Hey everyone! I just want to say a big thanks to all those that reviewed, faved, etc! Also a big thanks again to Vertin who is endlessly patient with my edits and general messing about with the chapters. On a side note, I get the feeling that not too many people like Perdita. :D
Chapter 25
Repairs
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright,
I have wandered home but newly
From this ultimate dim Thule.
Dreamland,
Edgar Allen Poe
Mikis met Garrus at the door. "What happened?"
"We argued and... some other stuff happened. It would take too long to explain. I think she is stressed. You said stress was not good for the hybrid infants earlier? Her stomach... it's..."
The medic looked at Shepard's lower abdomen and noted the painful looking movements of what must be the infant and the scaffolds.
"Oh dear... put her on table. Commander?"
"Mikis... this hurts so bad... is it the baby?"
"I am going to have to sedate you. Everything is going to be fine but I just need you to sleep for a while."
She grabbed his hand tightly as Garrus laid her gently on the table.
"Promise me... promise me you will save the baby over me if anything happens."
Garrus snarled. "Shepard, it won't come to that. Calm down."
She ignored him and stared at Mikis.
"Promise me, Mikis. Promise me that you will save my son first."
The medic carefully unlocked her hand from his and placed her hand back on her stomach.
"I don't need to because it is going to be fine. Trust me, Commander."
He reached out to an auto injector, checked the contents then carefully placed it against Shepard's neck. As the drugs went to work, Shepard sleepily raised her hand and stroked Garrus's scarred side.
"Promise me... baby... first... always the baby... first."
He leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers. He let out a choked whine as her hand finally fell limply to the table. She was asleep. Mikis glanced at Garrus. "Just to put your mind somewhat at ease, the baby is too small to survive outside his mother's womb and we don't have the necessary equipment anyway. You won't have to make such a decision. That, however, is talk for a worst case scenario."
Mikis wheeled over a scanner and got to work. Garrus stood back, his hand gripping Shepard's motionless one when he heard a knock on the med bay door. It was his father. Garrus indicated for him to come in while he kept station at Shepard's bedside. Avitus wandered in slowly, taking in the scene in front of him and then carefully placed a comforting hand on his son's shoulder.
"How is she?"
"Asleep. The good doctor just sedated her. I am just waiting for him to finish his scans."
The medic let out a deep sigh then rubbed his forehead. "One moment please, gentlemen."
Mikis walked to a comm station and activated it.
"Atheme, I need you in the main medical bay. We have an emergency."
He tugged nervously on his left mandible as he pottered over to a table to pick up some tools. Once he selected a number of them, he went back to the two turians with the unconscious Shepard.
"You were right to get her here when you did. There is a serious problem with the baby." he said to Garrus whose mandibles fluttered wildly.
"What is going on?"
"The child has managed to severely damage the nanite scaffolding."
"What do you mean damage?"
"You know how I said earlier that infants in the womb are extremely susceptible to the mother's stress hormones? The hormones can cause the hybrid children to react as if in a life or death scenario. In gestating hybrids, various bodily reactions can occur involuntarily; such as they can lash out violently with their limbs or in some extreme cases even use biotics within their own mothers. Your son has had a massive reaction specifically to the very high levels of cortisol in Shepard's body. The cortisol freed up energy to his muscles, as it would do to Shepard's. With all this excess energy being released, it looks like his body dispersed it by lashing out. So strong was this reaction that he has ended up breaking several important nanite structures and causing himself some serious harm."
Mikis activated an emitter on the top of the scanner and the baby was shown in real-time. The child was clearly distressed, the little chest rapidly going up and down even though he was only inhaling liquid and, to Garrus's dismay, bits of wrecked scaffold. His tiny face was expressing his hurt and discomfort. The nanite structures were broken around him, some poking into the infant's side, others jamming his limbs. It looked like the aftermath of a space battle in there.
Mikis adjusted the view and pointed to something.
"This is a serious problem."
A jagged piece of scaffolding had managed to completely pierce the baby's arm. Nanites were swarming everywhere, some attempting to fix the damaged scaffolds and move them back into place while a smaller group was actively assessing the damaged arm. The baby's distress increased and began to move more frantically. As they watched, a group of nanites dragged a jagged fragment of the scaffold out of the baby's foot causing the infant to struggle. The struggle resulted in more discomfort as the baby hit off other jagged pieces around it. In the watery darkness, they could clearly see the baby starting to cry.
