A/N: Dedicating this chapter to my good buddy Anthea (she sits beside me, and we plot sinister schemes against our math teacher on a daily basis). She's just clinched first place on the second annual K-pop Star Hunt and is going to Seoul to be professionally trained as an artiste! Congratulations and all the best, mate!
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Chapter 36: Exit Miles Colburn, enter Drake Frost.
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-Citadel, Presidium Commons, July 2181-
Catherine
"Eight months, Cath, eight months. That's two-thirds of a year and we have absolutely nothing on Ceberus. No clues, no leads, no tip offs. Zero."
"You're exaggerating, Cole. It isn't zero. We nearly got them once, remember? On Watson!"
"Oh, don't you even dare remind me about Watson. When we got there, all we saw were their bloody tail lights! And after that? Zilch."
"Don't you think you're taking things a little too personal?", Catherine asked. "I mean, I know you and Michelle were... close..."
"You read too much into our relationship. We were just good friends, like you and me.", Colburn denied.
"No.", the sentinel argued. "Campbell and Desmont are just good friends. You and I are brother and sister. Napier and I are frenemies. You and her... There was something else, something more, wasn't there?"
"Okay, fine. Maybe there was.", he admitted. "But take note that 'was' is the operative word. The next time I see her, it's shoot on sight."
"Hey, relax. Don't brood over the negative stuff.", she said, trying to cheer him up. "Campbell and the rest are meeting up at Chora's Den. You should come, have a drink with us. It'll help take your mind off things."
Colburn sighed. "Nah. I've got a ton of paperwork to do. Rain check?"
"Okay then.". She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Don't push yourself too hard, alright?"
"No promises."
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Colburn
What Catherine had previously said a few minutes ago was only half of the truth. The betrayal of Michelle was only part of the reason of his obsession with Ceberus. Kai Leng's last words on Mindoir still remained crystal clear in his mind.
"Idiot. If I wanted to take your lives, I could've done so. The only reason you're still breathing is because The Illusive Man demands it."
Kai Leng was right. I am an idiot. If I didn't interrupt him, I wouldn't be guessing right now.
Sighing, he landed and parked his skycar.
Better luck next time, Cole.
The vanguard stifled a yawn as he walked to his apartment.
Darn it, it's only eight and I'm sleepy. Should've gotten a triple shot of espresso before I came back. Oh well, too late. Now I have to switch on the coffee machine and wait for another half hour, he mentally grumbled to himself as he opened the front door.
He subtly smiled in amusement to himself as he entered the apartment.
This is interesting.
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Michelle
She watched without a sound as the vanguard made his way to the kitchen and open the fridge, scouring for something to drink. She hated what she was about to do, but it wasn't as if she had a say.
This is for the greater good, the infiltrator told herself. He'll understand.
Unexpectedly, the N7 suddenly pulled out a pistol from the refrigerator and immediately opened fire at the lamp in the living room. "I know you're here. Don't be such a chicken and show yourself!", he shouted.
Michelle's eyes widened in alarm. He knows I'm here? She looked down at her hands, but saw nothing. It can't be! My invisibility cloak is still active!
Her eyes grew even wider when she heard somebody clap.
They weren't alone.
"Impressive.", an unexpected Kai Leng remarked. "Frankly speaking, I'm in awe.", the adept said as he stepped away from the shadows, just beside the lamp Colburn had shot. "Are you surprised to see me?"
"Kai Leng? What the Hell are you doing here? You're supposed to be at the morgue!"
"Sorry to disappoint you, but the baffoon your teammates shot on Mindoir wasn't me. I am the real Kai Leng.", he announced.
"Stop playing games.", Colburn growled. "I should shoot you right here, right now."
"But you haven't, you're not, and you aren't going to.", Kai Leng mused.
"And the only reason for that is because I want answers.", the vanguard countered. "Why does The Illusive Man want me alive?"
"Why not make a guess?"
