Hey guys. I know it's been over 6 months, but I've had a rough time trying to find ANY time to publish another chapter. University work and my job have given me next to zero free time to write on the fic and even though I've been meaning to get around to writing it, the fic had second priority to the other stuff in my life.

I've finally found some space that I could carve out to get back to this story.

Let's get right back into it!

(Happy new year by the way!)

Way Down We Go – Kaleo

"So, you're the Hero of Elysium?"

"I guess you could say that."

"And how pray tell do you end up a captive of slavers?"

"Honestly sir, it's a long story and I wouldn't want to waste your time with it."

Captain Summers gestures around the room in a sweeping motion with his arms.

"I don't have any appointments as you can see. I've got time."

"Sir, I'd really rather n-"

"I. Have. Time."

Jesus, I didn't expect Captain Summers to be so persistent.

"Alright then," I start. "It all started when I was born in the year 2155-"

"Cut the shit," Summers snaps. "I need the details for my report to the alliance. They want to know how you ended up where you ended up, not me."

I roll my eyes internally. Why is it that most captains I've met in my life are giant assholes? I get having to be firm with your men but come on, lighten up a bit.

"After the blitz, I was hired by the I.S.F. as an instructor," I begin. Summers seems to be listening somewhat intently as he begins typing away at a computer terminal.

"Around August of 2077, I got a message from an old friend, asking me to meet him on the Citadel. Naturally, I obliged. I haven't seen my friend in years at that point."

I spot a glass of water in front of me and take a quick sip before continuing to speak.

"He sent me the details of where to meet, but it turned out to be a trap of some sort. I was dragged into an alley, beaten, knocked out and dragged off."

"Mhhm," Summers says. He looks up at me and his pale blue eyes lock with mine. He's eyeing me for some reason.

"Is this the incident you're talking about?" he says as he tosses me some pictures of a crime scene. I take a look at the pictures and see the body of a turian dressed in black with three neat gunshot wounds in his chest. I set the pictures back on the desk separating Summers and I.

"Yep, that's incident."

Summers is silent for a few seconds before turning back to his computer terminal.

"Continue."

"That's basically it," I shrug. "After getting dragged off, I woke up on the slave ship in a cell."

"Why we're you found on the bridge of the ship then?" Summers asks without looking at me. "And why did you kill the ship's captain?"

I sigh. "The slavers thought I had somehow alerted the alliance of my presence and wanted to make an example of me. Which is when I acted."

"Hmm," Summers muses. "Slavers never were the smartest bunch," he says as he begins typing away on his computer terminal. A somewhat awkward silence fills the room for the next few minutes.

"Oh, you're still here," he says a little surprised while looking up from his terminal. "You can go."

"Would've been nice if you told me," I say as I get up from the chair. "I can't read minds."

"Yeah, yeah whatever," Summers says as he waves his hand towards me, gesticulating for me to fuck off. "We should be back at the citadel in a few days, which is when I'll kindly tell you to get off my ship."

I furrow my brows quickly at Summers as he dives back into writing his report. What exactly did I do to him for him to dislike me? Eh, I don't care enough to change anything about it.

Internally giving Summers the finger, I turn around and leave what seems to be his office. As soon as the doors close around me, I notice that I can't hear anything with my left ear.

I tap it a few times. Nothing. Ah, right… the door to the bridge that was blown off. Interesting that I only notice the deafness now.

"What a prick," I quiet whisper to myself as a slap hits my left shoulder. It takes me completely off guard and a visibly flinch as I whip my head towards the source of the hit.

"Didn't know you scared this easily," Shepard says with a slight smile.

"Jesus H. Christ," I huff. "Didn't know you were that sneaky."

"I was literally right beside you as soon as you left Captain Summers office."

"Oh," I say. "Well, I uh… I knew that."

Shepard chuckles. "You're a terrible liar."