Garrus reached out with his hand and tentatively touched the holo image. "Oh spirits..." he whispered before he reached to place his hand on Shepard's abdomen, over where the baby was to try to offer some comfort if he could. His hand was grabbed by Mikis before it could land.
"I'm sorry but you could end up moving the damaged structure on top of him and cause further injury."
Garrus swallowed nervously and nodded.
Mikis let go of Garrus's hand and coughed. "I suspect we will need corrective surgery for this. Atheme used to work in obstetrics and gynaecology for a few years on Omega. She will have a better idea of what to do."
The medic in question rushed in slightly breathless at that moment.
"Mikis, what is going on? You said it was an emergency?"
Mikis pointed at the holo. Atheme looked intently at it and immediately began assessing the damage.
"This is serious. There is at least five main structural points down, a serious injury and the infant is in a state of obvious distress. This can't keep going. Have you made contact with the nanites?"
"Not yet. I was waiting for your assessment."
"My assessment is that we can't wait otherwise that baby won't last the next twenty-four hours."
Garrus interrupted. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Atheme turned to him.
"Your son is in grave danger."
"What?"
"I will be quick with this; the baby has seriously damaged the structures that were placed to control his own growing body. The nanite scaffolds do more than look pretty. They are used to assess but also control aspects of the new body's systems. With five of the main control points going down, there is little the nanites can do to stop the baby's immune system from going out of control. Normally this is not a big issue and we just have to fix the scaffolds but he has also managed to cause a serious injury to himself. His body should be reacting by releasing his hybrid immune response but I suspect the nanites have been clever enough to hold it back manually. That is the only reason I can think of for him being alive right now at all."
"How can his own immune system kill him?!"
"Look, I think I have said this before but we are not perfect. There are still lots of things that are not quite right with us. Our own immune system is ridiculously agressive and strong. Unfortunately this means it normally ends up doing more harm than good if released which is why the nanites act as our main line of defense. If they can't beat whatever it is that attacks us, then they unleash the immune system as a last resort purge and repair whatever gets damaged along the way."
Atheme turned to Mikis.
"We need to get her into surgery immediately."
Garrus panicked. "No! Wait! This is happening way too fast!"
Atheme gave him a stern look as his father carefully pried him away from the unconscious Shepard.
"This has to happen. I am not going to let this child die. It would be difficult to face Ga... Shepard if I did. They will be fine if I have anything to say about it but right now, you need to leave."
Garrus desperately nuzzled and caressed Shepard one last time before his own father dragged him away from the table. Outside the door, Garrus would have nearly broken down if it hadn't been for his father seating him in front of the med bay windows. He settled his son, got him a drink and then contacted Sidonis.
Less than twenty minutes later, Sidonis arrived with Tiberius in tow.
"What happened?"
"Shepard... we had a fight. I went to the gym to work out some anger and ran into Perdita Marius. I tried to escape her but we ended up fighting. Shepard walked into when Perdita had me pinned and was... it didn't look good. Shepard... she... she just ran out. I found her in the hall with my father and she suddenly collapsed."
Sidonis went quiet. Tiberius went to the med bay window where he could see Atheme and Mikis at work. Atheme had changed into surgical gear while Mikis had activated a containment field around the surgical table.
"What have they said?" murmured Sidonis.
"That the baby freaked out, broke the nanite scaffolds and managed to completely impale his arm on one of them. Spirits, my little boy is..."
Garrus rubbed his face in his hands. Sidonis patted his shoulder.
"They will be fine. Atheme knows what she is doing, as does Mikis. Your boy is strong, a lot stronger than you think. He is going to get through this. You will have them both back in no time."
Tiberius folded his arms over his chest and stared in at the delicate operation that was going on. Mikis finally noticed him and immediately shut the med bay blinds. Tib sighed before he turned to face the others.
"They will be fine. They are in the right hands now. Tell me again what happened with Perdita?"
Garrus swallowed.
"She was her normal self, unwilling to accept no as an answer. She wanted a fight and I gave her one. I wish I had just walked away but she just kept at me. Shepard walked in when she had me pinned to the ground and... well, Perdita was making an unwanted advance."
