Heavy breaths and falling sweat hit the deck floor of the 'Razgriz' with every pushup Brandon did. Fully recovered, he was rebuilding his body. Collectors were gone, but the Reapers were coming. Who knew when, but he'd be ready. After three sets, he was surprised he made his way up to a hundred. Not his best, but was a good sign considering he was out of commission for nearly a week. With a good pace going he flipped on his back for crunches with his elbows meeting his opposite knee; though still a bit stiff from the side he was hit. His sleeveless shirt was drenched from the relentless tempo as he neared his peak. He thought he felt something bump against him, but dismissed it quickly. Suddenly, he felt a weight press on top of him. A warm weight that pinned him down. The empty space morphed into an incredibly sexy woman with her arms crossed against his chest. Kasumi grinned so close to his lips. She thoroughly enjoyed this.
"Didn't expect to see you here this afternoon," said Brandon with a smile.
"Oh, remember when you gave me that idea of how to lure Jacob a while back? I've been yearning to try it out. It work?"
Her hips grinded against him and she was pleasantly pleased with the result.
"Nevermind. It did get you to attention."
She could feel his hands squeeze her toned thighs; slide up her sides, and just grazed the swell of her breasts. She reached down for a lustful kiss. Kissing was something that they had yet to tire of. Suffice to say, it led to other things that tired them out.
"If you weren't so irresistible," Brandon replied huskily.
Between this and watching Brandon's workout routine she knew she'd better get up before she became completely distracted…and then undressed. Kasumi stood and pulled Brandon up to his feet.
"Time to get cleaned up."
"Why?"
"You'll see."
She went to his room while Brandon stripped his clothes. The bandages were removed, so he could now survey his scarred body. Bearing in mind what he fought against, he was happy with a few scars than a lost limb or worse. He started a hot shower and there was nothing more perfect after a workout than that. His greasy hair softened and his muscles relaxed. As much of a hassle it was to fit a ship with working hot water, every time he stepped inside the chamber it was totally worth it. It was a spoil from living on Earth. The Alliance had the public showers and originally the 'Razgriz' had a generic cleaning chamber. Warm air and mist was not the same as real hot water to wipe away the sweat.
He entered his room partially wet and wrapped in a towel to see Kasumi on his bed. Her hood was pulled back with strands of her black hair falling over her face. Brandon tried very hard to prevent any noticeable lifts in the cloth. On the other hand, her eyes stalked him like a varren ready to pounce. Slowing trailing down and up his toned body covered by the simple towel she wished she could telepathically unravel.
"See you got an ensemble all picked out."
He glanced at the simple white button down shirt, black suit jacket with pants, and boxers on the bed.
"You know, most guys wouldn't appreciate a girl going through their underwear."
"Please…I go through everyone's underwear."
He had to raise a brow at that.
Brandon looked sharp as they rode the elevator, but was still disappointed in his outerwear. Not so much what Kasumi picked out, it was what he wasn't wearing. After the Alliance he'd always worn his long, ankle length frock coat. It defined him. Old, stylish, and unique. More depressing, his sidearm was a standard issue Predator pistol. Chakwas couldn't give him an answer on his gun leather or coat and the pistols weren't in the armory. He was convinced they met their fate on the Collector base. Regardless, the lovely woman by his side made him too happy for him to care as much as he would otherwise. When they reached their stop Garrus and Tali were idle in the CIC.
"Hey. What are you two up to," asked Brandon.
Kasumi and Tali looked at each other.
"We are going on a double date," said Tali.
The flare of Garrus' mandibles was the sign that he was just as clueless to this as Brandon.
The restaurant was decently crowded. Many different species mingled with one another. Noticeably, this was very much a couple's place. First dates or return ones took part everywhere with varying degrees of success. It was one of the reasons why the music didn't suggest bumping and grinding against the first breathing person the eyes were drawn to. Still, it was a relaxed and fun atmosphere to forget the daily troubles. The issue for the four members of the 'Normandy' was that the average trouble revolved around weapons cleaning, ship recalibrations, and suicidal orders; twice a day. The worst the majority of the people had to worry around here were bills, their job, or getting laid.
