I am so sorry for not updating sooner! I had the worst writers block ever and things with school and my home life got in the way. Also, my poor beta came down with a cold so pretty much life is beating the hell out of both of us. But now we are good and I should be updating like I used to. Hope you enjoy the first part to Kasumi's mission.
"Why exactly am I being forced to have Miranda as my date?" Thane's deep voice called through the bathroom door, she could hear irritation thick in his voice.
"Because, that is the role she needs to play, it makes her seem harmless and unimportant." Maria answered from the bathroom, applying her light make-up to her face.
"And why did it have to be her? Why not you?" Thane yanked his formal jacket on over his black shirt that concealed his throwing knives and a short blade attached to the inside of his forearm.
Maria had been holding back on telling him this and guessed it was a good thing that she was behind a solid locked door. "Kasumi thinks it would be better for me to remain unattached so Hock will be able to…interact with me freely." She answered carefully.
Thane's face drew into a hardened expression as he took three long strides to stopping in front of the door, "What is that supposed to mean?"
Maria cringed at the sound of his voice, his obvious displeasure at hearing this news was evident. "What do you think it means?"
Before Thane could tear down the door to get to her, Garrus walked into the room wearing his own turian formal wear of a black and blue button up shirt and fitting pants. Maria thanked god he had arrived on time to get them.
"Hey, you two ready?" Garrus spoke in a cheerful voice, but pausing in his steps when he saw the look on the assassin's face.
"I still need to put my dress on. Garrus take Thane and I'll meet you down in the cargo bay." Maria instructed the turian.
Thane gave a glare at the door but complied with the Commander's orders and followed Garrus out the doors and down to the cargo bay.
Maria heard the doors hiss close and opened the bathroom doors, poking her head around the corner, she was able to see they had in fact left. Shepard walked out of her bathroom, fully dressed in her black silk dress with the black two inch heels that Miranda had convinced her to wear. Maria secured two gold bracelets to her left wrist, then her dangling chandelier earrings. She ran her fingers through her long brown hair, the shiny smooth locks framed her face perfectly as she draped it over her shoulders, leaving some trailing down the middle of her back. The last bit of jewelry was the thick gold ankle bracelet, cut to look like a long Japanese dragon with ruby eyes and flowing back spikes. Maria clamped the bracelet around her right ankle and stood erect in front of the full length mirror, checking her reflection. Usually she wouldn't give a damn what she looked like but there was a small part of her wanting to look good for Thane. A small smirk graced her lips as she finished her inspection in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance, and exited her rooms to meet the rest of the group down in the cargo bay.
A long whistle followed the Commanders steps as she descended the stairs to her crew, milled around two shiny cars; one black and one red. Maria gave Jacob a sideways glace with the slightest hint of amusement. Maria walked through the group with commanding authority, her hips moved from side-to-side seductively and the silk lightly rippled from her movements. The whole effect was causing Thane to forget how to breathe, his hands flexed at his side, wanting nothing more than to grab her and run right back to their rooms.
The assassin hadn't been allowed to see the dress until now. Maria told him what would it matter waiting one day, now he was thinking she purposely held back wearing it just so he would have this reaction, and not be allowed to do anything about it. His large black eyes were transfixed by the moving silk on her body, the dragon that wound down her shoulder and across her stomach made it look like the creature was moving. Her thick smooth legs appeared longer in the black heels that made a soft clapping noise on the metal, and the gold dragon ankle clasp looked real. To say the whole effect was not erotic would have been an understatement. Thane wasn't sure if he could take watching her sashay around the party, only to be forced to appear as the escort of Miranda and possibly have to watch this Donavan Hock criminal make moves on his Siha. He swore to the Gods if that man or any man, but him touched her, he would put a bullet in their head.
"Wow Shepard, you look amazing!" Tali's accented voice spoke in front of her. Maria looked the young woman over, amazed herself by the beautiful suit that she wore. The environmental suit was not the same purple she normally wore, but a deep blue that matched Garrus' cloths. The thick decorative rings around her neck were shiny silver that matched the lining around her mask, which was the same blue tent that caused her glowing eyes to appear a bright white blue color. The crisscrossing top was similar to the normal one she always wore but the bottom was made to look like a long skirt with a long slit to her waist, showing the tight silver pants with blue straps. What Maria guessed was a quarian dress looked beautiful on her friend and the Commander told the woman so.
Kasumi and Miranda looked just as beautiful in their own dresses. Kasumi still kept a hood over her face but it went well with the long flowing purple dress she wore. She had no jewelry on and the ever present purple strip of lipstick was the only decoration she wore. Miranda's own tight spaghetti strap red dress with the knee high black heeled boots made the usual stunning looking Cerberus operative look ever more like a super model. Her own jewelry was all black, a thick black jeweled bracelet and a black chocker with a dangling black and red stone.