Tiberius could see the tension in Garrus's body.
"Relax, Vakarian. Not your fault if the ladies love you. Here is a cheerful thought; Just remember how lucky you are that Gaius isn't here." mused Tiberius.
Tib's eyes flickered back to the shut blinds.
"Perdita is luckier in my honest opinion. Gaius wouldn't have stopped at killing her." he hummed.
Avitus was listening intently as he sat further back. Garrus couldn't bring himself to even turn around to face him. He heard a chair being dragged back on the floor as his father stood up.
"I have to go somewhere for a bit. I will return when I can." Avitus's voice was low and steady. He put his hand on his son's shoulder. "Keep me informed?"
"I will, Dad. And, thanks. For everything."
Avitus nodded before he wandered out with his hands folded neatly behind his back.
Sidonis took a seat next to Garrus.
"Victus has called for the rest of the fleets to send representatives to the Ad Astra."
Garrus huffed. "So this place is going to be busy."
"Hmm. The quarians will be sending representatives."
"Oh. That will be uncomfortable for you all."
Tib snarled. "You have no fucking idea."
"Calm, Tiberius. You need to be setting an example to the others."
The turian folded his arms and leaned back against the wall. "I can make no promises."
"How about you stay in line because if there is fight between you and the quarians it will be Shepard who feels it!" Garrus snapped.
Tib's defiance faltered. "It shouldn't matter to Shepard..."
"It shouldn't but it will because they will do what everyone has damn well done this entire time; turn to her to fix their problems. Don't be a problem she needs to fix, Tiberius, because that means I will have to get involved. Don't become a problem that I need to fix."
There was a dangerous look in Garrus's eyes that let Tiberius know that arguing was not an option.
"No, I get it. We should be thinking of Shepard. I will keep the rest in line."
Garrus calmed down once more before he rubbed his eyes.
"You should rest."
Garrus turned to Sidonis and gave a weak smile.
"Not until I know they are okay."
Avitus returned much later looking exhausted and drained. Sidonis and Tiberius had remained with his son as Garrus still stared fixedly at the med bay.
"So, no news then?" he inquired.
"No. Not yet." murmured Sidonis.
Tiberius raised a brow plate from where he sat on the floor leaning against the med bay wall. "Where have you been for so long?"
"I had some errands to run and I had to inform my daughter of the situation. She should have been here by now. Garrus, did she message you?"
"Yeah. I told her to not come down. There is no need until the doctors finally get out of surgery."
"I think she would have just appreciated the opportunity of being here for you."
"I know. I just... I just need to be left alone right now."
Avitus nodded slowly before he turned to Sidonis.
"General Marius will be contacting you shortly about the use of a shuttle craft if you have one available."
"I am sure I can free up one and a pilot. Any reason why?"
"His daughter will be returning to his command vessel for the immediate future."
Garrus looked up at his father. Sidonis and Tiberius glanced at each other than back at Avitus who expressed no emotion.
"What did you do?" asked Garrus.
His father turned to him.
"Nothing. What was said between me and General Marius is our own business. Stay focused on Shepard and your boy. They are what is important right now. Leave the rest to me."
He once more faced Sidonis.
"It would be excellent if you could free up that shuttle. I believe she will be leaving early enough tomorrow. If they do not get in contact with you about it by midday, I would very much appreciate if you would inform me of that."
Sidonis gave a slight grin.
"And I am sure you will sort the situation out."
"I will do what I must."
"I will let you know either way."
Avitus bowed his head slightly in gratitude. "Thank you, Captain."
Garrus stood up and motioned to his father to follow him. He went a safe distance away from Tiberius and Sidonis before he felt comfortable talking.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing you need concern yourself about. Like I said, focus on your child and Shepard. I will handle Marius for now."
"What the hell do you have on him? He is not a man who can be pushed around."
Avitus laughed. "Oh he can. You just need to know him."
"I never knew that you and Marius were that close."
"We are not. There is a lot of history there that I am not going to go into. You have more important things to be focused on. Ahh. Mikis has emerged."
Garrus turned wide-eyed, his train of thought gone in an instant. Mikis looked exhausted. The operation had taken over ten hours. He was followed shortly after by Atheme who seemed tired but pleased.