I put my hands up in defense. "Never said that was one of my best talents. Anyway, what brings you all the way to your CO's office."

"Wanted to see how your debrief went. You calling him a prick has just piqued my interests."

I peek back through the window on the side of the door into Summers office. He's still writing that report.

"Well," I begin. "I don't really want to discuss my opinion on your wonderful CO in front of his office."

Shepard points behind her. "Mess hall should be pretty empty now, most people are at their bunks and we got at least an hour before lights out."

"Sounds good," I shrug. "As long as your ship has something along the lines of a coffee machine."

"Don't worry, we do. Follow me."

"And that's the real reason I ended up on that ship," I say as I finish the last of my coffee. I take the kettle and fill myself my second cup.

"Can't catch a break huh?" Shepard jokes. "If I had half the experiences you had, I would probably have myself get discharged from the navy."

Before I can stop myself, I begin to grin like an idiot. If only you knew of HALF the things that are awaiting you Shepard. If only you knew.

Shepard is looking at me confused. "What are you grinning about?"

"Oh," I smirk. "It's nothing. I just remember myself saying the exact same thing when I first got to Chalkhos."

"I can imagine," Shepard says as she finishes her cup of tea. "You still need to tell me some more about your adventures on that damned planet."

"In due time," I say. "If I was to explain everything to you, it'd take days."

I check the time on my omni-tool. "And by the looks of it, it's almost lights off for you."

I show her the time on my omni-tool.

"Shit, you're right," she says as she gets up from the mess hall table. "I don't know where exactly you can bunk, but I'll ask around. Someone will surely have a spare bunk for you."

"I'm good sleeping anywhere really," I say. "I need to make some calls anyway. Most people are probably wondering where I am."

"Fair enough," Shepard says as she begins to walk towards the bunk area. "See you tomorrow."

"Night," I semi-shout before she is out of ear-shot. Once I can't see her anymore, I immediately open up my omni-tool and dial Nolius' number.

After a few rings, I hear the turian's familiar voice.

"Hey David," he says. "Is everything alright? This is the first time you called in days."

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say rather sheepishly. Nolius seems to catch on.

"What happened?"

"Oh, you know, kidnapped by slavers. But I'm in good hands now. Alliance saved my ass."

"Kidnapped by Slav- You know, you're an absolute idiot!" Nolius exclaims. "Rogon and I told you to NOT go!"

"I know, I know," I say. "But I nee-"

"Closure?!" Nolius shouts as his flanging voice cracks. "I thought all this criminal shit was behind you!"

I small knot forms in the pit of my stomach. "So did I," I say meekly. "The past is just now catching up to me."

Nolius seems to have calmed down a bit. "The past always catches up sooner or later David. I thought you of all people would know that."

I feel like a child being scolded by his father for doing something wrong. I've never heard Nolius this mad.

"I know," I begin, gaining some more confidence in my voice. "But this isn't over by a long shot. Chax is going come after me even more aggressively now."

"What's Chax got to do with this?" Nolius asks but he almost instantly makes the connection. "Chax ordered your kidnapping?"

"Yeah, and I killed his second in command," I say as my voice slightly cracks. I just now realized that my killing of Heral Telano has just made this situation worse than it was.

"You WHAT?!" Nolius shouts again. "You truly are dumb as a sack of varren, do you know that?"

"Don't need to tell me twice," I say in a cut off manner. "Listen, with all this shit going boil over soon, I'm going to extend my leave of Elysium a while longer. If anything, I do not want to drag you guys into this. You and Rogon have already been through enough with the blitz and all."

I seemed to have stumped Nolius on what to say for a few seconds. "You're going to face this on your own? What about your job at the I.S.F.? It's a lost safer for you here."

"I need to deal with this on my own. Call me stupid, which I very well may be. But if I can pull some strings on the citadel, I can probably get Chax off my back without putting you guys extensively into danger."

"And you're sure about this?" Nolius asks, his voice shifting from anger to worry.

