Chapter 7: Back in the Saddle

Shepard was leaping from one building to another, a young boy following him slowly.

"Come on Jim, you can't get away if you run that slowly!" called Shepard

"I know," panted Jim, "I'm just not that fit."

"Then we'd better get you up to scratch!" Shepard waited until Jim had caught up, almost losing his balance on the last jump.

The other kids in Shepard's little band waited on the other side of the building's roof. Jim smiled weakly as he came along.

"Alright, guys. On the whole you all did well but Teresa and Jim need to get their speed up. If you're being followed you won't be able to escape unless you can get enough of an advantage to get somewhere that they can't follow you." said Shepard to the assembled children

"That's why we're doing all this rooftop parkour?" asked Henry

"That's right. All right, back to the hideout. We'll come back tomorrow night."

Shepard had assembled seven kids between six and fourteen and was helping them learn how to live on the streets, or above them. Shepard had moved to another city that was slightly less populated but had support for orphans and homeless people, so they never went hungry for long, but Shepard wasn't sure how long it would last. He was fifteen now, at rough estimate.

The next day, Shepard brought the kids out to look for work by the markets. Shepard had tried the docks when he first came to the city but to his dismay, he found that the whole area was operated by mechs. The market was not as heavily packed as the last city, but there was the occasional odd job that they could do. They used the money to build up their hideout, a small hovel built in the space under a bridge. Shepard had also acquired an M3 Predator pistol but he kept it hidden from the other kids. He hadn't needed to use it once but it was always prudent to be careful.

"Well well, if it isn't the Shepard and his flock." Said one of the shopkeepers; an Asari by the name of Meloniza.

"Good morning Meloniza. Do you have anything that needs doing?"

"Actually, I have need for some of you." Meloniza drew Shepard close, "I have a competitor who is getting special goods that I can't seem to find anywhere on the market. Can you have some of your kids follow his produce for me?"

Shepard gave a knowing smile, "I know just the kids, but how much are you willing to pay for the information?"

Meloniza whispered a number that made Shepard whistle.

"Sneak and Dodge, you're up for this one. Stay with Meloniza and do as she asks. Meet us back at the hideout when you're done."

As Shepard walked through the market with his troupe close behind, he beckoned Jim to come up and talk to him.

"Jim, I want you to try and find work by yourself today, alright?"

Jim looked horrified, "What? Why would you make me do that? You know I hate talking to strangers."

"I know, but you should learn how to cope with it sooner or later. Stay away from the Krogan, they don't like us all that much."

Jim swallowed and nodded. He turned slowly and went off, quickly disappearing into the crowd.

Shepard smiled at his success with the kids. He'd saved them from a life of solitude and an early death.

That night, as Shepard tossed and turned in his sleep, his dreams were just as restless.

"Shepard! We have to hurry!" cried an Asari

An explosion rocked the ship Shepard was in,

"I'll be right there!" replied Shepard

He ran forward to the escape pods, where a man and a woman were waiting for him. He could almost make out their faces when a yellow energy beam tore through the ship, separating them and the ship.

"No!" cried Shepard,

Shepard woke shaking. Tina, the older of the three girls, was looking over him with concern.

"I- I could hear you in your sleep. You were yelling, and some of the younger ones were getting scared. Are you alright?"

Shepard looked at her, her features obscured in the darkness.

"I'll be fine, just a bad dream."