Chapter 7
The moment we were in the skycar, Marco exploded at me, and I was more than ready for it. "What the hell were you thinking!" He demanded, the skycar off and waiting for an explanation. "I told you not to go in there! And what do you do? Go right in there alone for crying out loud!" His mandibles flared at me in rage, but I could see the concern in his eyes. "If it wasn't for Jason then I probably would have gotten ambushed at my house and everything trashed." He looked back at Jason who was currently trying to melt into the backseat.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Jason showed up at my place, you still haven't explained how you knew where I lived or who I was," He threw back at Jason who was trying even harder to melt into the backseat. "and told me that you'd been captured by Aria in Afterlife and that were in serious trouble. We both rushed over to help you but we can't just storm the palace of the queen. Her guards showed up not long after and literally picked me up and took me to see you." Marco explained. He started the engine and lifted the car up into the air as we finally started moving.
"Marco I'm sorry to have worried you. I didn't mean for all the things that happened to have happened." I apologized. "I wouldn't have been gone so long if it wasn't for Jaroke."
Instantly I saw Marco's anger shift from being directed at me to the Turian mercenary. "What? When? Why? Did he hurt you? I'll tear his plates off if he did!" The Turian was watched the approaching traffic and buildings, expertly weaving us between them while holding up the heated conversation.
"I'm fine, really. Aria's men hurt me more." I tried my best to convince him to drop the conversation. I didn't want to tell him I killed Jaroke, that I had used a gun and ended someone's life. The thought made my skin crawl as I remembered it. Remembered the blood that erupted out of his body as the bullet ripped through his hard skull. I blinked, pushing the vivid image from my mind as Marco asked me something like he'd already asked it once before.
"What happened to him? Did you have to fight him off?" Marco repeated, we were halfway to his apartment now.
I opened my mouth to respond but Jason was faster, "She killed him." He was so casual about it that I thought Marco was going to crash from confusion.
"I'm sorry but what?" The Turian sputtered looking at me for a few moments longer than he should.
At last I was able to tell him, and it all came out in a rush. "Look, he followed me to Afterlife and was stalking me, Jason got me to a safer area and then Jaroke followed even then. They talked and then Jaroke attacked him. He had a gun, and I had been hiding but when he pulled it out on Jason I just lost it. I couldn't risk him dying for me when I hardly knew the guy so I jumped out and attacked him. Things were totally out of control and when Jason got the gun away from him I picked it up and then-" I cut myself off for a moment, the words were harder to saw for some reason. "I shot him alright. Right in the head in that forward scale. I killed him!"
Jason looked at me, I didn't see it but I could feel it as I pressed against the chair and looked out the passing by Omega. "It was in self-defense." I couldn't tell if he was saying that to me or Marco. "Jaroke would have killed the both of us otherwise." Somehow I didn't believe that Jaroke might actually be able to kill Jason. It didn't strike me as possible.
The rest of the ride was silent.
The moment we were on the apartment level Marco let out a growl of anger just like the last time when we'd first arrived. This time, I was just as distraught. The door was pried open with a metal container holding it open. We all rushed in, and the apartment was completely trashed. His fish tank was smashed, the gorgeous creatures already having died as they lay strewn across the entry way with glass and water. I bent down to pick them up, and placed them atop the broken aquarium. Four poor innocent fish. Instantly I was worried about Nikolas and all three of us carefully stepped inside the apartment. I wasn't all that surprised when I saw Marco draw a pistol, glancing around his house as if it were a combat zone.
"Nikolas...?" I whispered, and after a long moment of silence heard claws scraping the tile floor as the approached us. He came around the corner, from the living room with orange blood splattered everywhere on his body and dripping behind him. He let out a long hissing sound before crashing on the floor beside us.
