tasks Group. He's brilliant and dangerous. He never shuts up." So nothing he didn't already know.
"And where could I find him?"
"If you really need to find him, take a shuttle to the quarantine zone. No guarantee they'll let you in of course." Alright, he knew where he could one squad member, now for the other.
"I'm also trying to track down Archangel." Aria looked at him for a moment before replying.
"You and half of Omega. You want him dead too?" Shepard's eyes widened for a split second at the question.
"Why's everyone after him?" Aria seemed to get an annoyed look at the thought of Archangel.
"He thinks he's fighting on the side of good. There is no good side to Omega. Everything he does pisses someone off. It's catching up to him." Shepard fought back a grin. This Archangel guy sounded a little like him when he first started out as the Ghost of the Terminus.
"Sounds like just the guy kind of guy I'm looking for." Aria snorted. Apparently she had seen the resemblance too.
"I thought you'd approve," Aria spoke before her gaze narrowed on him, "but you still haven't answered my question."
"And here I thought I'd steered clear of it. Well, I'm putting a team together, and he's on my list." Aria studied him for a moment before smirking at him.
"Interesting. You're going to make some enemies teaming up with Archangel. That's assuming you can get to him. He's in a bit of trouble right now." Shepard's eyebrows furrowed. That sounded serious.
"What kind of trouble?"
"The local merc groups have joined forces to take him out." Shepard's furrowed brows rose at the sound of that as Aria kept going, "They've got him cornered, but it sounds like they're having trouble finishing him off." Shepard couldn't help but whistle. Whether in admiration or simply incredulousness, he didn't really know.
"They've started hiring anybody with a gun to help them." Aria added, though Shepard was sure that she seemed to have an idea in mind.
"That could be my way in." Shepard added looking up at the ceiling in thought.
"They're using a private room for recruiting... just over there." Aria said nodding over to the left. Shepard could just barely make out a room with a bodyguard near at someone walking out of it. "I'm sure they'll sign you up."
"I see." Shepard replied as he looked back to Aria. He wondered if she knew more about Archangel than the Cerberus dossier did, "What can you tell me about Archangel?"
"Not as much as I'd like," Aria answered with a small frown. Shepard knew she didn't like being in the dark about certain individuals on her station, "He showed up here several months ago and started causing all kinds of problems. If you make your own laws-which everyone here does-he makes life difficult. He's reckless and idealistic. But he seems to know enough to stay clear of me."
"Sounds familiar." Shepard replied with a chuckle. He noticed Aria smirk for a moment before it disappeared. Shepard wondered about the merc groups he would be facing when he went for Archangel. "Which merc groups are after Archangel?"
"Blue Suns. Eclipse. Blood Pack. They're Omega's major players. Unless they're at war, you'll never see them together. But one thing they hate more than each other is Archangel." Shepard had to suppress a groan at hearing that. So that's what it was coming down to. Archangel had obviously been hurting the gangs seriously if he got them to unite against him. Forget Archangel being like him, he knew when to stop and what lines not to cross. Archangel seemed to ignore all of that. Shepard looked at Aria. He knew she wanted him to do something if she was giving this information so freely. Did Aria want Archangel to be stopped?
"Do you hate Archangel?"
"I don't have time for hate. But I distrust them all equally. For now, I'm happy to just let them kill each other." Ah, so that was her game. Now that she had a new piece on this game, one she knew wouldn't stand by, she'd send him in to remove them, one way or another.
"I appreciate the help." Shepard grumbled with a mild grimace.
"See if you still feel that way when the mercs realize you're here to help him." Aria replied cheekily having seen Shepard's expression.
"Sounds like I don't have much time to waste with Archangel and Mordin. Thanks for the information."
"You have all the time in the world... Archangel not so much. And as for Mordin, well... try not bring the plague back with you." Shepard got up to leave but stopped himself before walked back down to the club.
"Before, I go... I have to ask. How is she?" He asked looking over his shoulder. Aria knew who he was talking about. Why he didn't say her name in case someone was listening in. Aria stared at him for a moment as if deciding what to tell him before...
