Author's Notes:

Just a head's up. Some of you might have noticed, but I've been trying to keep to an at-least-once-a-week-update schedule. However, this quarter is far busier than I had anticipated, and is quite full with papers and other assignments, so updates might come a little slower than usual. (Master's thesis is taking way more time than I had anticipated.) So, sorry for the delays.

Again, thank you all for continuing to read. :)

Chapter 10

Your mind is busy as you disembark the hover car, and as a result you do not remember the ride back to your apartment block. A mental list of what equipment and gear and supplies you will need for this mission is slowly forming in your mind. Your stealth suit will be essential, as well an assortment of specialized weapons and accessories. You know a high powered rifle will be a plus, and you consider the different calibers that are suited for taking out a krogan. An anti-materiel weapon packs the necessary punch to destroy even a krogan's redundant nervous system, but the weight and bulk of such a weapon is prohibitive. You consider the option of using a smaller, but more powerful round; a higher velocity round would carry more kinetic energy, but might not adequately penetrate advanced armor. You conclude that some research is necessary for you to make an informed decision.

In the centuries you've spent as a huntress and commando, you've earned a great deal of experience. Most of your hunts have taken several weeks; you've always held to the philosophy that stalking prey should be methodical and unrushed. Part of that methodology is to possess proper intelligence, and so you make a mental note to retrieve all of the surveys, geological studies, and other reports on Opers; you anticipate the next few days will be spent memorizing maps and terrain, deciding ambush locations, and planning probable escape routes.

And of course you have to figure out a proper supply line. Your ship can carry enough goods for a lengthy mission and initial reports indicate that Opers' temperate climate is home to numerous edible plants and animals, so hunting and foraging is always an option. You do not wish to rely on the salarian operatives hidden on planet, as you suspect their own stores are likely at the breaking point. You'll have to stop by and check with the Citadel quartermaster to requisition the appropriate foodstuffs and equipment. Fortunately, your private liquor stores are well stocked, so you are not worried about depleting that resource.

With a low growl, your stomach reminds you that you've not eaten since the previous day. You rub your eyes, clearing out the grit that has accumulated, and you look forward to a shower in a fully furnished refresher unit. You wonder if Ari has eaten yet; you'd like to introduce her to some of the finer dining establishments on the Citadel. You vaguely recall a restaurant that specializes in quarian cuisine up near the Presidium and decide that that'd be a good place to take your friend.

Your apartment is situated just past the main promenade of Tayseri Ward; it is a tall, regal complex that occupies the third and fourth floors of the Ward. Your cab drops you off at the front entrance, and in a few steps you are through the atrium; you nod a greeting towards the asari receptionist, who doesn't recognize you, and quickly trot up the flight of stairs. Your quarters are just down the hall, and before long, you place your thumb over the biometric reader. After a brief moment, the door hisses open, and you step through the vestibule.

The bustle of Tayseri Ward's streets contrasts sharply with the quiet calm of your residence. The lights are dimmed and the air is fresh with a faint wisp of citrus that emanates from the room's atmospheric unit. The tang brings a smile to your face; it is an old foible, a reminder of someone long since gone. You run a blue finger over the coils of a potted fern that is hanging from the wall, but after a moment, shake off the feeling of nostalgia. Sighing, you unclasp your boots and step through the foyer into the living room.

Your elation grows when you see Ari, but the smile blossoming on your face dies a terrible death when you see her dour expression. She is facing you, seated on a couch with her legs and arms crossed, and the scowl is eminent. You hesitate, your usual confidence self taking a step back.

After a brief moment, you pull a chair from a table and take a seat. She glares at you, and you are mildly relieved to see that it is anger and not fear that is consuming her. "What is it?" you ask.

Ari doesn't respond and continues to stare at you with her glowing eyes. The silence becomes uncomfortable, so you walk to the kitchen and start mixing a drink; without thought, you automatically choose several liquors. You can feel her gaze trailing you. After several minutes, she finally says in a quiet voice that carries more raw rage than a charging krogan, "You lied to me."