Garrus and Brandon sat opposite Kasumi and Tali in a large wraparound booth. How Garrus was possibly comfortable sitting in his armor was a mystery.
"So...where'd you find this place," asked Brandon.
"It was highly recommended for both dextro and levo parties," said Tali.
There seemed to be a lull in the group. It was the first real shore leave since they were docked on Illium. No doubt the Collector base still left people on edge. There was an initial hesitation when they had to check their sidearms before entering the restaurant. Or in the case of Tali and Garrus their sniper rifle, shotgun, and pistols. The idea that a husk wasn't going to pop up and grab them under the table or the bartender wouldn't become possessed into a prothean mutation to wreak havoc was a bit foreign given the past week. Then again, it might just be because this was the first proper date for everyone at the table.
"The 'Normandy' looks like she'll be ready to cast off soon," Brandon tried to avoid an awkward silence.
"Yes," said Tali, "Only a few more repairs. Ken and Gabby were talking about upgrading the ship's stealth systems while sections of the armor are exposed. We received a delivery of new capacitors that should boost the heat emission dissipation a full 20%!"
The quarian's enthusiasm rivaled any response anyone could give. Garrus knew some of what she said. Brandon knew none of what she said. Kasumi just kept grinning.
"That's…great," he was at a loss.
It was really quiet until a pretty asari waitress strolled up.
"Hello. May I get you all something to drink?"
There was a quick collective yes from the table.
Their drinks arrived in various forms from Tali's filtered wine to Kasumi's asari mixed drink. Brandon noticed how close the waitress leaned towards Garrus as she put down his drink. Her chest nearly brushed against his face. Apparently, Tali caught it as well if her clenched hand was any indication. It seemed it was a good idea Tali checked her shotgun. They put in their food orders, though most of what was said was untranslatable across their omni-tools. There was a definite awkwardness between Garrus and Tali. They had been friends for so long and could always just talk. On a date, things weren't as fluid as they usually were. Tali wrung her hands together. Garrus tapped a nervous talon on the table. Brandon and Kasumi shared a 'what do we do?' glance.
"I need to use the bathroom," said Tali.
"Oh, I'll join you!"
Kasumi rushed off with Tali. Now that they were alone, Garrus leaned over to Brandon.
"Is this going well?"
"I've never been on an interspecies double date before."
"I'll admit sniping mercs is a lot easier than...well…normal things."
"Jeez, Garrus. I thought it was a long time since I was with someone. Wait, when was the last time you were with someone?"
"Oh back when I served in the turian military. This recon scout and I were at each other's throats…"
Meanwhile in the ladies lavatory…
"Tali, you're in an enviro-suit. Why would you go to a bathroom?"
"I'm nervous."
"Well, that's obvious. You'd think you were on a blind date out there."
"I know. What if he thinks it was a mistake? It just sort of happened and we hadn't thought about it and it was stupid, but now that the Collectors are gone what if it was just nerves or-"
Kasumi grabbed Tali's shoulders.
"Tali, take a breath."
Tali sucked in a huge breath and exhaled slowly.
"Better?"
She nodded. Kasumi patted her back.
"Good. Just tell me, what's wrong?"
As soothing as Kasumi's voice was, Tali shoulders still sagged as she thought about it.
"I…what if I just messed it all up with my best friend?"
The quarian found comfort in the thief's embrace.
"You've known Garrus forever. He's the last person who'd think that."
Meanwhile back at the table…
"You think Tali might think it's a mistake us getting together? I'm not really a good turian. I might not be a good boyfriend."
"Come on Garrus. I see the way you two look at each when you aren't bickering. Besides, there are more perplexing couples than you and Tali. Look at Jack and Zaeed. They make an interesting…"
It took him a moment to search for the word. He had nothing.
"…they make something that's for sure. The best bounty hunter with the most wanted criminal, it at least 'sounds' poetic."
