"We welcome you to Omega. Where all your deepest, darkest fantasies will be..."
"I always found that a little creepy, no?" James groused to himself as Shepard stared blandly around at the dingy, tarnished walls that led from the docking tube and into Omega proper.
Kaidan cast another quick glance at his lover before focusing on the entrance into the seedy underbelly of the galaxy. It had been unnerving to see Shepard react so... passively to the news about his mental state, and aside from the fleeting almost-breakdown that he'd had to defend against in the Captain's Cabin during the tentative dialogue, Shepard had rallied quickly and was once more a paragon of calmness and determination. Oh, there'd been a few teary moments, worries about their future and explorations on confirming Shepard's unique... mental state and the possibility of a cure, but now it seemed like that man didn't even register anything of what had happened. While it had almost unhinged Kaidan with relief, there was an annoying echo of suspicion that remained within him and, not for the first time, he wondered if Shepard's calm acceptance was a sign of benign or ominous portent.
"Oh, Jimmy," Garrus quipped up from behind the large marine, "I'd've thought you'd be used it by now. I mean, I'm sure you've heard worse right?"
"Hell, no Scars! What the hell are you trying to..." James shot back good-naturedly.
Shepard had been unusually sedate during the docking shift as well, barely speaking a single sentence as Kaidan had tried to debrief them about their mission here. A quick snatch-and-grab, hopefully no fire fights and no altercations with the criminal queen of Omega if they could help it. He'd disseminated the data that Liara had provided to each of them and had reluctantly, very reluctantly, included James and Garrus on Shepard's presence in the ground team. James had been uncharacteristically silent about the whole affair, and Garrus in typical turian form, brought Shepard aside and presented him with a battered rifle case.
Kaidan could still remember the absolute look of tenderness and lust in the other man's eyes when he had opened it and revealed a reformed and newly-modded Black Widow, probably the original model that Shepard had used during his time in the war, and Kaidan had to shift uncomfortably at the way the look on Shepard's face made blood rush to certain, unnecessary parts of himself. He was at least glad that some things were always going to be a constant with the man he loved, one of them being Shepard's unnatural love for firearms that always made Kaidan wonder if Shepard was half turian. He turned to look at Shepard again and caught himself blushing as he met his lover's eyes, the man's mouth canted in that characteristic smile that always made Kaidan feel ridiculously overwhelmed with emotions. Shepard nodded to him comfortingly and turned away to stare at the entrance portal, mind obviously elsewhere.
"... and then, it hit her square in the face. It was amazing," Garrus concluded.
"Yeah, those banshees are a real pain in the culo to get rid of and-"
"Wait," Kaidan interrupted loudly, 'Did you guys here that?"
Shepard immediately perked up, battle trained instincts coming to the fore as Garrus and James unlimbered their weapons, James hefting his Claymore comfortably and Garrus almost lovingly calibrating his heavily modded Mantis to its armour-piercing round capacity.
"You see, Jimmy?" Garrus whispered, "I told you not to try to sound like one and now, Kaidan's probably all-"
"Just... uh, no talking," Kaidan said urgently as his ears strained to pick up what had sounded so off about Omega. He'd been here a couple of times, during his darker days when the regulations and tight order of the galaxy were starting to wear against him, and though it wasn't high on his list of most-loved spots in the galaxy, it had been refreshing to cut loose and look out just for himself, though it had worn thin quickly. The only problem he had with the whole station was the deep, heavy throbbing that seemed to emanate from Aria's 'palace' at the centre, and it had taken a lot of effort to avoid the vibrating hum from-
That was it. The music, Aria's omni-directional, head-banging and constant thrum, was conspicuously absent. He'd never thought it possible, but he doubted that even when Aria retired from public view, the music and dark life blasting out of the clubs and slums would retire with her.
Kaidan shifted his reliable, modded M-15x Vindicator Assault Rifle as he glanced at Shepard and gave him a wordless nod toward the exit, shifting his fingers as he tapped the side of his ear and canted his head up in the general direction of Afterlife.
"John. The music, do you think Aria..." Kaidan began, unsure how to voice his concern.
Shepard nodded grimly as he pulled up his Black Widow, the device unfolding with subtle grace, the deadly and almost-overwhelming number of modifications done to it practically doubling its damage, accuracy and efficiency. Even Garrus hadn't been entirely sure what Shepard had done to the ex-standard issue SPECTRE armament but Kaidan swore that it was the only thing that Shepard carried personally after missions, to the cabin, for personal adjustments and inspections. If Kaidan hadn't been keeping a close eye on where it was in their cabin, he would have sworn that Shepard would have tried to sneak the damn thing into bed with them.
