Chapter Twenty-Six: [Illium]

Ford let out a loud and unhelpful groan as Harry shoved him through a hacked door, and back otusid onto another balcony.

"Would you quit complaining? I'm the one having an early come-down. One of us has to be functioning properly and I'm just about ready to drop." Harry snapped. He was still talking even more quickly than usual, and his body heat was fluctuating between "boiling hot" and "bloody freezing".

Ford fixed him with a steely gaze as he leant against the balcony wall, and activated his medi-gel app for the second time.

"Number-bloody-one: I've just woken up after being bull-rushed by a fucking Krogan, thank you very much, so forgive me being a little sluggish. And number two: I'm bloody furious with you. As soon as I'm, steady enough, I'm going to bash your fucking brains in myself. Red sand Harry! For fuck's sake I thought you'd cleaned up."

A stab of guilt shot through Harry's gut, twisting deep. "It was only way of stopping that Krogan. You saw – you felt – how big a bastard he was!"

"Yes, but you still picked it up. In the safehouse was it?" Ford's expression had progressed to a look of disgust, but now it sank into a weariness that cut Harry to the quick.

"Yeah. Yeah it was. But Ford I swear – it was just a moment, nothing serious, I'm fine. No excuses – I fucked up, but it won't happen again." He held out placatory hands, brows knitting into a folorn expression.

"It better bloody not," Ford grumbled as he righted himself, "Because we've been through this once before, and I am not holding your bloody hand while you destroy yourself all over again. Especially not without Lis to talk sense to you."

"Of course. I promise, it's all fine." Harry grinned weakly.

They turned, heading quickly down a spindly flight of outside stairs, both nursing their respective injuries in silence.

"So it was Cerberus you reckon?" Ford eventually broke the silence, as they found themselves clambering onto another rooftop.

"I'd stake anything you like on it," Harry nodded, "They had the Turian thinking it was the Shadow Broker paying the bills, but that just wouldn't add up. They were using him as a cat's-paw, but it looks like they had a man on the inside."

"Nice to see Cerberus out-sourcing its incompetence eh?" Ford chuckled, "I would have thought they'd learnt their lesson after our eventful partnership."

Harry cracked a grin, walking to the roof's edge and looking over.

"Y'know, I hate to say it: but I think we're going to need to hit the streets."

Ford winced, the low-levels of Illium were worse than its skyline. "It'll be murder, but alright. What're you planning after that?"

"We'll make for a dock; jump on the first ship off-world. We can ride that out, and then I think we should jump again and leg it to the Citadel."

He turned a meaningful gaze on Ford, determination plain on his face.

"I reckon that's a plan Bach." Ford grinned back. At least the Citadel was clean, and it had been a long time since they'd last been there.

"And, look, Ford: I think we should try and find her."

Ford's grin faded, a frown taking its place as he shuffled uncomfortably," You do? Really Bach? I'm not sure she'll be that pleased to see you – or me, for that matter. And what about this Alliance thing?"

Harry shot his friend a guilty look before he could carry on, "I know, I know – but with all this shit coming after us, I just think the Citadel is our best bet for staying alive. With all these people trying to crack my skull open, I'm just not sure I can deal with the Alliance right now. And she took us in once, I'm sure I can wrangle a new deal."

"I hope so..." Ford sighed, too battered to argue, "But don't rule out the Alliance altogether eh? We've had this fight before. And what makes you this she'll even be on the Citadel?"

Harry grinned darkly, "Simply because of how much she hates it there. If I know Aria T'Loak, she's sitting around and fuming, living it up as the deposed Queen and growling at everyone. Just waiting for the right moment to take Omega back." He paused to tap his temple, "And with all the stuff crammed up in here, I might just have a way for her to do that."

A/N: And with this, we come to the close of the Illium arch. In the next few chapters, we'll be back on the Drake for some interaction between the crew-members, before another assignment. Hopefully this section has been entertaining, and that you'll continue enjoying the story.

As always, I'd love it if you fired off a review. Even if you don't have much to day, or are working through the story before saying anything, it's just nice to see that people are reading and enjoying. If you do have any suggestions or questions though, I'd love to hear from you.

-Nevery.