"My god!" Jason shouted, staring in shock at the state of the varren. "You've got medi-gel right man?" He asked Marco who instantly ran to his bathroom to retrieve a large amount. Nikolas's eyes were glassed over in pain, his breaths short and shallow as he laid on the ground. I lifted his muzzle, stroking him as I tried to comfort the injured animal. I could see bullet holes in his left hind leg, making me bite my cheek in anger. When Marco returned with the medi-gel he quickly applied it. "We should take him to a clinic just in case." Jason suggested. "Let me help you get him into the skycar." The man was quick to suggest, and the two began to try to lift him. The heavy varren didn't budge, and they both frowned.
"Spirits I wish there was another way..." Marco whispered as he got up and walked out the door. I watched after him with confusion until he returned a few minutes later with another Turian following him. "Siyon lift from that side, we should be able to get him down now." Marco ordered and the Turian listened. I tried to help lift, but quickly got a look from Marco not to. "Get the buttons." He ordered instead and I rushed to the elevator to call it up. After it arrived I pressed the garage button and soon we were on our way down. By the time we were down there I was terrified Nikolas would die. Sure the medi-gel had stopped the bleeding and closed the wounds, but what did it do for bullet holes? I unlocked the skycar and helped them lay him in the back, and once they were done Marco turned to me.
"Go back upstairs, lock up, and find out what happened." I nodded my head, understanding. I wished them luck, gave Nikolas a forlorn look and rushed back upstairs. Once I was all alone in the apartment I started to get to work figuring out what happened. First I started by removing the metal container keeping the door opened. I didn't feel safe with it there. I locked the door and turned to examine the scene. Aside from the broken aquarium, the entryway was practically normal, the wall clock was slanted and the picture smashed but still hanging. As I worked my way back into the living room and was rather mortified at the discoveries. The coffee table was smashed, glass shards everywhere on the tile. Both of the sofa's were torn apart, tears in them that made whole portions of it nothing but stuffing. The TV was just simply missing and the shelves around where it should have been were empty of everything.
I dashed to the kitchen that and saw the carnage continued, all the cabinets were open and the food thrown on the floor, most of it broken and its contents spilled. The stove looked like it had caught fire, its sheen and futuristic look nothing but a charred remains. The fridge was on the ground, toppled over. I slowly moved into the dining room which was actually not that bad. The dining table was just flipped over and the legs shortened. The chairs were all disheveled but none of the broken.
I turned to Marco's bedroom door, scared of what I might find in there. It was locked, and it was then that I noticed he had a special security system on his bedroom. Hopefully that had kept the ransackers out, but I had to check. I bent down and quickly began to break into the room by bypassing the security. After a moment it made the same dook sound the front door did and opened. The room was trashed. The bed was completely gone, the dresser flipped on its side and the TV in here missing as well. The desk was broken, the machine split in half and all the books were scattered across the room. Each of the pictures that had been hanging were smashed on the ground.
I bent down in an attempt to find the two pictures that mattered out of all of them. The one of Marco's father Razarin and Marco (the human) and his mother. I shifted through the glass shards and broken frames until my hands bled even more, but at last i found them, and pulled the pieces of precious paper free of the glass death trap. My hands shook as I felt tears brim at my eyes, I didn't know why they were they just were. I clutched the pictures close to my chest, ignoring the pain of my abused hands as I was relieved to have found something unbroken among all this mess. I could only fear how Marco would react when he at last saw the extent of the wreckage.
A shift in the closet drew my attention and I warily stood up to walk over to it. Before I made it all the way there I armed myself with a piece of the metal desk, one of the legs and clutched it as if my life depended on it.
I took in a deep breath and flung the door open. A crashing sound screamed at me as a pile of armor tumbled out and right before me. I instantly recognized them, blue, Turian build and the Blue Suns emblem boldly displayed on the front of the chest. I gritted my teeth in anger, this had to have been Jaroke's or maybe it wasn't but it was certainly about him. I threw the metal piece down and was about to kick the armor when I noticed something. A small datapad inside the hollow chest piece, I picked it out and lifted it curiously. After a moment, I figured out how to turn it on and the orange screen flickered as a text appeared on it.
House keeping courtesy of the Blue Suns.
