21. Citadel Once More
The air seemed stale to John, (Why is the air in this place always So Heavy?) The team climbed in the elevator. To even the untrained you could tell they were part of the same team, His team. Kat had taken it upon herself (with the suggestion from Chakwas) to have all their armor painted and dyed to match. A dark blue/black that matched the glow from his biotics. She thought it might help remind him of his new family, and maybe he would take better care of himself.
The elevator music was annoying, but still the only sound in the lift. Liara was still clinging to John as if he would suddenly vanish. Kat and Garrus were close as well, the two of them holding hands and whispering to each other. Garrus saw John looking and froze. Only seeming to breathe again when he received a nod and a grin from Shepard.
The doors opened in C-Sec to a reporter and her vid-drone. "Commander Shepard! May I have a moment please?" Khalisah Al-Jilani was rude, and almost got herself knocked out. Eventually Shepard calmed down and told her to direct her questions to the public relations department. He checked with spectre requisitions, to see if any new 'toys' had come in.
He led them toward the lower markets, hoping to avoid any further reporters, and do a little shopping while they had the chance. The sky-car stopped by the alleyway to Chora's Den. As they stepped out, a shady looking Human came walking up to them. "Shepard. Almost didn't recognize you. I guess the Vid's used an older picture. You probably don't remember me, names Finch. We were in the 10th street Reds together. I guess the Vids forgot that whole 'ran with a gang' thing."
Shepard looked at Liara then Kat, and winked. "What do you want Finch?"
"One of My guys got popped by the Turian's, now he's sitting in jail awaiting trial. Need you to Lean on them, cut him loose for old time's sake. The Turian in charge of the case is over there in the bar. Take care of this and you'll never see me again." Finch said leaning against the wall, crossing his arms as if he wasn't in grave danger.
"Let me see what I can do, no promises." Shepard casually strolled toward the bar.
They were all amazed that the bar was still open, since the firefight caused so much damage. Liara pointed out the Turian guard sitting off to the side, watching the show. "I just got asked to use my spectre authority to get one of your prisoners released." Shepard told the C-Sec guard as Liara let go of his hand feeling the tension building.
"Thank You SPECTRE. We knew he had to have help. I will make sure to double the guard detail on him." The Turian said, not as relaxed as he was trying to appear.
Finch came storming in. "I Knew You Didn't have what it took Shepard!" practically spitting his name out. "When I'm done, the Aliens will know the TRUTH about Humanities first spectre."
Everyone stepped back causing Finch to look around curious. Shepard grabbed him by the neck. The lighting starting to flicker, and the music suddenly playing static. "They Know More Than You Think! HUMAN! " Shepard venomously spat. Finch squirmed, but it was no use, the grip on his neck only tightened.
Shepard leaned in close to Finch.
"Turian... Spirits, Honor, Justice, Duty, Family, Truth"
"Krogan... Ancestors, Strength, Honor, Family, Justice, Truth"
"Asari... Goddess, Justice, Family, Truth, Honor"
"Quarian... Fleet, Community, Family, Honor, Truth, Justice"
"Humans Believe in NOTHING!"
"Officer? What are the Charges?"
The guard snapped out of his daze. "Hate Crime. Tried to poison a medical supply to a Turian colony. Would have killed Millions."
"Possible Sentence for his accomplice here?" Shepard grinned as Finch started to turn blue.
"Uhh SPECTRE?" The guard stammered.
Garrus stepped forward, "Life in a Labor Colony, or Death penalty for the one in custody Shepard."
Finch's eyes were bloodshot, his lips blue and trembling.
Shepard turned and looked Garrus in the eyes. "Suggestions?" Garrus shrugged, he knew what the punishment would be.
Shepard looked down at the puddle of urine forming at his victims feet. "Death it is then. Any last words Finch?" he loosened his grip enough for him to speak.
Once Finch had coughed enough air back in his lungs. "Wait! Please! I can tell you who Paid Us to do it!" he pleaded for his life.