"Mr. Vakarian... ah, I mean the younger Vakarian."
Garrus pulled his father with him as he went up to the medics.
Atheme gave a weary smile.
"Some good news. They are okay. The surgery went as well as I could have hoped considering."
"Is the baby..."
"Perfectly comfortable right now. We will know more over the next 48 hours. I will need Shepard to remain in the med bay for the next week at the very least so we can keep an eye on her. I must warn you that it could take up to three weeks for the scaffolds to be repaired. Obviously we are hoping it will be quicker than that."
Garrus nodded and swallowed nervously.
"Is she awake? Can I see her?"
Atheme smiled at Garrus while Mikis carefully placed a hand on her lower back to steady her.
"You can see her but she is still sleeping. We have sedated her until tomorrow. The nanites are working hard at completely closing the surgical cuts and should have them all sealed properly within a few hours."
Garrus nodded and went to head inside. Mikis stopped him.
"There is a spare bed in there. You can spend the night but don't disturb the scanner. We will be messaged if Shepard's or the baby's vitals stray out of a certain range."
Garrus extended his hand and Atheme shook it. Garrus clamped his other hand over hers. "Thank you... for everything. Words can't quite express the depth of my gratitude."
She gave a weak smile. He turned to Mikis. "And you, Mikis. I owe you both so much."
"Don't mention it. I think your family is waiting for you inside." murmured Mikis with a slight grin on his face.
Garrus nodded before he left them.
Shepard lay on her back with a machine over her abdomen displaying a constant scan of the infant inside and its vital stats. Garrus gazed at the image. The scaffolds were nearly all back in their correct positions, if not fully fixed. Atheme had mentioned it could take up to three weeks for the scaffolds to be full reconnected which it meant it could be three weeks before Shepard might be released. The nanites were buzzing with activity on the screen, flitting around collecting debris, repairing or appearing to scan the baby. His son was now resting peacefully, the distress clearly gone from his tiny face. The damaged arm, free of the impaling structure, was now swarmed with nanites as they continued the repair work. Garrus gave a small smile. At least he was out of the woods for now.
He turned his attention to the mother. Shepard was sleeping, her breathing slow and steady. Garrus pushed over a nearby bed to connect with Shepard's and hopped up onto it. He curled up close, wrapping his arms around her upper body while being careful not to disturb the machine. He gently pressed his mouth plates to her forehead before he closed his eyes, lulled to a peaceful state by the steady rhythm of Shepard's breathing and his son's heartbeat being broadcast by the scanner.
Victus sat back with a glass of wine in his hand watching, with a scowl that darkened his face, as Miranda and Atilius eagerly debated and conversed with each other about a variety of things. The human seemed almost pleased with Atilius's obvious attentions. All through the meal Atilius had been heavily flirting with Miranda to Victus's displeasure. What made his mood worse was that Miranda actually returned the flirting with ease to his old friend, the two engaged in a conversation that he played little to no part in. He was not in a happy mood.
"I do not believe you."
"Do you hear that, Adrien?! She does not believe that I, General Marcus Atilius, managed to single-handedly make four different groups of mercenaries attack each other until there was barely a person left standing!"
Victus took a sip of his drink. "It is a little unbelievable, Atilius."
His friend humorously snorted. "Well, it is true and you know it! Stop playing along with this beautiful but clearly delusional young lady's claims."
Miranda gave a slight smile. "Perhaps it is true in your mind. Reality might beg to differ."
Atilius went back to playful fake outrage and launched into another amusing tirade at Miranda who just chuckled at it. Miranda turned and smiled warmly at Victus as Atilius continued his rant.
Victus felt his heart speed up as he gave a grin in return. Something was there in her eyes when she looked at him. Perhaps... His heart sank as she went back to giving her complete attention to Atilius. The grin he had slowly faded as he watched the two and their easy banter. He knocked back his drink. This had been such a bad idea, he mused. A knock on the door disturbed them. Victus waved at the others to continue their conversation as he got up and answered it. It was Marius.
Tiberius and Sidonis said their goodbyes to Avitus, who was going to stay in the canteen for a while, before they wandered out and were making their way to the bridge when they ran into an unexpected sight. General Marius arguing with the slightly inebriated Primarch.
"Look, Marius. Now is not the best time for this talk."