"More or less," I say. "I'll take care of my third of the apartments rent and resign from the I.S.F. for the time being. I try and update you while and when I can."

"This is a stupid idea, but I already know I can't sway your opinion."

"You know me too well," I chuckle mirthlessly. "I'll keep in touch, and say hi to Rogon for me."

"I will," Nolius sighs. "You… you take care alright?"

"I always do," I say.

"Sure you do, you idiot," Nolius says before he hangs up, but his voice was a lot less malicious and more joking than before. No doubt he thinks that I am an idiot, but I already know that I'm an idiot. No news there.

"Who was that?" a voice pipes up behind me. I flinch together again and whip around to see Ria standing behind me.

"Jesus H.," I half-shout. "What is it with you alliance folk and sneaking up on people?"

Ria goes a little red. "I'm sorry," she says while rubbing the back of her neck.

"Look, it's fine," I say while raising my hands apologetically. "I had a long couple of days. What are you doing up anyway?"

"Got stuck with the night shift. I'm 'security chief' for the skeleton crew tonight," she says while air quoting the words security chief. "I get to check on the techies regularly to make sure they're not getting mauled by thresher maws or something."

I have to stifle a laugh at the thought of a thresher maw on this ship.

"You are a true hero Ria," I smile. "I don't know what the flight engineers would do without you."

Ria returns the smile. "Not as much of a hero as you," she says, uncrossing her arms.

"Oh please, I'm way over what happened on Elysium. All I got what this lousy souvenir."

I wave my metal arm through the air.

"Do you mind if I sit down for a few minutes?" Ria asks. "I don't have to be in engineering deck for another few minutes."

"By all means," I say as I gesture to the seat in front of me.

"I've been meaning to ask," Ria begins as she takes a seat.

"Meaning to ask what?" I say as I fold my hands together in front of me on the table.

"What exactly happened when you and Shepard left for that power plant? Shepard never really spoke about it after it happened."

"Interesting, I thought she told at least Derrick and yourself."

Ria shakes her head. "Nothing."

"How much do you remember from the Blitz?" I ask.

"I was with Derrick and a few others in the middle of the spaceport. We managed to hold off the pirates well enough 'till the last half hour or so before the alliance arrived. As soon as we got your radio transmissions that the backup generator was back up, I got shot."

"I remember Shepard telling me about your injuries, I'm glad you're alive."

Ria smiles slightly. "Thanks, couldn't have done it without the power from the backup generator."

"That brings us to my side of the story, doesn't it?"

Ria nods.

"You might be a little late to engineering," I say. "This story could take a little longer than a few minutes.

"Lee won't mind, he's mostly annoyed by my presence down there anyway. Anyone's presence for that matter. He's a genius when it comes to engineering, but somewhat awkward."

"In that case, I'll go make some more coffee. You want one?"

"Definitely."

"I shit you not, that's when a krogan pirate deadlifted the damn door."

Ria seems to be hanging on every word.

"Once he was in with his three hounds, he shot my lower arm clean off."

"And you still managed to fight with one arm?"

"You got to remember that I was chock full with a mix of about sixteen illegal painkillers. I didn't feel a thing."

"Interesting. I don't want to know how your body would've reacted to that mix without all that adrenaline.

"Trust me, my organs are basically thirty percent alcohol, fifty percent cigarette smoke and twenty percent other harmful substances."

Ria chuckles.

"Anyway, after my arm got shot off, Shepard quickly dropped those three varren and helped me finish of the krogan, which was no easy task."

"And the generator?"

"Amazingly enough, it turned on just as the krogan dropped dead. I also collapsed after that. Blood loss and sudden exhaustion will do that to you."

"And what happened to Shepard?"

I shrug. "I really don't know. I woke up in a hospital bed a few days later with one limb less. I can't tell you anything about the severity of her injuries. All I know is that without her help I would've died."

