Date: 4/17/2210
"Its been far a long time, Daron," the Cerberus assassin greeted the mercenary in a emotionless voice, cutting through the dead silence that had hung over the room with his arrival. The four Cerberus centurions behind him began lining up shots as he spoke.
"Do I know you?" the mercenary growled in response.
"No, you would not... but I remember you."
The biotic's eyes widened and face paled ever so slightly. "...what do you want" he said through clenched teeth.
"We need your assistance to find something, something that will secure humanity's place in the galaxy."
As the man talked, Ria took the opportunity to silently activated her comms, counting on her mask to hide the fact that she was speaking. "Get ready to attack the instant anyone makes a move. Laura, Tarran; I need you two to take the two on the right. Jalin, you got right. I will attack the leader."
"No way in hell am I going to help you bastards" Daron scowled in answer, dark energy flaring up around him to punctuate his statement. "Get the hell out before I tear you apart"
The Cerberus assassin seemed to take no heed of the biotic's threat, instead turning his attention to Ria. "And you must be the great Commander Shepard's daughter" the man said coldly, his voice becoming a sneer as he said the word great. "I am surprised you have been able to cause Cerberus as much trouble as you have, first on Horizon and then on the Citadel. But now it shall come to a end. If you step aside and give me the prothean data disk you have, I will let you walk away with your lives. If not, well, then things will get messy for..."
"I don't deal with terrorist bastards" Ria spat in response, cutting him off.
The Cerberus assassin turned away from Ria upon getting her answer, before addressing the mercenary once more. "One way or another you will be coming with us Daron. Surrendering would save you a lot of pain"
"I have always been a fan of doing things the hard way" The mercenary said with smirk, dark energy flaring around him. Thrusting both hands forward, Daron unleashed a violent shockwave of biotic energy crashing into the Cerberus assassin with a shattering boom.
The moment that Daron had unleashed his attack, Ria's team has sprung into action just as planned. Laura fired her assault rifle full-auto to provide covering fire while Tarran sprinted to take cover behind one of the room's four support pillars before joining the human soldier in engaging the two Cerberus centurions to the right of the assassin. Meanwhile Jalin had reappeared in a cyclone of dark energy between the other two elite foot-soldiers, sending them both stumbling as he engaged them in close quarters combat.
As the energy dissipated, Ria saw that the assassin appeared untouched by the attack, standing with his hand outstretched as a barely visible bubble-like biotic barrier faded away. Growling in a mix of anger and frustration, Daron let lose two more biotic attacks, both striking the assassins barriers with no more success then the first.
The assassin retaliated the moment the final attack was deflected, Daron tossed back into the wall as if thrown by a unseen hand. The mercenary fell the floor, barely managing to catch himself with a outstretched hand.
Before the assassin could attack the dazed mercenary, Ria opened fire with her father's vindicator. She was only able to get off single burst before the man spun to face her, a invisible force tearing the weapon from her grasp and nearly breaking her wrist in the process.
Grabbing for his pistol, Ria watched as the assassin raised a open hand, a circular device on his palm glowing with increasing intensity. There was a cracking boom like thunder a searing hot pain pierced. Ria faltered her vision became shrouded in a haze of agony, the quarian somehow managing to stay standing despite the pain. Looking down, she saw that her armor was cracked and burnt along one side, centered around a centimeter thick hole from which red blood slowly streamed. That shot tore through my shields and armor like they were paper! Ria thought in shock.
Wounded and in shock, Ria could only watch as the assassin primed his palm-mounted weapon once more. A blue and white armored shape slammed into the man before he could fire and was sent tumbling back as Laura, having managed to kill one of the Cerberus centurions, came to her friend's defense.
Ria slumped to one knee, watching as the human soldier lunged at the assassin, attempting to grapple with him once more; only to be tossed aside by his biotics. The assassin was hit by a warp from the now recovered Daron before he could retaliate against Laura's attack or attempt to finish Ria off. Small, weak biotic attacks bombarded the Cerberus agent in rapid succession, holding him at bay long enough for Laura to roll to her feet and spring at the man again.
Glancing to either side, Ria saw that Jalin had managed to kill one of the two Cerberus soldiers he had engaged and was now grappling with the other, the salarian's biotics allowing him to match the advantage given by the human's larger size and greater strength. Tarran was likewise occupied, having managed to pin the other Cerberus centurion behind one of the support pillars; but was unable to get a clear shot to finish him off.