"The Afterlife doesn't end, Kaidan," Shepard said casually as he pulled the Black Widow close to himself, bracing it against his shoulder, "It's practically an extension of Aria. As long as she's on Omega, it doesn't stop letting people know it's open and around."
Kaidan nodded at that, glad that his suspicions weren't unfounded.
"Alright. Our priority is the Prothean Beacon. EDI, I'll, uh, we'll need your help on this one. Activate group broadcast, sync to our devices," Kaidan said, activating the comm-implant in his ear and watching as the rest mimicked his movements. He was keeping an especially close eye on Shepard, didn't want anything at all to go wrong with the mission or the man, but Shepard seemed to be slipping into a second skin, smoothly running the synchronization protocols.
"Understood, Major Alenko," EDI purred in all their ears, and they each silently nodded as they confirmed the frequency fixing. Garrus was already stationed at the edge of the exit portal, casually letting his Mantis poke ahead of him like an invasive eye, and was already scanning what areas he could see.
"Now, what's the fastest way to that damn beacon EDI?" Kaidan prompted, calling up his omni-tool and letting the shifting interface play across as EDI uploaded a map of Omega.
"The initial plan consisted of the four of you meeting with Liara's agent here," EDI replied as the map of Omega zoomed in onto an area made up almost entirely of boxy, monotonous, rectangles. A warehouse district of some kind, Kaidan thought. A red blip pinged one of the boxes.
"From the information that I have managed to extract concerning Omega's layout and structure, I would hazard that the beacon is housed in the warehouse, in this district. It would have been a simple matter to extract the object undiscovered and return to the Normandy," EDI said. Kaidan nodded as he rotated the map, zooming in and out as he considered what options he was aware of.
"If, uh, if we could maybe cut through this area, maybe..." Kaidan began but Shepard and EDI both spoke up at the same time.
"Actually Kaidan, that wouldn't really be a good-"
"My data suggests that your particular choice in direction would result in-"
Okay, okay, Kaidan thought to himself as he shut up. Guess that was probably the most obvious way of telling him that his idea would probably end up with them getting lost or killed.
"If your goal is to decrease your chances of being noticed while increasing the speed of the beacon's acquisition, I may have an alternative, Major Alenko," EDI brought up politely.
"Um, alright EDI. Shoot".
"That would not be recommended, Major. The various upgrades to the Normandy's Thanix Cannons may cause an explosion that may-" EDI began hesitantly.
"Dammit EDI, you know what I mean. Just tell me already!" Kaidan itched to tightbeam the conversation between himself and the inappropriate AI, but the damage was done as James cracked a smile as he continued to eye the darkest corners of the hallway and Shepard coughed to cover up a laugh. Kaidan swore that Garrus was preening himself proudly at the information.
"Ah, I see. In that case, Major Alenko, my calculations indicate that this direction adheres to your stated requirements most efficiently," EDI replied, an almost smug tone in her voice. Kaidan watched as the map shifted to their location and the orange-yellow faded to a softer colour as a red line tracked its way through imaginary hallways, rooms and doors, eventually connecting them to their goal.
"Anything Garrus?" Kaidan asked as he partially memorized the route, making sure to be aware of at least the general direction and pathway.
"Nothing," came the reply from the turian, "Not a damned soul. I seem to recall long, frustrating queues outside of Afterlife. I'm guessing everyone got sick of waiting or... something probably happened to them. Probably the second one."
Kaidan accepted the information as he turned to Shepard, calmly trying to asses his lover's state of mind, while trying to seem so obvious about it.
"John, look maybe you should, I mean, look. The Normandy is right there and-" Kaidan started haltingly, not wanting to blurt out the obvious.
Shepard shook his head stubbornly as he turned slightly pleading eyes up at him. "Kaidan. I'm... I can do this. I need to do this. I promise, I won't get lost... in my head," Shepard whispered, glancing back to make sure the others didn't overhear them. He turned back to Kaidan, an almost desperate look on his face. "Kaidan, you have to trust me to do this. I need you to trust me."
Kaidan swallowed convulsively as old memories tried to rise up in him. Horizon. Earth. London. Trust.
"I... Yes, I trust you John. Together, or not at all." Damn but he wanted to pray that everything wouldn't go tits-up.
"Thank you, Kaidan."
