For the next week, Bev changed the Tervho's ID to an independent signature and using audio recordings, the four members of Sigma Squad had, to change the ship's VI voice to that of the Kaminoan Taun Wu out of familiarity. That and none of the clones would admit it but it was also out of nostalgia for the Atonement's computers. They also used that week to loss anyone that was trying to follow them.

This time, Rasen and Tare wanted to stay on the Tervho and when Sigma Squad left, they double locked the airlock just to be safe. As they entered the station, a salarian in simple clothing come up to them. When he opened his mouth most of his teeth were gone or rotting. "Ah! Welcome to Omega! You're new here, aren't you? I can always tell. Allow me to…" A batarian in black armor had walked in and the salarian turned after noticing him. "Oh…Hello, Moklan! I was just…"

All the batarian did was whisper, "Leave, Fargut. Now."

The salarian saluted as if he was with him but he wasn't fooling anyone from Sigma Squad, "Of course, Moklan! Whatever she wants!"

Moklan was ready to strike him before he ran into the station. He shook his head, "Blasted scavengers." He returned his attention to Sigma Squad, "Welcome to Omega…Sigma Squad."

Lucky they had their helmets to hide their shock, "How do you know us?"

"Secrets like yours don't stay a secret for long out here. Aria wants to speak with you before any of you cause her any trouble. I suggest you go Afterlife now and present yourself."

Aran looked back to his brothers and Rang busted out, "Yeah we'll think about it stretched face."

"Afterlife. Now." The batarian just turned around and walked away.

"Well he was chirpy." Rang looked to Araniik, "So Aran, do we met with this Aria woman?"

"If she is as powerful as I think see is, then we should. We don't want to get on the bad side of too many people now." With that said, they moved straight to the Afterlife Club.

As they reached the entrance, they found a long line with an elcor bouncer stopping most people at the door. The elcor didn't even look at them as one of the batarians behind him pointed them out and said, "Go on in. Aria is expecting you."

Walking down the hallway they don't expect much until they passed through another door. When it opened, they were astounded. Not even a Hutt's palace was as lavished. Between the four of them Rang joked, "Drugs, hookers, drinks and guns; this looks like Mandalorian heaven to me." Other than honorable battles that Mandalorians looked for, Rang was mostly right. "I'm guessing that the big honcho sits her pretty little self on that balcony. Wouldn't be too surprised if everyone here is working also on this Aria woman's payroll."

They didn't have any trouble getting to the balcony, it was when Araniik moved closer when all the fuss happened. Before he could get four steps close to her, the asari said, "That's close enough." The turian that was sitting on the cough to the right of Aran pulled out a pistol along with the batarian to his left. His reflexes moved Aran as he moved out of the line of fire from both of them, swatting the guards' hand up and pulling both of his DC-15s aiming at the turian and batarian. Prudii and Beviin turned their DC-17m on the batarians to their flanks as Rang had his DC-17m AA attachment raring to go. Unexpectedly, but not unforeseen by Sigma Squad, the two asari dancers on Aria's sides had retrieved hidden weapons aimed at Aran. Mockingly, the asari asked, "Do you seriously want to challenge me?"

Aran had a smile under his helmet, "Call it reflexes. We tend to put a few holes into anyone that points a gun at us."

She was still looking out at the club when she motioned to her people to stand down and so too did Aran, at the same time. Rang, Beviin and Prudii were still uneasy about the situation and that is why Aran was their leader, he was calm and had formulated at least two exit strategies if things with Aria should end in a fire fight. The batarian to Aran's left had activated his omni-tool after putting his pistol away. He was scanning them for something as he said, "Stand still."

Aran lifted his left arm, "If you're looking for weapons," extending the hidden vibroblade, "then you might want to start looking for a new carrier mate."

The batarian was hesitating as Aran could painfully see. He was looking through the data multiple times before he said anything. "What the hell? Scans say their humans with…with one percent of their genetic code…unknown?"

Rang corrected him, "That's 1.138% difference, thank you very much." His brothers all looked at him, "What? During that month we learned about the galaxy, I also learned about us relative to this galaxy. Just enough variance in our genes the scientific community could call us a subspecies, if we were called humans."

"So is that why you didn't call yourselves humans?" Aria had a bit of a smirk on her face.