Shepard looked over at Wrex as he slid his knife from its sheath. "Wrex, How long since you Ate? Ever had Sauteed Human Testicles?" Wrex licked his lips, causing Finch to let loose his bowels. The other people in the bar now moving farther away to escape the stench.
The sharp blade sliced the wet material on the front of Finch's pants, making him scream. "Ok! Ok! IT WAS CERBERUS! They Paid Us to Do It!"
Shepard got that evil grin. "You get that Officer?"
The C-Sec guard tapped his omnitool, turning off the recorder. "Yes SPECTRE. Thank You." he then bowed to Shepard, and Garrus.
Shepard sheathed his knife, "Good." He drew his pistol, firing two shots into Finch's heart as he turned and headed out the door. "Won't be a problem later Huh Sis?"
Kat blushed but said nothing, settling for clinging to Garrus's arm as they walked the short distance to the lower markets. Finding nothing of interest, they headed upstairs. "Shit" Shepard mumbled.
Liara looked at him worriedly. "What is it John?"
"Annoying fan. He asked for my autograph, then my picture. Probably want's a blood sample or something else as creepy." John pinched the bridge of his nose.
The fan (Conrad Verner) stopped them and tried to talk Shepard into making him a spectre as well. Luckily it didn't take much to convince him they were busy, and needed to go. The team got close to Flux, only to come upon a protest by Terra Firma, an Earth First organization spouting all sorts of racist comments. The leader of the bigot's tried to get Shepard to endorse him for some council position.
"What's the purpose of this protest?" Shepard asked in disgust.
Charles Saracino was smug. "It's how we mark Every anniversary of the First Contact War. This is Our way of reminding Aliens that Earth is for Humans! We need to make sure that things like Shanxi don't happen again."
Ashley stepped forward, "Hey! Were You at Shanxi? No? Then Shut your Damn Mouth!" her posture tense, fists clenched, nails drawing blood.
Shepard put a calming hand on Ashley's shoulder. She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of crossing some line. "Skipper?" His smile was predatory, the look in his eyes gave her goosebumps. He stepped forward, sliding his arm around Charles shoulders pulling him close.
Shepard led him away from the crowd, leaning close, head down, whispering too low for any of them to hear. Saracino leaned away and looked back at the team for a second. A sober expression on his face, then quickly snapped his head back forward nodding to something Shepard said. The steadily increasing glow coming from Shepard showing his team his self-control was fading. The meeting came to an end with a stern look from Shepard.
Saracino walked back to the group looking like he was about to cry. He stood in front of Ashley, his eyes downcast. He bow as formal as was humanly possible. "Gunnery Chief Williams, I Sincerely apologize for any discomfort my earlier statement made. Please forgive my ignorance."
He turned to face the group, not really able to look any one of them in the eyes. "Specialists, I thank you for your service." he walked quickly back toward the protesters and after a few heated words, they all got very quiet.
Liara came back over and took Shepard's hand. She leaned in and kissed him. "What did you tell him John? He seemed ready to soil himself."
John whispered to Liara, causing her smile to widen. She was blushing as she snuck a glance back at Saracino, and had to stifle a laugh causing the team to wonder just what the hell he had said.
"Come on, don't want to keep Anderson waiting forever." Shepard led them into Flux, and after a short conversation with Anderson it was decided they would steal the Normandy.
"Anything for Galactic peace." Shepard told the team as they rode back up in the docking elevator.
They stole the Normandy, with Anderson's help removing the lock down. Then took off for the MU relay, and Ilos.
Joker seemed anxious. "Man! Not One Single ship in pursuit? I was hoping to play hide and seek with the Council Fleet and the Destiny Ascension."
Shepard leaned casually against the wall behind the copilot seat. "Well, this isn't over yet. We may get the chance to play with Sovereign."
"When you put it like that... It doesn't sound so fun." Joker scratched at his beard.
"You need anything Joker? I'm off to check on the rest of the crew." John stood, turning to walk away.