Kaidan nodded, priming up his shields and barriers, watching as the scintillating blue shifted over Shepard as well. He'd promised himself then, he'd never doubt Shepard again. Even when the whole galaxy had written him off, had called him butcher and monster, with equal parts saviour and hero, Kaidan had learned through pain and desperate longing, that the man he'd come to love so deeply had a plan and that he needed the trust of those close crew members that had to work with him. Yes, he'd learned his lessons, harsh as they were, and he was nothing if not thorough in making sure to never repeat a mistake twice, let alone three times or more. Shepard needed him, a Sentinel anchoring the man through the storms within and without and Kaidan wouldn't let the man down again.
"Let's go. Keep your line-of-sight cleared. We'll be moving through the Omega Transit System and make our way to the warehouses," Kaidan concluded succinctly and watched, gratified, as they each nodded at the order. A bond, made stronger through fire, that couldn't have been formed any other way. He closed up the formation and together, the four of them stepped into Omega proper.
That was the problem with plans, Kaidan harped to himself; it took an agonizing amount of time to formulate one, plan for contingencies and back-ups, but only a second for it to go all to hell and have it get tossed out like garbage.
They'd just made it to the transit system, one that Garrus and Shepard had looked at fondly, and Kaidan was attempting to bypass the locking systems as the rest kept watch at his back. It was unnerving, watching the still, silent air of Omega barely shift as harsh neon lights glared at them. No matter what time, what day or night cycle, when you came to Omega, there was always someone around, either walking drunkenly to the living complexes, soberly toward the entertainment venues, predators, prey and all manner of in-betweens. Kaidan would have been relieved if someone would just come up and threatened him, just to let him know that there were other living beings around other than the four of them.
"Movement," James had noted and Kaidan had barely had enough time to turn his peripheral vision behind him when a ringing shot sounded from Shepard, followed by a sickening splat.
"Dammit, Loco, why the hell did you-"
"Cerberus... well, Reaper things wearing Cerberus armour," Garrus said matter-of-factly, peering through the Mantis's scope, looking slightly put off and not getting the first kill. Which didn't really matter as Kaidan heard a god-awful groaning and eerie moaning tear its way through the empty area. Watched as the doors to the lower levels peeled open and disgorged a wave of Cerberus armour-clad Husks.
"God dammit," Kaidan yelled in frustration as they dove and rolled into cover, singeing rounds already filling the spaces that they had vacated and echoing, ricocheting through the air. Guess that explained what had happened to Omega.
Shepard was already latching on another thermal clip as he calmly sent a round through two Husk heads, the cheap and weak Cerberus armour doing nothing to stop the strength of the bullet. Garrus snorted appreciatively as he turned his rifle on another wave of monsters, Marauders making their way slowly forward, behind a meat-wall of useless Husks, and casually removed one's head from its mutated torso. Kaidan had thrown an area-effect Reave, watching as it incapacitated the front ranks of remaining Husks and the surge of energy that transferred its way into him, enervating him.
James had holstered his shotgun and had brought out his M99-Saber, the huge rifle looking at home in James's oversized grip, and was taking accurate pot-shots at any creature stupid enough to think that two snipers of Garrus's and Shepard's calibre needed aiming downtime as they lined up shot after shot. Kaidan left them to it, itching to unleash devastating waves of biotics, but knowing that they had to get out of the area soon, or else be overwhelmed by a veritable sea of bio-mechanical nightmares.
He couldn't hack the transit's systems from where he was taking cover, and to step out in any direction would guarantee he'd be an easy target, despite all the covering fire being exchanged. For all the numbers that they had downed, the creatures seemed limitless as the gaping doors vomited out more and more.
"EDI," he practically yelled out as he Warped a Marauder that had taken cover, the curving bolt arching beautifully over the obstacle to smash the creature's shield into nothing, staggering it out of position.
"Yes, Major Alenko?" EDI returned calmly.
"We need an alternate route, the transit is a no-go," Kaidan said.
"The second most efficient route would be directly opposite you, through Omega's lower reaches. If you can find and access the-"
"Yeah, um, we're kinda... There are husks. And marauders, in the way. Next option."
"Ah, I see. If your purpose is to access the warehouse district, it would be highly recommended if you take the transit sub-level and attempt to-"
"Dammit EDI, the transit is a no-go. We can't take it. It's on lock-down and I'm not in a position to hack the system from where I'm-"
"Actually, Major Alenko," EDI reiterated, like he was some idiot child, "I was referring to the maintenance access tunnels that run parallel to the transit system. It would be considerably slower than taking a transport vehicle, but it would allow you to navigate through the lower levels while circumventing the bulk of hostile forces." Well, that would teach him to mouth off too soon.
"I, uh, thanks. EDI. Um, place the Normandy on alert and seal the bridge doors," Kaidan glanced around the corner and ducked back as a stray round nearly embedded itself into his barrier. The Marauders and Husks seemed intent on them, and were actively ignoring the docking tube entrance. Still...
