Disclaimer: I don't own Mass Effect, its characters or plots. I own my OCs and anything original in this.
The next day was the day the Normandy would visit the Citadel. Dawn walked into life support. Thane turned his head to look at her as she walked over.
"Don't worry." She said raising her hands. "I'm not gunna cry." She chuckled. Thane smiled softly. "Mind if I sit?" She asked. Thane nodded and motioned to the chair. "I have about half an hour to kill." Dawn said with a shrug. "If I'm bothering you at any time-" Thane shook his head.
"Of course not." He said. Dawn nodded.
"If you ever want to talk to me..." Dawn trailed off. Thane smiled.
"Thank you." He said. Dawn smiled. "Actually… There's something on my mind."
"Sure, shoot." Dawn said putting her arms on the table.
"I spoke with Shepard before about my son." Dawn blinked.
"You have a son?" Thane nodded.
"His name is Kolyat. I haven't seen him for a very long time… He's around your age now." Thane looked at her before looking away. "When my wife departed from her body, I.. attended to that issue. I left Kolyat in the care of his aunts and uncles. I have not seen or talked to him since."
"How old was he then?"
"Only ten years old."
"If you don't mind me asking, what was your wife's name?" Dawn asked. Thane smiled.
"Irikah."
"That's a beautiful name." Dawn said with a soft smile. Thane nodded.
"I used my contacts to trace Kolyat. He has become – disconnected. He does what his body wills."
"What does that mean?" Dawn asked.
"Disconnected. The body is not our true self. The soul is. Body and soul work as one in a whole person." Dawn nodded. "When the soul is weakened by despair or fear – when the body is ill or injured the individual is disconnected. No longer while."
"So how is Kolyat disconnected?"
"He has gone to the Citadel and has gained a job as a hit man. I could discover no more."
"What did Shepard say?"
"The next time the ship stops at the Citadel he would assist me." He said. Dawn nodded. "Seeing as you and Garrus are closer to the Commander I would assume he would asset you first." Dawn shrugged.
"I'm not sure." She said. "But, if you'd allow it. I'd like to help you." Thane smiled with a nod.
"It would be much appreciated, Miss Cole." Dawn smiled.
The shuttle landed and Shepard, Dawn and Garrus got out.
"I've found references to a forger named Fade in C-Sec crime reports, Shepard." EDI said. "Perhaps that is a good place to start looking." The three walked through the door and waited for the Turian at the door to open it.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, sir." He said as the doors opened. Shepard walked over to Bailey who sat at his desk.
"Yes?" Captain Bailey asked.
"I'm trying to find a local forger. He goes by the name of Fade."
"Yeah, I know of him – the alias, anyway. He's been a throne in the Network division's side for the last year. He works with the Blue Suns."
"Where can we find him?" Garrus asked.
"If I knew that, he'd be in a cell. Best I can do is put you on the trail." Bailey said. "There's a warehouse in the marketplace. Some of Fade's contacts work out of there. Go ask them some questions. Gently, of course."
"Why haven't you been able to catch him?" Shepard asked.
"Whoever he is, he's damn good at avoiding C-Sec. I think someone on the inside's feeding him information. Either that, or he's got access to our databases and comm channels. I don't know which is worse. But you're outside C-Sec. Maybe you can nail his ass."
"I should be going." Shepard said.
"You need anything else, let me know." Shepard nodded and the three headed down a level then to the shipping warehouse.
"This looks like the place." Garrus said. "The forger's thugs should be inside." The three went through a door, down some stairs and through another door. Two Krogan, who were leaning against crates, stood up. A volus walked into voiew and stood in front of Shepard. The Krogans stood behind him.
"Fade?" Shepard asked. "You're not quite how I imagined you."
"Looks can be deceiving." The volus said. "So… which one of you wants to disappear?"
"I'd rather see you make someone reappear." Garrus said.
"Ah… that's not the service we provide." The volus said. Shepard crossed his arms and Dawn put hers on her hips.