"It's quite an amazing story," Ria nods. "I'm just surprised you seem so… so un-phased by what happened."

"Honestly," I say after finishing my cup of coffee. "I've been through much, much worse. I already have PTSD and I guess the most recent events have just taken a spot at the back of the line. They'll appear when I'm done dealing with my chapter on Chalkhos."

"Have you sought out any form of help?" Ria asks with worry lacing her voice.

"I had a self-help group on Elysium, but most of the people died during the Blitz. To my knowledge at least. I'm going to be staying on the citadel for a while now anyway. I'm sure I'll find something once I find the time for it."

"There's always time for help David."

I wave a hand through the air dismissively. "Not for me Ria, you should know that wherever I go, I'm usually going to get shot at."

I sigh as I begin to stare into the bottom of my cup.

"Even though people think I'm a hero, I'm really quite the opposite. One good deed doesn't excuse all the shit I've done on Chalkhos."

"I think it does," Ria retorts. "The past is the past, and we really only know you as the man who saved an entire planet."

I smile internally. She's right, I really shouldn't dwell on the past. I had it down for quite a while too, but Ming's message just ripped me right back into my old thinking patterns. I need some closure on all this shit that happened to me in the past.

"I guess we have two different ways of thinking," I chuckle. "But, I'm glad you guys don't think of me as a petty criminal."

"I never look at things face value," Ria says as she leans back a bit. "Most alliance soldiers are just your normal, run of the mill person. It's the officers you need to look out for. More money means easier access to officer school."

"That seems, ancient," I say, furrowing my brows.

"Ancient? How so?"

"Well, the ancient romans used to have the same system. Common folk made up the bulk of the army and the rich were the officers and generals."

"I didn't mean all the officers," Ria corrects herself. "Believe me, there are some great generals and officers in the alliance that aren't all high and mighty. It's just a large chunk."

"I understand what you meant," I say. "I still think of that system as a little archaic."

Ria leans forward again. "Well, how would you do it?"

"I really don't know," I say. "I'm not a part of the military and I don't plan on it. I'll let the higher ups deal with all that bureaucratic crap."

"Fair enough," Ria says as she check her omni-tool. "Shit, I need to get going. I've put off doing my rounds long enough. Hendrickson is set to take over in an hour."

"Have fun bugging Lee," I smile. "I'm sure he's worried sick about you."

Ria laughs as she gets up. "I'm sure he is. I really enjoyed our conversation."

"As did I. You on tomorrows night shift?"

Ria nods.

"Well, I'll be here for the next couple of days if you want to interrogate me some more."

"I'll take you up on that offer," Ria says. "Good night David."

"Night," I say as my omni-tool begins to quietly hum. Who's calling me at this time?

I look down at my omni-tool and see no name pop up. Number's blocked, weird.

I pick up the 'phone'.

"Who is this?" I ask to the silent caller on the other side.

"David, you are alright!" I familiar voice exclaims.

"Holy shit, Ming?" I gasp.

"The one and only," he says. "Now, how are you?"

"Better now that I'm free of slavers," I say a little smugly.

"Slavers?" Ming asks. "What slavers?"

"I came to the bar in the 800-Block expecting to find you there," I say. "But all I found was an alleyway full of Chax's men. I ran into a trap."

"So that was you firing your pistol."

"You mean you were there?!" I ask incredulously.

"I was," Ming responds. "In the restaurant, right beside the alleyway they found a dead turian and human in."

"And why didn't you tell me to meet you IN the restaurant?"

"I didn't just want to give away the location of the meeting. And plus, if there was a bar right by the meeting spot, I would've expected you of all people to go into said bar."

He has a point. I should've just followed my instincts at that point and gone into the bar.

"You have a point Ming," I concede. "But I heard something in the alley and went to investi- you know what, it doesn't matter now. All that matters is that I'm fine and you're fine too."