"If you can, access Omega's docking systems and close off the area leading to the Normandy. We'll, um, we'll get the damn beacon and make our way back. If they breach the tube, I need you to disengage and pull away from Omega," Kaidan finished in a rush as he threw another Reave, this time at a group of Cannibals that were attempting to flank them, feeling his eyes and teeth spark as energy coursed from them and into his system.
"Of course, Major Alenko. I will notify you should we resort to that manoeuvre."
"Yeah, that'd- that'd be a good idea, EDI."
"The tunnel access will be directly opposite from your position, Major Alenko, approximately fifteen metres north-west, against the wall opposite the entrance."
Kaidan called up his omni-tool, ignoring for now the synchronized armour life-support systems that was displayed at the side, and called up a more detailed map, immediately pinpointing the tight, square entrance.
"James," Kaidan brought up, turning to the large marine, "Wide-range Carnage round. Right in the middle, we need to clear some air. Garrus? Throw an Overload at any stragglers on the left. I'll take the right. On my mark."
James grinned gleefully as he unpacked his shotgun and loaded in the oversized round.
"Dammit, Major. I thought you'd never ask. Who'd've thought, you sound good bossing us around like that, I mean, Loco, he used to-"
"James," Shepard said smoothly, shifting his stance as his armoured foot pushed away the spent thermal clips, "Are you hitting on my Kaidan?"
"Damn, Jimmy," Garrus quipped from behind Shepard, his added height granting him a clear line of sight as his omni-tool began to whine with a building Overload, "You're in trouble now. I wanna watch."
"Ah, no Loco. He's all yours," James said, not at all bashfully despite Kaidan feeling a flush from Shepard's words. My Kaidan he'd said, and damn if that didn't sound like the best thing in the entire galaxy, "I mean, I got me a pretty sweet pilot, waiting for me to come back and-"
"Mark," Kaidan barked out as the last few shots from the group bunched up the rest of the creatures.
Kaidan watched as James's modified Carnage round flew through the air, arrow straight, and exploded soundlessly, multiple bursts rocketing outward and shoving the rest of the Reaper creations against the sides of Omega's walls. Kaidan twisted his arm out, omni-tool flaring as a huge burst of electricity discharged from it, and watched as it mirrored another arcing flare from Garrus, jumping through the remaining hostiles as the combined Overloads shut down synaptic responses and mechanical systems alike.
Shepard immediately broke cover, rolling smoothly, Black Widow still trained forward, as he landed gracefully up against Kaidan, who was already making a bee-line straight toward the hatch, hacking protocols whipped out and running through the diagnostics. The seal popped open as Garrus landed with a loud thunk nearby and Kaidan cast a quick glance back as James shifted, heading down the tunnel entrance first.
"It's a good thing Tali isn't here," Garrus muttered as he stepped into the tight space, "She'd never let us hear the end of it."
"Hey, Major. How much further we gotta do this?" James called from up ahead, the enclosed metal sending his voice reverberating through the system as they crawled through.
Kaidan paused to swipe a stray lock of hair away from his forehead, at the rear of the four-man caterpillar. Perhaps this wasn't one of their best ideas to date.
Kaidan paused, letting his arm and legs take the weight as he brought up his omni-tool. He'd learned the error of his ways about hazarding a guess when the directions he gave turned them into a steep drop that had almost resulted in James falling face first into the Omega Eezo mines, probably a furnace with the way their luck was holding. Kaidan watched as the map shot up, pinging their location on the map and tracing the red line with his eyes.
"Empty room, three hundred meters ahead," Kaidan gasped hoarsely, sweat sticking to his skin as the heat built up in the stale air.
His stomach grumbled in protest but he kept his barrier reinforced, another harsh lesson they had learned when an enterprising Marauder had heard them mucking around one of the metal openings and had decided to investigate with a few rounds. Thankfully, just the bend of the tunnel had been exposed and Kaidan had taken two rounds onto his barrier before he upped the energy, crawling as fast as he could away from the shooter and thankfully hopeful that Reapers hadn't had time to install creativity into their minions.
It had started well enough, entering the maintenance tunnels and making their way on foot, until they reached the first intersection and was met by an equally startled force of Cannibals. They had made short work of the group, only to encounter a group of unarmoured Husks milling about the area. Followed by even more Cannibals and a large pack of Marauders. They'd replenished what clips they could from the corpses, but their energy was flagging and Kaidan was starting to worry about the Normandy. Surely they'd never just let the thing sit there, though EDI had reassured him continually that nothing remotely resembling motion could be detected outside the dock tube.