There's no way Laura or Daron can keep this up without help, Ria thought as she injected medi-gel through an access port in her suit. The injection's near-miraculous effects took hold within moments, numbing the pain and slowing the flow of blood from the wound to slow trickle.
Managing to stand, Ria opened fire with her pistol, catching the Cerberus soldier behind the pillar unawares. Rounds tearing through shields, the man fell into a growing pool of his own blood. "Tarran, help Laura" Ria hissed through clenched teeth, slipped back into a kneeling position as as a wave of vertigo brought on by blood-loss came over her.
Ria turned her attention back to the fight just in time to see Laura struck by a series of punches ending in a kick that sent her stumbling back. Daron charged at the assassin moments later, dark energy surrounding his fist as he struck, only to be battered aside by a shockwave before his bioticially augmented melee attack could connect.
It was then that Tarran entered the fray, a bang echoing through the small room as a sniper shot blasted away the assassin's shields. Reengaging the assassin, Laura slashed at the man with her combat knife, scoring a hit across his shoulder.
Recovering with inhuman speed, the assassin dodged two more slashes, grabbing the soldier's arm on the third before delivering a crushing knee strike to her stomach. Turning as Laura fell to heap at his feet, the assassin reached out towards Daron, who was once more pushing himself from the ground. Biotics surrounded the mercenary, throwing him to the side and into Tarran, sending them both tumbling to the ground.
Seeing how easily the powerful biotic and her friends were being tossed around, Ria fought against the pain emanating from her wound and took aim with her pistol. Her shots failed to connect, the assassin moving with unnatural speed as he dived into a roll that brought him under the line of fire and within striking distance of the quarian. The pistol was knocked from her grasp in a lighting fast moment, Ria unable to react as she was struck by a duo of punches that forced the air from his lungs and sent her doubling over in pain.
She would have undoubtedly been finished then if Laura had not come to her aid once more; the soldier lunging, combat knife in hand, to stab at the assassin's back. The Cerberus agent dodged to the side at the last moment, a sword coming free of its sheath as he moved. Trying to get out of range of the assassin's blade, Laura threw herself back and away from him. Despite her efforts, she was all too slow as the sword arced towards her, the molecular blade cutting through armor and flesh with little resilience. Blood flowed freely from the long gash running from sternum to side, the soldier collapsing face down into the floor.
"No!" Tarran shouted, opening fire with his assault rifle as the assassin raised his blade the delver a finishing strike. Rounds tore at his shields, forcing the man to defend himself with a biotic barrier. Just then a biotically shrouded form struck him like a cannon ball, his barrier flaring brightly as it absorbed the blow. Coming out of his biotic charge with shotgun raised, Jalin fired point blank, the barrier collapsing under the close range assault.
Before he could fire again, the salarian's legs were swept out from under him. The assassin started to bring his arm down, only to be stopped as Tarran grabbed hold of him. "Jalin, tend to Laura's wounds!" The turian shouted as the assassin shook free of his grasp, elbow striking him hard in the shoulder.
Despite the assassins far superior strength and speed, Tarran was able to knock the sword from the man's grasp and managed to (barely) block several kicks and punches that were thrown at him; holding him off while Jalin dragged Laura's limp form away.
Despite his best efforts however, Tarran was unable to keep up for long, a punch slipping past his defenses and smashing into his face. Dazed, the turian was unable to block as four more strikes connected. Recovering Tarran threw a punch that the man simply caught in a raised palm, before bringing a closed fist in a hammering blow on the turian's arm. There was a crack of breaking bones and a yelp of pain as Tarran fell, clutching his broken arm. A kick sent the turian falling to the floor, Tarran groaning in pain as he tried to rise.
The assassin took a step toward him, coming to a stop as a biotic attack forced him back a step. Turning, the assassin watched as Daron stood, a look of rage and determination filling the mercenaries features. "How are you still standing..." the assassin muttered in a cold voice.
"Not...gonna... let you...beat me" the mercenary growled. Biotic energy crackling around him as he stood fully upright, Daron unleashed a massive shockwave that rushed over the assassin in a blinding assault of dark energy. The force of the wave slammed the Cerberus agent through the air, past one of the pillars, into the wall in the corner of the room with a shuddering boom.