"The upshot of them being together is if someone tries to catch Jack, Zaeed could say he's collecting the bounty on her. Best cover story to avoid the authorities. I just saw her face plastered across a billboard on the way here."
"The point is you two have some ups and downs but it shouldn't change anything or how you act. You are lucky your friendship turned into something more. What's there to be afraid of?"
"He deserves someone who can always be there. With this suit…I can't."
"Tali, Garrus cares a lot about you. Suit or no suit. You were there when he was grappling with his past. He kept you up when you were grieving over your dad. It didn't matter to him."
"But that was as a friend. If things get…closer…"
Tali looked at herself in the mirror; all she saw was a suit and a visor. She did her best to stay composed.
"He has needs too. What if I can't fulfill them?"
"I don't think you give yourself enough credit. You're a tech whiz. Your hips and waist could rival any turian. And I've seen him eyeing you like Ken with Miranda's ass. You're telling me you'd want to let him go to some asari floozy."
"Keelah, no!"
She said that a little too quickly for Kasumi not to catch the urgency in her voice. The thief could tell the quarian's body language. It was something she was familiar with up until recently.
"How long?"
Tali was thankful the thief couldn't see her face. She must be blushing furiously.
"I've never…well…nothing that wasn't a Nerve-Stim program."
Kasumi gripped Tali's three fingered hand.
"Aww Tali. So he'd be your first."
She couldn't have felt more embarrassed or giddy than right at this moment.
"Keelah…his body. Those eyes. And that voice."
She wasn't going to mention how she had to reinstall her Nerve-Stim program when Garrus had joined…and her need to upgrade to the deluxe edition when they started getting closer. His eyes, the way they could seemingly pierce her visor like he could see her face. When she felt his talons pressing into her suit. The craving of his large frame pressed against her. The exciting thought of what the hard plating and rough skin of his chest would feel like on her bare skin. Even to have his three talons intertwine with her fingers. How they would feel tracing along her body…all areas of her. She was burning at this point.
"Is it selfish for me to want this?"
Kasumi put a consoling arm around her friend.
"You two care deeply for one another. And trust me, when your feelings are that strong…"
She glanced around the room to make sure, then whispered in Tali's audio receptor.
"…the sex will be incredible."
"So have you two…you know?"
Garrus felt the need to take a longer swig of his drink before he responded.
"No. We haven't."
"Planning on it?"
"I've been doing some research. Mordin sent me some data pamphlets."
"That sounds weird, okay."
"I want to make it special. A nice clean room. Wine. I've heard bringing chocolate is appropriate."
"Archangel. Ruthless vigilante and hopeless romantic," joked Brandon.
He chuckled, though Brandon noticed it was a bit forced. He clearly saw the grief in the turian's eyes.
"Tali…deserves so much more than she has. I just…I want it to go right. Just once in my life for something to right."
Garrus really wanted this, but it wasn't just him. He wanted to make Tali happy.
"Buddy, you are going to have to talk to her about this. You care about her right?"
"Without a doubt."
"Then you have nothing to worry about."
Garrus nodded gratefully for the talk.
"And the two lovely ladies return," exclaimed Brandon.
Tali and Kasumi returned to the table with a noticeable weight off their shoulders. Almost immediately, the second round of drinks was served. Tali was hesitant but finally spoke.
"So Garrus…what do you think about sex?"
Even without lips, he spurted his whole drink as the rest laughed.
Apparently the pep talks worked as the rest of the night was filled with laughs, talks, and booze until the food arrived. Brandon had never seen such a plethora of different meals. Tali had a strawberry colored paste in a very elaborate looking sterile tube. Garrus had a plate of meat chunks covered in an indistinguishable sauce. What kind of meat was anyone's guess. Kasumi had an assortment of freshly broiled fish. He looked down at his own slow cooked brisket and mashed potatoes. So many people of Earth, him included, were grateful space cows tasted very close to earth born cows. Before they had taken more than two bites, both Tali and Garrus' omni-tool buzzed.
"Ummm...we have to leave."