When the first Banshee had sounded off, floating into view with dead, black eyes watching them hungrily, Kaidan had panicked slightly, he hated the damn things, and had sent them tumbling into a side duct, probably used for air dispersal and filtration and not much else, as a Warp burst against the rim of the duct. His barrier had caught a bit of backlash from that and he crawled as fast as he could forward as desiccated, grey feet floated into view behind him, the Banshee's unadulterated fury souring the air as it echoed through the metal, making his teeth grind against one another.
Sudden, soft light bloomed against the obstacle that was Shepard's beautiful ass, armoured contours swaying provocatively in time with the man's movements, and though Kaidan had admired the view greatly, he was tired, thirsty and hungry. He desperately wanted to get out of the claustrophobic setting and at least have some room to stretch and rest and besides, he knew for a fact that Shepard's ass was best admired in bright light, without muscle cramps ruining the view.
A squeal sounded as Kaidan collided with the armoured bottom in front of him, face almost running right into the cleft in the armour that allowed for greater physical movement and had the thinnest material present, making Kaidan think of all the times he'd gone down on Shepard, hearing those deep, unsolicited moans of pleasure roar through him as Kaidan had applied his tongue with expert precision. Oh god, Kaidan thought, he was fantasizing about Shepard on a mission while they trapped in a tight space, his face pressed against Shepard's round, armoured ass as sweat streamed down his face. No shame in that, he supposed, owing to the fact that he was in love with the man and thirst and hunger had probably been tugging him along the edge toward delirium.
"Uh, what's- what's up, John?" Kaidan whispered.
"Grate," Shepard choked back hoarsely, "No hostiles. Garrus is going through now." There was something else in Shepard's voice however...
"John... Are you, uh, are you..."
"Kaidan, your face is on my ass. Suit's haptic sensors? I can remember how many times that's happened in the last few weeks."
"John, I mean, we are not going to have sex in the air vents."
"But Kaidan, my armour. The internal pressure is reaching levels 'dangerous for user'. It wouldn't be-"
"No, John. Mission first. Sex after mission. Now, move."
"Alright, Kaidan. Hmm. Wouldn't that have been a great incentive for new recruits when they-"
"John. Move."
"Alright, alright. Spoil sport."
Kaidan watched as Shepard shifted forward, only to disappear a few meters ahead, letting in a small gust of warm but fresh air into the vent and more light than he'd seen in the last hour. God how he loved artificial lighting. Kaidan crawled forward toward the blessed exit, pulling himself half out and swinging himself to the side to land clumsily on his feet, Shepard already supporting some of his weight and helping him stand up fully. Kaidan stretched awkwardly as he tried to will circulation back into his extremities and felt his armour scour away the sweat while it minutely ran massage rolls over his skin.
"I told you," Garrus said adamantly, "Turians don't duck. And they don't crawl. And trapped in there with three, sweating hormonally active humans? I shudder to think about how I could have been taken advantaged of."
"Yeah, right Scars. Admit it," James called as he worked his arms back into full motion, "You liked the view. Best view on Omega, in my opinion."
"Well, that's your opinion. Personally, I'm just glad your suit is a sealed environment. I've done my research on those... things you people eat..." Garrus teased none too gently, causing James to blush crimson.
"You know, pendejo, next time, I'll head in after you. Just ask that nice banshee to hang on, 'cause my turian friend here is scared of a little muscle," James shot back, "Besides, I'm sure Loco here knows how to appreciate dedication and hard work when he sees it."
Shepard raised his hands in mock helplessness as Kaidan scanned the small room that they were in, bringing up his omni-tool to relocate their position and objective.
"Don't look at me, James. Frankly, if I'd had a choice, I'd have gone in last," Shepard said with a suggestive wink cast in Kaidan's direction, which he tried to ignore.
"Yo, Major. Next time, we get Esteban in on the ground team, whaddaya say? He's a really good shot with-"
"James," Garrus said chidingly, "shooting with that 'gun' doesn't really count now, does it?"
"EDI? How's the Normandy holding up?" Kaidan said, loud enough that he could drown out everyone else's joking and muttering. James had devolved into cursing in Spanish.
"Status remains acceptable, Major Alenko, similar to when you checked fifteen minutes ago," EDI said simply and Kaidan had a feeling he was finally starting to get under that bi-metallic polymer weave that EDI was using as skin. Finally.