"No, it is! I will not be threatened by northern scum on this ship! My daughter is my aide..."
"I still have no idea what you are talking about."
"Of course not. Look at you. Our great leader drunk when we need strong leadership!"
Victus sighed and rubbed his temples. Tiberius casually strolled up.
"Gentlemen! What is going on here?"
"Oh fuck off! This is none of your business!" snarled Marius.
"That is not particularly polite, Marius. Forgive his rudeness." said Victus. Tiberius smiled at him and then turned his attention back to Marius who was still ranting.
"You are a pathetic and weak excuse for a Primarch! We should be out there leading with force! Instead, we are having more damn meetings."
"I think you need to apologize to the Primarch."
Marius turned incredulously to Tiberius.
"I am sorry, freak? What do you want me to do?"
Tiberius sighed then in a quick motion grabbed Marius's hand and impaled it to the wall with the combat knife he kept on him. Marius screamed. Victus went to intervene but was prevented by Sidonis who held him back.
"Leave it, Primarch. Tiberius knows what he is doing."
Tiberius twisted the blade and the screeching increased.
"Like I said, I think you need to apologize to the Primarch. He led you all through the Reaper war and will lead you all to a better future. Unlike you, General."
Tiberius slowly and deliberately worked the knife down and then back out, blue blood splattered over the wall and all over the blade. Marius gripped his hand and snarled at the hybrid. Tiberius merely flicked some of the remaining blood from the blade on to Marius's tunic.
"You should probably get that looked at."
"I'll see you jailed for this!"
"Oh I don't think so. Did you two see anything?"
Sidonis smiled and shook his head. Victus said nothing.
"Well, I guess that means no one saw the alleged incident and I am certain the surveillance records will vindicate me too."
Marius bared his teeth at the hybrid.
Tiberius sniffed then rushed forward, grabbing Marius by the cowl and then slammed the turian into the wall. As he held him up off the floor, he went close to his ear canal and murmured quietly, "It is in your best interests to do what you are told. I will have no qualms about killing you and trust me, I can make sure there is no trail left behind."
He dropped him down.
"Now, apologize to the Primarch."
Marius glared and stalked away, holding his damaged hand.
"Hmm. How rude. Still no apology. Sorry, Primarch."
Victus merely shook his head. "It is not your fault. I think it might have been a little overboard with the stabbing. I will have to deal with that later."
Tib laughed. "Well, it was stress relieving for me and I think it sent an eloquent message."
A slight smile crossed Victus's face with his mandibles flaring slightly.
Tiberius awkwardly shuffled his feet. "Ahem, do you fancy going for a drink?... Not like that! Spirits, I am not asking you out or anything! Just a quick drink. Sidonis is going to abandon me for the bridge crew in a few minutes and I hate drinking alone. Makes me all maudlin."
Victus burst out laughing. "You know what? I will. Give me half an hour. I must finish up the discussions inside first."
"Dinner went well then, Primarch?"queried Sidonis.
"As well as could be expected." muttered Victus grimly. "Half an hour then?"
Tiberius grinned. "Yeah. Half an hour. See you in the canteen. I have managed to "acquire" some dextro drinks from a variety of sources."
Sidonis paused then asked, "Did you take drinks from my cabin again?"
Tiberus grinned and sheepishly rubbed his neck.
"That would be a yes then."
Tali was busy working on the engine couplings when Vega strolled in. They had spent an awkward couple of days since the drinking incident. He had returned to the lounge to find her gone. Tali's nervousness had overwhelmed her in his absence and she had run.
"Hey, Sparks."
Tali stiffened at the voice behind her.
"Hello, James. Any thing you need?"
Vega leaned on the console next to her.
"I was hoping that you and me could talk. Maybe get a few drinks again in the lounge? I mean you loved the cocktails I made the last time."
Tali began to fidget, her long delicate fingers twisting together.
"I am not sure. I mean... ahem..."
Vega took a step closer to her, going into her personal space.
"Well, I am sure. How about we see about you?"
Tali's eyes glimmered behind the dark mask.
"You are sure? I mean... I have no idea what you are..."
She stopped as Vega reached out and touched her shoulder. He ran the tips of his fingers lightly down the length of her upper arm. Tali stopped breathing.
