I don't own the Mass Effect.

Chapter 5: The Discussions

Illyan hadn't pinned Herani to a wall, but she had stolen the chair for herself before pulling the smaller mercenary into her lap. Thankfully she actually seemed to be doing her job, taking notes on what the other Asari apparently wanted for gear in between their flirtatious comments.

"Herani." Trisren called out as she stepped past me, "Let the girl do her job, you can try and get a glimpse of her azure later."

"Oh come on Captain. Let the human get everyone else's crap." Even from across the room I could easily see purple skin tightening as she glared at her boss. "You have any idea how long it's been?"

"Forty seven days." The human who had originally let us in grumbled from the couch he'd stretched out on. "Why don't you just go buy a whore? The Captain pays you enough."

The Asari scowled at him. "You know how many diseases those things have?"

"Tons, but don't you already have half of them?" I mentally revised my initially low opinion of the guy upwards a bit.

His coworker apparently didn't share my appreciation for the snark, growling as she pushed herself off of Illyan while dark energy began to ripple around her. The bearded mercenary quickly started to rise, a hand dropping to the collapsed weapon on his belt.

"Herani! Wilhelm!" The pair of them froze at Tris's snap. "I've tolerated your goddess damned crap for too long if you two are about to brawl in front of our suppliers. Herani, turn your ass around and finish telling her about what you need for gear. Wilhelm, shut your fucking mouth or by Athame I'll smash both of your heads together until you stop bitching at each other."

Neither merc really looked all that apologetic, but they duly turned away from each other.

"This is normal then?" I muttered, making sure to pitch my voice low.

Tris let out a furious breath before jerking her head in a nod. "They've been fighting like a pair of rabid varren since they met. If I didn't need both of them I'd throw them in a room and wait for the survivor to crawl out."

"Huh." I glanced between the two, and also noted how the others seemed content to largely ignore what had just happened. "Suddenly I don't mind having to deal with Voya's crap."

"Don't make me stoop to Trena's level and hit you."

My hands rose in a vaguely surrendering motion. "I'll get started then. Anything you need?"

"No, start with the twins if you could." A blue hand rose and waved to shoo me away, but her eyes continued to flick between her two apparent problem children. "They need new everything."

"Great." I muttered, turning away and sliding between chairs and stands as I headed towards a pair of Turians who were sitting quietly in a corner.

Both looked liked they be as tall as Dorvahn if they were standing, and shared his leathery gray skin. Where they differed from Trisren's boyfriend was in their dark brown plating, and both had complicated red markings that covered almost their entire faces. One of them nodded slightly as I approached, his mandibles twitching as his brother brought up his omni-tool.

"MacKeanen. The Captain speaks highly of you." The brother who'd nodded spoke in his people's usual rumble. "We are in need of equipment."

"Quite a bit of it." His brother sounded just like him, with not even a slimmer of difference in his tones. "Our former employers did not keep us well compensated."

My eyes flicked up and down them, taking in the light armor and crumpled underarmor that was easily visible beneath the scattered plates. "Full armor replacements then."

Both of them nodded in unison, which became creepy when their mandibles twitched at the same time in the same freaking way. The first brother spoke as I tried not to take a step back. "Heavy plating is preferred. I will need an expanded backpack capable of carrying my demolition equipment, please mark said gear for Lorth."

"Heavy armor spec'd for demo work for Lorth." Bringing an arm up, I flicked my own omni-tool to life and started striking the blue panels to note everything they were saying. "That would make you Ratha. Heavy as well?"

Ratha Thexis let out a chirping sound that glitched my translator for a moment. "Omni-plating is a requirement. Do you have access to Armax weaponry?"

I just stared at him in reply.

Both of their mandibles twitched in unison again. "Haliat?"

"Tornado?"

"Equipped with a smart choke if possible."

"Done." Fingers tapped away again. "Lorth, weapons?"

A clawed hand patted a disassembled Phaeton on the table beside him. "My rifle is sufficient, though I may request specialized ammunition blocks from time to time."

I grunted, "I'll save you the bother and toss in incendiary and armor piecing with your armor. If you somehow burn through them let me know. Any tech mines or launchers? New omni-tools? Did you want reserve barriers setup in your armor?"

