"You want me to do what?"
The skycar carrying Shepard and Kasumi whizzed passed one of Bekenstien's many mountain ranges.
"Break into Dovovan Hock's vault, steal a greybox containing all my memories of Kenshi, and get out. Simple."
"Except he knows who I am."
"I don't see how that's a problem."
"This could block off future job opportunities!"
"Not if we don't get caught."
"But... This suit is itchy."
"Quit being a baby."
"I'm not kidding."
"Of course not. Here's the plan: since you know Hock, we're going to see if you can't convince him to let you see his vault. If not, we have a statue of Saren in tow, containing all of our weapons and armor, except your pistol, that they should allow. We give it to Hock, who'll put in the vault, we break in, grab the greybox, and if worse comes to worse, we suit up and shoot our way out. Any questions?"
"It's riding my crotch too."
"No questions, okay."
-Donovan Hock stared up at the docking skycar, an unshakable scowl on his face. Two armed guards stood beside him. As Shepard stepped out of the skycar, the men raised their weapons, causing Shepard to put his hands up.
"Woah woah woah, Don, what's this about?"
"This is about the Torch!"
"The Torch? What?"
"The Torch you stole from me!"
"You promised me a share of the profits!"
"I meant the money you idiot!"
"You never said I couldn't take it, so I assumed I could."
"At least tell me it didn't go to waste."
"Well, it got me a job with the Shadow Broker-"
"You gave the Torch to the Shadow Broker?!"
"It didn't go to waste," Shepard replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"Just come in. I suppose there's room for you."
"You're breaking my heart Don."
"Good."
Hock entered his estate, leaving Shepard. As he turned back to the skycar, Kasumi uncloaked, laughing as she did. Shepard stepped back, startled.
"Jesus, you've got to stop that!"
"If you were able to, you would too."
"Who says I can't? Grarak wasn't an idiot."
"Can you?"
"No, but that's beside the point."
"Mmhmm. So what's this Torch Hock's so mad about?"
"I worked with him once, to steal Statue of Liberty."
"The... Excuse me?"
"We stole the broken pieces of the Statue of Liberty, were gonna put them together, sell them to the Nort American government, and split the profits. I knew Hock was just going to shoot me in the back, so I stole the Torch, and gave it to the Shadow Broker in exchange for a few jobs. First one was Eden Prime."
"And here you are?"
"And here I am. Ready to party?"
"It's a social gathering Shep. Hence the tux."
"Yeah, speaking of that, are there pine needles on the inside?"
"Just shut up. I'll meet you in there."
Kasumi cloaked, leaving Shepard walking towards Hock's estate, shaking his head.
-"I have to say, it's a nice party. Love the art gallery."
"Most of it is Asari. It lacks that certain... charm, of human pieces, but is quite soothing."
"It is Asari after all."
Hock chuckled to himself, before taking a sip of his champagne. He looked down at Shepard's glass, which had been left untouched.
"You aren't having any of yours?"
"Not too thirsty. Unless you have any ryncols?"
"Feeling unsatisfied?"
"Feeling sentimental."
"For?"
"My ship," Shepard responded, before seeing Hock's confused expression. "It blew up. Twice."
"Ah. I haven't exactly been following recent news."
"Wasn't recent, but I'll take it."
"I suppose you have to."
"That's what I like about you Hock. You're direct, but you leave options open. Like a mother."
"You aren't awful Shepard, no matter what happened in the past. You certainly got the job done, and you deserved that Torch, despite what I've said before."
"Stop it Don, you'll make me blush."
"Walk with me Shepard."
"Where to?"
"My personal vault,"
-Shepard's eyes widened at the sight of Hocks vault. The statues, though crumbling, we're still worth a fortune each. Hock turned to Shepard, a smile on his face.
"It's a fine treasury, no? I'm quite proud."
"You should be. Really, it's great."
Shepard reached for his pistol, as did Hock. The two men held their guns aimed at each other.
"You honestly thought I'd let you get away with cheating me Shep-"
A loud bang echoed throughout the vault, and Hock dropped to the ground, dead. Kasumi uncloaked, a grim expression on her face.
"Not happy?"
"I will be. Grab the greybox, it should be here."
Shepard ran towards a small pedastel, tucked away from the rest of the treasures. He picked the greybox from it's resting place, along with a small SMG.
"I found it, plus a- no, the Hornet. Want it?"
"Toss it over."
Shepard obliged, and pocketed the greybox,
"Thanks Shep. We should be able to get out of here no problem, so long as we don't shoot anyone."
"You do know who you're talking to, right?"
"I'm praying to whatever might be out there that's a joke."
"I'm a pirate, not an idiot. Have more faith in me."
-Kasumi and Shepard left Hock's estate in the skycar, avoiding a fight. Kasumi looked down at the greybox, only raising her head when they had left Bekenstien's atmosphere.
"Shep, I may have forgotten to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"The greybox maybe has a couple of files that could start a galaxy-wide war."
"And...?"
"And if it falls into the wrong hands-"
"Kasumi, this is all you have left of Kenshi. I think you'll manage to hold onto it."
"...I still have a speech to persuade you into letting me keep it."
"And I'm sure it was wonderful. I just have a favor to ask."
"After getting me the greybox back? Anything."
"Help me take over control of the Normandy from Alenko."
"...I'm regretting that last statement."
So this chapter is going to be up a bit early, but I'm going to be really busy tomorrow, so I might as well put it up now. To all my readers: thank you, and reviews are always appreciated. I feel like a sellout... Whatever. Your support means the world to me, etc, etc... Seriously though, I am genuinely amazed at how this story has gone so far. I never thought that this series would pick up how it did. Thanks everyone reading this, and I'll see you next week.
