SOME OLD FRIENDS
"Omega. What a pisshole," Miranda commented as she, Alex, and Garrus walked off the Normandy onto the docks. "At least it keeps you on your toes. I've had to come here on business before. I feel like I need a shower afterward – in addition to normal decontamination."
Omega reeked of sweat, musk, and gunpowder. Exactly as Alex remembered. The cesspool occupied by the same inhabitants. Those who picked Omega, and those who Omega picked. Those who ended up on Omega as a fugitive, and others who were the result of unfortunate circumstances. Just as she was years ago when Nihlus found her.
"Why can't we ever go anywhere nice?" Garrus asked.
"This isn't your ideal spot for a vacation, Vakarian?" Alex responded in jest. "Omega has a one-of-a-kind culture that you can't find anywhere else."
"Oh yeah. The pungent stench of excrement, vomit-littered streets, dirty no-good locals, and high murders rates. A perfect getaway spot."
Alex threw her head back in laughter, and Miranda tightened her lips together because, god forbid, she could ever be caught enjoying herself. Alex caught the blatant neon lights shining on the dimly lit space station and adjusted their course towards Afterlife. She doubted her contact's suggestion to meet at such a popular and alien packed place like Afterlife, but he contended that it was all about hiding in plain sight. Alex didn't have much of a choice but to take his word for it.
"Alright, so where would you want to go?" she then asked Garrus.
"Somewhere warm and tropical with a breathtaking view – and breathtaking women."
"Men," Alex sighed rolling her eyes.
They were nearing the entrance to Afterlife, where Alex had set up to meet her contact inside – the source for her off-the-record backup plan she didn't tell Nihlus about. If Nihlus doesn't know, then Saren won't, and there'd be no chance for sabotage. She brought along two of her closest confidants: her best friend, Garrus, and the highly intelligent biotic, Miranda. Being so tight-lipped, Miranda was perfect to come along for this assignment.
Miranda was one of the most brilliant minds Nihlus and Alex met in their time traveling the galaxy. However, she wasn't the most approachable woman and extremely hard to hold a conversation with. Miranda was firm on talking business and business only. Alex's personable charm had no effect on the ice queen. But once Alex proved that she was the right person to lead this mission against the Reapers as proven by her actions, Miranda eventually learned to trust Alex. And to Alex's pleasant surprise, Miranda's fiercely loyal.
"Who's your contact?" Miranda inquired as they walked up the steps.
"A former colleague," she answered vaguely.
Just as she finished her sentence, a familiar face – not the one she was expecting – popped up directly in their path at the entranceway of the club. He looked disgruntled and dull, as always. She cursed under her breath as they approached him.
"Welcome to back Omega...Shepard," the deep guttural voice greeted blandly. Alex came face-to-face with Bray, Aria's batarian bodyguard, who'd apparently been waiting for them. Alex considers herself to be an aesthete towards all alien life, but damn, the batarians sure make it hard. Not only are they ugly, but very few of them are actually nice. "Come on in. Aria's expecting you."
"You knew I was coming?"
"Of course. We had you tagged the moment you left Omega and been tracking your movements since. You're not as subtle as you think," he answered condescendingly. "Aria wants to know what brings you back to Omega. I suggest you go to her now and present yourself."
"Cut the attitude, Bray. You know I'm not here to cause problems for Aria," she snapped back.
"Things explode around you, Shepard. You can't blame Aria for keeping an eye on you. Her lounge. Now," he demanded with insistence. The goon marched off to report back to his boss.
"What the hell was that all about?" Miranda asked, equally miffed about the batarian's tone.
"Looks like it's time for a good old friendly reunion," she exhaled roughly. She had wanted to complete her visit on Omega without Aria knowing about it. That obviously wasn't going to happen now. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing that Aria knows about her presence, but her time Omega would've been better spent unannounced for a myriad of reasons.
The trio continued forward into the sleazy nightclub, navigating around the central bar to head up to Aria's private booth. As they neared the base of the stairs, a rough hand reached out from one of the side nooks grabbing Alex's wrist, pulling her in and down onto the stranger's lap.
"Spirits, I'd recognize that ass from anywhere," the flanging voice whispered brashly into her ear. There was only one man on Omega who had the desire – and balls – to put his hands on her like that. The turian's arms tugged her close to his body, inching to grasp her backside.
"Ah, always such the gentleman, Grizz," she said sarcastically, waving away Miranda and Garrus who were startled, but ready to rip her attacker to shreds. "You think about touching me like that again, and I'll punch your teeth so far in you'll be shitting them for months."
Alex pried Grizz's arms open and pushed herself off. He chortled cheerfully, amused by her unchanged, charming humor. "Now, is that how to treat an old friend?"