Now Araniik corrected Aria, "No, it's because we are Mandalorians. In the past Mandalorians were a species once, but now it's more of a culture. It doesn't matter what you are; man, woman, human, Rodian, Weequay, Trandoshan or even a Wookiee; as long as you live by the codes and fight for our cause…then we might consider you to be a Mandalorian."

"So then…Mandalorians," She sat down on the couch and gestured Aran to sit as well, "…why are you here? Everyone needs more something. And they all come to me."

"That and we're looking for new equipment and supplies." Aran said.

"Yeah all that plus hiding from Cerberus, if that isn't too much trouble for you?" Again, one of those times Prudii restrained himself from striking Rang, though Bev was closer to snapping this time.

Aria was a hard woman and she was gifted at hiding her emotions, "Cerberus, huh? Those guys are nothing but a bunch of alien hating pricks. I can only assume they're after your unique technology…unless you also had a way of pissing them off as well."

They all thought back to the fighting on the Idenna and killing the shadow agents on the Citadel, "You could say we did something like that. I assume you're the person who is in on all things that happens around here."

She gave another one of her nasty looking smirks, "Everything that's worth knowing. But my information comes at a price. After all, information is power. If you want trivial thing, then go buy one of the mercs a drink or walk one of the back alleys. Better yet, talk with the dancers. They give great tours. Just don't waste my time."

Rang radioed to the rest of Sigma Squad, privately, "I think working with Hutts would be eighty-seven percent better than working with her. The thirteen percent only because there's only one of her and she's easier on the eyes and ears." Amazingly though, Aran, Bev, and Prudii completely agreed with Rang on that but she didn't need to hear any of it.

Aran sat forward, "Well that's unfortunate then. We're in need of a crew's worth for a frigate. Turian made. Besides the four of us, we have two others. I'm hoping to find at least twenty more people. I don't care what race they are, just as long as they're good at what they do and are willing to work with me and my crew."

"Ha. I'm surprised you were able to fly here." Aria was thinking about it for a minute. Then she nodded at one of the batarian guard and he activated his omni-tool. Beviin caught the data, "Here's a list with five potential individuals here on Omega. In return I expect a 'favor' for each one you do take with you."

Araniik stood up and half bowed to Aria, "Thanks for the intel. It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Aria."

She just lazily sat on the couch, "We'll see how pleasing it is when you find them."

Leaving Rang muttered between them, "Well that couldn't have gone better."


Outside the doors of Afterlife, the six of them overlooked Aria's information, "Beviin, what's on the data Aria gave us."

Through his helmet, Beviin was reading through all of the information Aria 'lent' to them. He had also contacted the Tervho, "Names, dossiers, and favorite hang outs. Most of them are usually found here in this club. We have a turian who claims he's a good pilot, a krogan that, unexpectedly, says he's a technician, and yes Rang, he can shoot you then make something to shot you again…She also put on the list a batarian who claims he can hack into any system on Omega."

Rasen chimed in, "That'll be the day I can eat human food. Who else, Bev?"

"What the…" Beviin double checked what he just read, "…An elcor?"

"Wait," Rang intruded again, "Aren't elcor the slow four-legers that speak in a monotone and explain their emotion, like Prudii." Prudii tried to hit Rang but he managed to keep the distance between them.

"Copaani mirshmure'cye, vod?" Prudii extended one of his knuckle blades.

Ignoring the peanut gallery, Beviin turned to Araniik, "I think we can skip this one, sir."

"No, we talk to him last. I doubt we'll take him but if we're lucky he might know someone just as good for the job. Last, Bev."

"Right. Last is…an asari? I thought most of them would be working for Aria…Scratch that. She used to work for Aria. Seems she had some dispute about something, it doesn't give details. I can assume that she has information that is stopping Aria from killing her or smart enough to stay shut. She's a strong Biotic user…other than a fighter and entertainer, I think Aria just wants her gone. How do you want to precede, sir?"

Aran had to think about it for a bit. "Truthfully I don't like this place, even with the four of us together. But with how effective Cerberus looks, I'm sure they have secret operations here as well." The way Aria talked about them sounded like she had firsthand experience and not just out in the galaxy. "Beviin, Doran do you two think both of you can make a security lock or locks if you have to, to keep the ship safe?"

Bev was confident as he said, "Shouldn't be more than three locks, Aran."