Ratha leaned forwards, resting his long forearms on his legs. "Cost?"

"Trisren is covering all of it." My left shoulder twitched. "The more shit you want the more time it's going to take me though."

The brothers exchanged a short glance before Lorth also leaned in, his mandibles spread wide in a Turian grin.

The next thirty minutes were interesting, to say the least. Apparently they'd been under the misconception that Tris had some kind of a budget, and so had set their initial requests simply enough to ensure that they weren't berated for the cost. With that notion out of the way, they'd launched into very detailed descriptions of what they wanted. In some cases with far too much gusto for my translator to keep up as they started speaking over one another. More than once I had to cut in to shoot something down, like when Ratha tried to convince me that his armor needed jet boots so that he could emulate Vanguard charges.

I mean seriously. Jet boots.

Thankfully most of the requests were more sensible, as well as being within the range of what we could actually do. Omni-tech plates, reserve barriers, internal supports to cushion against blasts, that kind of thing. Lorth was still fine with his rifle, though he did add in a request for a larger magazine. And I had absolutely no idea how Aethyta was going to get me the plastic explosives and specialized grenades that he wanted.

Still, that was a problem for later. And preferably for an old fish to resolve, rather than me. Once I the twins were satisfied with all of the notes that I had taken, I closed my omni-tool before stepping away from the odd pair and glancing around the room once more.

Illyan had apparently finished up with Herani, and was currently listening to a pair of Salarians. Trisren was currently speaking in low tones to the other Asari, and from Herani's expression the words coming from the thin woman weren't pleasant. Given that Dorvahn seemed to be absent, and since I knew he didn't lack for top flight gear anyway, that just left Wilhelm.

The fellow human glanced up from the tablet in his lap as I approached the couch, setting it aside as he grunted. "Done dealing with the twins then?"

I gave him a polite nod. "Your turn."

What little of his skin that was visible around his massive beard crinkled into a frown. "You always talk in blue?"

"Pretty much. Lived on Illium for nearly two years now, got used to it." One of my shoulders twitched as I tried to move on. "You have some ideas for equipment that you want?"

"New armor would be nice." A hand waved at the set he was wearing. It had looked decent enough at first glance, but up close it was more obvious that it was badly mismatched with the paint job covering up a good bit of problems. "Probably something a bit lighter than this crap if you can manage it. Need plenty of carrying capacity for my medical supplies as well."

"Hm." The computer on my wrist whirred to life once again as I thought that over. "I can work with that. Guns?"

"Got my pistol, I don't need more than that."

We spent a few more minutes chatting, but he seemed less interested in telling me what he wanted for gear and more focused on trying to get me to tell him anything about myself. He was even more obvious about it than the Eclipse had been, and seemed oblivious to my rising irritation as I tried to keep things on topic.

My companion thankfully came to my rescue before I entirely lost my patience."Hey boss, got everyone over here wrapped up."

"Good." Snapping my omni-tool shut, I gave Wilhelm a condescending Batarian nod that made his expression tighten. I don't think he fully got it, but he definitely seemed to recognize what species I'd gotten it from. "Thanks for the notes, your gear will get here with everyone else's."

The medic grunted something that I couldn't hear before grabbing his tablet again. Ignoring him in turn, I motioned for Illyan to head over towards the door before calling over to Trisren. "Tris, we're heading back out. I'll get you an estimate on time and cost in a day or two."

"Sooner rather than later Kie." She called back, turning away from Herani. "I'd rather have my people survive our first mission."

"I'll see what I can do." I'd mostly asked for the time for form. Since our 'opening' was whenever I said it was, and since Aethyta was fronting all of our salaries, there really wasn't any reason why I couldn't just delay getting the store going in order to get a head-start on their gear. "Might be able to start shuttling things over in two local days."

Tris nodded slightly in our direction, "Just send word ahead."

"Will do."

With a final wave, I yanked my helmet back on before following my friend back out onto Omega' streets. The door sealed shut behind us with a dull clang, leaving us more or less alone. There were a few drifters still out and around, nervously glancing our way before lowering their heads and hustling along, but for the most part the immediate area was vacant.