All the men looked equally as handsome in their own formal wear that matched the color of their dates. Maria's eyes took in Thane's all black ensemble with the even more exposing cut out in his chest that came down in a curved point, showing off his muscular freckled chest. The jacket he wore was made of a thick material with simple but exotic drell markings done in red that went well with his ribbing on his neck. The black ear clamps that she bought on the Citadel were on the left side of his head. Maria was always stunned at how gorgeous he was and would never understand what he saw in her normal human features.
Maria stopped at the head of the group, next to Thane at the back of the black car, "Alright, we all know the plan and the rolls to play. Let's go crash a party."
The group nodded and moved to their own groups, Garrus, Tali, Jacob and Kasumi in the red car and Maria, Thane, and Miranda in the black. The engines roared to life, Maria flexed her hands on the steering wheel, the familiar hum and vibration of the expensive machine caused a small smile to cross her lips before she speed off across the shiny metropolis that Hock lived on the out skirts of.
As planned, Garrus held back to allow Maria to arrive at the mansion ten minutes before his group. Shepard's car hovered over the parking area of the many lines of parked guest cars, all extremely expensive and probably cost well over half a million credits. Once the black car touched down the trio stepped out, looking up at the massive villa style home in front of them. The metal structure was built on top of a high rocky hill, perfectly secluded and private.
"He maybe a criminal, but you can't knock the man's taste." Miranda's impressed voice spoke behind Shepard.
Thane who had the woman's arm in the crook of his own rolled his eyes, not impressed at all by the lavish surrounding them, he preferred a simpler way of living.
"If you like that over the top, high and mighty décor. I always found houses like this annoying. I bet there are ten rooms in the house and he is the only one that lives in it." Shepard nodded her head to a barrack like structure to the far right as they moved up the tiled pathway, past a massive water fountain running out to a small pond. "Look, that's where he keeps his guards, they don't even live in the house with him. He keeps them outside, like guard dogs." A humors laugh escaped her lips, "This guys just a scumbag thug who thinks he is something more. I'm going to enjoy this."
Thane noticed a smirk on his Siha's face, the look in her eyes taking on a dark gleeful expression. His own lips quirked in a small grin, he enjoyed watching Maria tear through and completely dismantle a place. His mind couldn't help notice that she seemed to have the same views on style homes that he did. The image of her walking through their own home, wearing her favorite black boy short underwear and a tight tank top showing off her perfect figure and beautiful tan skin in the light of the morning sun, her stomach large with his child…
"You two ready?" Thane's day dream was interrupted by the very woman it starred, her questioning gaze looking back at Miranda and him.
"Aye Commander." The Cerberus operative replied. Thane could only nod his head, still not completely recovered from his image of her pregnant. He hadn't known where that came from, never imagining having another child, after not being able to be there for Kolyat like he wanted. Then again, he had never thought he would love another woman after Irikah.
The group walked to the entrance of the house, a guard in black armor and the same sun symbol as Eclipse mercs wore, was scanning the statue of Saren that was supposed to be their gift to Hock. Maria was a bit put off by how life like the statue was, the eyes seemed to be staring through her, cruel and hard. She had been fortunate enough to see what the famous turian was really like, in the last few second of his life, his eyes had been clear of the indoctrination that Sovereign had placed over him. He had actually thanked her and his blue eyes held respect and gratitude, before going dead as he placed a bullet in his own head.
Shepard shook her head sadly, than continued her way up the stairs, just to be stopped by the guard in black. "Name ma'am?"
"Alison Gunn." Shepard told him in the same polite tone he had used.
Thane moved to her side, pushing Miranda to the other side of him like the air head, eye candy date she was meant to be playing, "Riue Kavik, and my guest."
The guard scanned his holo pad, checking off their names and ushering them through with a wave of his arm. Maria walked up the remaining steps with Thane on her right and Miranda on his arm. They walked through a hallway lined with tall columns and expensive paintings, vases, and even ceiling high bookshelves filled with hardcover paper books that were extremely rare to find even on Earth. Hock seemed to have a whole library that he probably didn't even touch. As they walked further in and past the groups of conversing guest of all different kinds of species there was another water fountain with a two story abstract statue in the middle. A large circular fountain that flowed out into the lower balcony, with tall stare chases on either side of it, leading up to a open second landing. Both the second level and the open balcony had even more people socializing. Maria pinpointed many doors leading to different rooms, the one on their left she knew was a small surveillance room, the one on the far right was a stairwell that led to a lower level that was Hocks main bedroom. The others upstairs were guestrooms, bathrooms, studies and other rooms that they hopefully wouldn't have to go running through to search for what they needed.
