Update, finally. That is all.
Chapter 10: Propositions
Citadel: Zakera Ward
Day 6 7:56pm Earth Standard
Flux Exterior: Sky
I sat outside of Flux for two hours, high above the street level walk ways where the Keepers dwell. The cat walks where only the keepers roam and assassins with sinister motives. I was about to move away from the catwalk to the level below when I spotted Miranda enter the club. She made her way inside and disappeared, I brought up the security cameras in the building, and thanks to Rebbeca I had a full layout and a visual of the interior.
I got up and started moving for the building, the catwalk led me to an access point above the club. Entering I noticed that Miranda sat on the opposite side of the room, dark corner, exit nearby, defendable if need be. Smart, hard to get to unseen, by most. Moving along the catwalk I made my way over to the center of the room, dropping down to the bar along the wall. The Volus bartender didn't seem to notice and I took advantage of that. One of the servers grabbed a tray of drinks and headed for a table, following in her shadow she made her way over to a table just past Miranda's.
Quickly slipping into the booth while Miranda glanced at the passing server, she turns back around and raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.
"So you wanted to talk, here I am let's talk," I told her plainly.
She glanced around before leaning closer to whisper, "We were wondering if you be willing to be part of a business arrangement," she said as casual as she could.
"What sort of business are we talking about here?" I responded.
"The kind that needs your kind of training and skills," she said. My mind froze, did she know? No, how could she now who I am really.
"And what training and skills would that be exactly," I asked a tiny bit nervous. She hesitated a moment before saying.
"The kind that allowed you to get in here undetected, the reflex you showed when we fought, the assassin training you've obviously had," she said whispering the last part.
I relaxed and did a casual glance around the room, it was much more subtle than Miranda's and she noticed, she also notice the REHUD glow slightly as I activated the facial recognition software.
"See, that's what we are talking about, you obviously have cybernetic enhancements or very good tech, as well as the skills we need," she told me.
"What's the job," I asked.
"Not here, I'll forward a data packet to your omni-tool if you're interested," she responded.
"Depends on what you need done, forward me the packet and all consider it," I countered. My omni tool glowed briefly and chirped twice signaling two messages. One was the data packet from Miranda, the other was a de-encryption program, also from Miranda, that had the key for the data packet as well as the ability to hack other locks and codes.
"Consider it an advance payment," she said. Standing up she walked away without even saying goodbye. Most of the club watched her as she left, the humans and aliens alike. Once she was gone the room returned to its energized state, I moved away from the table once Miranda disappeared from my sight. Grabbing a bar stool I waved down the Volus bartender.
"Greetings Earth-clan, vzchh, how can I help you? Vzchh," he said.
"Something heavy, anything you got," I told him.
He grabbed a vial from under the counter and poured it into a shot glass.
"Vzchh, Batarian Shard Wine," he said sliding the glass down to me. I threw the shot back in a single gulp and slammed the glass down. I waved my omnitool to the bartender and walked away. Making my way down the steps I past Nerena and a group of other C-sec officers.
She recognized me and waved me over.
"Hey Sky, How's it going?" She asked.
"Pretty good, been seeing the sites," I said with a wave of my hand. I noticed the group of officers behind her. There were several Turians a few Salarians, and even a Human in C-Sec uniform.
"Glad to hear it, not getting in anymore trouble I hope," she said jokingly.
"Not at all," I told her with almost no sarcasm.
"Oh by the way, these are officers Vasalo, Bahe and Raymond" she said pointing to the two Salarians and the one human.
"And this is officer Flavick, Actthan, and Vakarian," she pointed to the three Turians in the back. My eyes snapped over to a familiar Turian when she said Vakarian. I looked over and saw none other than Garrus Vakarian. Most of the officers just waved hello and moved past but Neryna stayed a moment.
"Why don't you join us Sky?" She asked as the other officers left, some glanced back and scowled at me being invited.
"No, I couldn't intrude, these are your friends, I wouldn't fit in," I told her back.
"Of course you can intrude, how else would you make friends. Now come on, I'll buy you a drink." She countered and then starting walking before I could retort.