Despite the unbridled power of the attack, the Cerberus assassin shrugged off the attack like it was nothing, slowly standing as he brushed himself off. A hand reached out for Daron, biotics tossing him back. Before the mercenary could try to stand, a concussive strike slammed him into the fall, followed by another, and another; battering the human biotic with repeated strikes.
We can't win, Ria thought from where she lay, watching as the powerful biotic was tossed around like he was nothing. Everyone is down but Jalin, but hes busy keeping Laura alive...besides, what can he possibly do?
No,another voice inside her head answered, don't you dare give up now. Your father would never give up, no mater how much more powerful the enemy. Slowly Ria rose to her feet, a realization hitting her as she did, there may be no way I can hope to beat him in a direct attack... so I won't be direct...
With all the strength she should muster, Ria charged the Cerberus assassin. With a shout she lunged, omni-blade springing to life around her wrist as she struck at the man. The Cerberus agent dodged with little effort, seizing Ria's arm as he knee struck her in the stomach. Lifting her up by a arm, the man held the quarian so she dangled with her feet a inch off the floor.
"What did you think that attack would accomplish little girl? I would have expected your father taught you better then that." The assassin said in a cold, emotionless voice. Not waiting for a answer he slammed her against the wall before tossing her back.
Ria pushed herself partially upright, eyes locking with his as she smiled behind her mask. "That!" Ria spat as the two grenades, one fragmentation grenade and one flashbang, that she had dropped at the assassin's feet detonated.
There was a blinding flash and a explosive boom as the assassin was engulfed in a cloud of shrapnel. The attack left the assassin covered in a hundred small wounds, his biotic barriers the only thing saving him from the point blank explosion. Clutching his eyes his one hand, the assassin dropped to one knee and place another hand on the ground. A shimmering blue kinetic barrier formed a bubble around him, undoubtedly to defend him while he attempted to recover.
Glancing around she was surprised to see that Daron was once more shakily rising to his feet. Stubborn son a bitch, I will give him that. "Daron, you have to listen to me, we only have one chance before he recovers. I need you and Jalin to hit the roof above him and the support beam next top him with everything you got! Now!"
Nodding quickly, the mercenary struck the stone pillar and roof with a concussive wave of dark energy, cracks forming to spiderweb through the stone. The cracks grew and spread as a blast from Jalin hit in the first's wake, before a moment later the two biotics unleashed their remaining power; causing the pillar fall and section of the ceiling above the assassin to rain down on on him, crushing him under a pile a rubble.
Panting, Ria swayed on her feet as she limped over to Tarran, pulling the semi-conscious turian upright. "Jalin, hows Laura?"
"Her condition is stable, wound wasn't too deep, not life threatening once bleeding was stopped."
"I-I'm fine" Laura added weakly, Jalin returning to her side and helping her up.
"We have to get out of there, we won't be safe until we reach the Invisible." Ria said, turning her attention to Daron. Before she could say anything, the biotic walked over to here and aided her in supporting Tarran's weight.
Surprised Ria started to ask why he was helping, only for the biotic to cut her off saying "You saved my life, I owe you that much."
"Good...lets get the hell out of here."
. . . . .
"So you don't know anything about the Darkforge, nor anything else Cerberus may be after?"
"No, if I did I would have told you. Your guess as to why Cerberus thought I could help them is as good as mine." The mercenary replied to Ria's question, scowling as he leaned back in his chair.
Despite their injuries sustained in the fight with the Cerberus assassin it has been surprisingly easy to escape from the mercenary base; Cerberus having only placing two dozen troopers throughout the compound (likely not expecting anyone to be able to get past their elite agents) to cut off escape. It had been less then a hour since they made it back to the Invisible; Ria, Jalin, and Laura spending some time questioning Daron in the comms room, while Tarran had his broken arm attended to by the ship's doctor. Laura would have been there was well if the soldier had not stubbornly insisted otherwise; Ria finally relenting after Laura promised to get her injury examined after they had finished debriefing.
"Dammit, I had hoped you could tell us something that could let us get one step ahead of Cerberus for a change, but if you don't know anything..." Ria sighed with frustration.