"So... drinks later?"
She slowly nodded. Vega grinned.
"Brilliant. Give me a message ten minutes before you finish up and I'll meet you there with something special."
He gave her another wink before he walked backwards out, keeping his eyes on Tali who pressed herself back against the console.
"Oh... keelah..."
Tiberius poured a good measure of the turian brandy he had acquired into the fancy glasses he had also managed to find. Victus watched as the golden liquid filled up the glass.
"No guilt at stealing from your commanding officer?"
"None! Sidonis needs to learn to share anyway." Tiberius responded with a grin. "Now try that. I know where he keeps the good stuff."
Victus took a sip and took a moment to mull the brandy on his tongue. "Hmm, this is good. Very good. I can see why he would hide it."
Tiberius laughed. "Ha! He just doesn't want the entire crew drunk after one glass."
"Wow. Not good drinkers?"
"You could say that." murmured Tiberius as he took a sip of his own. "Hmmmmm! I needed that."
"It is grave news indeed about the Commander. I can understand Avitus's agitation on this matter and Marius's for what I suspect Avitus said."
"You have an inkling?"
"They both can be difficult in their own ways. Avitus is definitely the most dangerous if pressed."
Tiberius nearly choked on his drink. "Mr Do-Everything-By-The-Book is the most dangerous?"
Victus put his legs up on a nearby chair. "None of you know Avitus Vakarian. Hell, not even his own children know half of what he has done. You all see what he wants you to see because that is how he plays it. I have known him for a very long time, as does Marius. Trust me on this one. You don't cross him and emerge unscathed."
The hybrid gazed at the turian incredulously. "I never would have thought that he would be dangerous like that."
"You have no idea."
Victus put down his glass and looked at the hybrid through half closed eyes.
"Do you know why during the Unification wars the turian people started painting their faces?"
Tiberius swallowed. "Ahem, I thought it was to show where they come from and all that jazz."
"All that jazz?"
"Human thing. Please go on."
Victus smiled wearily. "It started partly because they wanted the other colonies afraid and who better to scare you but the monsters that all turians fear, the ones hiding in the shadowed north. We are all told tales of them when we are young, the colonies were no exception. When the northern clans went to war, they came down from the mountains with painted faces."
"Wow. And that is why turians started painting their faces during the Unification war?"
"Partially. But everyone has forgotten except the history books. Now most turians do it for colony or family reasons with no one remembering why it mattered. On Palaven we can never forget."
"You make them sound so dangerous..."
"They can be. Not that they are not good people because they are. I have had many dealings with the clans in the past. They are quite proper citizens of the Hierarchy really. They send their children to serve in the military like all Hierarchy turians, they act for the benefits of the greater populace as they see it but... they tend not to stray from the mountains. Isolationist I would describe them as but don't take them for fools. They are always watching Cipritine closely."
Tiberius mused on the new information before he moved on to the topic of Marius.
"Marius seems quite determined to bring you down, by fair or foul means."
"You have no idea." chuckled Victus. "Luckily, Atilius and Avitus have been pretty good at running interference. Avitus has even mentioned bringing it as an issue before the moot if necessary. The clans frown upon any undue interference in the ranking system."
"Wait. What the hell is the moot?"
Victus sniffled. "It is a gathering of the clans in the north along with the upper echelons of the Hierarchy. It takes place every year."
"Wow. This is probably a stupid question but why?"
"Renewing old bonds mostly. Just ceremonial type crap. I think it really is just about us sizing each other up."
Tiberius grimaced. "Why would you be sizing each other up?"
"Oh, that is such a long story and I really just want to relax. Avitus would be more than willing to tell you what you want to know."
"Speaking of Avitus, you said he would bring it up at this meeting. What would that prove?"
"Nothing overt but it would be beneficial to my standing if one of their own would be confident enough to make an appeal on my behalf."
"I am still not sure on what could they do about it..."
"They would make sure that I remained Primarch."
"Wait... what?"
"I... I think we should move on to subjects other than the obscure side dealings of the Hierarchy machine."
Tiberius gave lopsided grin. "And there we were just having fun..."
Victus stared into his glass and sighed. "I have come to believe that there is something deeply wrong with Marius..."
"There is something wrong with him. It's called being an asshole."