There was a noticeable worry in Tali's voice.
"Shepard is calling us," quickly replied Garrus. "Something happened with Liara. We need to head over to her apartment now."
They tossed a credit chit on the table and were up and out with Brandon calling back to them.
"We'll pack your food to go!"
New armor was a necessity so Brandon made sure he bought a suitable replacement. His colossus armor, more than two years old, stood up against mercenaries, Collectors, and Reapers. Its performance was enough to warrant a return to Kassa Fabrication. Kasumi waited patiently in the shop as Brandon was in the changing room. She did enjoy how the asari clerk kept glancing up from behind the counter each time she picked up a display item. It wasn't her fault that she always managed to stand in a spot that kept her out of view of security cameras.
The door finally slid open and the stomp of heavy boots hit the floor. Brandon was sheathed in brand new armor. He couldn't help but look in the mirror. So accustomed to used or second hand items, it was weird seeing something new for a change. Its deep gray, metallic look contrasted with light charcoal highlights keeping the look both subtle, yet distinguishable. The plates were marginally thicker, but didn't hinder mobility. Auxiliary shield emitters rested on his shoulders with an upgraded Aeigis vest strapped over the armored chest.
"Fits like a glove. What do you think?"
"Looks great."
He looked behind quick enough to notice Kasumi was actually staring very intently at his ass.
It was called goliath armor. Known for quality and dependability, Kassa Fabrication made some of the finest suits. It was the new redesigned version of the original colossus armor it replaced. Though it bore many similarities visually, the weave and formation of the plating was a marked improvement over the older platform. More importantly, it was remarkably stronger and passed rigorous tests that surpassed not only new suits of other companies, but Council regulation standards. And still, the padded undersuit clung to his body and was very comfortable. He barely noticed the additional heft of it. Part of their advertising campaign included the vids of the torture testing to prove its resilience. As well as their saying:
We don't want just a customer. Our products ensure you're a returning customer.
After the extent of Brandon's usage, he knew it wasn't purely a tagline. Pleased, he undressed and went to the kiosk to purchase the goliath armor and its extensions. Thanks to the credits he had been earning, he could afford something nice. That being said, when the asari clerk brought up the price it still hurt.
"I bet if you were Commander Shepard you'd get a discount," Kasumi whispered.
He nearly glared at her smug little smirk.
With the armor shipped back to the 'Normandy', they strolled through the Illium marketplace. Compared to the Citadel, the shops were much bigger. Some had their items on display as opposed to only an automated kiosk. Owners bartered with customers. Couples clung to each other's arms. It was slightly irritating that the world like so many others had no idea what had just been stopped or what was still coming. Then again, since little to no one would believe them, Brandon decided to take after everyone else and enjoyed the moment. Leftover dextro food in one hand. The other occupied around the thief's waist.
"Cerberus must have paid you substantially. No reason to settle down in the tropics or something like that?"
"As if the payoff is the prize. I do it for the love of it. If I didn't I'd be the rich snobs around here. Have to admit, a little vacation wouldn't be a bad thing. You know…before all hell breaks loose."
"So what's a vacation for you?"
"Hmm. A good book with a small apartment overlooking beautiful scenery. And a handsome man to keep me company."
He gave her a rather questionable look.
"You just described your place on the Normandy."
She wrapped her arm around him.
"I guess I did. What about you? What's your idea of a vacation?"
"Room service. A massage. Crystal clear pool with a poolside bar and grill. And a gorgeous view."
Kasumi nudged him with a playful pout.
"I'm hurt. I'm not in that vision of yours."
"Oh no, I mentioned the gorgeous view."
She shook her head.
"That was so corny. You're lucky you're cute."
He pulled his arm tighter around her waist. Just walking with him by her side; she missed this so much.
"I know you're used to freelancing, but now that ties with Cerberus are cut which scares you more? The Illusive Man or let's say the Shadow Broker?"
"Shadow Broker by far. And scarier than Mr. Illusive."
"Explain."