Illyan had her rifle out, holding it loosely in both hands as her helmet shifted left to right as she glanced around. "Local night or not, don't think I'll ever get used to this boss. Feels like we're being stared at from everywhere."

"Yeah..." Tightening my grip on my cane a bit, I started slowly heading towards our new home. "You find out anything interesting?"

"Herani is single and really needs to get laid." She grunted when my cane whapped her shin plates. "She's biotic support, talks like she used to be military. Or maybe Eclipse. Either way, probably knows what she's doing. Between her and Tris that'll give them a lot of control power, especially in confined fights on this goddess-damned station."

I nodded inside of my helmet, "What about her and Wilhelm?"

"He hates Batarians and she let slip that she dated a few back before the Hegemony closed itself off."

"Awesome. Have to watch him around Rane then."

"I think she can take of herself boss."

My eyes rolled. "That's exactly why I'm worried Illyan. I don't want to have to find Tris a new medic."

A snort sent some feedback through my speakers. "I hear you boss. Salarians were both pretty cagey. Fec is their sniper, but didn't let anything slip. The other guy didn't even give me his name."

I wracked my brain for a few moments, trying to remember it. "Ull-something. He's their communications guy, shouldn't need anything from us."

"Good. He was an ass. How were the twins?"

My mouth opened, closed, and then opened again as I shrugged. "Odd. And way too excited about not having to deal with a budget."

"Cant' blame them for that boss."

"Nope." I agreed. "Fec and Herani both need armor?"

"Yeah."

Great. That made five sets of armor that we needed to get assembled and kitted out. Plus a couple of guns, ordering a few new omni-tools, and support equipment. Was definitely going to be a busy couple of days if we wanted to get all this crap done as quickly as possible.

Illyan was apparently thinking similar thoughts, because she spoke up again when we were heading down the ramp that would take us back into our home district. "We delaying the open boss?"

"Probably. If we aren't on guard duty or sleeping, expect to be working on their shit." My lips thinned a bit. "Might have to give Voya some time to get her watch program up and running though, make sure she knows that we're willing to help her."

"Your call boss." Her words broke off as she yawned. "Athame's tits. This schedule is rough to get used to. Don't even have a warm body in my bed to make it bearable."

"I'm not going to tell you not to seduce Herani." A shoulder rose as my head dipped in a shrug. "Doesn't seem like it would take much effort."

"She's cute, but not sure if she's really my type." There was an almost theatrical sigh. "Might just be stuck sleeping by myself."

"If you're fishing for sympathy you won't find any in this ocean Illyan."

"You're a cruel man boss."

"That's me," I agreed dryly, "Torturing you by not caring if you're having sex or not."

She hit my shoulder in a similar way that Trena might have, though she thankfully pulled most of her strength from the blow. Armor or not I'd rather not have her actually hit me, I'd suffered through enough strikes from her during the early stages of my rehab.

The pair of us trundled back to our own district, ignoring or staring down the few people who tried to get close to us. But just like word had gotten out that our armor was real, the bloodstain from where I'd shot the guy in front of our building also spoke volumes to the local crowd. People didn't scramble out of our way like they had the few times I'd seen mercs wearing Aria's logo or Eclipse armor, but they definitely tried to give us our space. It never really felt like a fear thing, more of a respectful one. When Aria's people walked past, locals got the fuck out of the way and tried to act invisible. With us, people just kind of casually shifted aside. They knew we weren't people to fuck with, and so gave us our room.

Which was probably why I felt myself tense up when three humans in white armor moved to stand in front of us, blocking our return to the main thoroughfare. My booted feet stopped moving when were still a good ten yards away, and I subtly shifted the fingers on my cane so that I could quickly start hurling incinerates if I had to. While I did that, and Illyan casually stepped a bit away from me so that we both had room to move, I took a long look at them.

Armor looked decent, if a bit on the lighter side. A definite step up from what I'd expect the True Sons to be using without being up at the Eclipse's level. All three were clutching what looked like old model Lancers, which I thought were a bit dented but looked well cared for. The leader had added an actual bayonet to hers, but all three were keeping their guns carefully lowered as they regarded us. No helmets, which seemed to be an all too common sin on Omega, showing off their long hair and extensive warpaint. The white streaks across their cheeks and gleaming vertically on their foreheads revealed their allegiance without me having to look for a logo on their outfits.