"That I must agree with my friend. Now, apart from the kidnapping, how are you?"

"Can't complain really," I say. "I'm on my way back to the Citadel now."

"That is great news," Ming says happily. "I can pick you up from the space-port when you've arrived."

"I should be back on Citadel ground in a few days' tops. Does that offer you made me still exist?"

"It is alive and well my friend."

"Well, that sounds good then. I will message you when I've arrived."

"See you in a few days," Ming says. I hang up without saying anything else.

Interesting turn of events if I do say so myself. In no way did I think that that message was actually from Ming. But I tend to be wrong about certain things. Common sense is not my strong suit.

I check the time on my omni-tool again. It's getting pretty late, I should really find somewhere to sleep. I get up from the table in the mess hall and begin to wander around the ship a bit. There's got to be some sort of spot I can rest my eyes without being in sight of the rest of the crew.

I wander onto the engineering deck after finding nothing on the crew deck. I didn't want to just barge into the bunking area so my search has led me here. The engineering deck itself is nothing more than metal walkways with consoles and terminals lining the walls. It feels like it's about twice as cold in here as well. This ship must have some kick ass air conditioning.

I wander around the catwalks another minute or so before I stumble across something resembling an open office. It's a large, circular part of the walkway with double the number of terminals and consoles lining the wall. What gives it away as the engineer's office though is the large window into the room that houses the large drive core.

I see a lone engineer typing away at a terminal.

I clear my throat and the engineer quickly looks at me.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah," I say. "I'm looking for a place to sleep. Is there a storage closet I can crash in?"

The engineer, who I presume is Lee, gives me an odd look.

"Head to the Hangar, you should have enough privacy to catch some shut eye."

"Uh, thanks…," I pause, signaling for him to give me his name.

"Junior specialist Lee," he says quickly. "Now stop disturbing me."

I don't say anything and go back the way I came and after a quick trip down to the hangar, I'm met by an almost empty room. Save for the Kodiak shuttles and a few large boxes, there's nothing in here. Seems like nobody is in here.

After a few minutes of searching, I decide to build myself a cot with some dirty laundry I found. It's not the most comfortable makeshift bed, but it'll do for the next few days.

I check my omni-tool one last time before I drift to sleep.

I wake up fairly early the next day with a small pouch lying next to my head. I don't know who brought me this, but I'm thankful nonetheless. Standard issue alliance self-hygiene kit. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit, some form of shampoo. That's all I need really.

I put on my armor that I can wear under my clothes and shield generator that I bought from Wardak. After holstering my trusty pistol, I make my way to the crew deck's bathroom. It's about six in the morning so I got a good five hours of sleep.

"You're up early," Derrick says as I enter the men's bathroom. He's staring into the mirror whilst shaving and he quickly peeks over to me.

"What can I say, I'm an early riser."

I silently walk over to a towel rack and grab one of the unused ones. I drape it over to my shoulder as I walk over to the showers. I put my clothes in a locker and begin to shower. Come to think of it, this is the first time I've showered in a few days. It feels like layers upon layer of dirt are being washed off my skin. Nothing could feel better at the moment.

My mind always drifts when I shower. I don't know how I'm supposed to put up with another five years of this. Whoever dragged me into this place was a little too generous with the time they gave me to prepare. Granted, it's probably for the best. Still, 2183 is still a long way off.

Better make the best of it I guess. Not much else can go wrong. Who am I kidding, Murphy's Law is in full effect.

That shower was the best thing I did in the last few days. I feel almost like a normal person. Almost.

"Look who's finally gotten out of the shower!" Derrick says as he motions me to join him and his squad at a table in the mess hall.

"Morning," I say to nobody in particular as I sit down.

"Not going to grab anything to eat?" someone asks me, Sturges I think?

Just as he mentioned food, my stomach begins to flash in hollow bouts of pain. Fuck, I haven't eaten anything in days as well.

"You know, that's a damn good idea."

