MASS EFFECT DESCENCION: CHAPTER 21
2186 CE
A slow progression of batarian slaves were making their way to the awaiting transport at the Camala port when Sh'sk walked over after his own arrival. The slaves had a mixture of emotions: Some were pain stricken from being unable to get away from the ill-fated hand they were dealt by their birth into the caste system and some had no choice due to bad debt. Unlike a contract on Ilium, the likely chance of a termination date was slim. Upon departure, each slave would be checked and logged for pricing. Their price would depict which world port they would be sold at. Majority of those that were physically fit would be sold for mines. The sex of the slave did not matter. All were fair game.
The guard at the entrance saw Sh'sk and his jaw dropped. He quickly relaxed his guard at his post to greet the newcomer. "Holy fuck. Word on the street was that Charn came back, but there was no mention of you." The younger male said. His name was Crothor and he often assisted Charn and the others during their slave runs. He only been in the slave trades for a few months prior to Sh'sk's joining, but he never was a Camala resident. In fact, he was from Aratoht in the Bahak system. More importantly, he was the mate of Karith, Sh'sk's youngest sister.
"I plan to keep it that way for now." Sh'sk had removed his Suns uniform on his transport and donned some casual clothes. He felt kind of naked and out of place in not full body armor. He eyed the slaves. "Good merchandise coming in."
"Yeah, the first batch is slated for Aratoht. I planned on getting paid when we arrive and then I'm staying there."
The news caught Sh'sk off-guard. "You finally staying? Heh, I'm surprise that Karith is going to let you. I know how she loves to spend the creds. Don't get yourself in debt or you may file yourself like one of these poor bastards." He thumbed over to the lot walking by.
"I was able to get leave a few months back and looked up a few jobs that came open." Crothor purposefully stopped himself and blinked all four of his eyes in confusion. "You mean she hasn't told you?"
"Told me what?"
Crothor shrugged. "It makes sense. Thought you were killed like all the others by that Spectre. Karith...she's expecting our first offspring."
The news was shocking and it took him a full minute to process the information. He never thought that Karith would be the child bearing type. He figured most likely it was an accident. He always depicted her to be selfish and self-centered. She and him were never on good terms after their parents separated. His mother took Karith to stay with her on Aratoht after hooking up with her new boyfriend and he pretty much stayed with his father on Camala with his brother, Anto. He lost contact and refused to talk to his mother. He discovered two years after her departure ago that she fell ill and died. Whatever money she had to her, Karith took and spent quickly. She and Crothor hooked up soon after that. He always thought their relationship was convenient for her. "Well, congratulations I guess."
"You staying here?" Crothor closed the door to the transport after the last slave entered. The guards inside would work on getting them settled in their holding cells. "If not, I'm sure I can find you a job where I'm going on Aratoht. Word came in that some pro human terrorist group was going to try to blow up the system." He spat in disgust. "Damn humans. Security picked their sorry asses up and holding them at the prison facility. I hope I'm there in time to interrogate them."
"You going into security?"
"Yeah. You get the hours and I need it. High command will be glad to know that you're still alive. Propaganda has been all over the extranet. It has everyone fired up."
"Propaganda for what?"
"After the failed attempt on Aratoht, the Hegemony is recruiting more people and pushing more attacks on the human colonies. I heard a rumor that some big project is going to be revealed soon. The higher ups won't say what it is and it's all been hush hush. If it will blast the vermin out of our space then I'm all for it."
A knot formed in Sh'sk's stomach. He didn't like all the secrecy. He had to reach out to some of his old friends on Khar 'Shaan. He knew that whatever it was, Balak had to be involved. "Is Charn coming on soon?'
Crothor wiped his brow and opened his omni. "His shift doesn't come on for another hour, but he usually shows up early."
Sh'sk didn't want to wait there. He needed to get a drink. "Tell him to come find me."
"Where?"
"He will know." Sh'sk called out as he walked away.
An hour later, Sh'sk was on his third shot at Sanctuary when he heard a familiar voice called to him from behind. "Well, well. Look what the varren dragged in. Finally get your sorry ass off Omega?" Charn's smiled grimly as he approached.
"You were right." Sh'sk grunted as he slammed down his shot.
"No shit." Charn motioned the bartender over. "Get me up to his speed."
The batarian barkeep pulled out the bottle and three shot glasses, filling each of them up and moved quickly away. Sh'sk shook his head with a soft chuckle. "Didn't take you long to find me."
"You're too easy." Charn downed the first with a gratified sigh of relief and wiped off his mouth with the back of his forearm. "Brothels or Bars." Then his voice soured, "Or some Asari's bed."
"Don't start," Sh'sk hissed threateningly through his teeth. "I left all that shit on Omega."
"Crothor told you?"
"About my sister? Yeah. Finally." Sh'sk poured himself another glass.
"Not that. About what the humans are trying to do."
"What's the secret project?" Sh'sk changed the subject quickly.
"You think I would have access to that." Charn's face faltered and then he looked at his friend with concern. "Don't even."
"What?"
"Whatever the Hegemony is working on, it's none of our damn business anymore. We are out."
"You really think Balak will just let you out?" Sh'sk countered pointedly. "You back in the slave trade and war is on the brink again. He will track you down and you will do his bidding or it will be your hind.
Charn grew silent. "I'm not sure if I'm going back into that or not. My son is almost seven now. I haven't seen him in so long. Hell, I don't think really remembers me." His voice trailed off as his mind clouded with thoughts. He then lifted his head to address his friend. "What about you?"
"Don't know yet. I'm not staying here." He was still trying to decipher the secret project. He was hoping that Charn knew something, but it seemed like he was even in the dark and he didn't seem to care. He had an old friend that worked with the science sector on Khar' Shaan. Perhaps he could reach out to him…
"Sh'sk." Charn's voice broke his thoughts sternly. "I know that face. I'm warning you, I wouldn't get involved. If Balak finds out that you're alive and left his ass to rot…"
"I'll be careful." Sh'sk stood up from his chair to find the nearest communications terminal.