That was all it said, and it was all it needed to. I then proceeded to kick the armor as I stomped out and found that Marco and Jason had returned, and were examining the living room at this point. "Marco." I said through my anger and handed him the datapad. "Look at this." I said through gritted teeth.
He did, swiftly and his faceplates contorted in his own expression of anger. Jason took it after him, and frowned at the message. "Damn it." Marco swore and muttered angrily.
"How's Nikolas?" I asked Jason after a moment of silence was spent as we all calmed down.
"Fine, the clinic is keeping him overnight but they said he should make a full recovery." Jason responded, actually managing to break a smile at this point. "I told Marco on the way back, but a far more proper introduction is needed here my friend." He offered a hand, "Jason Vincento, Mild alcoholic and Alliance deserter." He greeted.
"Alliance? What's that?" I asked curiously as Marco began to shove something about in the kitchen.
Half interestedly Jason responded. "Human Systems Alliance. They're the government and military of the Human race when it comes to space affairs. And that's most of what everything is now."
I nodded my head at the response, it kinda made sense that we'd have some sort of big government now that we're spread across planets and solar systems. "Why'd you desert?"
"That's a long story, and not for a time like now. Lets help get this place cleaned up before Marco jumps out the window." It was scary how I thought he might just for a while afterwards.
A couple hours later; we were almost through with the clean up when Jason's wrist flared up as the omni-tool activated. He quickly read whatever had been sent to him and then looked at me. "Aria wants you back asap." He a said, a frantic tone to his voice.
"Right now? It's not ten already is- Ah fuck!" The clock read ten thirty in the morning, somehow all that time slipped away and we were all dropping everything we had been holding and rushing out the door. Marco locked it behind us as we bolted to the elevator.
Jason and I practically threw ourselves out the skycar the moment it landed, running for Afterlife. The bouncer stepped in our way but I found myself standing in front of him confidently, unlike the last time we met. "Aria has summoned me, do you really want to make her wait?" I challenged and somehow it worked as he stepped back aside.
"Go on in." He said trying to sound like he hadn't just be Intimidated, I knew it wasn't me, it was the looming threat of Aria' wrath. Something I was about to have to feel.
Marco had caught up to us thanks to the little stop at the front door, and soon we were in the actual club. I could spot Aria'a lookout the moment we entered in and she was watching. Watching in a scowl on her face that made me want to turn tail and run. To face her right now meant I'd be entering her flames. Her anger at my failure to not only show up on time but the dawning realization I had forgotten to get cleaned up or cut my hair was going to be hell, I knew it already. But if I ran away, especially now that she knew I had arrived would be infinitely worse. She might get Jason and Marco involved somehow.
Pushing my fear aside I stepped up the stairs to Aria, my two companions following until Aria simply cast them one look. They returned around and headed to the bar without a word. Left alone to face the beast, I felt my confidence crash down in the face of the Asari.
"Sit." She growled, her gaze as cold as it was when she'd forced the mind meld on me. She was on a long leather couch, arms splayed over the top with her legs crossed. A complete show f her authority here, and my lack of any. I sat down where the couch curved in her lookout so I didn't have to turn my head to see her, or be much closer than that.
I had to explain now or else she'd think I simply neglected to return on time. "Aria-"
"Don't bother Athena, I know what the Blue Suns did to your friend's apartment." She cut me off, a cold glare splaying me open. I closed my mouth and simply listened as she continued. "They will be dealt with properly, made to realize their grave mistake." She lifted her chin up and gazed at something I across from us. I resisted the temptation to follow her gaze. "You still didn't listen to me." She refocused on me, making me wish I could melt into the couch like Jason tried in the skycar.
I didn't know what to say or do, no excuses could work with her. I hung my my head in shame, looking down at the metallic floor. As much of a silence that can happen in a club fell between us as I sat there. "Aria I'm sorry." I started, "We were cleaning up his apartment and the time slipped past us. I didn't do what you had asked, and I realize just how terrible that was of me. When you sent Jason that message it was a wake up call, and I didn't want to keep you waiting any long than I already had so I failed to get cleaned up or cut my hair. I promise I won't ever do it again."I still didn't look up at her, and she didn't respond for quite a while.
