Hi again. This story is going well I must say. I'm really filled with ideas so yea...
I was just wondering if anyone could guess what song was featured in the previous chapter... if you think you know, go post in reviews or something
Normandy SR2
Ashley.
Tali was disappointed. Shepard had clearly slept with her on the night before Ilos, but Tali questioned if they really cared for each other. Sure there were lustful glances and quick kisses between missions, she was even the first one to report to him when the Normandy came under attack. But Tali hated her guts. Despite all that she was taught on how to forgive and forget, she still got angry after hearing what Ashley had said on Horizon. Were it really true love she would believe in him, trust him even when things went wrong and the odds were against him. Instead she accused him of working with Cerberus and walked out on him.
But Tali, Tali was always there for Shepard. Through thick and thin. When she was thrown off the platform at the collector base, Shepard willingly threw himself down to save her. When Shepard was desperately clinging on for his life, hanging by the floor of the airlock chamber, Tali instinctively put herself in the direct line of collector fire to save Shepard. Shepard had gone out of the way, risking his own reputation when he shouted at the admiralty board. Tali had stood by Shepard and backed him up when the council dismissed the reaper threat. There was nothing but care and concern between them.
Maybe that was why Shepard put Ashley behind him. Why he so willingly let go. Maybe that was why Shepard had married Tali without showing even a hint of hesitation even when faced with the possibility of a political shit storm.
She was his choice...
Tali slowly removed the helmet and walked out the door, not talking to anyone. Both Kasumi and Shepard stared at her as she trailed out the door, walking mindlessly to engineering like a zombie. She needed some time alone to think.
As Tali reached her work console her mind went blank. There were so many questions, yet so little answers. Was there something she didn't know? Was there something she knew but didn't think it was important.
If Shepard really loved her, then why did he sleep with Ashley? It was so confusing to her. He was doing one thing and then doing the entire opposite later.
Was it that he truly loved her but didn't want to inconvenience her because of the biological and physical barriers? But if only he had mentioned it, she would willingly take precautions, like what she did before the Omega-4 relay. Maybe at that time Shepard didn't think it was possible. Then why would he sleep with Ashley? Because of stress? As what Mordin always talking about, having sex because they wanted to release stress?
It was a possibility. They were driving a stolen warship off into space, hunting down a rogue spectre directly against the council's orders. Shepard had every right to be stressed.
Tali then remembered that Ashley had sent her that invitation for Tali to visit her family back on earth. Tali simply popped up her omnitool and replied, politely declining on the basis of 'not being free'.
Tali brought her head back up. Ken and Gabby were talking to each other on the job, again. She was already able to sense something going on between them. Hey, if you were stuck working next to someone, especially of the opposite gender, for years on ends, something is bound to develop.
Tali looked back into the drive core. The very same one that always gave her peace, the one that she always found solace in. She always remember something important, something that kept her going. She will always hold it dear to her heart.
She was his choice.
Shepard's POV
"Oh well, that was awkward."
"Did she just walk out on us?"
"Give her some time to think."
"I suppose." Kasumi tapped on her omnitool and powered down the entire system. "You should go see Mordin. Has been going on whole morning about something important."
"Alright then, I'll get going."
"See ya later Shep."
Normandy SR2, Science Lab
Shepard entered to see Mordin at his desk, at usual, but with three cups on the table. Two empty and one half full with coffee. It was scary to think how much he drank. There were three plant specimens on the table. A test tube which had the label 'quarian tissue' on it. Lastly, there was a petridish which had, is that husk tissue? Shepard made a disgusted face as he looked at the tissue. As long as it didn't suddenly pop out and try to eat him, he was fine with it.
"Ah Shepard. Needed to talk. Breakthrough on reaper invasion. Based on their estimated location and moving speed, reapers should arrive in approximately one year's time."
"Wow, that's actually quite some time. It isn't a lot but considering what we've covered in just a few months, that should be quite enough time to prepare."
"Also, need permission to send relevant data and evidence to Alliance, Migrant Fleet, Legion, Urdnot Wreav, Turian fleet and Salarian STG."
"Permission granted. I ain't a big fan of the council, but shouldn't we at least tell them."
"Council, will take too long to look through data, what more accept data and findings. Easier to tell relevant parties directly. Unless you oppose, of course."
"No, I don't oppose. I see your point quite well."
"By the way, did you or Tali find any of my educational vids useful? Hope time spent together was enjoyable."
Shepard stared blankly at the 'very model of a scientist salarian'. Was this all another one of Mordin's jokes? It better not be.
"Erm, no I didn't use them. Found out a lot more on my own."
"Ah, would you like to contribute to the information stockpile then? Donate an educational video or two, maybe some other information? Now tell me, what positions are preferable."
"Don'thavetimegottogonow!" Shepard shot out the words just as quickly as Mordin would have, back stepping out of the science lab and into the CIC, attracting quite a few stares from his fellow crew members. Shepard turned around to face the crew, most of them giving him a o.0 face.
"Ah… I was about to select a destination!" Shepard gave them a thumbs up, trying desperately to clear the awkwardness over why he just rushed out of the science lab. He slowly walked to the Galaxy map, returning some of the stares that were still on him.
"Can't do that Commander, TIM wants to have a chat."
That announcement seemed to clear up the tension.