Victus glanced up at Tiberius before he burst out laughing.
Gaius tossed and turned in the hammock, his dreams taking him once more back into his past where he really didn't want to go.
Gaius was blasted back into the mountain side. He turned and took the hit shoulder first. He grimaced at the pain but dragged himself up. It had been twenty minutes since he left the medical camp to try to distract the horde and he was doing a bang up job. They were surely all gone by now he thought while he was very much in the danger zone. The Titan towering above him had crashed its immense spiked foot in the ground before him, resulting in the blast back that slammed him into the mountain.
He got to his feet fast and began to quickly scale the sheer cliff face in front of him while under constant harrying attacks from mutts. He was going to need some sort of miracle at this rate. A mutt rushed him from the side but only ended up meeting head first Gaius's knife that hummed with his biotics. The Titan was roaring high above him, blocking out the already dim sun and almost deafening the hybrid even as his head was encased in the helmet. Gaius couldn't afford to stop. He kept ascending. If he could reach a good enough height then he should try to get on to the Titan and maybe bring it down. Before he could even begin to formulate a plan he heard a tell-tale blasting screech from the Titan and the sound of something massive hitting the ground. The ground quaked at the impact and dust went up into the air to form thick clouds. The pursuing mutts broke off to return to aid the fallen Titan. Gaius could finally turn around. The kill team had arrived and had managed to scale the Titan without his noticing although that was not hard considering. The Titan's biotic field flickered then disappeared as a shuttle arrived to pick up the squad.
He looked up as the shuttle moved to his position and descended to collect him. He recognized the armor of the solider reaching out to help him in. "Hey, Tiberius. What the hell are you doing here?" he said as he was dragged into the shuttle. They escaped just before the blast from the orbiting ship hit the downed Titan.
Tiberius removed his helmet and grinned. "I was in the area, you know, scouting for some nice property to buy and thought I might give you a hand." He grabbed Gaius and the two hugged. "I missed you, man."
Gaius laughed. "You are getting sentimental in your old age."
The grey plated turian sat on the floor as the shuttle ascended.
"What is really going on? I don't believe you guys are here on a social visit."
"You are being recalled to the 11th."
"What?"
Tiberius leaned back against the shuttle's walls as the other members of the kill team milled around.
"There is a big job coming up. We need the best on this. Your transfer has been rescinded and you are back with us."
"Huh."
"Just huh? I thought you would be fighting this."
Gaius rubbed his face a little.
"No. It is probably for the best."
Tiberius tilted his head.
"What about Amata?"
"Let's not talk about that."
"Oh..."
"Seriously, Tiberius. Let us just leave that."
"Whatever you want, buddy. Whatever you want."
Gaius rubbed his shoulder that was killing him. Tib left him and moved up front to talk to the pilot. They would pull into the 6th company's ship to pick up Gaius's things and get some rest before they return to the where the 11th battalion was waiting.
Amata saw them arrive into the docking bay and stormed up. Gaius left the shuttle with Tiberius who waved genially.
"Hey Amata! You are looking as beautiful as ever!"
"Thanks Tiberius. You are still as charming as ever."
"Well, I do try."
"What are you doing here?"
"Came to collect Gaius. I think it's punishment for being so damn amazing. Note to self – be less awesome."
Amata gave a small laugh before she looked at Gaius. "Why are you collecting him?"
"He is being transferred back to the 11th so I am afraid you will be without his sparkling personality for a while."
Amata hummed.
Gaius meanwhile avoided meeting her gaze and instead stared at the floor. Amata watched him carefully.
"Gaius... you had me worried."
"Yeah. Sorry about that. I'm fine though."he muttered.
Amata delicately touched the shoulder he was holding awkwardly.
"Let me see... what happened to it?"
"It is nothing really. Just got sideswiped by a Titan and went straight into a rock face. My shoulder took the brunt of the hit."
She nodded then began to tug at him to follow her. "Let me take a proper look at it. At least I can fix it before you go."
He reluctantly allowed her to lead him to a small curtained off area. Tiberius shouted something about collecting his stuff before he too headed away.
"Take off your upper armor."
"I'd rather not."
Amata turned a steely gaze on him.
"I can't inspect it unless I can see how your plates are. Please, Gaius..."