"She's moved on." Shepard knew it had been true enough. The way he left things back then had seemed like a goodbye or a 'see you later' and part of him was happy the Liselle didn't dwell on him, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't hurt.
"I see. Good." He moved to leave.
"Do you have a message for her?" Aria's voice said from behind him making him stop again. Should he have a message for her? After all that has happened? After all this time? Even so, that didn't erase what had been between the two of them.
"Tell her I'm sorry things had gone the way they did. And that I'm happy she didn't dwell on a ghost." With that he left. When he got to the club floor he looked around for Miranda and Jacob to find them at the bar he had left them at. They didn't seem to notice his approach so they had continued their conversation where he could hear them even if they were in a club.
"This place-how can these people be left to rot like this?" Jacob said with mild disgust.
"You don't understand or you don't want to?" Miranda asked in a somewhat snippy tone.
"Does it really matter?"
"No. Omega has been like this for a very long time. No one's changing it now."
"She's right, you know. Omega has, and will always be like this. A shithole." Another voice said cutting into the conversation. Shepard looked toward the voice to see it was Zaeed with a new assault rifle and sniper rifle on his back.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Jacob said with a sigh. That was when they noticed Shepard walking up to them.
"How did it go?" Miranda asked.
"I got good news and bad news. Good news is that I know where Archangel and Professor Solus are."
"And the bad news?" Jacob asked.
"Bad news is that to get them to join us we'll need to go through 3 merc groups and a plague respectively." Shepard said with a sigh.
"Fuckin' hell." Zaeed cursed.
"We need to get to Archangel first. As good as he is, I don't think he can withstand a near continuous assault by the three biggest merc groups on Omega for much longer. We do have a window of opportunity though."
"And that is?" Miranda asked as she looked at him curiously.
"Archangel has been hitting the gangs so hard they've been recruiting and have set up a station in this club. Right over there." Shepard said gesturing to the room on the far side of the club.
"Well, what the hell are we doing 'ere? Let's get going." Zaeed said as he made his way to the recruiting station. Jacob followed along silently. Shepard made to follow after them but a slim hand on his shoulder made him stop.
"Are you alright?" Miranda asked with some mild concern.
"I'm fine. Why do ask?" Miranda scrutinized him.
"It's just that you looked sad when you were talking with us. Jacob isn't that perceptive about these things and you're old friend... well."
"Has the sensitivity of a rock?"
"Yes, so is there something bothering you?" Shepard thought about telling Miranda the everything for a moment before deciding against it. No point in bringing up this particular piece of his past up anymore than it already has... But still it might be nice to vent a little.
"Just something I talked about with Aria. It struck me a little but I'll be fine in time." Miranda looked him in the eyes as if to see what exactly was bothering him. After a few seconds she let it be.
"All right then. If you ever want to talk about it you can talk to me." And with that she walked after Zaeed and Jacob. Shepard hesitated for a moment before following. Maybe Miranda wasn't as cold as he believed her to be.
DON'T SHOOT! [Cowers under a desk while multiple guns are aimed at him] I SWEAR I DID NOT MEAN FOR THIS TO TAKE THIS LONG. BETWEEN WORK, GENERAL LAZINESS AND FINALLY GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, I COULDN'T BRING MYSELF TO WRITE. I KNOW IT DOESN'T MAKE UP FOR THE LONG ABSENCE, BUT HEY BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, RIGHT?
[Guns begin to cock just before firing.]
You shoot me, there will definitely be no more Ghost of the Terminus!
[Guns lower slowly]
Whew!
[GUN SHOT]
AWWWW! MY HAND! MY HAND! YOU TOOK OFF THREE OF MY FINGERS! I CAN'T WRITE OR TYPE AS FAST NOW!
[Other guns turn on the perpetrator before firing]
[Reviewer543 bandages his hand before putting his fingers on ice]
I'll try to update as soon as I can! Also to help the writing, and healing process, could someone who I follow or favorite update their stories or something? Please?
Tell me what you thought! Good? Bad? Okay? This chapter is going to be part of two or three so...