Athame's ass. I'd been worried about having to track them down for Tris, looked like I wouldn't have to bother.

The lead White Tiger was a dark skinned woman, her hair braided and dangling down near her waist, and she held up a hand politely. "You are the Batarian who claims to run Ironhold?"

"I do own the store." I spoke in high Khar'shan, giving her a polite Batarian nod that neither offered nor demanded respect. "What do the White Tigers want?"

"Our Alpha wishes to know when your store will be open, and whether or not you have problems selling to humans."

Seriously? Their leader calmed himself the Alpha? Somehow I managed to withhold a snort. "I have no problems selling to anyone who can afford the equipment that I have in stock. It is all high quality goods shipped in from off station, you will not find the usual pathetic options on my shelves."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Rumor has it that the Eclipse helped you to get setup. We would rather not have our credits end up in Sederis's account."

My head tilted right and forward in annoyance. "They are being repaid with discounts. I have no loyalty to the mistress of the Eclipse."

"We'll see." From the twist of her lip, she didn't believe me for a moment. "You have any other clients who can vouche for you?"

"The Silver Blades and Talons are both interested in my wares. Feel free to contact either."

"I am sure that our Alpha will do so." Her chin shifted in what one might charitably call a nod, before she and her two companions both slowly backed away from us. They didn't turn their backs on us until they were another good five yards away, which struck me as a rather sensible precaution. Or at least, it would have been against anyone with terrible aim and equally terrible guns. So you know, most of Omega.

Illyan grunted as she stepped closer once again, the pair of us giving the gangsters time to clear out before we resumed walking. "Up to three customer groups now boss."

"Four." I reminded her quietly. "Trisren is officially a customer, remember?"

"Right, sorry."

We waited until the White Tigers were suitably far enough ahead before we resumed moving, stepping out onto the hanging street. Thankfully there wasn't anyone else waiting to accost us in the last few blocks, making the last few minutes of the trip relatively calm.

Voya was out on the patio as we returned, a three fingered hand resting on the low wall as her other rose in a greeting motion. Her omni-tool flickered to life a moment later as she opened the door for us, which struck me as a strangely polite gesture from her. The sneaking suspicion that she wanted something was confirmed when she practically bounced down the stairs to meet us in the shop, a tablet waving in my direction before I could even get through the cage.

Raising an eyebrow in my helmet, I took the thin computer and glanced at the screen. "...Plates, an asari model flight mask, additional tech plating, wiring... right, we don't exactly have much Quarian gear, do we?"

Her head shook before a long finger tapped the screen, following that motion with a wave towards the door.

"You want to go out right now?" A quick nod. I mulled it over for a moment. I'd wanted to go over everything we'd have to do, and try and work out a schedule to get everything done as quick as we could. But I couldn't really deny that Voya definitely needed more than a thin suit for protection, and until she had actual armor and barriers she wouldn't really be able to contribute to her own missions of revenge. "Illyan, feel like going shopping?"

The big Asari let out a protesting groan. "More walking?"

"Can't have you getting fat. Take care of yourselves, get her up to speed on what we're looking at as far as work goes. Voya, don't feel bad about hitting her." I glanced at the time on my HUD, ignoring Illyan's protest about encouraging abuse. "And be sure to be back before shift-change. You armed?"

The Terminus Quarian nodded again, patting a stock Acolyte on her belt before twisting her torso enough to let me see the Viper collapsed and attached to her back.

"Don't get killed. Illyan, go ahead and put everything on the store's account." When her broad arms crossed her chest I sighed. "And buy yourself something since I'm making you go out."

Her grunt was slightly forgiving, "Few tools I think we're missing. And we're definitely low on drinks. I'll stock us up."

"Just don't give the old fish a reason to try and drown me."

She waved a hand, "I hear you boss. Come on strong and silent, let's go spend someone else's money."

Voya gave me a nod that was vaguely thankful, narrowed her eyes at Illyan, and then the pair of them were gone. Making sure that the door was locked behind them took all of five seconds, and left me in a three story building with only a sleeping Rane as a companion.