Slowly he peeled off his upper armor and then the under suit beneath that. Amata gazed at him from the corner of her eye as she started some paperwork. She couldn't help skimming appreciatively over his lean form, muscles clearly defined with plates that gleamed with sweat. She beat down the thought brutally as she reminded herself of all that he had done to her.
She went over after he sat back on the chair and ran her hands over his shoulder. In spite of herself, she couldn't help but notice all those things that had attracted her and most women, it seemed, to Gaius. She began to inspect the damage, pressing down on various points before she eventually activated her omnitool and scanned the areas she thought most damaged.
"Some torn ligaments and muscles. Nothing too serious thankfully. I can give you a muscle relaxant mixed with a painkiller and let the nanites do their job."
Amata picked up an auto injector, filled it with what she needed and went around to the front of him. Gaius still refused to look at her. She leaned in to place the injector on his neck but stumbled and ended up pressing her face into his flesh. Gaius caught her firmly at her waist to stop the fall. Against her better judgment, she took a deep breath. He still smelled good even covered in sweat and gore from the Aegrus. She started as she realized what she had done and pulled back quickly. Gaius was staring at her, the pupils in those deep blues expanding so wide to almost turn his eyes to black. She felt his hands begin to stroke her sides gently. She stifled a moan. Almost as suddenly as he began, he stopped and backed up quickly from her. He muttered an apology before he tilted his neck to offer her a spot to inject which she did. He quickly put his under suit back on and collected his armor.
"When are you leaving?" she asked.
"Immediately. Things to do and all that."
She nodded.
"Ahem, thanks. For helping us down there."
"My job isn't it? You take care of yourself."
"You too. Gaius?"
He turned back to look at her from where he had been heading out the door.
"I would like to think that maybe one day we can be friends again."
A thoughtful look crossed his face.
"I will always be your friend, Amata. If you need help then call me. I will come to your aid if I can."
She sucked back her sadness as he left her.
Gaius woke up with a start. He rubbed his face ruefully. If only the dreams would just leave him be. He preferred the days when there was nothing to haunt him in his sleep. Day 3 of the journey to Palaven and he was most definitely about to crack up. Max had run the old ship pretty hard and they were due to arrive in the Trebian sector within a few hours, almost a full day ahead of the other two ships. Nothing but naked pictures of his mother could take the smile off Max's face. Gaius swung out of his hammock and slowly stretched out his arms. Stiff joints were a nightmare on these small transports. He yawned and padded his way to the flight deck.
Max was still up and running, a mug of coffee steaming beside him. Gaius flopped into the spare seat with Max barely sparing a glance his way.
"So... when are we going to get there?"
"I swear you are all worse than fucking children. That is all I have heard for the past three days."
Gaius gave a toothy grin, mandibles flickering.
"Oh you love it. Missing Locasa yet?"
"Shut up."
"Come on. I am being serious. It is alright to miss your wife, you know."
Max turned with a decidedly angry look across his face.
"Listen buddy. I don't ask you how much you miss..."
He trailed off, his face filling with horror as he realized what he nearly said.
"Sorry. I just forgot."
Gaius just turned to look out the main view screen.
"It is fine. I forget too sometimes. Do you want to know something weird?"
Max swallowed nervously and then nodded. Gaius gave a big grin.
"Sometimes I find myself typing a message to her on my omnitool or thinking that I really need to say that to Amata and then... then it is like that day all over again when my heart catches up with reality."
He turned to Max.
"I know you are probably getting a ribbing about Locasa being left behind. I was genuinely wondering if you were okay."
"I am fine. She has sent messages and I have sent ones back in return. It is strange not being with her. I don't think we have ever spent this long apart."
"It is going to be longer. Can you cope?"
"I'll be fine but thanks. Thanks for checking on me."
Gaius smiled.
"No problem. I know what it is like to be away from the person you love. You are lucky you know. I am going to make sure you get to see her again."
Gaius patted Max on the shoulder before he padded away. Palaven was going to be interesting. First thing he needed to do was contact Mira. He hissed at the thought of it. At least he wasn't going to be dealing with her and her crew alone. Gaius turned on his omnitool and recieved a couple of messages from his father. He grinned. Some entertainment at least for the last few hours he mused.
Palaven and the Trebian system were so close. That is when the hard work would really begin.