Kaidan looked at the map. They had covered quite a bit of distance in the last hour or so, moving off from Omega's main area toward the side warehouses and bypassing some of the commercial and residential designations. In fact, they had just reached the cargo docking port that serviced this section of Omega, meant more for transporting cargo easily to and from the ships and holding areas. Since some of the items were either dubious, unstable or both, it made sense that Aria wouldn't want anything obviously threatening to be docking at her doorstep, in full view and access to her precious Afterlife. The map showed a short red line, pointing them just a few hundred meters toward the entrance to the vaults that contained a portion of Omega's lifeblood, black market goods and everything else meant to turn a profit or illicit carnal responses in its populace.
"Administrative offices, next to this room," Kaidan said, catching everyone's attention, "Leads out to the cargo docking area. Warehouses are just beyond that. We can comm the Normandy once we, uh, secure the cargo and get them to dock here for pickup."
"Well," Garrus quipped up, unlimbering his Mantis once more, "that's convenient. I thought we'd have to go through that... torture all over again, with an ancient Prothean relic being dragged along the way."
"If we did," Shepard snuck in, "Kaidan goes in after me this time."
Kaidan turned a smouldering look at the man, whose face had turned innocent all of sudden, and he tried to convey into that look what he'd do to Shepard once they finally reached the comfort of the cabin. Shepard just grinned widely at that and mouthed 'best ass in the galaxy' to him as Garrus and James shared a laugh.
"Let's go," Kaidan said gruffly, shifting his Vindicator into fire-mode and the soldier masks snapped on all of them in a heart beat, heads once more focused on their tasks.
Kaidan reached the door of the maintenance room, pulling it open to reveal a very startled pair of Cannibals shifting against the exterior walls and, without much thought, he pulled up his omni-blade and thrust it into the creature closest to him, tightening his armour-enhanced muscles as he tried to shred as many vital organs as possible as the first Cannibal collapsed in a heap. The other creature had recovered quickly from its initial shock, jumping back to put distance between itself and Kaidan while warbling in its guttural throat, but before it could pull out its strange weapon, a wave of biotic energy crested over Kaidan and tingled across his barrier. Shepard hopped forward, seeming to appear out of thin air as his Biotic Charge slammed into the horror, tracing a bluish-purple nimbus of energy around the man as he stepped onto the mostly unrecognizable pile of meat, face determined and fierce in his joy of battle.
Kaidan blinked back the after-image as he registered the biotic trail from Shepard's assault, could only marvel at the sight of his lover and friend, standing strong over the fallen foe as he stood awash with power and strength. Not only that, but more, so much more, like a deep well of energy that continually pulled him to drink from its stormy depths and Kaidan could almost taste the way Shepard's biotics flared against his barrier, like a key slipping into a lock perfectly. Useless? The man would never, ever, know the meaning of the word and Kaidan would never, ever, get tired of seeing Shepard so alive and unrestrained. Despite everything, it always came back to the both of them, Kaidan realized, and a warm coil settled in his gut as he realized how much his life was entwined with his lover's. It was just so right.
"Kaidan, you're staring again," Shepard said sheepishly as the corona of energy winked out from around Shepard's armour.
"I, uh, well, John. It was a good view in the vents. It's really a much better view now," Kaidan blurted out without thinking, caught up in the moment as the last traces of reckless energy dissipated into the air.
"Mission first," Shepard chided, moving his Black Widow up to point, "Sex after mission."
Kaidan chuckled at having his line used against him, felt the tingle in his groin from just thinking about the fact. It really was good incentive, he thought wonderingly.
Garrus stepped out of the doorway and away from the pair of corpses, almost sniffing disdainfully at how two more kills had somehow managed to elude him, and they quickly skirted around the edges of the miniature administrative building-cubicles that were just opposite from where they had emerged, making their way toward the edge of the last cover between the empty space of the loading areas, between offices and the warehouse. They passed by badly stacked crates that leaned precariously along the wall of the last building and Garrus leaned casually out into the open and snapped back into cover immediately.
"If you boys are done playing, there are a couple more friends out there who look lonely," Garrus brought up.
"Not gonna have any fun. Damn snipers always get the kills before I can," James groused from the rear as they formed up, Kaidan almost wedged in between Shepard and Garrus.
Kaidan skirted around the turian pressed against the wall and hazarded a quick glance at the playing field. Groups of Husks, armoured and not, Cannibals and Marauders. No heavy hitters that he could see and a cleared path straight toward the entrance of the warehouse district, roughly five hundred meters or so. Perfect for Shepard and Garrus, if he could get another piece of cover up. Kaidan turned and indicated that the rest of them should move out of the way but remain in cover, feeling his biotics flare around him as he was enveloped in a bright blue sheath of swirling power, the thrum of his amp letting him access stores of energy that always left him feeling tingly and invigorated. He watched as Shepard stared at him with an enraptured, gleeful look on his face, and wondered idly if he always looked like that when Shepard used his biotics. The thought was swept away as Kaidan Pulled down the topmost crates, letting them fall haphazardly, and noisily, as he rolled away.
