I looked out at the Citadel as we came closer and closer to it. I had almost forgotten what it looked like…
An elbow nudged me gently, bringing me out of my blank state and turning my attention to the Drell beside me. Thaleon looked at me with a bit of concern in his eyes. "You alright?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, but I just looked away, back to the view of the massive station coming up. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it would feel like to be back here, and I certainly hadn't expected Hawk to be in a place like this. Omega, maybe. Or some lone colony…
After burying Draft and relocating to a completely new place, we had begun to gather our people and whatever information we could on Hawk. Raven, our Salarian informant, dug up some info, but he couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the sharp-dressed man. He did, however, gain contact with some who might have more, and piece by piece we managed to put it all together. Brian Hawk was only a cover (out of many), and the man was really a powerful diplomat on the Citadel by the name of Delan Tobashi, but to me he was one man only: Hawk!
Not only did we piece together all of his many false identities, but we picked up some additional help along the way in form of a few soldiers and specialists.
Lun'rina, also just called Lun: female Turian Cabal, ex-military. She got in contact with Shade and soon learned the deal, offering to help.
Crestin: Salarian tech expert. He was a genius when it came to hacking, quick on his fingers and almost as fast talking as Mordin. Only problem was that he was a little nervous in large groups.
Nal'Sheen and Deli'Sheen: Quarian brother and sister, twins even (which, I've heard, wasn't that normal). They were tech experts like Crestin, and had always stuck together so their combined team-work with the rest of the group was practically invaluable.
Kacus: Retired Turian Havoc, but he was more than ready to fight again, especially when he became friends with Crip.
It had taken weeks of careful searching and planning, but now the plan was put in motion and there was no turning back from it. Ready or not, Hawk, here I come!
Warm fingers closed around my hand gently, again making me look slightly at the Drell beside me. "Honey?" he asked, reminding me of our current mission. In order to avoid suspicion, my team and I had begun to travel to the Citadel slowly and as individuals, so no one would suspect we were going to be there as a group. Thaleon and I were about the last to travel from Illium and were to behave as a couple on their way to a vacation on the Citadel. Some of the others had gone to Omega and then to the Citadel, and Shade had even been back on Kahje, to really spice up the deception and remove us from suspicion.
I sighed and leaned against his shoulder, playing my role well. I had colored my hair, gained contact lenses to conceal my abnormal eye color, and even used some tanning to change skin color as well. I was a complete new woman…
"Just a little nervous… The station looks so massive." I said, with a slight accent, and closed my eyes as I rested against him. His thump caressed my skin.
"First time on the Citadel?" the Asari on the other side of Thaleon asked, looking at us with a smile. Thaleon replied politely and ended up chatting with her until we landed and got off the shuttle. Nothing ever indicated that she had any idea of who I was, but of course, Shayla Kryik was technically dead, even on the Citadel…
We got off the shuttle and continued our deception for a few days, until a note came in from Shade. The team was all here, and he had found Hawk. When that hit, we went searching for the shop of weapons and armor Crip and Kacus had set up weeks before our arrival, with all the necessary licenses and paperwork done (all fake, but very convincing). They kept it under construction until the note came, having all of our armors and weapons stored in there. Perfect cover and a perfect place for us to meet.
But again, it had to be done nice and slow so no one noticed the many people slipping around the back and into the new shop over very short time. Last one to show up was Nal and Deli, but no one blamed them. They had a lot of trouble just getting on to the Citadel and then they were harassed and nearly arrested for something they had never done, had Raven not been there as an innocent, bypassing witness.
Once gathered, it was time to go over the plan.
"Here's the deal." Raven said and brought a holographic image of Hawk up. I growled slightly when I saw him. "Brian Hawk, alias Delan Tobashi, works as a diplomat here on the Citadel. He has some serious pull, and heavy protection. We can't storm him while he's on the Presidium. That'll be suicide." He explained.
"So we have to get him where we want him. Somewhere away from people and the Presidium." I said, making more than a few nod. Raven took over again. "Now, we've managed to get a bug into Hawk's systems, thanks to Shade and his cloaking, and learned that he has a meeting with some unidentified buyer, which we have learned is a group of Blue suns. We know where the meeting will take place."
A building schematic came up. "As you can see, there are multiple positions from where Hawk might enter." Raven said.
"Which is why we have to be there before Hawk arrives." I said and walked a little back and forth. "We infiltrate the building, take out the Blue Suns and set up our little surprise for Hawk. If this is done right, we can minimize the fire fight with the Suns, and focus on the hired muscle Hawk no doubt is bringing with him. So we are going to need some good tech solutions, and assassins." I looked quickly at both my Quarian twins and my assassins, before changing my attention to our youngest Salarian.
