Chapter 12- The Assassin
Illium: Dantius Towers Construction Site
It had been less than ten minutes since Shepard and company had arrived at the base of the Dantius towers, and in that time, they had already destroyed a multitude of mechs as well as saved a Salarian construction worker from bleeding to death. It was arguable that there never was a dull day in the life of Commander Shepard, but fighting takes its tolls on the mind, and thus, under the strain of stress, Shepard had been allowing his mind to wander during combat, letting himself hope, and dream of a future he might live one day, spending the time brought by peace with someone specific, someone close to him.
Tali'Zorah Vas Neema had become a symbol to Shepard, not only was she his friend, but she quickly became the focus of his waking thoughts, a symbol of the future he wanted, the Peace and Happiness he craved. He loved her, he couldn't deny that, but he wondered if it was really worth it to try to become something more than friends when he had lost so many loved ones already, who's to say he wouldn't lose her too? Even if she felt the same way, love doesn't make you immortal.
"Shepard?" Came Tali's sweet bubbly voice, the concern in her tone jarring him from his thoughts as quickly as he had become immersed into them.
"I'm fine Tali, just collecting myself." He lied, pushing himself up from beside the pile of support beams he had taken cover behind. How long had he been out of it? The uncertainty of his thoughts and fears plagued him as his gaze drifted around the room, settling on the blinking red seal of a door on the far side. Shepard watched in an almost semi-conscious state as Enigma approached it, leaning his head against the door before motioning to the commander.
"There's someone in here!" Enigma exclaimed, waving for Tali and Shepard to join him. Tali looked over Shepard one last time, her bio-luminescent eyes casting the faintest of shadows as she examined Shepard through her visor, despite not being able to see her face, he could sense her worry. That was enough to bring him back to the present. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he strode across the room to join Enigma, drawing his Carnifex to his side as he did so. Enigma side stepped as Shepard approached, noting the small look of bewilderment on his face as he raised his pistol, punching the door override with his free hand.
Daroth wheeled on the door as it slid open, his small nostrils flaring as he saw three heavily armed figures walk in. Without hesitation, he threw his hands into the air, finding himself looking down the barrel of a gun.
"Please... don't kill us! We'll go... we'll go..." The Salarian spoke quickly, covering his fragile eyes with his hands in defense. Unknown to him, the man who had just entered lowered his gun, his bright blue eyes scanning the room curiously.
It wasn't long before his friend and co-worker tapped him on the shoulder, pointing to the man as Daroth looked up. "Hey, look... they're not Eclipse. You're here to help us... right?" he finished, stepping forward hesitantly to greet the heavily armored human.
Shepard spoke evenly, holstering his pistol as he did so, looking over the two Salarians compassionately. "It's one reason I'm here. Come on out. It's safe enough."
Daroth began to compose himself, he stood, straightening his attire and clearing his throat swiftly, turning his attention to their saviors.
"Thank you. We are in your debt. I am Daroth and this is Shelum, we are construction workers as I'm sure you are probably aware."
Having Mordin around had certainly helped Shepard understand a bit more about Salarians, but compared to the energetic scientist, these two Salarians seemed awfully mellow.
"Maybe you could help me. I'm looking for someone. Not a merc - he's on his own." Shepard inquired, stepping forwards slightly as he watched the two Salarians exchange thoughtful glances to one another. Daroth spoke up first however, indicating the door with his left hand as he did so, "Well, it must've been whoever sealed us in here... When he found us, I thought we were dead. But he just closed the door and locked us in."
Enigma shook his head, "Finally. An assassin with a sense of honor." He said affirmatively, accentuating his point with a wave of his hand.
"Assassin?" Daroth wondered aloud, tilting his head slightly in thought, his brow furrowed contemplatively as he braced his chin with his fingers.
"Here for Nassana, I bet. She's got it coming. You treat people like this; it always comes back to bite you in the ass." Shelum concluded, raising his finger in affirmative thought. Shepard looked them, over once more before stepping to the side of the door, outstretching his arm. "I wouldn't stay here too long. It should be safe down in the lower floors."
Daroth nodded at this, turning to look at the other Salarians in the room, "I was just thinking the same thing. Let's go, everybody." Came his now calm words of encouragement which led the four Salarians from the room, two of whom had not said a single word. Shelum was the last one out, but he stopped suddenly, turning to bow his head at the commander, "Thank you. And tell your assassin friend to aim for her head... 'cause she doesn't have a heart!" he finished curtly, rushing off to catch up with the rest of his co-workers.
After a pause, Shepard turned on his heel, exhaling heavily as he made his way back out into the main room. Striding over to the cargo elevator briskly, he pushed the "call" button, sighing.
Enigma gave his commander a sideways glance, his own gaze following Shepard's as he watched the indicator lights.
"What are the odds that elevator is actually empty when it gets here." Enigma stated tenaciously, stepping to the side so he could press his body up against the wall, hidden from view of the elevator doors, he reached for his shotgun, letting it unfold in his grasp before holding it to his chest tightly.