Standing before the pool of water, in the center of the room, was a man dressed all in white, with keen eyes and air of confidence about him that made Maria positive this was Hock. The man was talking to a Salarian and male human, but turned around once he saw the man across from him look over his shoulder in a mesmerized gaze. The man in white locked eyes with Shepard and a pleased smile spread across his lips, as if looking on a beautiful painting for sale.
Thane watched as the man excused himself from his group and made his way to them, specifically he was making his way to Maria. His hand tightened involuntarily as the human blatantly appraised his Siha with his stares.
"Ouch." Miranda hissed next to him, giving him a pointed look which Thane ignored.
"Hello, and welcome to my home. You are the woman who brought that lovely statue of Saran Arterius." Maria nodded her head, giving a small smile to the man. "Forgive me, where are my manners? Donovan Hock."
"Alison Gunn." Maria held at her hand for him to shake, but instead the man took it and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss on her knuckles.
Thane could feel a growl build in his chest, thankfully it could only be heard by other drell, a warning sign of claiming ones mate.
Shepard slipped her hand out of the man's smoothly, directing him to Thane next to her in a single motion, "This is my business partner, Riue Kavik and his girlfriend, Victoria Tave."
When the hell did Miranda become my girlfriend? She did that on purpose! Thane wanted to punch the man, but instead shook his proffered hand firmly. Thane got a bit of satisfaction out of the slight wince at the corner of Hocks eyes and the subtle flex of his fingers from how hard Thane had griped his hand.
"Forgive me, drell strength. I forget sometimes how easily I can harm humans." Thane's deep voice sounded threatening but Donavan just gave him a bow and waved him off.
"No problem." From behind, a man gave a whistle, motioning for Hock to come over. "If you will excuse me, I must pay attention to my other guests." His dark eyes turned to Maria. "I look forward to seeing you later in the evening Ms. Gunn."
The barely noticeable tilt of Shepard head was the only response the man got before addressing the whole group, "Hope you all have a good time." Then he was gone.
"Well he seemed to like you." Miranda quipped.
"In that dress, any man would have to be crazy not to." A familiar voice spoke behind them.
"Mr. Actus." Maria turned to the group, giving Garrus a bow of her head in greeting. Both groups walked to the side in the open square room of bookshelves, getting out of the way of new people arriving.
"The layouts showed that Hock's vault is on the lower level, should we send Kasumi down now or wait?" Garrus whispered to Shepard by his side.
"Yeah. Kasumi. Jacob, go down and see what we are dealing with." Maria instructed them, both giving big smiles and bows of the head for the people around them to see. The two slowly walked off, as if viewing the splendorous house and all its amazing décor.
"This house is enormous." Tali commented on Garrus arm in wonder. Such an extravagant and massive living area was beyond her comprehension, quarian living was so simple and bar minimum.
"Yes. It's all just a waste, all this room and money just for one man, when there are millions starving and homeless, and this guy just makes life worse for them with his crimes." Maria spoke softly, taking a sip from the drink that they had all taken glasses from a passing waiters tray.
"Makes you want to puke, doesn't it?" Garrus laughed out disgustedly, receiving nods from the group.
"I hear music outside, wonder if this missions going to require some dancing." Miranda looked through the high windows to the long balcony outside, a few couples spun around the open space to the sound of music coming from tall speakers situated around the area.
"If you think I'm dancing with you, you are sadly mistaken." Thane grumbled into his glass.
Miranda glared at the drell and before she could retort, the sound of Kasumi's voice came over their radio sets. "Jacob and I are in, there is more in here than I expected. Password protected voice lock. Kinetic barrier. DNA scanner - looks like an EX - 700 series. Everything a vault needs to be impenetrable."
"Is this going to be a problem?" Maria questioned.
"Please, remember who you're talking to." Kasumi spoke with confidence, before breaking down what they would have to do. "We will need a voice sample from Hock, so you will have to chat him up. We will need a password as well. DNA. Childs play. We should find plenty if DNA samples in Hocks private quarters. And the barrier, just cut the power. Never fails." Kasumi's voice took on a more thoughtful tone, as if speaking to herself, "Keiji could get through a system like this in his sleep. And I'm better." A supportive hand massaged Kasumi's shoulder affectionately, receiving a thankful sad smile in return that the others couldn't see.
"Alright. First, let's find the power source to the barrier, we can…" Maria was in the middle of instructing her team, before Jacob interrupted.
"Sorry Commander, but the power cable is right outside this room. I can set your omni tools to track the location of the power source." A quite beep sounded on all their omni tools.