I get up from the bench again.

"Don't get the oatmeal, it tastes like varren shit!" someone shouts behind me and I have to stifle a laugh. The kitchen is serving food through a small service window. The line has more or less dissipated as I grab a tray and take a quick peak at the 'menu'.

Great, it's just the number 'one', 'two' or 'three'. I don't know what's in any of this. My guess is that meal number three is vegetarian… maybe? I have a thirty-three percent chance of getting the oatmeal.

"Number two please," I say, and the chef hands me a plate with… uh… pancakes on it? I honestly can't tell.

"Thanks," I deadpan. I walk away and go to the counter where the coffee machine is located. Inspecting my food closer, I can make it that it is indeed a stack of pancakes. They're just a little stuck together. Hell, at least it isn't the oatmeal.

I begin to walk back to alpha's table.

"Made the right choice with that," Shepard says. "You still need to drown it in syrup for it to taste like anything."

She tosses me the syrup and I catch it with my metal hand. It promptly shatters in my hands and the syrup begins to run through my hand.

"Goddamn it," I swear as I look at my now syrup covered hand. "I still need to get used to catching with this thing."

The table promptly erupts into laughter and I can't help myself go a little red with embarrassment. I hate being the center of attention.

"Oh my god," a marine huffs between bouts of laughter. "That is the greatest thing I've ever seen!"

I have the largest amount of glass shards in my hand and I keep my hand clenched to avoid making even more of a mess.

"I'll be right back," I say while suppressing a laugh as well. "Watch my food."

I speed-walk to the bathroom and begin to rinse off my hand when my omni-tool pings. I must be very popular these past few days. I open the message.

'Troubled times ahead, be on your guard.

GA'

Gee, thanks. First message I've gotten from this guy, who presumably brought me here in over a year and its unclear bullshit. I'm guessing he's referring to Chax? Or something else? Either way, this just fuels my ever-growing paranoia. Good thing I have a legal concealed carry permit.

I clean off the rest of my syrup-hand and return to the table. A new syrup bottle is set neatly beside my plate.

"You guy's shouldn't have," I say overdramatically.

"I'd have tossed it to you again just to see if it happens again, but I don't want your hands gears to clog up," Derrick laughs.

"Considerate."

The rest of breakfast passes by rather quickly in comfortable small-talk until it's only Shepard, Derrick, Ria and myself still sitting and the table. Ria and Derrick both get up to perform their day's duties and just before I'm about to get up, I get called back by Shepard.

"I wanted to show you something," she says, barely concealing her smile.

"Did you win the Citadel Powerball?" I ask innocently.

"Something like that," Shepard grins as she holds he arm out to me with her omni-tool. I take a look at what she wants me to read and quickly scan over it.

'Interplanetary Combatives Training Academy

Staff Commander Seager

23900-000, Rio de Janeiro

Service Chief Shepard,

Based on your distinguishable service during the attack on Illyria on the planet of Elysium on 'July the 14th, 2176' we are hereby officially requesting your transfer to the 'Interplanetary Combatives Training Academy' here in Brazil.

We are impressed with your assessment and invite you to our facilities for further assessments and tests.

With kind regards,

Staff Commander Donald Seager

I look at Shepard, then back to the letter, then back to Shepard. She's grinning from ear to ear.

"That's amazing!" I exclaim and before I know it, I'm wrapped up in a surprisingly forceful hug.

"I know!" she almost shouts. "I'm the first non-officer to be accepted!"

This is the start of Shepard's real journey.

I internally let out a sigh of relief. I didn't fuck up as much as I thought. Shepard is still in the N7 program for the time being, which means that it's the beginning of the Shepard we know from the trilogy.

"When do you leave for Earth?" I ask as Shepard releases her grip on me.

"Next time we land on the Citadel," she says, her voice shaking with excitement.

"They must want you really badly for you to be almost instantly transferred. As a Service Chief as well!"