"If you don't want to chat, he already passed me a message. Says that he managed to track down the final copy of your DNA. Seems like rogue Cerberus is working with the Blue Suns, selling your DNA."
"Joker, I'm just here!"
"It's fun to use the intercom, come on. Anyway, you're supposed to go to Illium, where all illegal stuff come from. When you're there, ask Liara for a contact named Nikolai, true blue Russian, about buying the DNA coding."
"Uh huh, and they will not recognize Shepard how?"
"Looks aren't a problem, random guy with random quarian 'slave', with names Henry and Paloa, they won't know a thing. Fake IDs already made thanks to a certain friend called Fade."
"Why does that sound so familiar?"
"C-Sec promised him a few years off if he did this one favour. Anyway, heading out for Illium, you better get your teams ready. Nobody really knows how this would turn out."
Illium, Red Sand Illegal warehouse
"Hey, are you sure? You're gonna get me Shepard's DNA from a red sand warehouse."
"Hey, don't question the boss. I just follow orders. If you have a problem, you can go find the DNA somewhere else."
"Fine," Shepard stuck his hands up in the air defensively "Fine."
They were left in a large open space while the merc went to the back office to inform his superior only after scanning Shepard for weapons. It was a large warehouse, some LOKI mechs on patrol and some mercs on the catwalks up above. Of course, nobody knew how many hidden snipers were ready just in case the transaction went wrong.
A moment later the same merc came back out, only that now he was accompanied by a man in customized uniform with his rank engraved on the sides. He was closely followed by two of his personal bodyguards who also wore special armour.
Shepard felt so, exposed. Here they were, wearing heavy armour, and here he was in civilians clothes. Both him and Tali didn't even have their shield generators with them. If something went wrong, then could be killed, on spot.
"Henry, so good to meet you in person." The merc with the special insignia stuck out his hand, and Shepard shook it.
"Second Lieutenant? I thought I'll be meeting the boss himself."
"He met with a little, accident, and is now recovering under intensive care."
Vido is still alive?
"I see you brought a little friend with you? Is it really, necessary to bring her?" He put a hand on her shoulder and slowly slid it down the length of her arm in a very perverted way. But his hand quickly retracted, for he knew business was business, and that the client should always be happy. From the looks that 'Henry' was giving him, he wasn't too happy.
"I'm sorry, where were my manners. I'm Lieutenant Azda, nice doing business with you."
"I'm still a bit curious with what happened to your boss." Shepard instinctively asked, still partially annoyed at how Azda treated Tali, like a slave and nothing more.
"The curious type I see" Azda gave Shepard a very cautious look "His plan was utterly thrashed by Commander Shepard where he sustained fatal injuries."
"But thanks to your DNA. The Lazarus applied to him."
Thanks to your DNA. Is it just a slip of tongue, or did he really know who I am. If so, this may go horribly wrong on so many vectors.
"I can thank you so much Henry. Or should I say, Commander Alex Shepard?"
The two bodyguards plus the first merc pulled their guns out, pointed at Shepard, ready to fire. He quickly mapped it out. There were a total of 8 mercs on the catwalks, three on one and five on the other. The four LOKI mechs also had their guns trained on him, waiting for the command. Chances were that there were at least two snipers waiting for the green light to fire. But Shepard too had a contingency plan.
"Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta. Code Zero"
A figure flickered into view as the first merc closest to Shepard had his neck brutally snapped. Kasumi quickly flicked her cloak back on as Rosa and Thane pounced on Azda's two personal guards. With a knife ejected into the neck of the first merc and three quick punches to the wind pipe of the second, the mercs on the ground were all taken care of.
The Blue Suns on the catwalks were quick to react, firing their weapons at Shepard and Tali, only to have their bullets deflected by a very powerful biotic barrier powered up just in time by Samara. Jacob and Zaeed took the opportunity to open fire on the mechs, effectively removing them from the fight.
Two sniper shots rang out, filling the air with a short trail of smoke and a certain amount of suspense. Half expecting one his men to fall, Shepard gasped. But instead two dead mercs fell from their respective hiding places. Looking up behind him, he caught sight of Nala and Legion loading a fresh bullet into their snipers. Jumping out from cover, covered head to toe in blue, pulsing energy, Jack pulled the entire catwalk down with a quick flick of her wrists.
Four mercs plummeted to their death and the last, who was only injured, was mercilessly put down by a Krogan Claymore shotgun. Grunt kicked the dead body aside, picking up a cargo crate with two hands and flung it at the remaining three mercs. The fight was over, and it was in Shepard's favour.
"Bravo Shepard," Azda clapped his hands "Bravo."
Now Shepard noticed it. Why wasn't he careful before, why didn't he pay attention? His focus was drawn to several blinking red lights plastered across the walls of the room. At first he thought they were a code red siren blaring, but now he saw what they really were.
"You had a choice Shepard. You made the wrong one." Azda lifted up one hand to reveal a detonator that he had all along.
"All teams. Disengage! I repeat disengage! This place is going to blow, get back to the ship!"
Shepard turned around and was about to run but he was held back by Azda, who had amazing strength. Almost everyone had turned and left because, as any form of training permits, it's best to get the hell away from a ton of C4 explosives. Only Grunt and Tali were left, with Grunt just finished giving every injured merc a brutal stopped in his tracks