"Crestin. You'll find a way to scramble their communication, so they can't warn each other about Shade and Toufan, our infiltration team. They will take out as many as they can without detection, and then drive the mercs to this point." I said, pointing and enlarging a specific room with multiple entrances. "The rest of us will break into two teams, each with two biotics, a Krogan and either Nal or Deli with them. Our twins will handle hacking of the doors, biotics will give cover to the team and our Krogans serve as muscle. If we can box the Suns in within this room, we can easily take them out." I said.
Kacus came a little closer. "There's some excellent positions for snipers in there. I suggest a third smaller unit to drive the mercs into the room, while our own assassins take out what snipers they have and set up positions. That way we can hit them from multiple angles." He said and it made Gamenk step up as well. "Two Krogans and a Turian should be enough to scare them half to death. What resistance the remaining teams might face shouldn't be more than a well rested biotic can handle." He said.
"So this is how we do it. Crestin handles the scrambler, Shade and Toufan clears the back entrances here, here and here, focusing on this one first. Crip, you'll handle the hacking of doors from there, taking Gamenk and Avec in first and drive the mercs to this place. Nal and Deli will still be divided with the rest of us and the biotics will keep their attacks down until we reach the room, as there will be heavy weapons. Mean while, Shade and Toufan will insure that no sniper is coming up on us, and take their own positions."
"How many mercs?"Lun asked.
"Fewer than forty." Shade answered, being the only one who had been in there and seen it. "And locked inside that room, it will be like a shooting gallery." He added.
"Once we have the building, our techs will close every door, giving Hawk no other route but to reach the very same room, where we will be ready for him. Then we'll take him down, nice and clean, but no one kills Hawk until we know who he works for. After that I don't care who takes the kill shot. The important part is that he never leaves that room." I said, and saw how some light began to shine in some of their eyes, eager to get started.
"Does everybody understand the plan?" I asked and they all nodded. "Good. The meeting will happen in four days. Shade will keep us updated on possible changes, so I want everyone ready and able to move out on a moment's notice."
And that was how it was done.
Four days later, we arrived at the building, everything going as according to planned. Shade and Toufan got in and started to thin the numbers of mercs, then Crip, Gamenk and Avec drove the remaining Suns into the room, where our assassins had set up positions, and then the remaining of our team arrived from two other directions, boxing the Suns completely in, their numbers quelled in a matter of minutes.
We didn't avoid injuries ourselves. Raven took a shot as he wasn't used to fighting and was taken to cover in a room with Deli. Nigeth and Kacus dressed themselves in Blue Suns armor and went to wait at the front door to lead Hawk inside, while the rest of us cleaned up the Blue Suns bodies. The place didn't have to look like a massacre when Hawk arrived…Crestin and Nal closed every other door, some of our agile fighters getting ready to take hide behind crates and in dark corners, while Gamenk and Avec was more or less exposed. Now we could only wait…
An hour ticked by before Kacus contacted us, saying the target had arrived and he really had some serious protection with him. We took position.
I stood in the middle of the room, waiting when the door opened and Kacus led Hawk inside, Nigeth following up behind the entire group of protection. More than a few Asari, possibly commandos, or at least well trained biotics, and some heavy looking Turians. Hawk looked me over once and then looked around, turning to Kacus.
"Is this supposed to be a joke?" he said hard, the old Turian soldier not even as much a flinching.
"No joke, Mr. Tobashi." I said, turning his attention to me. "Or would you prefer that I call you Hawk?" I asked. I could see his thoughts was running in circles to find out where he had seen me before, since I was still tanned and had different hair and eye color.
"Have we met before?" he asked, stepping a little closer, two Asari walking with him, looking around for any danger. Good thing my people knew how to stay hidden, expect for my Krogans…
"Not in person, but you did claim to be looking forward to our meeting the last time we spoke." I said, giving him a little more, but he still didn't seem to be able to remember. He suddenly looked around again, now really noticing the Krogans and he withdrew slightly.
"What is this? Where's Aptius?" he asked, reaching for a weapon in his jacket. I chuckled slightly.
"Ah yes, Aptius. He wanted me to tell you that he is currently unavailable,… and that hell has come for you." I growled the last, his eyes suddenly widening.
A low sound began to fill the room, a sound soon identified as a laughter which only became louder over time. Hawk suddenly spread his arms as if he wanted to hug me in.
"Congratulations, Palaven. You found me, and I see you brought a little company. Daring of you." He smiled and bowed slightly.
"I told you, I'd find you." I said, no longer holding the façade. He knew who I was and why I was there.
"Indeed you did. And I must admit I'm impressed with your stubbornness. Anyone else would have given up long ago." He said.