Perfect, he thought, despite the loud sounds, as the heavy metal boxes tumbled over and out of the cover from the wall, landing in rough bunches away from them, like a series of vertical stepping stones for Garrus and Shepard to take cover from behind. Kaidan weaved back to push himself up against the wall and James as the two snipers moved forward, childish glee lighting up their faces.
"Shepard," Garrus said as he shifted around the makeshift cover, raising his Mantis up, "have I ever mentioned that I love your boyfriend?"
Shepard was already lurking behind a far-reaching crate, Black Widow firing out a round, when he replied, "Just as long as you don't love him the way I do Garrus, then we're good."
Garrus fired a quick pulse, not bothering to watch the round as it drilled a hole right through the head of a Husk. "Ah, Shepard. I believe humans have a saying about sharing good things with close friends."
Shepard punctured the comment by spearing a Marauder right through the eyes. "Well, then. Kaidan's the best thing in my life right now, not a good thing. So, no. No sharing."
Garrus snorted as he automatically replaced his spent thermal clip. "Oh, that's sweet. Sickeningly so. And I'm hurt, Shepard. I thought I was the best thing in your life."
Kaidan watched as Shepard lined up another shot, masterfully timing a round to pass through a Cannibal and a Marauder simultaneously, neatly ending the lives of both. "Two for one again, Garrus. And, well, maybe you could be, if you ever learned to shoot straight."
"Well, mine's got a longer reach," Garrus shot back.
"My rounds are bigger," Shepard retorted.
"Are the both of you done?" Kaidan butted in, thoroughly tired of the constant back and forth between the two old friends. James was behind him, muttering constantly about there 'not being any fun, no fun at all', and the streaming litany was starting to wear at him just a little.
Shepard tossed a cheeky grin his way, clearly intent on turning him into a mood-killer when a dull, metallic thump sounded in the ground and the air around them.
"Atlas," Shepard said in reply to the sound as he took cover, and Kaidan heard the string of words coming from behind him stop.
"Damn. Finally," James said, pleasure evident in his voice.
"Is that... I think that's a marauder in that Atlas," Garrus said disbelievingly. God, how much more mixed up could things get, Kaidan couldn't help but think.
"Garrus, we'll need to Overload those shields," Kaidan said to the turian, who was still taking pot-shots at stranglers around the Atlas.
"Oh Kaidan," Garrus shot back, "I bet you say that to Shepard all the time."
"Hey, that's not true. What the hell-"
"John," Kaidan interrupted, "Not now. Garrus, I need an Overload."
The fully charged current of energy streaked across the empty air and crashed into the Atlas, both his and Garrus's Overloads combined, jumping between circuitry and the pilot housed within, sending shields flickering in the dim light of the cargo bay and Kaidan watched as the Marauder sat stunned as the last of the shields dissipated.
"James, Carnage Round, right in the face shield. John, Garrus, you know what to do after that."
"Oh yeah," James practically yelled. His shotgun was already loaded with the deadly missile and the heavy-set marine rolled lightly through the cover, misleading the stream of fire coming from the twitching Atlas. Garrus and Shepard were trying to lead it away from the moving target by bunching up toward the corner nearest to the wall, and when the Atlas finally turned its full attention onto them, James moved. He rolled forward, armour taking the brunt of the impact and raised his shotgun up, aiming the Carnage round at the thick, supposedly bulletproof, clear shield that covered the Atlas's cockpit.
With a whoop, James pulled the trigger and almost immediately after, an explosion seemed to blossom on the thick material, the outward propelled force driving harsh shards of explosive shrapnel into the glass and surrounding metal. The Marauder was beginning to panic and stray bullets were flying across the area, seemingly at random, and James was trying to move back toward the minimal cover provided by the heavy crates. The stutter in the Atlas's steps seemed to cue both Shepard and Garrus who rose up simultaneously and let fly, a yellow-streaked Armour-Piercing round side-by-side with a red-tinted Incendiary Round and the combination was impressive. Kaidan watched from cover as the Armour-Piercer shattered the remains of the already heavily damaged pilot bulb, James's Carnage Round not penetrating it but weakening it enough for Garrus's shot to go through, and Shepard's Incendiary Round hit the Marauder right in the face plates, immediately combusting and starting a miniature inferno inside the cockpit.