"Make an exception." Garrus said pulling out his pistol. "Just for once."
"Damn it. Quick.. shoot them!" The volus said turning to look at the Krogans. The trio look out the Krogans with a few shots.
"Too slow." Shepard said. The volus looked back at the Krogans on the ground.
"Why do I even bother?" He said.
"We need to find a client of yours. I suggest you cooperate." Shepard said. He stepped towards the volus and towered over him.
"Wait… I'm not the one you want to take to. I'm not Face."
"Not surprising." Dawn said.
"I knew it." Shepard said. Garrus stepped forward. He crouched in front of the volus.
"Well then maybe you'd like to tell us where to find him." Garrus said.
"Yes. Of course. He's in the factory district, works out of the old prefab foundry."
"I know the place." Garrus said looking back at Dawn and Shepard.
"Uh… he's got a lot of mercs there… Blue Suns. Harkin thinks they're protecting him."
"Harkin?" Garrus asked standing up.
"Who the hell is Harkin?" Shepard asked.
"He's C-Sec. We worked together. Sort of…" Garrus said.
"He got fired from C-Sec a while ago. But he still knows the systems." The volus said.
"Interesting." Garrus said. "But changes nothing. We still need to find him before we can get to Sidonis."
"This Harkin sounds like he could use a little talking to." Shepard said.
"Talk all you want." Garrus said. "I'll be too busy giving his kidneys a friendly thumping." Garrus said. "We'll need to go to the transit station. I can get us to him from there."
"So I… I can go?" The volus asked.
"Sure." Garrus said. "But if we don't find Harkin, we'll be back for you." Shepard and Garrus pointed their pistols at him in sync.
"Oh good." The volus walked away.
"That was cute." Dawn said before walking back to the stairs.
The shuttle landed and the three got out and approached a doorway. There were two Blue Suns standing guard and a human between them. He saw the trio and backed up.
"There he is." Shepard said.
"Shepard?" Harkin asked. "Don't just stand there… stop them. Stop them!" Harkin said before running through the door. The Blue Suns ran forward and got behind crates.
"Run all you want, Harkin. We'll find you!" Garrus shouted as the trio pulled out their guns. Dawn two out duel pistols and shot the two Blue Suns in the head. Garrus and Shepard turned to stare at her.
"Close your mouths boys, let's go." She said jogging to the door. The two followed her and entered the large warehouse. They two out two mechs that activated before climbing over crates to move to better cover. The three took out the rest of the mechs as they made their way through the room. They moved to another section of the large room.
"Harkin's in here somewhere. I can smell him." Garrus said. Blue Suns started to fire at the trio as well as the mechs. They worked their way to the back of the area and Shepard had to activate a console to open the large doors. "We're getting close." Garrus said. The trio moved to the back of the next around taking out the mercs. As they got to the back a large claw lowered a large mech. "Heavy mech overhead –watch out!" Dawn used stasis on the mech using her biotics while Garrus used overload to lower its shields. After some concentrated fire from the trio the mech exploded. They took out the rest of the Blue Suns before heading to the very back of the room and through a door. "What the hell is Harkin up to?" Garrus asked. Shepard opened the cover to the windows of the room they were in and Garrus walked up and looked out.
"You worked with Harkin at C-Sec?" Shepard asked.
"Yeah. He was a pain in the ass back then, too." Garrus said. "But I'm in no mood for his games. If he doesn't cooperate I'll beat him within an inch of his life."
"No point in giving him too much time to prepare." Shepard said. "Come on."
"Right behind you." Garrus said. They three left the room through the side door. They entered the large room after going down a ramp.
"Shepard, I have patched into the warehouse scanners." EDI said. "he crates in the transport carriers overhead are rigged to explode when dropped."
"Good to know." Shepard said. The three climbed up onto platforms to get closer to Harkin.
"Why don't you just turn around?" Harkin said over a speaker. Blue Suns shot at the trio as they advanced. "You're never getting in here, Garrus!"