Your brain churns over those words as you sip your drink, and you go over what you've said to her over the past week or so. "What do you mean?" you reply when you do not recall ever being untruthful. Just as you say those words, however, you realize with startling clarity what she is saying. "Oh."

"That's right." Ari stands before you, and though she is shorter than you, she stares defiantly into your eyes. She pokes you hard on the chest. "I know you're not a courier, and I know what you do for the Council."

"It's not what you think," you say as you break eye contact and return to your chair. Frazzled, you down the rest of your drink in a single gulp and your mind reels from the inanity of being wrong-footed by this quarian. A centuries-old asari huntress should not be so dazed by a twenty-something girl.

"How can it not be what I think? You weren't out in the Traverse delivering messages or packages or some other shit. You were on some secret mission." Ari is pacing now, her hands clenching and unclenching in frustration and anger. "Whatever you said on Aghoru, on your ship, they're all lies." She turns to face you and her eyes have narrowed into dangerous slits; her quills have stiffened. Ari stabs a finger at you. "You led the krogan to Aghoru. You killed Aghoru!"

"No! Damn it, Ari, calm down." You reach out to her, to guide her back to the couch, but she pushes you away with surprising strength. "That is not what happened." You sigh and turn towards one of the bay windows overlooking the Ward. You gather your thoughts. "Yes, Ari, I was on some mission, but no, I did not lead the krogan to Aghoru. Why would I do that? Why would I want to kill a colony?"

"I don't know," she says slowly. The quarian pauses just long enough for you to see the confusion shimmering beneath the anger. "I don't know," she says again. The storm has abated slightly, but you catch a twinge of hurt laced in her musical voice. "They followed you. It only makes sense that you had something to do with them."

You don't answer immediately. You know you should not be revealing anything to Ari as your status as a commando is classified knowledge, but you feel you owe her an explanation. After all, you were involved with the krogan who had assaulted Aghoru. Though there is no way to accurately predict what would have happened, you want to believe that the colony would have been spared had you not sabotaged the Oshika plant.

Ari's voice breaks the silence. "See? I knew you had something to do with them." A three-fingered hand grabs your shoulder and spins you around. "Why don't you answer me, Starmet? What are you hiding?"

Sighing, you look down at her and make a decision; you hope you won't regret it. "You're right, Ari," you say. "Aghoru began weeks before I even set foot on the colony, before meeting you. I was given an operation by the Council to go to the planet Oshika in an effort to stem the krogan tide." As you explain your role in the Krogan Rebellions, all traces of infuriation evaporates from Ari; shock, then dread, and finally betrayal fills the void, and she stumbles back to the couch.

"Oshika was an op that took months to plan," you continue. "There was a vital anti-matter refinement plant, and I was tasked to cripple the facility. I succeeded in my assignment, but the resulting explosion killed thousands of krogan." You pause as the face of the krogan girl resurfaces; you stomp the memory underfoot. "Most of them weren't even combat troops." There is regret in your voice. "The garrisoning unit, however, was not fully destroyed, and decided to seek revenge."

You take a seat on the couch next to Ari. "Do you remember that news vid in the bar when we first met? That krogan was Battle Master Malachar of the World Eaters. He commanded Oshika and promised vengeance on those who were responsible. Aghoru was the first in his crusade."

Ari buries her head in her hands and shakes her head in dismay as she realizes the full import of your words. "Oh, keelah," she murmurs.

"I'm sorry, Ari." You place your arm around her, hugging her close as she gently sobs. You are slightly surprised at her emotions, but it soon dawns on you that Ari has only been holding herself together just barely. You are a hardened warrior who has seen more than her share of bloodshed, so you've come to forget how easily some people can be traumatized by events you'd consider routine. You realize that now that the immediate danger is gone and the environment is relatively innocuous, Ari's emotions have finally boiled over; she has simply crashed. Acute post-traumatic stress disorder can be a sudden thing.