Sighing, I lumbered up the stairs and tried not to wince as my left leg began to protest how much I'd been moving around lately. Another flight of stairs and a quick peak into the bedroom confirmed that my lover was both still alive and still asleep, not stirring as I quietly shut the door and made my way back to the second floor. Snagging a tablet from my workbench, I eventually settled onto the patio's single chair.

Occasionally glancing up and leaning over the low walls to watch the streets below, I spent most of the next hour working out just how the next few days would go. Sooner or later we'd actually have to open the store itself, just to keep up appearances if nothing else, which would basically cut out one person from work at all times. And since someone would also always be asleep, that would leave two people free. In theory.

"Need mechs so we're not stuck out here on guard duty all the time." I muttered, highlighting that note. "Wonder how much automated turrets cost..."

A few moments of extranet searching later had me wincing and striking that idea out. A pair of LOKI mechs wouldn't be great, at least by Illium standards, but were more in line with the budget that Aethyta had given me. And besides, Voya and I could always tinker with them. Figure one near the front door, the other walking a randomized pattern on the patio. Enough to discourage drifters and common thieves, and provide extra targets if someone more serious decided to take a crack at us.

Probably workable. And it would be something new to test my engineering skills out on. Theoretically it wasn't all that different from the power armor I'd long tinkered with, just with out the need to have a person stuck inside. At the very least we'd have to find a way to bulk up their armor so that they didn't just get trashed. And probably their legs to support the extra weight.

My musings were broken up when the computer on my wrist began to chirp and flash with an incoming call. Glancing at the floating name, I winced slightly before tapping the accept key.

"Aethyta. Didn't think you'd be contacting me directly."

"Kid. Don't sound so happy to hear from your boss." The old Matriarch's voice echoed inside of my helmet.

"I just got back from meeting with my local boss." I shook my head slightly, not that she could see it. "Not used to having one boss let alone two."

Liara's father snorted. "I'm sure you'll find a way to deal with it kid. I'm not planning on hovering above you, just checking on how you're settling."

"It's a shithole, but we're surviving so far."

"So I here. Also heard that you rescued a Terminus Quarian of all things from the slave pens. Do I want to know the bill?"

"No." I admitted with a wince. "She was the only option available at the time, and has the skillset we need."

I could almost hear her shrug. "I believe you kid, don't worry about the credits. I'm passing all that crap off to some flightless birds on Thessia. They can screech as much as they want, so long as what you buy helps you out feel free to spend your entire budget."

"Trying to tempt me into deep water?"

"I'm the one that's stuck in the damn deeps with all this political shit. Athame's azure I'd rather be stuck on that shithole with you lot right now." From her seething breath I didn't doubt that for a moment. "Dammit kid, you got me all riled up now. That isn't what I was risking this call for though. How much you know about your new number four?"

"Voya'chi vas Xentha." One of my shoulders twitched invisibly. "So she's from Xentha, somehow ended up enslaved on Omega. Got her throat slit, was raped for surviving that, and ended up being sold to a guy who specializes in 'repairing' damaged slaves."

"...Athame's tits. Let me guess, you promised to help her?" I didn't get a chance to speak before she groaned. "Of course you did, fucking noble human kid. Revenge is a messy business kid. No one walks away from that kind of thing clean."

"You telling me not to do it?"

"I'm telling you you were stupid to promise it in the first place, but since we both know you're going to do it anyway I just want to make sure you lot survive it. How many targets?"

"Three. Slaver, Doc who fucked her throat up, gang who did it in the first place. Starting with the slaver to try and get a lead on the second two."

She grunted thoughtfully. "Could be worse. Be sensible about that crap kid."

My eyes may or may not have rolled a bit. "If I can convince her to snipe them from long distance I intend to. And Tris already made me swear that we'd give her any plans we make so that she can approve them before we go in."

"Good. Be careful about her though kid. People aren't sensible when it comes to things like this. If she wants to dive into a raging ocean you might have to stop her."

Which she probably wouldn't appreciate in the slightest, but I couldn't deny that that was something that I was very much concerned about. All I could do was hope that she wasn't stupid, or better yet, if that situation never came up at all.