"Curious, if he knows nothing of the Darkforge, then why were Cerberus so sure they needed him..." Jalin pondered, before shooting a distrusting glare at the mercenary."If you are actually telling the truth, of course."
"So what now?" Daron scowled, ignoring the salarian's glare.
"We aren't going to try and confine you here, if that's what you are worried about. We can drop you off at any planet you wish." Ria explained.
"That won't be necessary... without your aid I would have certainly been captured by Cerberus, and for that I owe you. I can't give you the information you need, but I will help you in whatever way I can until your mission is done... free of charge." Daron said, his willingness to help surprising the quarian.
"Your help would be greatly appreciated, welcome aboard" Ria said, standing and extending a hand to the mercenary.
Daron did not return the gesture, brushing past her as he headed for the door. "I will need somewhere to stay, away from the rest of the crew. I prefer to have my own space."
"The port cargo bay is currently unoccupied. Would that be suitable?" Core asked over the intercom.
The mercenary nodded, walking out of the door. Once the door had shut behind him, Laura turned to Ria with a frown "What do you think his problem is? You would figure he would be at-least a bit more polite to the people who saved his sorry ass."
Ria shrugged, wincing as pain stabbed at her wounded side, turning her attention to both Laura and Jalin. "It doesn't matter now, whats important is we need to figure out what's our next step. Since we don't have any idea of where Cerberus will strike next, nor have any indication of where to go next. Any ideas?"
"Hmmm, only clear choice now is to wait for more intel, I would recommend we leave omega and lay low until then." the salarian offered.
Ria nodded in response, the room falling silent. After a minute had passed, Ria sighed and spoke once more. "For now, I guess thats the best we can do. You can both go now"
Laura and Jalin both stood, the salarian excusing himself with a nod before exiting the room while Laura stood next to her chair. "So what now?" Laura asked once the salarian had left.
"Now? Now you are going to get your wound check out like you promised."
"Alright" Laura sighed, before grumbling under her breath "You are worse then my mother"
"If that's the case I can give you chores or something when you are done."
"God, you're horrible."
"I can live with that," Ria shrugged in response, chucking softly.
Exiting the comms room, Ria accompanied Laura down to the ship's medical bay (partially due to not putting it past Laura trying to escape.) Taking the elevator down to the ship's second deck, the two soon arrived at their destination. Heading through the double doors that slid open as they approached, Ria looked around the ship's med-bay for the first time. Beds and operating tables filled much of the room, the rest occupied by cabinets and shelves filled with various medical equipment. Tarran lay resting on a bed in the back of the room, while the rooms other occupant, an asari wearing a medical-uniform that marked her as the ship's doctor, sat at a desk on which various medical files and data-pads were piled.
"I apologies if I am intruding, but I have brought another patient for you."
"No, not at all" The asari said, looking up from her from her work. "In fact, Core told me you would be coming."
Ria nodded in response, stepping fully into the room and dragging Laura in behind her.
"I don't believe we have had a chance to meet, I am Doctor Enara A'Dani" the asari greeted, standing up and extending a hand that Ria shook.
"Ria'Shepard nar Rannoch." Ria introducing herself before gesturing at Laura. "And this is Laura Alenko, who I have dragged down here to get an injury looked at."
"Its not necessary, the injury wasn't that bad. The medi-gel and bandages stopped the bleeding just fine." the soldier grumbled.
"You were cut badly, by a sword!" Ria retorted.
"It cut was shallow, looked a lot worse then it was."
Shaking her head at the exchange, Doctor A'Dani motioned for Laura to take a seat on one of the medical scanners."I will be the judge of that."
"So, how is your other patient doing?"
"Well, he sustained several minor fractures, mainly in his shoulder, ribs, and pelvis; which should heal up in a few days; and a minor concussion. The broken arm will take longer, probably will have to wear a cast for at-least a week, maybe too. He should be able to leave the med-bay tomorrow, if there are no further complications."
"I can answer for myself, I am fine, really" Tarran slurred groggily from where he lay.
"Pain medication" the asari doctor explained at Ria's questioning glance. Activating her omni-tool, she began a medical scan of Laura's injury. "Ria, I almost forgot. I was informed by Core that you were also injured, is that correct?"
Ria nodded, too which Doctor A'Dani continued "Now, due to the risk of further infection I cannot check the injury myself while Tarran and Laura are in the med-bay. For now you should reapply medi-gel and bandage the wound once you get back to your cabin."