You hold and comfort her, unsure exactly what to do, but knowing that simply letting her vent helps. You are melancholic; even though you know you cannot be linked to her catastrophic history, you feel responsible in some abstract way for her suffering. Aghoru was likely not your doing, but you are certain that your actions had indeed provoked Malachar, which led to the death of Aghoru. That certainty fuels a righteous fury in your heart, and you swear to the goddess that you will destroy him for the sufferings he has brought upon Ari.

After some time, Ari stirs and slowly straightens up. She rubs a hand over her eyes and sniffs once more before glancing at you sheepishly. "Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for," you say as she straightens up. "Ari, I suppose I should tell you now. In less than four days, I will be leaving the Citadel for another mission. Specifically, I'll be hunting Malachar and making him pay for Aghoru. I'll be gone for weeks, and I most likely will be out of easy communication. You're welcome to stay here while I'm gone, but you can also head elsewhere if you would like. I just thought you should know."

You pause; against your better judgment, you add, "Actually, you could accompany me. If you want, of course."

Ari looks down at her hands as she considers your offer. "I need time to think over this," she says finally, and you expect that answer. "Things are just happening too fast; I haven't had enough time to digest all that's happened." She smiles weakly. "I need a shower."

"Understandable," you reply, relieved that some mirth is returning to her. You help her to her feet and take her deeper into the apartment. "I've got a spare room, Ari. Get washed up, and get some rest. Think things through."

-+-+-+-

It isn't until the third morning that you see Ari again; you had checked on her in the mornings, but she hadn't responded, and you had decided that was simply part of the healing process. The past few days have been incredibly busy, and you've spent the time running errands, making arrangements, and requisitioning supplies. You know she's been moving about the apartment because of the reports from the food preparation unit and other sensors; you decide she's likely just avoiding you.

As you are browsing the daily news vids over breakfast, Ari slides into the chair across from you. You look up, glad to see her at last; she looks healthy and recovered, and her eyes glow brightly. Her quills are smoothed back and tidy, and her voice carries the characteristic melodious twinkle. "Good morning," she says.

"How are you feeling?" you respond. You stand and command the food unit to prepare some dextro-based foods.

"Better," she says as she accepts a plate of reconstituted breads. "I've given this some thought, and I'm going to take you up on your offer."

You smile around your mug of caf. "That's great! I have to ask, though, why? I mean, I would have thought you'd want to get far away from the krogan and all that."

"Do you remember when I asked you about fate and destiny?" Ari responds; she hasn't touched her food yet. You nod. "Like I said, a lot of my life doesn't make any sense. I spent the last couple of days consulting with my ancestors and seeking their advice. I was hoping I could glean some wisdom from them. "

You arch a brow in curiosity. "Your ancestors?"

The quarian points at her omni-tool. "Yes. Quarians take an imprint of an ancestor's personality and combine it with an interface to make something similar to a VI. It's a way of honoring our ancestors. In any case, I didn't find anything about fate or destiny or whatever, but I did learn that there are no coincidences in life, and even if we aren't sure of the meaning of our lives, we should take all opportunities to make a positive difference in the world."

Ari looks intently at you and you read something in her eyes. "I don't know if there's some big plan that governs the universe, but here is a chance to try to make Malachar's wrong a right. This is a chance to do something about Aghoru, and even though I still blame you to some extent, I know I need to take this chance to help you fix the wrongs. If I don't, I'll never have another chance."

"That makes a lot of sense," you say as Ari finally eats her breakfast. "Plus , it'll be nice to have someone keeping me company."

She shrugs. "Who knows? This could be my destiny."

Something suddenly bothers you, though. "Ari, about what happened the other day. How did you figure everything out?"

"I had my suspicions," Ari admits. "Couriers don't usually travel with military-grade tech." She blushes a deep purple. "Plus, I, uh, took the liberty to examine your personal files while you were gone."

"Those files were encrypted and secured."You frown and hope she didn't pry into everything.

Ari smirks. "Starmet, I am a quarian; breaking into your computer systems is like child's play."

"Touche." You raise your mug in a salute. "Now that you mention that, I'm pretty sure your computer skills will come in handy."

"I hope so," she replies, though there is some doubt in her voice.

You smile encouragingly. "Given, the nature of the mission, I know so."