"Well, the Illusive Man is…well, a man. You know what you're dealing with. Think about it. The Shadow Broker could be everyone and no one. Complete unknown. Stealthy. Manipulative."
She leaned into him as they walked.
"Maybe…I'm the Shadow Broker. Infiltrating Shepard's group. Learning all the secrets by seducing an unknowing crewmember."
His other arm was around her as they moved from the pedestrian traffic against a wall of a nearby shop.
"Learn anything useful so far," he asked in that husky tone.
He leaned in and gently kissed her lips. She saw that teasing smile and licked her lips.
"I think I need more intel."
She grabbed him close and kissed much more vigorously. Not wanting to be too much of a public distraction they continued passing various shops until one caught Kasumi's eye.
"Oh Brandon! We have to stop in here!"
She practically dragged him into a store with its neon sign blinking its name in every language:
Durant's Antiques.
Unlike the Citadel, this looked to be a genuine antique shop and not the cheap overpriced items for the unknowing tourist. These were legitimate overpriced items. Asari culture, turian military surplus, and oddities of the human race. It was a mix of everything.
"Despite all your endeavors to 'acquire' priceless arts you still like the run of the mill antique stores?"
She ducked through a few art deco items from the early 1900s.
"Oh you get lucky sometimes. Everyone has a hobby. Shepard has her model collection. She loves building those things."
"Kasumi, did you spy on Shepard building her models?"
"…no."
Brandon didn't persist when he noticed a glass case full of old human firearms. All were legal to own because they were classified as antiques by galactic law, didn't use mass accelerators, and ammunition was rare if not impossible to find or recreate outside Earth. The universe was baffled that human designed weapons were based around miniature pressurized explosives to accelerate projectiles. However, the simple antiquated tech made them desirable to collectors of many races. How such beautiful pieces of machinery from Earth were all the way on Illium was unbelievable. The legendary Colt 1911a1. The indestructible Soviet AK-47. The infamous M16 rifle. The deadly AA-12. Soon his eyes landed on a something so rare. A LeMat revolver. He knew the shape. It wasn't an original, but there were so few of them that the reproductions in the very early twenty-first century were just as sought after. Nine shot cylinder in .44 caliber, unheard of for a percussion revolver of the 1860s, with a smoothbore twenty gauge shotgun barrel down the center. The revolver swooshed back and it so much reminded him of his pistols.
"Looks like you found something you like."
A hat covered his eyes. He pushed up the brim to see Kasumi judging the look.
"The hat suits you."
He humored her and took a look in one of the mirrors. Had to admit, the brown fedora looked good on him.
"Trying to keep me looking classy," he said before placing it back on the hat rack.
It occurred to him, aside from humans, no one wore hats. Cloaks yes. Hoods yes. No hats. Must be the lack of hair. Or because so many species had horns, fringes, or armor plating.
That's a shame.
He moved over to see the more expensive objects behind the counter.
"Those hieroglyphics?"
"That's Thessia artwork. It's been around before humanity existed. They say the oldest ones date back fifty thousand years."
"Wonder if they have any Reaper warnings in there artwork," he whispered.
If Kasumi wasn't wearing her hood Brandon would have sworn her eyes widened when she saw the krogan knife on display by the kiosk.
"Nice knife. Looks really...silent. It'd fit in my hand beautifully."
"[tsk] This might interest you more, [tsk] ma'am," said the volus behind the counter.
He pointed to a long, sleek blade on the wall.
"[tsk] That's a Japanese [tsk] samurai sword. Very rare outside of Earth. [tsk] Almost a thousand years old. For a lady such as yourself, [tsk] I can let it go for give two hundred thousand credits."
Kasumi hadn't so much as glimpsed at it before she retorted.
"Thanks, but no. It's a Japanese copy. The blade of a real katana is forged Tamahagane steel and made by hand. That's machine cut stainless steel. Still valuable, but you might need to drop a few zeros off your price for the next competent customer."