"I don't give up. You should have realized that by now." I said and crossed my arms, glaring at him as he nodded slightly and then folded his hands behind his back, clearly amused by the situation.
"So, now what, Ms. Kryik? You intend to kill me?"
I growled low. "Oh, I'm itching to do that… But you have some information I need, and dead men don't talk." I said and relaxed in my arms, stepping closer. Hawk's protection aimed their weapons at me, and from the corner of my eye I could see Lun ready to shield me with her biotics. A voice suddenly sounded in my ear.
"I got two in line. Don't move." Shade told me, so I stood still.
"And I suppose this is where I tell you everything you wish to know and then you let me go?" Hawk asked, walking around his people. None of them as much as moved. Crip and Kacus had drawn back to safer positions after Hawk had recognized me as Palaven.
I didn't answer him.
"I must admit, I'm impressed with you, Kryik. Not only did you manage to find me, but you even succeeded in slipping from Illium unnoticed, bug my systems, use my own schedule as bait, take out this entire unit of Blue Suns and capture me here." he said, spreading his arms again as he walked back and stood in front of his people. He looked slightly at what people I had exposed. "Krogan and Turian, good choice. But I am guessing your assassin is in here somewhere as well. He was the one who bugged my systems, wasn't it?"
I still didn't answer him, so he smirked.
"Yes… That Drell is amazing, I'll give you that. But I doubt you've been able to take out the Blue Suns with five people by your side. So, why not just have the rest come out where I can see them?" he said.
"Really? Commander Shepard took down Saren and the Geth with just two people. Why shouldn't I be able to this with five?" I said, folding my arms and saw how his expression waivered a little. "What's the matter, Hawk? Afraid you might have the wrong files on my people? That maybe they're a lot stronger than you ever gave them credit for?" I said, growling.
Hawk stepped back, his mind either not functioning anymore or the sound of Shepard's name had done something to him. Maybe he had heard how I helped Shepard back in the days, just never believed it…
"Don't just stand there! Kill her!" he ordered, and no sooner had he shouted the order before the shield on two of his people fell and their heads then exploded, one at a time. It gave a few seconds of confusion, but some didn't seem to care as they fired their weapons at me. A biotic shield appeared around me, keeping me from harm.
And then the fighting really began. My people jumped from cover, Hawk and his took cover and shots were fired from nearly everywhere in the room. I took cover along Lun and Nigeth, thanking her for her help. It was a war zone…
I was busy taking down this pesky Asari, when I suddenly heard a groan in my ear and the flickering of static. I looked up to where I knew Shade was seated, only to see him fall to the ground. I completely forgot about Asari, and focused solely on the one standing over my Drell assassin, weapon aimed at his head. I tackled her brutally, biotic fist raised and then kept hammering on her shield until it gave in and I could shatter her skull under my fingers. Later, I was so glad I had gloves on…
I then pulled Shade into cover, looking at my own shields. They had taken some fire during my stunt, but they would recharge. The Drell groaned again. "How bad?" I quickly asked, still keeping an eye out for incoming enemies.
"I'll live…" he groaned "Only got my arm…" and I nodded once he showed the wound. It wasn't fatal, but he was incapable of fighting anymore. Deli showed up beside us. "Help him." I ordered and returned to the fight.
I admit, it was hard, and Hawk had been more prepared for a battle than what I had first thought, but we managed to get through. Though… not without causalities…
When only Hawk was left alive, I wanted the others to check in, and we soon learned that both Toufan and Nigeth had been killed in action. Kacus was still alive, but we knew it was only a matter of time…
"Heh. Hell of a fight, Palaven…" he said and smirked up at me. "Haven't had this much fun since First Contact." He joked, but was interrupted by a series of coughs. He settled back against the gently hold of Lun. She looked up at me slightly, but I knew what she wanted to say.
I reached for his hand, and held it tight. "You did good, Kacus. It was an honor to have you alongside me. Spirits be with you…" I said, saw his smile and then how it faded as his head fell back, eyes empty, life gone…
I closed his eyes gently and Lun put him down, folding his hands on his chest. A wheezing noise disturbed the peace as Avec pulled a bleeding Hawk from his cover. "What about this Pyjak? We kill him now?" he asked, holding Hawk by the shoulder, lifting him about two feet from the ground and bringing him on display for the rest of us. I walked over and motioned for Avec to lower him.
"You listen very carefully to me now. Because of you and your damn deals, I just lost three good men and several others are injured, and the only thing I really wonna do right now is tear you apart. But if you tell me who you work for, I'll give you a running start!" I growled.
The man shivered, his head lowered so I wasn't sure what it was, but when he looked at me, his laughter was clear.