I glanced at the time on my Omni-tool and shrugged, it was barely after 8pm, just after 10pm Citadel time. It was a little strange, most species went by their home world clock, but the Citadel ran on a 28 hour day with 14 hours each in the morning and afternoon instead of 12. It worked the same just with 2 extra hours where 14 o'clock exists in both morning and afternoon.
I followed them back into the club, I thought this night would be fun. Certainly depends on your definition of fun.
Citadel: Zakera Ward
Day 6 10:23pm Earth Standard
Flux Bar: Sky
"And so I told him you're as vocal as an Elcor!" I smiled as laughter erupted around the table as Flavick finished his joke. Flavick was the Turian officer that Nerena is partnered with. I met him briefly after I was attacked by the Batarians. I had talked to the Salarians the most throughout the night, they were happy to be able to speak with someone that could keep up with them in science and knowledge. Not that the others weren't smart they just didn't have the same areas of expertise.
The one Turian had a problem with me though, I don't know what it was but he obviously had it out for me. He glared at me for the longest time; I also noticed that he glared at the other Human, Darren Raymond, a fair amount as well. Darren seemed to avoid him the best he could, putting the Salarians, Nerena and Flavick and Garrus between him and Actthan, I think it was. Garrus's voice snapped me out of my musings.
"So Sky," He said grabbing my attention, I gave it to him while taking a sip of tequila. Garrus, and I had talked for a while already and were getting along better than Actthan and I.
" Nerena told me that you took down some Batarians that attacked you," he asked almost skeptically.
"Yeah, attacked me when I cut through an alley, thought they could get the jump on me," I said with a wave of my hand. Nerena nodded enthusiastically at him and went back to her conversation with Flavick.
"Yeah and how'd that go for you," he asked with a grin.
"Kicked their asses," I grinned back.
"Bullshit," came a voice from beside us, Actthan was glaring at us from the far side of the table. He swung his arms in a drunken wave and then pointed a talon at me.
"There's no way, a runt of a human like you," he said slurring. "Took down a pair of armed Batarians," he finished. The table had grown silent and all eyes were on Actthan and I.
I leaned forward and spoke softly, "and why is that?"
"You humans think you're so tough," he slurred more. "But reality is we would have beat the shit of you if the Asari hadn't stopped us."
"Ah sure, but that's why we were the first species to beat back the great Turian navy," I said with a smirk.
"Why you little," he said as his talon connected with my face. I tumbled to the side knocking Garrus and Nerena to the ground. I rolled to my feet popping up in a fighting stance just to be tackled by 250lbs of Turian. He crashed on top of me knocking the air from my lungs. I felt the weight lighten as Garrus pulled him off of me, Actthan back handed, or maybe back taloned, Garrus into a still rising Nerena. He took a swing at me with his left arm, I grabbed it and pulled it over my right shoulder slamming him in the gut with my left fist. I dropped down and swept my legs low, knocking his own legs out from under him and he crashed to the floor.
I rolled to the side as Actthan slashed at my legs from the floor. He scrambled to his feet and took another swipe, batting away his arm my fist connected with his head. He staggered back as I made multiple strikes at him. He blocked a few but was hopelessly drunk, I landed a kick on his legs and brought him to his knees.
"Yield," I told him. He growled and lunged at me, a quick kick to his lunging hand and a roundhouse kick to his abdomen later he was groaning on the ground.
I turned around to a slack jaw Darren, a grinning Garrus and Flavick and an impressed group of Salarians, I noticed the rest of the club was silent and everybody was staring at me. I quick glare and they returned to what they were doing.
"Damn girl, you know how to fight," Darren said slapping me on the back, his six and a half foot frame dwarfing mine.
"Actthan had it coming, nice job," Flavick told me. Garrus just nodded in agreement, the Salarians were all chattering excitedly but one glared and went and picked up Actthan. I winced when I looked over at him and the Salarian.
"I should go, tell them I'm sorry," I said motioning to Actthan. I pushed through the group surrounding me and moved out of the club. Not twenty feet out, I heard Garrus's voice.