Fuck. Probably just ensured that it would. Athame's fucking ass. "I know. I'll deal with it if I have to."

"You get killed I have to deal with T'laria. That's a storm I don't want to fucking see kid."

I felt my lips curl a little bit. "I hear you."

"Fucking better. I'll send you all the data I've got on her culture, might give you some insight. Since I've got you, want a full run-down of your first week on station."

I felt my head bow as I groaned. "You can't just wait for the written version? I've already spent three hours putting that crap together."

"Suck it up kid. You're on Omega now."

Secure Communications Log

Omega – Illium RI pipeline

User 1: I hate you Scales.

User 2: I know ape. Any special reason today?

User 1: You failed entirely to keep Aethyta from interrogating me for FOUR Athame damned hours.

User 2: Sorry ape, was busy doing more important things.

User 1: Like Ghai.

User 2: That was last night. Today was trying to track that asshole Balak, he's off of Illium now.

User 1: Really. Heading back to the Hegemony?

User 2: We aren't sure. He and that bitch apparently had a pretty big falling out, another one after she let the trade deal collapse anyway. Took most of his damned SIU with him.

User 1: Dammit. Did you find anything in the mansion?

User 2: We're getting suited up to head in right now, should have information for you tomorrow. Vasir's people might have a lead for us as well. Remember that smuggler we were trying to hit, maybe six months ago?

User 1: What about her?

User 2: Rumor in the Nos Astra slums is that she took a break from shuffling red sand and dust for a more live cargo, but details are sparse. Even better, she's vanished entirely as of last week.

User 1: Good yet bad.

User 2: Sorry it's not all clear skies and smooth waves ape. You and Rane get busy yet?

User 2: Ape?

User 2: Athame's ass, it's about fucking time! She better than that bitch? Tell me she is.

User 2: Ape.

User 2: Ass.

Next up is Chapter 6: The Resolution

Meeting the last of the Silver Blade group, more or less, as well as establishing just a bit more of the setting. Store will be opening, merc gear will be worked on, and then we'll be able to move onto the story's main pair of plot lines: their actual mission of trying to get to the True Son servers, and helping Voya deal with the people who did things to her. There will be more variety in the post chapter comm logs than just Cieran-Trena and Illyan-Erana, but at the moment needed to make sure that it worked to support the main plot, and then start putting out some details about Trena's half of the mission.

Work is pretty slow right now, so am trying to get some writing done during that time frame. Fallout 4 is still singing its siren song but I am doing a better job of resisting. Hoping to have another chapter done this week, maybe by this weekend at the latest.

Please read and review, criticism is welcome, flames not so much, as usual. Reviews are my lifeblood as a writer.. every-time my email goes off with a review it makes me want to write more, so please take the time to leave one. Guests can leave them as well, and it only takes a minute, so please. Even if it's as simple as "I enjoyed it, please continue."

Thanks, Kat

Review Responses:

- Glad to hear from you again, glad that you enjoyed everything up until this point.

Tusken1602 - Liselle is somewhere in my notes, so do expect her at some point in Ronin.

envy34 - Not quite sure what Erana's role yet will be during the whole reaper thing, but her ending up on the front lines would be a possibility.

GreaterGoodIreland - Should be starting up very soon.

BJ Hanssen - It is a little rough to add yet another alien species, trying to keep her culturally distinct on top of the humans, batarians, asari, and now Turians who are all present.. definitely would be easier if everyone was just human lol.

SilverBladeStar - I always had a soft spot for the Viper to be honest...

Adam Pitlik - Living on Omega is basically pass/fail combat training. Going to get pretty rough moving forwards.

SpiritStrike - Writing someone who can only communicate in writing is definitely new. Honestly it's a fun challenge.

5 Coloured Walker - Thanks. :)

WomanSlayer - Hopefully there won't be anymore almost-month-long breaks, but no promises. Going to try and keep at least one chapter per week if I can.

Griezz - Voya's 'Quests' are going to be a fairly central element given that their team isn't really combat-rated given Illyan's lack of training and Cieran's lingering injuries, and she has the potential to become a fairly important character in the future.