Brandon silently chuckled after the thief debunked the swindler, but he sensed something was amiss. He glanced around the shop and noticed nothing, but when he looked through the front windows he saw a group very interested in them. He stayed inconspicuous to their surveillance but could make out the cheaply dressed men with overly expensive sidearms. Their cheap clothing bulged too much that armor had to be underneath and he doubted their duffle bags were filled with toiletries. The detective looked around the shop and saw the back wall had a large window. After a few story drop was an adjacent alley.
Brandon swiftly reached around Kasumi's waist and pulled her to his lips. The spontaneity sent her heart racing. She gripped his lower back and pulled herself closer. He nuzzled and kissed her neck hearing her sigh in pleasure. Though, the whispers in her ear would have been a bit unconventional…
"Three guys on the right."
…if she wasn't a thief.
"Mhmm. I know. And two on the far side-"
She gasped when he nipped at her neck.
"-and a look out at the door. Been following us since the club."
He stayed close under her hood so they couldn't see his lips move.
"Recognize them?"
"Nope."
She stole glances at them while they were embraced. The duffle bags were dropped and zipped open. She caught not only the glint of armored helmets but the forms of rifles.
"Our friends are drawing Mattocks," she whispered.
The thief's hands pressed down to his waist, both enjoying the feel of his abs and switching his pistol safety off.
"Back window?"
"It'll ha-"
Kasumi nearly yelped when his hand moved up her inner thigh after he armed her weapon.
"-have to do."
She looked at him with both frustration and hunger.
"And you're paying for this later."
He replied with a smug and sexy grin.
"I'll pay it gladly."
The agents discreetly advanced towards them. The volus clerk didn't even bother trying to stop them and ducked under his counter.
"Go…now!"
They darted to the back of the shop and the agents gave chase. Brandon and Kasumi shot holes through the window before they crashed and shattered through the glass. The thief landed gracefully with the soldier rolling out on the deck. Before long, they were on their feet and running from the men stuck at the window.
"At least they're not firing at us-"
Bullets splintered on the deck interrupting Kasumi.
"You had to say it didn't you?"
Both fired back at the men stuck at the shop window. They jumped beside a garbage dumpster and reloaded. Apparently, they weren't the only ones there when a very gruff turian bum awoke from his slumber. Naturally, Brandon shoved the stack of leftovers into his arms.
"Delivery."
The two bolted and ran towards a nearby parking lot. The turian cocked a browplate, looked at the feast on his lap, shrugged and dug in.
Brandon glanced above the fleet of cars to see the agents make their way to the lot. They slowly surveyed the area searching for them. He ducked down when they started in their direction.
"So what's the plan," asked Kasumi.
Brandon knew they had no chance of taking them out with pistols and no armor. He should have worn that new goliath suit instead of having it delivered to the ship.
"You know how to hack a skycar?"
"I'm going to pretend you didn't just ask me that."
The stayed low as they navigated through the lines of vehicles.
"That one!"
Kasumi pointed to the very sleek vehicle painted in moonlight blue.
"A 2187 Blackout?"
"Whoever could afford that should have theft insurance on it."
The pair rushed over to the car and Brandon smashed the window with the butt of his pistol. Kasumi looked questionably at detective and simply pulled open the door. The owners hadn't even locked it.
"You drive."
Kasumi jumped in the drivers' seat and they rocketed to the skyway above. The agents caught on and followed in a transport vehicle. Immediately, shots pierced the back of the skycar and ricocheted inside the cab.
"Keep your head down."
Brandon fired back at the agents' vehicle through the broken window; unfortunately, the transport had armor and bullet resistant glass. He had to blink when he saw both Mattocks and Revenants aimed at their direction.
"Turn. Evade. EVADE!"
Kasumi swerved the skycar through the hordes of traffic with the truck in pursuit. The chorus of honks and angry drivers was replaced by muzzle blasts as tracers grazed past them. Whoever the agents were had no concern for anyone else when a civilian car that got in the way. They deliberately opened fired causing it to splutter smoke and fall out of the sky for a clear shot.
"Bastards!"
It might have only been a pistol but Brandon scored a head shot of one of the gunmen and hits on another.