Instead she lifted my chin up with one strong purple finger and leaned over towards me. I felt my back arch at her touch, her left hand going to my upper thigh not just for support but something else as she leaned towards me in an intoxicating manner. I could barely keep my hands off her and it made my cheeks burn at the closeness that devoured the silence. I felt my body catch on fire as her pelvis gently touched my legs, and I bit my lip to keep myself grounded. Her blue eyes harshly looked into my eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips confusing me. She was still in control of me and she was expressing it. I hoped, before something even more dangerous than the woman herself came out of this.
Much to my shock, her eyes filled with black and I could feel her pressing against my mind once again. This time I didn't fight back and allowed her entry to my mind. It was shallow in comparison to last time, neither of us closing our eyes as it soon became nothing more than a mental link, Aria however didn't move from where she was. I didn't know what she wanted know, and was silent waiting for her to lead. I was giving her the control.
You're not safe in his home. She 'said' suddenly.
What do you mean?
The Blue Suns won't mess with him after I get involved, but you're not safe. Aria explained some. I want you to move into one of the private quarters in the back of Afterlife.
You're not giving me a choice in this are you?
Have I given you any so far?
Well it was either have my mind fried or let you in.
That was more of an ultimatum. She pointed out.
Still a choice. I gained a small smirk from the gorgeous Asari and she began to end little shallow mind meld. Wait, what about my friend Marco? He's home is a total wreck, just two things and his Varren were all that was recoverable really. I know I probably shouldn't ask you it, but is there any way you can help him?
I am, I'm getting involved. She snapped slightly.
What if he moved in here as well? I could sense she was possibly open to the thought. You wouldn't have to post a guard or anything, and where on this station is safer than in your care? I suggested and for a long long moment that felt like an eternity I feared she would reject the offer and punish me for the foolish notion.
Fine.
I smiled wide at her response and could barely keep myself rooted to the seat, I wanted to touch her or to hug her, kiss her even and several things far worse than that. And the thoughts that erupted into my mind were far to numerous for me to keep in check while the meld remained, and much to my dismay she had heard and seen every single one. She made an expression similar to a raised eyebrow and interest flared in her eyes. Is that what you want? She teased darkly, her hand running up from my thigh to my side I could feel the meld deepening as she pushed in further. I felt myself spike up with fear, there was a scary way she moved as Aria leaned over more pressing herself against me more with her hand teasing my side. I bit my lip as I tried not to cave in. It felt like a test, one I did not want to fail. The problem was, I couldn't tell what would be a failure in her eyes and her mind. With the deepened meld I could feel what she felt as she touched me, as she tortured me so viscously. I could see what she saw, my head craned back as I bit my lip and closed my eyes as I tried to suppress the erotic desires that swelled inside me.
Not like this! I screamed in my mind, trying to convey the mixed feelings I had for this. Yes I wanted to kiss her, touch her and so many other things I knew I shouldn't. But not here, not like this, not now. It felt wrong to wish it like it, and the powerful woman knew she could get me to if she wanted. She was giving me some sort of choice and I sadly knew which one I would have to take. Despite her lips being a few millimeters from mine, ready for me to claim them, I tucked my head and closed my eyes. Wasn't there a reason you needed me here? Something you needed hacked into? I tried to sway her away from the tumult of emotions stirred up inside me.
The moment I had thought that, the meld ended and I was desperately alone in my mind again. She pulled back from me, plopping on the couch while I let go of the breath I didn't know I was holding. She knew just how to get a rise out of me, where to push and how to push it. Because I had shown her everything, everything but the mundane and the visions. I just couldn't have shown her that. She tossed something at me and barely caught it before it would have hit my face. A datapad with a message on the front claiming it was locked and to get administrative help.