"Harkin's going to regret this!" Garrus said. They took out any mercs and mechs before getting to the bottom of a large ramp. "Oh crap. Two heavy mechs – incoming!" The three got behind cover.
"Do you really think you can take me down, Garrus?" Dawn used stasis on one of the mechs and Garrus used overload on the other. After a few minutes they switch and Dawn used stasis on the other and he used overload on the other. Shepard used his grenade launcher on one until it exploded while Dawn and Garrus focused on the other. The three ran up the ramp and the platforms started moving up and down. "You'll never make it!" Dawn and Shepard ran to the ones on the left and climbed up to the top taking out two mechs. They went through the doors and saw Harkin looking out the window. Shepard came out behind cover and pointed his gun at Harkin who backed up. "You were close," He said. "But not close enough." Suddenly Garrus came in through the door Harkin was going to leave out of and Garrus hit Harkin in the face with his pistol. He grabbed him and pushed him against the wall, his arm under Harkin's throat.
"So, Fade… couldn't make yourself disappear, huh?"
"Come on, Garrus – we can work this out. Whaddaya need?" Harkin asked. Garrus moved away.
"I'm looking for someone."
"Well, I guess we both have something the other wants." Garrus moved back and kneed Harkin in the gut. He fell to the ground.
"That had to hurt." Shepard said. "Maybe you should just tell us what we want to know." Harkin stood.
"Maybe. I still haven't heard what you want."
"You helped a friend of mine disappear. I need to find him." Garrus said.
"I might need a little more information than that."
"His name was Sidonis. Turian, came from the –"
"I know who he is, and I'm not telling you squat."
"Is this information really worth all the trouble?" Shepard asked.
"It would be a lot easier if you would just tell us." Dawn said.
"I don't give out client information. It's bad for business." Harkin said. Garrus suddenly kneed him in the gut again.
"See but not telling us is bad for your health." Dawns said. Garrus put his foot against Harkin's neck.
"You know what else it bad for business?" Garrus asked. "A broken neck." Harkin struggled to push Garrus' foot off.
"All right! All right! Get off me!" Harkin shouted. Shepard put his hand on Garrus' back and he stopped. "Terminus really changed you, huh, Garrus?"
"No, but Sidonis… opened my eyes. Now arrange a meeting." Garrus said. Harkin stood. Garrus nodded to the console.
"I'm going." He walked over to a console. He called someone; they couldn't hear what the other person was saying. "Yeah, it's me. There's a chance your identity may be compromised." Garrus took out his pistol and looked at it. "That's why I'm calling. I'm sending an agent. Where do you want to meet?" Harkin listened to the reply. "All right. He'll be there. Don't worry – I got it covered." Harkin ended the call. "It's all good. He wants to meet you in front of Orbital Lounge. Middle of the day. So, if our business is done, I'll be going…" Garrus stopped him, grabbing Harkin's shirt.
"I don't think so. You're a criminal now, Harkin."
"So what… you're just going to kill me? That's not your style, Garrus."
"Kill you? No. But I don't mind slowing you down a little." Garrus said taking out his pistol and shooting Harkin in the leg. Harkin fell over with a scream. "Maybe give C-Sec a blood trail to follow."
"Bastard!"
"You're getting off easy, Harkin." Shepard said. The three started to leave.
"What did I ever do to you?" Harkin whined.
"Sidonis better be there, or I'm coming back to finish the job." Garrus said.
The three took a shuttle to the Orbital Lounge but landed above it.
"Harkin's a bloody menace." Garrus said. "We shouldn't have just let him go, he deserve to be punished."
"Don't waste your time on him. Let C-Sec deal with him now." Shepard said.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Garrus said. "Thanks for helping us with this, Shepard."
"I'd do the same if I were you."
"I learned from the best." Garrus said. "I need to set up." He looked around. "I can get a clear shot from over there." He pointed to the balcony overlooking the lounge.