"I can't wait to tell everyone else!" Shepard says. She jumps up from her seat and begins to jog towards the bunk area.

"Don't injure yourself while celebrating!" I shout after Shepard as she disappears out of sight.

Right, now what do I do the next day or two?

2 Days Later

The last few days went by fairly quickly. I spent the bulk of my day bringing my pistol back into top shape, somewhat legally. I might've taken some military grade upgrades from the weapons rack in the hangar at night. I'm sure no one will notice.

We're set to dock at the Citadel in a few minutes, and I've packed up the few belongings I have in a small backpack that Shepard had left over. She's leaving the Berlin today as well, and yesterday was a small going away party. Summers allowed it as the rest of the crew had a day off today. It's a quick stopover for the Berlin and they're set to depart back to the fringes of council space a few hours after docking.

My first order of business will be getting my real set of armor out of the hotel room I rented a few days ago. I don't want to know how much I have to pay for that room.

"Initiating docking procedures," an automated message says over the intercom as I walk towards the exit ramp of the frigate.

"Ready?" I ask Shepard who's also standing by the ramp.

"I think so," she says. "I'm being picked up here by an alliance shuttle and brought straight to earth."

"Classy," I say. "Didn't know you were such a VIP."

"Neither did I," Shepard shrugs. "Guess they really want me at ICT."

After a minute or so of comfortable silence, the ship shakes a bit, signaling that the docking clamps have the ship in its grasp.

"Leaving without saying goodbye?" a voice rings out from behind us. I turn around to see Derrick and Ria standing behind us.

"Course not!" I exclaim as I walk toward Derrick and give him a hug.

"You take care," I say. "Don't have too much fun without me."

"We're just beginning to have fun now that you two are leaving," Derrick says. "Duty calls."

"Need to rescue another hero from the grasps of slaver?" I ask jokingly.

"Better, we've lost contact with a colony in the fringes of Alliance space and we're being sent to investigate. My bet is on an insurgency, or a mutiny of some kind."

"Well whatever it is, they're sending the best Gunnery Chief to deal with it," I say.

Derrick releases his grip around me and gives me a final nod and smile. He turns his attention to Shepard, and I turn mine to Ria.

Her eyes are a little red from crying.

"No need to cry," I say as I wrap my arms around her in a hug. "Shepard and I will visit."

"You better," she says as she reciprocates the hug. "What're you going to be doing on the Citadel?"

"I have no idea," I say after a few seconds of thinking. "Find a job for the time being. I can tell you and Derrick all about it next time you're on shore leave here."

The door to the space port opens and a light artificial wind greets my face.

Before I can release Ria from my hug, she plants a kiss on my right cheek which takes me aback.

I regain myself and shoot her a wink before looking to Shepard.

"Ready?" I ask again, and she nods.

I look back to Derrick and Ria one last time and give them a warm smile.

"Keep in touch you guys!"

"You too!"

I turn around and walk down the exit ramp and into the Citadel spaceport with Shepard.

"Wow…" she gasps as she looks around. "This place is… it's amazing!"

Right, this must be the first time she's been on the Citadel.

"I'll show you around next time," I say. "You have a shuttle to catch."

"Shit, you're right," she says.

"Service Chief Shepard?" A voice says and we look in the direction to see female marine looking at Shepard.

"That's me."

"This way, the shuttle is waiting."

"Right," Shepard starts. "I guess this is farewell for now."

"You keep in touch as well."

"Will do," she says as she gives me a quick hug.

"Don't impress them too much," I wink at her as I make my way towards a familiar looking Asian man standing by a bar."

"I'll try she," she says as the female marine begins to pull her towards the shuttle.

I turn back towards the direction I saw Ming in and begin cutting a path through the crowd.

"Ming!" I shout as I finally make my way through the most tightly packed part of the crowd.

"David, it's good to see you!"

Ming and I firmly shake hands.