"Thanks Jacob, now all of you spread out and find the source without drawing attention to yourselves. Miranda and Tali, go act brainless and amazed by all the shiny things. Garrus, go look for Jacob. Jacob, get up here and meet Garrus out on the balcony and go from there. Kasumi, I want you to cloak and walk around as well, but you are going to have to be the one to disable this thing while staying hidden. Thane, you're with me."
Each group nodded, and went to their assigned tasks. Tali and Miranda giggled and glided to the far right that had an arch way leading into two separate rooms. Garrus sauntered to the left slowly, smiling and stopping to chat for a short time with other guests in order to give Jacob time to meet him on the balcony. That left Thane and Maria with the upstairs, both of them walked arm and arm up the long curved stair case.
"Watch, that power source be in one of these fucking rooms, we might have to go through them all." Maria spoke softly, giving a small smile to a group of men they passed who were all giving her approving looks.
"Not necessarily. We really only need to pass by each door, our omni tools should tell us if the power source is in one of them." Thane whispered to her, keeping a hard expression on his face that still didn't give away to his thoughts or feelings. It only caused him to look dangerous, which is exactly what he wanted the men to know.
Maria stopped in a small alcove, secluded from the rest of the guests at the end of the curved hall. Long thick curtains hid them mostly from view. She leaned against the wall, smiling at her companion, "See you do have your uses, you keep me from wasting time with your brilliant mind."
Thane placed both his hands on either side of her head, bending his long arms at the elbow in order to lean in close, "Is that all my purpose serves, Siha?" His dark eyes bore into her own, his head tilted slowly to the side as if studying her. Maria could feel her pulse quicken and that familiar warmth spread through her body and down between her thighs. Thane's body came closer to hers, not yet touching, but close enough where Maria could feel the heat radiating off him through her thin cloths. The modifications Mordin installed did nothing to shield the overwhelming presence of Thane's amazingly sculpted body being so near her own.
Shepard breathed slowly, trying not to give way how much he could affect her, "Well not the only thing. I'm pretty sure I will never be able to have sex with anyone but a drell ever again." Her words were taunting and barley above a whisper, her breath was felt against his neck, and caused a delicious tingle to run through him. Her words however, caused a very different reaction in him, though they led to the same outcome.
Thane's flat hands balled into fists and his brows crinkled in anger. His right hand slid through her hair, gripping it tightly and forcing her head back as his lips crashed down on hers possessively. Maria couldn't hold back the moan that was lost in his mouth as they fiercely battled for the upper hand. Her fingernails dug into the nape of his neck as his free hand hitched up her leg, feeling the hidden throwing knives high on her thigh. His hand grabbed her ass in a vise grip, his own nails breaking into her skin leaving marks for sure. Shepard hadn't ever seen this side of Thane, the angry, dominate side, he was definitely going to have to do this more often.
The couple had to break apart due to the demand of oxygen, their breathing erratic as they stared into each other's eyes. Maria gave Thane a smile, her head tilted back against the wall as Thane smirked at her, his hand still full of her ass and the other with her hair. "Well, that was interesting. And better be repeated at a later time."
Thane gave a deep chuckle, all signs of animalistic instinct gone, "You realize I can break you in half if I lose control like that."
"I think you're underestimating how strong I am Mr. Kavik. And if you do, well I can guarantee the trip to Chakwas med bay will be well worth it." Maria slid her arms around his neck and gave him a tender kiss. The hand on her ass moved to her hips as she hooked her leg around his, her dressed hiked up so her smooth tattooed leg was fully exposed. She could feel a slight bulge form in his pants and reluctantly stepped back from her lover. "This will definitely have to wait, wouldn't want the rest of the woman at the party seeing what mi novio is carrying between his legs."
Thane let her fix herself as his erection dyed down, "But Miranda can hang on me all night?"
"Yes. Because you two hate each other and I won't have to kill her for touching you." Maria spoke pleasantly, giving him a sweet smile.
"Now come on, we need to switch our trackers on to find that power source. The sooner we get this mission done, the sooner I get you in bed." Both of them switched their omini tools to track the source. Immediately, the scans went off the chart, buzzing wildly.
Shepard and Thane shared a raised brow look, searching around them for the power box or something concealing it. Thane spotted a discoloring of the wall behind Shepard, barely visible, only someone who knew it was there or searching for it would find it. "Siha, right here."
"Kasumi, get to the alcove on the second floor. Go to the left and all the way around to the corner." Maria ordered into her com.
"Right Shep." Came the thief's answer.
Thane looked to his smiling Commander, "Smart, great in bed and quick eyes. You just got it all don't you, mi amor."
Thane just gave her a sly grin before taking her in his arms and placing another kiss on her full lips.
Please review it really does help me write faster and I need a confidence boost with this story.