"You just want me to get him in position?" Shepard asked.
"Basically. Keep him talking for a minute. When I've got him m sights I'll let you know." Garrus said. "Give me a signal so I know you're ready, and I'll take the shot. You better go, he'll be here soon. Dawn'll be with me, he'd recognize her." Shepard nodded. The two got out of the shuttle and Shepard took off. The two walked over to the balcony and Garrus took out his gun. "Shepard, can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear." Shepard said. Garrus looked through his scope and found Sidonis on a couch.
"All right." Garrus said. "There he is… wave him over and keep him talking." Dawn looked around at the area below and saw Sidonis. Dawn watched as Shepard stopped walking and motioned Sidonis to come over. Sidonis got up and walked over.
"Let's get this over with." Sidonis said.
"You're in my shot. Move to the side." Garrus said.
"Listen, Sidonis, I'm here to help you." Shepard said.
"Don't ever say that name aloud." Sidonis said.
"I'm a friend of Garrus and Dawn's, Garrus wants you dead, but I'm hoping that's not necessary."
"Garrus and Da-? Is this some kind of joke…?"
"Damn it, Shepard." Garrus said. "If he moves, I'm taking the shot!"
"You're not kidding are you?" Sidonis said. "Screw this. I'm not sticking around here to find out. Tell them I had my own problems." Sidonis went to move but Shepard stopped him.
"Don't move."
"Get off me!" Sidonis hit Shepard's hand away.
"I'm the only thing standing between you and a hole in the head."
"Fuck." Sidonis looked down. "I didn't want to do it… I didn't have a choice."
"Everyone has a choice." Garrus said.
"They got to me. Said they'd kill me if I didn't help. What was I supposed to do?"
"Let me take the shot Shepard. He's a damn coward."
"That's it? You were just trying to save yourself?"
"I know what I did. I know they died because of us, and I have to live with that." Sidonis said. Dawn frowned. Sidonis had said 'us'. Sidonis moved over, Shepard made sure to keep blocking Garrus' shot, and Sidonis leaned on a rail. "I wake up every night… sick… and sweating. Each of their faces staring at me… accusing me. I'm already a dead man. I don't sleep. Food has no taste. Some days I just want it to be over."
"Just give me the chance." Garrus said.
"You've got to let it go, Garrus." Shepard said. "He's already paying for his crime."
"He hasn't paid enough. He still has his life…"
"Look at him, Garrus. He's not alive… there's nothing left to kill."
"My team… they deserved better."
"Tell Garrus… I guess there's nothing I can say to make it right." Sidonis said.
"Just… go. Tell him to go…"
"He's giving you a second chance, Sidonis. Don't waste it."
"I'll try, Garrus." Sidonis said standing up straight. "I'll make it up to you, somehow." Thank you. For talking to him."
"Wait." Dawn said. She vaulted over railing.
"Dawn!" Garrus called after her. Dawn used her biotic to land gently on the floor. She jogged up to Shepard and Sidonis.
"Dawn." Sidonis took a step back.
"No- Wait." Dawn said when Sidonis looked ready to run. "Before… you said 'us' you said 'they died because of us.'" Sidonis looked away. Shepard looked between the two. "Who is 'us'? You and who else?" Sidonis shook his head. "Please." He looked at her.
"Dawn." He said.
"Who else, Sidonis?" Dawn asked. Sidonis looked away again.
"I can't-" Dawn walked up to him. He looked down at her. "I'm sorry…"
"I want to know who else."
"… I can't hurt you anymore."
"I know you can't." Dawn said looking a bit confused.
"No… I can't tell you. I won't hurt you again." He repeated. Dawn froze.
"Give me a name."
"Dawn, I can't-"
"Tell me!" She shouted. Shepard put a hand on Dawn's shoulder. Dawn flinched away. Sidonis looked at her with an extremely apologetic look.
"It was… Nelantian." Dawn froze.
So… next one out… I dunno when ^_^
Please review ^_^