Garrus sighed happily as he watched the machine burn and even Shepard was nodding appreciatively, James grinning his usual grin as he leaned against the crates and kept one eye on the shattered Atlas and another for any remaining stragglers. It was always a little tricky, taking out the bigger mechs and heavy hitters, but they'd done this surprisingly well, quick and efficient. Kaidan scoped out the rest of the area and formed them up, ready to head for the warehouse gates.
With rifles out, Kaidan led the way through the blasted killing field, bodies and coagulated blood randomly printed across the metallic canvas of the cargo bay and they skirted past the Atlas, hardly deigning to pillage the device and Cerberus's faulty, mass-produced liabilities. Their small group continued forward, ever mindful of an attack coming from any angle and constantly keeping vision in a three-sixty circumference around them. Thankfully, no other incident occurred during the quick crossing and Kaidan pulled them up short at the entrances to the first warehouse, pulling up his omni-tool in the process.
"Um, alright. We're here," Kaidan said as he double-checked their position on the map. It indicated Warehouse 001, Liara's agent having the foresight to consider a quick meet-up and exit, and Kaidan ached to be done with the mission so that they could head on off to their second destination. Kaidan went over to the lock and let the bypass encryption take effect on the general lock as he spoke to the rest of his team mates.
"So, um, once we get the beacon, we'll see if EDI can pick us up from the cargo port. Might be easier that way," he spoke up, looking particularly at Garrus, "Anyway, I mean, hopefully once the beacon is in place, we can inform Liara and transfer what information we find. Maybe make our way to-"
The door lock blinked green and Kaidan stepped forward as the doors pulled open, only to find himself walking into the barrel opening of two pistols, one pointing directly over his heart and another aimed straight for his temple.
Shit.
"What the fuck, Shepard," came a distressingly familiar voice on Kaidan's right, "Y'know, you gotta weird habit, always fucking showing up where anyone damn hell least expects it."
Shepard, who had collapsed his Black Widow and mag-locked it onto his back, stepped up and grinned as the light shining in from the open door partially illuminated a riot of tattoos on the figure's body.
"Jack, it's good to see you too. Again," Shepard said with a friendly tone.
"Bite me, asshole," Jack shot back, reaching up with a cocked fist, but Shepard seemed to be prepared for it, easily stepping back and away from the punch aimed at his face. Kaidan was just glad that the pistol being pointed at him was lowered in the process.
"What the hell are you people doing here," said a very miffed Aria, pistol still hovering over Kaidan's chest and he wondered if it would be rude, not to mention suicidal, to push the gun away and hope that he could bring up his barrier in time.
"I, uh, we're here to, um..." Kaidan stuttered, clearly at a lost for words from the double surprise.
"It's alright, Kaidan. Aria," Shepard broke in stepping up toward the asari, making Kaidan sigh with relief, "We're just here to collect something of ours. We take it, and we go."
James and Garrus had moved up into the group discussion, Garrus curiously trying to avoid Aria while James looked on with mild interest. Shepard suddenly turned to Kaidan's left and peeked over his shoulder and just past James.
"Hey, there," Shepard said quietly to nothing.
"Hey, Shep. Damn, you were always good at that," came a female voice with a mixed accent, the rest obscured by James's high pitched shriek and jump and Garrus's choked off sputtering whine and nervous shift. Kaidan watched as another familiar face materialized out of the air, dark black and soft gray hood partially obscuring her features and he was glad he heard Shepard speak before the woman appeared, fearing that he'd have done something even more embarrassing than what Garrus and James had done.
Aria T'Loak, crime boss and self-proclaimed queen of Omega, and by extension the majority of the Terminus Systems, took a step back, just slightly lowering the pistol away from Kaidan as she spoke.
"No Shepard, you can't do that."
Shepard's eyes narrowed slightly at the challenge. "I'm sorry Aria, but what we've come for, you have absolutely no use for. We're taking it and leaving, and I'm sorry to say, you won't be able to stop us."
"I won't," Aria agreed, face bland, "But the hundered or so defence cannons installed over Omega will be more than enough to blast your little toy ship before it can cover a single mile."
Shepard took a threatening step towards Aria and Kaidan was surprised to see that she had casually folded her arms over her breasts, a mocking grin playing slightly over her mouth.
"Then shut them down," Shepard all but growled out.
"What," Aria retorted tenderly, "You mean like last time? No, Shepard. I can't do that."
"Listen Aria, we just need-"
"No. You don't fucking get it, do you Shepard," Aria said, her neutral look in sharp contrast to the hate and heat pouring out with her words, "Omega is lost. I'm no longer in control, and I never will be again. And," she said haltingly, looking like something was being pulled out of her gut forcefully, "I... I need your help."