"I thought you were still in jail."

"A different story for a different time," he smiles. "What's important is that we're both here now and business can go on as usual."

Before I can reply he gestures for me to follow him. I jog a few steps to level myself with him and then begin to walk.

"Tell me," I start. "What kind of business drags you to the one of the safest places in the galaxy?"

"Simple," Ming says. "I like a good challenge. And I need people that I trust for this."

"Have you gotten into contact with Thompson and Garret?"

"Garrett is somewhere off in the Terminus Systems and can't make it. Thompson refused, he's living life as straight as a razor now."

I should've known whatever activities Ming was dabbling in, they'd be more or less illegal. Chalkhos mentality dies hard.

"Shame," I muse. "Could've used two more trustworthy sets of ears."

"Indeed."

We enter a taxi shuttle and fly towards a storage section filled with warehouses on this Citadels arm.

"Where exactly are we going?" I ask as I look out the window and begin to internally marvel at the size of the Citadel. I've never stopped to take a good look at it, but damn this station is breath taking.

"We're meeting someone that needs our help with something."

"Ominous," I say while I continue to stare out the window or the shuttle.

"Just a little more patience is needed then you will see."

We approach a mid-sized warehouse somewhere on one of the Citadel's arms. I wouldn't have noticed this place even if I got extensive directions to it. It's wedged in between two ginormous warehouse complexes. A batarian is sat in a makeshift guard house smoking a cigarette.

Ming walks up first.

"We're here to see Apona."

"Is that so," the batarian says as he eyes the both of us.

"That it is," Ming says.

"One moment," he says as he reaches for a radio.

"Got two humans here wanting to see the boss."

After the other end of the radio says something I can't quite understand, the batarian waves us through.

"Don't cause any trouble."

We walk inside the warehouse and are greeted by two turians that escort us to a large conference room. Well, I say conference room, it's more of a large empty office with boxes sturdy enough to sit on.

"Ah, Ming and David I presume?" A salarian says as he walks towards us. He shakes both of our hands.

"Jirrann Apona, I'm the accountant for this operation. I set up the dossiers for the boss."

We both say nothing as we look at Jirrann.

"Please sit!" he says as he gestures to a pair of metal boxes in the semi-circle.

"What exactly is this place?" I ask.

"We use this as our base of operations."

"Who's we?"

"Why, 'The Collective' of course!"

"What the hell is 'The Collective'?" I ask.

Apona seems a little surprised by my question.

"Ex-members of the Eclipse and Blue Suns organizations," Ming answers for Apona. "They found common ground and created a new organization."

"Correct!" Apona exclaims! We're starting our new operation here on the Citadel and need all the help we can get.

"Why split from Blue Suns and Eclipse?"

"Most people here didn't see eye to eye with their old organizations. A switch was only natural."

"Fair point," I nod.

"We'll discuss the rest once your new boss gets here."

The door slides open and a quarian walks in. Everyone apart from Ming and I stand up to what I can only assume is attention.

"Boss!" Jirrann says excitedly. "These are the people from the dossiers I gave to you."

Ming and I stand up to shake the quarian's hand.

"I'm Ming, and this is David."

The quarian nods in affirmation.

"Zeha'Rador nar Ronna," he says resolutely. "I'm in charge of this mess."

Zeha looks around the room and then to Apona.

"Where's the bounty hunter?" he asks. "You gave me three dossiers, I only see two people here."

"He should be here any mo- "

As if on cue, the door slides open.

"This place is a guddamn mess."

I look at the man in the doorway and need to stop my chin from hitting the floor.

I'll be damned.

Zaeed fucking Massani.

I'm back! I hope you enjoyed this chapter almost six months in the making. It's safe to say that my next update WON'T take another six months to appear as I'm back in a somewhat normal rhythm in my life.

Again, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I look forward to keeping this story going!

Don't forget to read and review!

Cheers!

David.