"Sky wait!" He jogged up to me quickly and stopped a few feet away.
"That was damn impressive," he complimented.
"It was nothing, he was drunk, I'm not," I argued back.
"Actthan is one of the best hand to hand fighters I know, even drunk."
I shrugged and started walking, Garrus followed.
"So if you're not busy tomorrow, I was wondering umm, if you wanted to uhh, do something," he stuttered. I stopped in my tracks; I spun around to look at Garrus. His mandibles flared in what I think were an embarrassed smile. I cocked my head to the side and smiled a sassy grin.
"Garrus, if I didn't know you better I'd say you we're asking me on a date," his smile turned serious.
"Yeah, I mean if you aren't against that kind of thing," he began. He wasn't bad looking for an alien, muscular, tall, he's smart, funny, confident,cunning, definitely something exotic compared to what I'm used to. Not that they allowed a lot of that at the Acadamy.
"No, but are you open to dating another species," I asked him.
"Asari aren't bad looking and human women are pretty much the same, so yeah" he said with a confident smile. "I'm good with it,"
"Alright, I think it'll be fun, aren't I a little young for you though?" I asked questionably.
"I'm only 24 Sky," he said with a serious tone. This news surprised me, I knew Garrus was close to Shepard's age but I thought he was older.
"But I thought Turians had to spent 15 years in military service before they could do anything else," I questioned him.
"They do and I am, I started at 13, minimum age for military enlistment is 15 but my father got me in early to learn. Graduated at 16, and finished my tour a bit early but in my eleventh year, and now I'm part of C-sec which counts towards military service," He said proudly.
"Wow, human enlistment minimum is 18, how long ago did you finish your service?" I asked.
"A few weeks ago, Flavick got me into C-sec and we came out to celebrate tonight," he said.
"Well you don't waste anytime picking up," I said slyly.
He cocked his head at that, "uhem, so..."
"That's a yes," I said. His mandibles flared in a smile and he regained some of his demeanor.
"So uhh, when do you uhh, want to meet up," he asked. I motioned for him to walk and so we did. We began walking along the main streets and heading the direction of my apartment.
"Walk me to my apartment, and you can pick me up there tomorrow," I told him while grabbing his taloned hand. He bristled a bit as I grabbed his hand but relaxed after a moment. I pulled him along at a quickened pace and dodged around the small crowds at this time of night. Garrus pointed out a series of landmarks and places to go as we walked along the ward streets.
"I thought you said you just got here," I asked him as we neared my apartment.
"I did, but I've been here on shore leave before." He responded casually.
"Oh nice, well here we are," I motioned to the apartment. His brow rose in surprise, he glanced over at me.
"You live here," He asked disbelievingly.
"Yeah, top floor penthouse," I told him. We walked in the front door and Salek raised a hand in greeting. Moving into the elevator I hit the button for the top floor, the elevator jolted into motions and began its ascent.
"So do you live with your parents or..." he asked.
My face darkened at the mention of parents, I hadn't seen mine in over a decade and they practically gave me away. When the military came to collect me, 'For the safety and protection of those around me', my parents didn't even resist. They just let them take me at the age of 6, spent my time stuck in training facilities, labs and military bases. But no they were gone, just me here, everyone I knew was probably dead. Amelia, Jason, My parents, my brother, everyone.
I turned to Garrus and replied, "No just me, just me and my Quarian roommate."
Citadel: Zakera Ward
Day 6 11:34pm Earth Standard
Cerberus Hideout: Miranda
"Yes sir, she's agreed to look at the package," I told him.
"Good, I expect a progress update within the day," he said.
Nodding he cut the connection and the illusion of Cronus Station disappeared and was replaced by the white walls of the warehouse. I glanced around the room before heading for the apartment section of the hideout. I dropped onto the bed I had been given and opened my omni-tool, several progress reports from agents and project heads as well as one from Sky.
Opening the e-mail, I saw a short message from Sky.
I accept, give me the equipment I've requested and we'll talk when it's done.
I smiled as soon as I saw the message, she was hooked. We had a new asset to Cerberus.