"You really think I intend to tell you anything? Go ahead, kill me. There will be others after you, Kryik." He said, getting into my face and then spat on me. Avec lifted him up and rammed him down into the ground, efficiently breaking his leg in the process. I wiped it off, before looking at the now whimpering man.
I then pulled off my gloves and took out my contacts, the golden eyes of mine coming into light again, and growled. "I offered you a chance to live, but you spat on it! Now, I'm not holding back…"
I stepped back, flared my biotics, making Avec release Hawk and move aside. I lifted the man up. "In the end it doesn't matter if you talk. I found you, and I'll find your employee. Time for revenge…" I said and tossed him into a lot of crates.
"You turned a friend against me by using his fear." I said, lifting him and then tossed him into the wall, holding. "You had your people kill three of mine." I said and added pressure, breaking a few of his bones. "You made me suffer their deaths, and now…" I growled, pulling him a little from the wall and made him look into my eyes. "Hell finally caught up to you!" I said low, threatening and tossed him across the room, bashing his head open on the opposite wall.
The lifeless body dropped to the ground, twitching slightly from nerve activity, but I didn't care. It was over, it was finally over…
For now, at least…
I sighed.
"I thought you'd be happier by now." Thaleon said, looking at me as we walked along the docks. "Hawk is gone. It's over. He's not coming after you any longer." He said, clearly trying to cheer me up. I stopped and looked at him.
"But he managed to destroy everything for me. Four good men are dead, Shayla Kryik is dead here on the Citadel, and too many people on Illium knows about Palaven for me to return. Let's face it…" I hung my head. "I'm no one. I don't exist…"
A scaled hand gently cupped my cheek, thumb running over what was left of a small wound, as dark eyes looked down on me. "In that case I have a damn good imagination." he said, but it didn't work on me.
"What's even worse, I still don't know who ordered Hawk to capture me, or why the Blue Suns was after me two years ago." I said, walking out of his touch. "There's definitely someone out there who knows more about me than I do, maybe even know where I came from…" I said and leaned against a railing to one of the docked ships. Thaleon came to stand beside me.
"If so, we'll find them. Like you said, we found Hawk, we'll find these bastards too." He said "And we'll be right there with you…" he nudged my shoulder, and I couldn't help but to smile a little.
"Why do you always know what to say to cheer me up?"
He shrugged his shoulders with a smirk. "Talent." He said and I jabbed out for his shoulder playfully, his tongue playing out between his lips as he stepped away from me and avoided the punch. He did stepped back in and threw an arm around my shoulders as we began to walk again. I leaned against him, feeling a little better.
Since we had taken down Hawk things had been a bit hectic. We had to stay clear of C-Sec and after a few weeks of staying low, most of my team was already on their way back to Illium, "relieved of duty" and with the promise I'd stay in touch with them no matter what happened to me. Thaleon, Crip and Gamenk were the only few who had decided to stay on the Citadel. I suspected Shade was around as well, but I never saw or heard anything from him.
Despite I hadn't wanted to, we had decided to let C-Sec deal with the bodies of Toufan, Nigeth and Kacus. None of us could openly arrive with them or take them back to Illium without going through official channels, so it was better to let C-Sec handle them. Kacus had been given his last honor and the others had been dead before the fighting was over.
Now out of work and home, I had sneaked back to the apartment I had had before I had my vacation on Illium (and was kidnapped), but I found it occupied by someone else and what little I had left behind had long been sold or destroyed. The only things I had left now were my Book of Memories, some credits and the clothes on my back.
Things really had gone from perfect to a disaster in a few years, huh? About six years ago (nearly), I had arrived on the Citadel, confused, injured and clearly not a part of the world. Now it felt like I had always been here, but my knowledge of the games still haunted me and then there was the lack of memory about my past. Why couldn't I remember who I was before Nihlus? The things done to me by Cerberus or even what this Object Delta was? It was almost like someone, or something, didn't want me to remember, because every time I tried to look for it, I was met by a brick wall in form of a dead end.
It weighed heavy on me not to know and I knew Thaleon would pick up on it, eventually…
"Hey…" he suddenly said and I looked up at him, but he wasn't looking at me. There was something else around that had caught his attention. "Didn't you say you had served on the Normandy?" he asked and then looked at me before I could turn around to see what he had seen.
"Yes, but it was destroyed in an attack near Alchera. Why?" I asked, and then he pointed back behind me. I gasped silently.
"Then, what is it doing here?" he asked.
Docked among a few others, the special design, the long nose and last, but not least, the huge letters burning on the newly polished surface, made themselves clear and easy to identify. The Normandy… and as I had a closer look at the nose, the yellow and black symbol roared at me as well.
Cerberus…
But did this mean…
Shepard was really alive…?