"Just some coffee, and ask Dr Chakwas if she could come up here to give me my injections? I have a feeling it's going to be a long ride." Joker looked worried.
"No problem Joker. I guess by now I don't have to tell you that if this thing goes south, you're to bail on us and get everyone safe?" John's barrier lit up dimly as he looked down at his hands.
Joker turned his chair around, looking in Shepard's eyes. "No you don't, but that doesn't mean I like it."
His barrier blinked out. "Don't have to like it Joker, just keep them safe for me." Shepard walked off to the CIC.
He headed downstairs to medical. "You ok Doc?"
Chakwas looked up, then offered him a glass of brandy. "Fine Commander, just toasting to mutiny against the Alliance, and becoming a pirate." her mood bright and cheerful.
"Glad to hear it. Joker asked if you could go up and give him his injections on the bridge. If you could take him some coffee as well it would be appreciated." Downing his drink in one gulp. "Gotta go check on everyone else Karen, Let me know if you need anything."
"Take care Shepard." she waved as he walked out heading for Tali's room.
Finding no one in her room he got in the lift and headed down to the hold. Garrus was tweaking the Mako with Kat. Wrex, and Ash were over at the weapons bench, making sure all the toys were in top order. He walked into engineering to find Tali going over the drive core, hands moving like a mad woman. Stubbs sitting at her heels.
"Little Sister, everything ok?" he leaned down and pet Stubbs.
She looked back over her shoulder without taking her hands from the user interface. "Fine Shepard, I'm just optimizing the drive core output to the shields."
"Tali, did you want to stay on the ship for this one? No one can keep her flying like you." catching her eyes glaring at him from under her mask. "And before you get mad. I was Just giving you the option. It's not an order I'll respect Whatever choice you make... Captain."
She stopped typing and wrapped her arms around him. He could hear her sobbing through her helmet. "Thank you Shepard, you don't know how much that means to me."
"Consider how bad you're crushing me, I would say It's pretty obvious Little Sister." in mock anguish as he gave her a pat on the back.
"I wouldn't miss this for anything big brother, not for anything. How is Liara?" the smile in her voice clear, even though he couldn't see it.
"She's coping, as well as could be expected. I'm going to go talk to her after I check on everyone else. Let me know if you need anything." wrapping his arms around his ribs in an exaggerated wounded gesture.
Tali was glad he couldn't see her blush. "I don't think I will want to disturb you two."
Shepard pet Stubbs again as he was limping out to the weapons bench. Tali's voice came over his comm, "Bosh'tet!"
"Wrex, Chief. Things in hand?" Shepard chuckled.
"All good skipper. Loaded, and charged. Installed disruptor mods on everything except your cannon, shotgun, and your pistol. Cannon has inferno mod, your pistol has polonium." Ash was practically bouncing.
"And the shotgun?" came with a smile from Shepard
"Explosive rounds, good for one shot maybe two before it has to cool down. But you never know when you might need it." Wrex's maniacal laugh made him smile.
Shepard wiped the smile off his face before he got to the Mako. "Sis, How's the beast?... Garrus."
Garrus gulped. "Fine, just fine Shepard. Got the shielding up another 3 percent, sped the trans-axle up another 11 percent. Couldn't do much with the weapons, not without a major overhaul." came stuttering out so fast Shepard almost didn't catch it all.
Shepard's barrier lit up causing Garrus to flinch. Kat jumped in between them. "John! What are you doing!?"
"Just trying to protect myself. I thought his head was going to Explode!" Shepard's barrier blinked out as he laughed. "Take it easy Garrus. I won't kill you. Unless you hurt her. If you do, Then Goddess help you."
He hugged Kat. "Sis" then left to go find Liara.
Shepard stopped before he hit the button for the crew deck. He keyed up Garrus on his comm. "You had Better take good care of her."
After John got in the lift, Wrex walked over to the perplexed couple. He slapped Garrus on the back. "What did I tell you Kid?"