"Got it."
The asari made her way over to one of the cabinets, taking a moment to search through the assorted bottles and containers before returning with two pill bottles. "Here are some antibiotics and some pain killers that are safe for dextro-amino races. Take once of each pill tonight, and one of each again as soon as you wake up tomorrow morning. "
Ria dipped her head in thanks as she took the two bottles from the asari. Glancing at both of her injured friends, the quarian asked "do you need any help here, or..."
"No need, I think I can handle two stubborn patients. You should get some rest, you are exhausted, if I were to go by the bio-feedback from your suit's implants.
Due to the doctor's mentioning it, Ria only then became aware of how tried she felt. Despite rather staying to make sure both of her friends were alright, Ria grudgingly took the asari's advice and excused herself from the med-bay
"Core?" she yawned as she entered her cabin.
"Yes Creator-Shepard?"
"Inform the crew to bring any issues and problems that arise to Jalin's or your attention while I am asleep."
"Affirmative"
Activating the decontamination unit, Ria removed the visor of her helmet, which she tossed onto her desk. Removing her suit, she reapplied medi-gel and bandaged the picture would as instructed, taking both pills once she had finished. Once done, the quarian threw herself down onto her bed, falling into a deep slumber within seconds of closing her eyes.
. . . . .
Beads of sweat dripped down Kel's face as he strained to keep the metal storage crate aloft; the field of dark energy keeping the box aloft flickering as it threatened to fail. He could only last a few more seconds before the effort became to much for him, the crate falling the the floor with a crash.
Panting heavily, Kel lowered his outstretched hand and made his way over to the fallen crate, checking to see if it had been at all damaged. For the past two hours the quarian has been practicing the use of his biotics; levitating or tossing around some of the crates that filled the cargo bay. Seeing that the crate nor it's contents have been damaged, Kel returned to the side of the cargo hold, taking a seat on a stack of boxes.
"Training with your biotics I see."
Nearly yelping in surprise, Kel turned to see Jalin standing in the doorway. "Lieutenant Kalerihn, I-I... sorry, I didn't see you there. I take it everything went fine on the mission?"
"No need to be formal Kel, you are part of this crew so you can call me by my first name like everyone else. And yes, mission was a success and went well considering circumstances. "
"Was any one hurt... I mean, not seriously of course; as if they were you wouldn't have said things went well..."
"Nothing life threatening at this point" the salarian said with a smile, "Both Ria and Laura sustained moderate injuries, but should be fine within a day or two. Tarran is likewise injured, but also sustained broken arm will probably limit him from ground missions for at-least a week any more."
"Ah I see, s-sorry for bothering you with... asking. I would just feel bad if anyone got hurt badly while I just stayed here on the ship...safe. Not that I would have helped that much if I was there, probably just do something stupid anyways."
The salarian said nothing as he took a seat on the same stack of boxes as Kel, before asking,"I take it you never really have had much biotic combat training?"
"Well, I did get some weapons training before I left for my pilgrimage... and some of the stuff I learned to do with my biotics can be useful in a fight... I wish I was better, maybe then I could help."
Jalin nodded "So you want to help, but feel as though you can't due to your inexperience and lack of training. In many ways you are right, your lack of experience could very well get your teammates hurt... but it is a problem that can be rectified."
The salarian stood up, continuing "If you would like, I would be willing to help train you in use of your biotics, and in more mundane combat skills. That way you won't be putting your teammates in danger, and will be able to help."
"Really? You would!?" Kel said excitedly, jumping to his feet. "I-I mean, if its not too much trouble... yes, I would like that."
"Good, we will start tomorrow then." The salarian said with smile and a curt nod, before turning to leave.
Kel grinned from behind his mast as the salarian exited the cargo-hold, needing every ounce off self control he possessed not to jump around in excitement.
Author's Note: I have a quick announcement to make in regards for the update schedule of this story. Due to starting College soon (classes begin on the 24th) I will be going to begin posting a new chapter every other week, rather then everyweek. This is due to me likely having far less free time to work on the story, so to play it safe I will being altering my schedual for the time being. If it so happens that it seems I am easily getting out a new chapter every two weeks with time to spare, I will possibly go to posting a new chapter every 1-2 weeks.