"Perhaps we should take cover." Tali agreed, the encouragement prevalent in her tone as she began moving to the center of the room hurriedly, her arms swinging back to grip her shotgun, which began to reconfigure its shape as soon as she had grasped it. Moving swiftly, she ducked behind a crate, peeking out only long enough to motion for Shepard to follow her.
"Enigma, good plan staying on the door like that, Tali and I will draw them out, then you flank them." Shepard nodded affirmatively, vaulting the crate to huddle up next to Tali. When the doors to the elevator opened, several mercs emerged, fanning out into the room, the Asari captain nodded to her troops, motioning search directions to each of them. As soon as the mercs had come a distance from the elevator, Shepard turned to face the woman of his affections, giving a single nod before rising to rest his rifle on the crate, unleashing a volley of incendiary rounds that pummeled the merc's shields. It was as if on cue, Enigma spun out with his shotgun, laying waste to the merc's shields with his weapon before grabbing the merc closest to him with his biotics, pulling them towards him violently. A sickening snap was heard over the gunfire as the merc's head imploded within Enigma's biotic field, crumpling to the ground as Enigma swung out his leg under the sole Krogan merc, causing him to stumble as Enigma fired his shotgun point-blank into the Krogan's back. Enigma spun again, blocking a strike from another merc's omni-blade with his shotgun before reaching out with one hand, taking a hold of their helmet, he slammed their head into his knee, his biotics flaring up around him to protect his knee cap from the impact of the armor.
Tali used Enigma's distraction to her advantage, she brought up her omni-tool, gracefully waving her arm as she unleashed her combat drone, guiding it to protect Shepard, who had just vaulted his cover, planting deadly accurate blasts from his Carnifex into the remaining mercs who had only just begun to return fire. Enigma wheeled again, unleashing pulses of biotic energy that brought merc's to their knees, only to be quickly dispatched afterwards by a well-placed shotgun blast from Tali or a precise head-shot from Shepard. Only after the last mercenary had fallen did Shepard stop to catch his breath. Leading his team into the elevator, he hit the button with the edge of his fist, the elevator jolting upwards in response.
When the doors to the elevator opened, Shepard could see an Eclipse Trooper standing at the end of the hallway, pacing in front of a large window as he spoke into his comm unit.
"I haven't heard from Teams Four or Five. Don't worry, my team is always ready to go. I don't know where he is, not yet," Shepard paused, raising his eyebrow as he stepped off the elevator and walked over to the rather cocky sounding merc, keen to listen to his conversation, "We don't need any reinforcements. I'll take care of it. It's under control. - I'll go down there myself."
As Shepard approached, he cleared his throat, speaking clearly to the Eclipse trooper, his voice containing hints of malice "Turn around, very slowly…"
The Eclipse Trooper froze in place, pivoting his torso only slightly to look behind him. "Damn it." He breathed, turning to face the three heavily armed individuals before him.
The commander cocked his head slightly, the line of his helmet preventing his head from bending too far to the side, "Have you seen the assassin?" He asked flatly, hoping the merc would cooperate.
"Why are you looking for him? You're not one of Nassana's mercs. Who are you?"
"Answer my questions, and I'll let you go."
The Eclipse Trooper backed up, turning to assess where he was, he saw he was dangerously close to the large window, "Look pal, even if I knew where he was, I wouldn't tell you."
Shepard frowned, his brow lowering visibly beneath his helmet visor as he leaned in closer to the merc's helmeted face, "Not the answer I was looking for."
The Eclipse Trooper crossed his arms smugly, leaning back on his heel as he spoke, "I've got nothing more to say to you. I-." He didn't get to finish his sentence as he was suddenly enveloped in a bright green flash of biotics, propelling him through the window, sending him plummeting to the ground below.
"How 'bout goodbye?" Enigma finished smugly, looking over the ledge of the window to ensure the merc fell to his death.
"Was that really necessary Enigma?" Shepard's clear tone came even over the now audile sound of wind whipping in through the broken window.
Enigma shrugged, waving his hand dismissively as he turned to head further into the building, "Eh, he wasn't being very helpful to begin with."
Illium: Nassana's penthouse.
If there was one thing Thane was, it was patient. As a Drell, his patience had constantly been tested, being seen as one of the "lesser species" of the galaxy did not exactly inspire kind feelings among the Drell, or ensure that their carrier choices might be something more peaceful, or honest. But Thane had chosen his path, and after this last job he resolved to start making right by the wrongs he had done, the people he had killed. Thane had watched the two humans and Quarian fight their way across the bridge to the twin tower, their objective obviously similar to his own, they would have had no other reason to be here. Thane had to give them credit though, they were making his job easier as Nassana's merc's left her penthouse in groups, the number of them stationed there thinning as they left to deal with the intruders. Thane dropped from the exterior ventilation shaft, slinking away from the intake silently, he approached the shaft opening into Nassana's office, waiting in complete scilence for the unknown third-party to arrive. He planned to use their arrival as a distraction, allowing him to drop down behind Nassana's guards unnoticed. It was the most effective method given the circumstances, and Thane preferred the guard's not be shooting at him. He wasn't about to get sloppy now, not on his last job. Thane did wonder however, what exactly the other human Biotic was capable of. He had seen an impressive display of power, although notably un-trained, he wondered what that man might amount to.