"Good cause we'll be splitting up. Bev, after you and Doran secure the Tervho, breaks into teams of two, preferably a commando and a quarian. Prudii, go with Bev and watch over whoever Beviin pairs you with. One team checks the krogan, the other visits the batarian." Both Beviin and Prudii nodded in agreement. Even though he no one else could see it, Rasen and Tare also nodded. "I'll scout the asari and Rang sees the turian. After we all have reached our targets, we rendezvous at the elcor's area."

Rang mockingly replied, "Oh, dalycbuir ni ru copaani haa'taylir ruug asari. Tayli'bac, ni mar'eyir jari'eyc senaar troan." With the data they needed, Rang and Aran moved deeper into Afterlife, while Prudii and Bev returned to the Tervho first. After Beviin and Rasen secured her, they went off looking for the batarian, with Prudii and Tare hunting for the krogan.


The batarian went by the name Forta and rumors claimed that he single handily shut off all of Omega's security systems for about a minute. He was a loner that had isolated himself in his apartment near Afterlife.

The turian was named Kixritvira, but anyone outside the turians just called him Kix. One of his ancestors was a legendary fighter pilot during the Krogan Rebellions and his father was one during the Relay 314 Incident. Kix was also an exceptional pilot but after being kick out of the turian military for multiple charges of insubordination and other charges, he never got the chance to prove it when the geth attacked the Citadel.

Not much was known about the krogan called Vren, other than he was branded a clanless after his clan on Tuchanka was destroyed by clan Ganar. With no way to return, other krogans that met him mocked him for the fact he was here while his clan died. Most of the time those krogans left with a broken face afterward. With no sense of direction, Vren turned his frustration into focus as he made things for the battlefield. He has sold exclusively to Blue Suns in exchange for credits and the promise to kill every Blood Pack member they met with his equipment.

Nyona was a former employee of Aria's. Other than them having a work related dispute and being a well-trained asari commando, Nyona was still in the middle of her Maiden stage at two hundred thirty eight. Aria didn't privy Sigma Squad about her either out of respect for her or distrust for them, most likely the latter.

The elcor named Banthar ran a ship repair shop down in the lower levels of Omega. He takes months and the prices at times were outrageous but ships were said to feel and act as if they just come straight out of the foundry that assembled them.


Traveling the streets of Omega Rasen felt uneasy, even with her 1.83 meter tall armored friend with her. Beviin didn't like the feeling about the place either. Bev spotted many that wanted to approach Rasen but stayed away at the sight of him. A batarian was stupid enough to confront Bev with five others backing him. "Hey. Human. What are you doing in our turf?"

Bev really didn't want a situation, "How do you know I'm not a batarian?"

Unfortunately he wasn't as stupid as Bev hoped, "Please, no batarian has armor that advanced and besides, a batarian wouldn't be caught dead with a quarian, unless it was a slave. And judging from her, I don't think she's your pet."

Rasen was tempted to pull out her shotgun but Bev beat her to it, as he grabbed the batarian by the arms and pulled him into his knee. Then he turned the batarian towards his men, putting him in a headlock with his right arm and extended his knuckle vibroblade to his neck. The batarian could feel the vibrating blade, as Bev inched it closer and closer. "If all of you want to die then bring it, but leave Rasen out of it," tilling his head towards her. "Or you can tell me what I want to know and we'll leave."

The leader finally chocked, telling his men to stand down, "Alright. Alright. What do you want to know?"

Still keeping him in the headlock, "There's a batarian, name's Forta and…"

"You're looking for him?" It was one of the others. "He's about six doors down that way to your left, can't miss it."

With the information Bev withdrew his vibroblade and kicked the batarian to the floor. "Thanks for the intel. I hope we don't meet again."

With the information, Rasen and Beviin left. Rasen looked at Bev, "You didn't have to do that you know."

"What, threaten him? I'm sure they've done worse to others."

"No," Rasen looked to the floor, "I mean leaving me out of the fight. There were six of them…"

"Five. Effectively the leader could have been considered dead and the others looked like cowards. Kill the head and the body dies, most of the time." Bev was thinking just as Vhonte thought him.

"But you didn't need to take such a gamble, Bev. I mean, I could have helped you somehow."

"Only risk what is necessary. If I died fighting them, you could have escaped and continued the search." Bev still saw himself as expendable and was thinking just like Prudii.

"Still Bev…that was…colder then what I expected from you." Bev couldn't answer her about that.