She gave him a displeased look. "A friend would've told me Aria's been locked onto my location since I left."
Grizz's face dropped. "Ah shit. Sorry, Alex. I didn't know. She must've kept it from me."
"It's fine." A curt shake of her head and a disappointed breath came from the back of her throat. "I got to go. She's expecting me."
"What about our meeting?"
Alex spun around and said over her shoulder, "If I'm going to get intel, I may as well get it from the Pirate Queen of Omega herself."
Leaving Grizz's shadowy alcove, Alex was directed to the heavily-guarded second floor where she had to get through several guards to reach Aria.
"That's close enough," the asari clothed in a white leather jacket spoke, back facing them as she overlooked the bustling dance floor. The squad halted as Bray scanned them over with his omni-tool. She added, "Can't be too careful with Spectres."
When they passed inspection, Bray gestured with his head for them to proceed up to her, but Aria declared loudly, "Just you, Shepard. Your company stays down there."
Garrus and Miranda exchanged uneasy glances as Alex took her first step up.
"Commander, I don't—" Miranda stopped. Alex shot them a smile to assure them she could handle Omega's de-facto ruler. Her two comrades interchanged constraint looks one more time before they nodded softly in grudging acknowledgment. Alex climbed the last small level of stairs, and at the top, Aria motioned for Alex to take a seat across from her on the L-shaped couch.
"Look what the varren dragged in. I've been expecting you, Shepard," she stated poker-faced.
"So I've been told."
"Grizz is an idiot to try to hide things from me."
"I was an idiot thinking he actually could."
Aria flashed her a devilish smirk. "I was wondering how long until you showed up at my doorstep again."
"Sorry I left without much of a notice."
"Please, you don't hurt my feelings," she scoffed. "A couple of nights together won't steal my affection."
Alex's eyes snapped to Garrus, gawking at her with an inquisitive look that read, "We're going to talk about this later." How could his best friend not tell him about the nights she slept with the infamous Aria T'Loak?
True, Alex and Aria's relationship crossed the borders of a typical business partnership, but not many knew about it. Few nights where Alex ended up in Aria's bed instead of her couch. It wasn't amorous or meaningful. Just two people lusting for a bit of self-indulgence. Alex didn't think it'd ever be brought up, much less by Aria.
"Besides, I always knew your stay would be temporary. Omega isn't for everyone. So...what can I do for you?" she asked Alex as a club waitress handed them each a bright orange beverage. Alex respected Aria enough to be forthright about her intentions.
"I'm looking for Mordin Solus. Do you know where I can find him?"
"The salarian doctor? Last I heard he had a clinic set up in the slums for the less fortunate, victims, and refugees."
"What can you tell me about him?" she questioned further, taking only a whiff of the curious drink. She had only just recovered from her last episode, thanks to Garrus, so maybe right now wasn't the best time to satiate the craving. It was damn tempting, but she set it back down on the coffee table in front of her. It didn't go unnoticed.
"I always liked Mordin. He's as likely to heal you as he is to shoot you. Used to be part of the Salarian Special Tasks Group. He's brilliant and dangerous." Aria leaned back casually, arms draping along the back of the couch. "Just don't get him talking. He never shuts up."
"Noted." Alex eyed the drink again. It was best to leave now before she fell down a hole she couldn't get out of. "Well, thanks for everything Aria, but I should go," she stated, standing up.
"It's not like you to leave here sober, Shepard."
"Change of lifestyle as a result of an epiphany," she shrugged.
"An epiphany inspired by a turian? Didn't realize they were your type," she teased. This stunned Alex. She and Nihlus had been especially careful about concealing their relationship to the outside world. Perhaps Aria had been watching closer than she thought.
"He's been watching you like a hawk this whole time." Alex whipped back to Garrus, who immediately turned away when their eyes met. "Only a really intense attachment would make him that protective of you."
Protective. That was exactly how he was with her last night with Saren. She turned back to Aria, aloof. "We're close friends."
A coquettish snicker escaped from Aria's lips. "Whatever you say, Shepard." Ping! Alex's omni-tool chimed. "I just had Bray send you whatever we have on Mordin. Think of it as a reunion gift."
Aria never ceased to amaze Alex. She's not always as hard-bitten as she likes to appear. "Thanks. See you around, Aria."
"I'm sure."
Back at the bottom, Alex regrouped with her squad but didn't make eye contact with either of them. She could feel their inquiring gaze stuck on her, anxious to ask her about her previous nightly encounter. After a strained pause, Alex groaned, "No. We're not talking about this."
"I just didn't know you had such diverse tastes, Shepard," Miranda quipped.
"What can I say? I'm a connoisseur of life," she cracked back with a wide sweep of her arms.
Off to find the salarian scientist.