When Shepard finally burst into the Penthouse, Nassana whirled on him, eyeing him curiously. Her guards stepped closer to her, forming a tighter circle in defense of their employer, their weapons raised in anticipation of an attack.
Nassana spoke up, the slight quiver in her voice as unmistakable as the light of the rising sun, "Wait. Before you kill me, just tell me who hired you." Her mind raced, desperate to delay her seeming demise.
Shepard shook his head slightly, lowering his rifle only enough to show Nassana that he wasn't the threat she should be concerned about, "I'm not an assassin, Nassana. But I'm looking for one," the urgency in his voice only muddled by his deep and controlled breaths. Nassana nearly recoiled at this, her lips rising into a cruel sneer.
"You break in here and decimate my security just to find the person who's here to kill me? What are you playing at, Shepard?" she asked, pausing to look at one of her guards, who was pointing her shotgun in various directions. "What?"
"I heard something." The guard replied, her dark blue lips pressing into a frown as she scanned the room, looking for the source of what she heard.
"Damn it. Check the other entrances," Nassana ordered, turning momentarily to wave her guards off in different directions before turning to point at Shepard. Her eyes narrowed, examining the commander suspiciously.
"You... stay put." She spat, her eyes un-moving from his gaze. Thane chose that moment as his time to strike, dropping down from the air duct, landing silently behind Nassana.
"When I'm finished dealing with this nuisance, you and I are going to..." Her voice trailed off as she heard the sound of a neck being snapped, Thane, true to his work, was skilled, and it showed as such as he dispatched Nassana's two remaining guards with ease, snapping their necks from behind. Nassana barely got the question out as she spun to face him, the fear radiating from her body so strongly, Thane could smell it.
"Who...?" Thane brought his pistol to her chest and fired, the shot travelling up through her abdomen and into her heart. Barley more than a groan escaped Nassana's lips as Thane laid her down on the desk, pulling her hands up across her chest gently, releasing his grip only long enough to clasp his hands together in prayer, his index fingers intertwining slightly as he settled.
"And finally, we meet the assassin himself," Tali stated, retaining her steady aim at the Drell, ready to fire if he decided to attack Shepard. The Commander paused for a moment, his lips pursing unseen beneath his visor.
"I was hoping to talk to you." Shepard stated, crossing his arms casually over his chest. Thane looked up slightly, only long enough to regard the commander with a fleeting glance, the sound of his deep and hollow voice following moments after.
"I apologize, but prayers for the wicked must not be forsaken." He replied, calmly concluding his prayer with a few muttered words.
"Do you really think she deserves it?"
"Not for her," Thane began, seemingly acknowledging Shepard for the first time as be began to pace the room, "For me. - The measure of an individual can be difficult to discern by actions alone. Take you, for instance. All this destruction...chaos. I was curious to see how far you'd go to find me. Well... here I am."
"I do want to talk to you... but how did you know I was here?" He asked quizzically as he watched the Drell walk past him.
"Gunfire and explosions. I prefer to work quietly. If I have to fight through guards, I've made a mistake. I rarely make mistakes," he paused, passing Shepard again to look out the window, "You disrupted my plan, but your distraction eventually proved valuable."
"Let's cut to the chase. I need you for a mission."
"Indeed."
Shepard cocked his head slightly, the vapor from his breath fogging his visor slightly as he spoke. "You're familiar with the Collectors?"
The assassin nodded affirmatively, his back still facing Shepard. "By reputation only."
"They're abducting entire human colonies. Freedom's Progress was their handiwork." He explained, his hand rising from his side to adjust one of the straps holding his chest-plate on.
"I see." Thane replied, rays of light from the setting sun following his silhouette as he bowed his head slightly.
"We're going after them." Shepard affirmed, leveling his voice as he spoke, the sorrow behind his tone showing slightly through the seriousness. Thane turned to Shepard suddenly, his coat shifting as he did so, stilling only long enough to allow the gaze of his black eyes to regard the commander thoughtfully.
"Attacking the Collectors would require passing through the Omega 4 relay. No ship has ever returned from doing so."
"They told me it was impossible to get to Ilos, too." Shepard challenged, the slightest of smirks appearing beneath his visor while he spoke.
"A fair point. You've built a career on performing the impossible. This was to be my last job," he paused, returning his attention to the window slowly, considering what Shepard had told him.
"I'm dying. Low survival odds don't concern me. - The abduction of your colonists does."
Shepard's eyes widened slightly, concern filling them as he looked upon the Assassin in a new light. "You're dying? Are you contagious? How long do you have?"
Thane turned again, holding up a hand in a kind motion to silence him, "If you're interested, we can discuss it on your ship. The problem isn't contagious, and it won't affect my work." The Drell spoke evenly, his voice controlled and un-betraying of any personal concerns he might've had. Stepping forwards, Thane outstretched his hand, offering it to Commander Shepard.
"I will work for you Shepard. No charge."
"That's all I need to hear, glad to have you aboard."