"This is a faster car, Kasumi. Punch it."
"Technically, I don't have a driver's license."
"When has something like that stopped you?"
Suddenly, their comms echoed to life.
THIS IS GARRUS. WHERE ARE YOU?
"Under attack by unknown forces. We are on the skyway heading north on crossway sixty-six."
GET OFF THE SKYWAY AND MAKE THE TURN ON LUSIA LANE. APPROACH FROM THE WEST AND LAND ON HOTEL AZURE.
"Roger."
WHO'S ROGER?
"Nevermind!"
Kasumi bobbed and weaved to keep the transport from gaining a clear shot.
"You'd think local police might be investigating a frigging armed high speed chase," yelled Brandon.
"We're on Illium I'm sure someone got paid off. How much you have left?"
Brandon's pistol was out. All he had left was Kasumi's predator now.
"Half a clip."
He fired off a few more rounds.
"Quarter clip."
He made sure his last shots took out the one sticking his head way too far outside the truck.
"Out."
He ducked back in. The truck stayed on them and smashed through a few cars to get closer. They both looked at the rearview cam and saw two men stand up with armed missile launchers. Ironically, Brandon was worried less by the missiles and more from Kasumi's devious grin.
"Let's see if these bastards can do 590."
She pushed the throttle all the way down and pressed them into their seats. The engine whined louder with every kilometer per hour they gained on the dashboard. The lights and cars around them started to blur from the shear amount of speed. She cut between cars way too close but left the transport far enough behind. Up ahead they saw the lights of hotel Azure.
"There it-"
He couldn't finish after Kasumi jerked the skycar to the right, spun it in a complete 180, and jammed the throttle to slow it down. They descended then impacted the patio deck screeching to a halt. He was completely speechless as she had the most innocent, amused smile on her face.
Damn, she knows how to drive!
They piled out of the car with only enough time to look back to see their chaser plow towards them. Suddenly, the windshield shattered from a high powered round. It enhanced the definition of bullet resistant glass when it pierced the driver's skull with a cascade of blood. The truck wavered from side to side before spiraling into the column support of an adjacent building. The ones that weren't consumed in the fiery explosion jumped to crash to the ground below. Kasumi and Brandon looked back at the destruction before seeing a very smug turian brandishing his sniper rifle.
"Some guests need to know when the party's over," hollered Garrus.
Shepard, Liara, and Tali joined them. Brandon hoped they knew more than they did.
"With all due respect Shepard, what the fuck is going on?"
"We're going after the Shadow Broker."
There was a time he would be excited about this kind of news. At the moment, he was just frustrated.
"The Shadow Broker. What? The Collectors and Reapers weren't enough? You thought you needed a bigger challenge or something?"
Liara stepped forward.
"One of my friends I thought was dead is alive. For two years he must've been tortured relentlessly. We're getting him back."
It had been a long time since he'd seen Liara. Back on the old SR1 he rarely talked with the archaeologist. Didn't really take the company of the grunts, then again she was probably used to the solace of dig sites. She favored stories with Dr. Chakwas and Tali. Sometimes it was hard to have a conversation as it would always come back to Protheans…or if Shepard was single.
"So who were those thugs trying to kill us," asked Brandon.
"Private army. My research indicated the Shadow Broker had dealings with the Collectors. Now that they're gone he probably was trying to gain some leverage."
"Kill the crew that took them down," said Kasumi.
"It appears that way."
Shepard ended the conversation with a swift pump of her shotgun.
"Enough chatter. Let's get moving. We don't have much time."
On that note, the group headed to their stolen Blackout and Taxi.
"Dinner and mercs in the same night. Does that mean I get a second date," joked Garrus.
"Oh we'll see Vakarian. I take it the rest of your date went well," said Tali.
"Not too bad. Just some party crashers," quipped Kasumi.
"What happened to the food?"
Kasumi eagerly awaited what excuse Brandon was going to make up.
"Oh…those bastards…blew it up…"
"Oh…damn those bosh'tets."