Bev dropped the subject, "We're here." Looking at the door they saw why it was not that hard to miss. The original lock was removed and replaced with a hand-made system. Several rounds have been put into the door and Bev could see the metal sheets covering the holes on the other side.

Bev knocked on the door and a disgruntled voice answered, "What? I already paid my rent and 'protection' for the month, so go away!"

"We're not here for that. We want to talk to you, Forta." Beviin took a step back.

"…What are you; turian, batarian, human…"

With pride hidden deep within, Bev replied, "Mandalorian. My boss is looking for good people to man our ship."

A number of locks can be heard being undone, then about a moment later he said, "Hurry up." Inside the small one man apartment was filled with wires running in all directions. The batarian locked most of the locks and returned to his desk to work on something. On the way through the maze of wires he just told them, "Don't touch anything." Now sitting at his desk Forta turned to face them, "So, what do you want with me? You're obviously not with any of the gangs, merc bands or one of Aria's people; especial with that quarian."

This time Rasen was the one to speak, "Do you have a problem with quarians?"

"I got nothin' against them. Truthfully I think your people are better than mine." Of all the batarians Rasen has encountered, she has never met one so modest. "Most batarians you met in the galaxy, that are not from our homeworld, are usually a pirate, slaver or gang member. Meet a quarian and most of the time they talk about their traditions, culture, family; other than that Golo fella that use to live next door, all quarians are connect, for lack of a better word." Rasen had to think about what Forta had just said and in all accounts, he was right. Every quarian in the Migrant Fleet was like family to her and she always thought about her people's ways. "But back to the matter at hand, you said you're looking for crew members, right?"

"That's right." Beviin continued, "Currently we only have six crewmen for a frigate."

"A frigate? How many others are you hoping to join you?"

Bev answered, "Twenty others. Nineteen, if you're in."

The batarian rubbed his head with his free hand and let out a sigh. "Join your crew or stay in this shithole…hmmm…" After about a minute of thinking, Forta gave Bev and Rasen an answer, "Give me about ten minutes to finish what I was doing and pack what I want. A vigilantly has shown up recently and he's been nothing but trouble for the gangs and mercs, I'd rather not be Omega when it does turn into a war zone."


Outside the door, Rasen spoke to Bev about their new crew member, "Can we really trust him; I mean he even said most batarians we'll meet aren't exactly friendly."

"If he does anything 'bad', he'll have to deal with the six of us, right?" He extended his arm to her.

With a smile on her face she answered, "Right." Taking the hand and shaking. That's a tight grip. I wonder if it's just the armor.

Walking out of the door, the batarian had only one duffel bag full of stuff. "OK, are we going to the ship yet?"

"No. First we rendezvous with everyone else here." Beviin pulled out a map of Omega. "You'll meet your new boss and other shipmates. Then we return to the ship."

Forta simply shrugged, "Fine, the sooner we leave Omega the better. So what the hell is a 'Mandalorian' anyway?"

Beviin stated walking as he told Forta, "I'll explain along the way."


A/N: Yes, I had to use Fargut and Moklan. They were a great opening for Omega and they still are. Bev got to show how cold he was and the others are like that, Rang wouldn't be so serious about it but he's just as committed. Yes the infamous 1138 bit is in here for any Lucas fans who understand like I do. I'll look for a way to working in another famous Star Wars line eventually. Again making up names is one of my weaknesses so pardon them.

A forewarning so none of you can yell at me about it later, I might be getting a summer job soon but I'm not 100% certain so don't expect updates for a while unless I get a brainstorm like chapter 4 & 5...so until the next update thanks for reading folks.

Mandalorian Translation: Copaani mirshmure'cye, vod?(Koh-PAH-nee MEERSH-moo-RAY-shay, vod?)- Are you looking for a smack in the face, mate?

dalyc()- female (Gender is normally implied in context, but when necessary to clarify, the adjectives jagyc (male) or dalyc (female) are added)

'Oh' dalycbuir, ni ru copaani haa'tayli ruug 'asari'.(DAH-leeshboo-EER nee roo KOH-pan-EER har-TIE-lee roog) -Oh mommy, I wanted to see the old asari.

Tayli'bac, ni mar'eyi jari'eyc senaar troan.(TIE-lee-BAHK nee memah-AY-ee JAR-ee-aysh sen-ARR trawn) -Fine, I'll find the ugly bird face.