My mouth was dry as I processed the unspoken request and I quickly got to work. I hadn't unlocked one of these before but I wasn't willing to let her realize. Wait, she already knew that. Great, there went my bravado. I examined the datapad while I tried to clear my mind and began to press the buttons on it that were just beneath the screen. After a moment I flipped it over, removed the back panel and began to mess with the circuits. It took me a few moments, but I replaced the panel and looked at the now black screen. I waited, and for a few moments I was scared I broke it, but then it powered back up with a simple message stating access granted.
"Well done." Aria praised before taking it and examined the information. She frowned slightly at whatever she'd discovered, and then handed it to a Batarian guard who'd been there the entire time. "Anto, take that back to my quarters." She ordered and he swiftly departed to do as she asked. "The next time I see you, you're hair will be cut and cleaned up... Aside from the bruises on your shoulders." I swallowed hard as she was dismissing me, and got up with weak legs. "Anto will show you your room and your friend's when you're ready." She said.
I nodded, "Goodbye Aria." I said and then stumbled down the stairwell to where Marco and Jason were at the bar. Traveling through the crowd was difficult but not impossible, soon I was sitting at the bar with my two friends. Friends, that felt good to think.
"Aria finally let you go?" Marco asked as he lifted a blue drink to his mouth, pausing just long enough to ask before downing it.
"In a manner of speaking." I responded as I ordered a drink. The bartender dropped the same green alcohol as last time and the strong taste wasn't as startling as last time. I drank it all down rather quickly, a nice buzz forming at the scope of my head and blocked out all the different thoughts of Aria. Jason lifted the glass beside us in a stupor with a foolish grin on his face. "Jason, how many does that make?" I chuckled at him.
"Uh..." He paused, looking at his fingers as he counted aloud in a slurred tone. "Five? Ten! Twenty? Oh! One hundred!" Every word had a silly excitement to it as he waved his hands in my face. I pushed them out of my face and shook my head. Jason happily chugged down the next alcoholic beverage, a purple one this time, and then grinned at me as if challenging me. "One hundred an one!"
"Marco?" I asked my Turian friend who lifted a single finger. "Good, because one of us has to be able to pick up Nikolas. And it ain't gonna be me!" I grinned as I downed my second drink. Marco rolled his brown eyes at me, and took a sip of his drink as he watched Jason and I begin to have a small competition. Shot for shot as we both began to drift even further into a giddy haze.
Before I got too drunk however, I turned to Marco and remembered to tell him about the new place of residence I'd acquired for him. "So iz waz takin to de lady, an she no want me to stay in yer 'partment." Instantly he frowned at that. "Eye gonna stay here! In one of da back rooms. Ey ask 'er bout you, an she gonna give ya a rooom." I grinned as he seemed to contemplate it. "We go der now!" I got up from the bar stool before crumpling down in a drunk pile on the floor
"Put it on our tab." Marco said as he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder, taking Jason by the wrist, he led the way back to where Anto was. "Athena claims Aria's got some rooms for us?" He said, the subharmonics in his voice making me chuckle as I hung over his shoulder. Everything was swaying and swirling. I could hear someone laughing at us, but I couldn't pick it out. In fact, I couldn't pick out anything going on but bright lights and noise, everything too much a blur for me to make anything out at this point.
The Turian started moving again as he started off in a direction, I had no orientation of where we were other than in the club. I was chuckling so terribly as the sound faded and the lights dimmed to darker tones. Next thing I knew I was being laid down on a bed, and I grasped at the cool sheets in agony, writhing about on it in my drunken state. "What the hell Athena?" Marco asked as I twisted in the dress as it suddenly felt too tight. I pulled the neatly tucked in sheets and comforter clean off and threw them off the bed. I sat up, tearing at the fabric as I found myself being constricted by it. Marco rushed to me, grabbing my hands and pinning me against the bed. "Athena! Calm down!" He shouted at me.
As I looked at him, the Turian slowly changed into monster that was laughing at me. The bed became a medical cot, and his hands were chains. I saw figures around us, and quickly noticed the white lab suits they wore. The first one instantly stabbed me with a needle and I screamed out in pain as it continued.