"Not interested, God damn it! Why? "
"Make me a deal and maybe I'll tell you."
That's my cue.
Slowly, the infiltrator tiptoed towards the vanguard from behind as the other Ceberus operative distracted him. In one fluid motion, she activated her Omni-blade, which had been altered to act like a taser instead of a lethal weapon.
She forced herself to hold the taser in place as it made contact with the back of the N7's neck. Michelle heard a few grunts before Colburn's body fell limply to the ground.
I'm sorry, Cole, but it has to be done.
"Well done.", Kai Leng said as she deactivated her cloak and materialised. "Nice and quick."
The infiltrator didn't respond, but merely pressed a finger to her earpiece. "It's done."
"Nice work, Miss Hanson. I see you didn't disappoint me.", the voice said, tone obviously pleased.
"What do we do with him?"
"Bring him back to headquarters. The first and most important step has been completed. Now the Phoenix shall come to life."
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-3 days later, Citadel, Human Embassy-
Napier
"He's been missing for more than forty-eight hours and you still have nothing? What the heck is wrong with you people?!", Catherine shouted at Hackett's hologram.
"We don't have evidence, currently. But we will find him, eventually."
"Oh sure, you'll find him.", the sentinel retorted sarcastically. "You'll find his dried up corpse ten years later, maybe."
"Why don't we report it to C-Sec? The more people working on the case, the faster we'll find Colburn, right?", Campbell suggested.
"No!", Udina, the Human ambassador said harshly. "No one else must know, especially Citadel Security! If this is connected to Ceberus, Humanity's trustworthiness to the Citadel Council will be nonexistent!"
And now Napier was angry. "And then what? We wait til some body's found floating in the Presidium lake? We've got a soldier in trouble and possibly kidnapped by a terrorist organisation and you're worried about Humanity's image?"
"Napier has a point.", Desmont supported. "Besides, there's too much red tape to go through. It's going to take centuries. We need C-Sec's help to find Colburn."
"Nobody is allowed to report this to anyone else. And that's an order.", Hackett commanded.
"You know, when Cole told me how much of an idiot you were, I only thought you were half stupid. Now I know that you don't even have a brain!", Catherine suddenly burst out. "As slow as C-Sec is, they're probably quicker than us by a hundred times. I'm going to find him, with or without the Alliance.". The sentinel stormed off, but not before saying: "You'll have my resignation letter in your email tomorrow."
"Ya know, she's right. In fact, I think we'll be better off without you.", he said in disgust. "So much for N7. I can't believe I even signed up for this shit. This insignia's a disgrace."
"Napier...", Desmont cautioned.
"No, Louis. It's the truth.". The Briton turned towards Hackett. "Check for a second email in your inbox tomorrow morning."
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-Citadel, Zakera Ward, Darkstar Lounge-
Catherine
"I can't believe you've quit too.", the sentinel admitted as she took a sip of beer.
"Hackett was being a real dick, Udina's an ass, and the whole Alliance's just fucked up. I have no idea why I used to think joining the military was just a great idea. I wanted to prove myself when I got the opportunity to join the N7. Now I know it's just a small paint job with two letters on it."
"But you wouldn't have done it if I hadn't, would you?"
"Hey, don't think so highly of yourself, okay?", Napier said after gulping down half of the bottle's contents. "But all joking aside, I've got your back, alright? When I said we're a team and cover each other's backs, I didn't say it just to hear myself speak. We stick together, no matter what."
She smiled before raising her bottle. "Thanks, Napier."
The soldier gently clinked his beer with hers. "You bet."
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-Ceberus Headquarters-
"Miles Colburn has been secured. He won't pose a problem anymore.", the adept reported.
The Illusive Man nodded in approval. "Good. Mr Hutcherson, how is Project Phoenix coming along?"
"Very smoothly. With Drake Frost now on standby, I don't think there'll be anymore delays or hiccups if everything proceeds as planned."
The Illusive Man's lips curled into a small smile. "Excellent. I've been waiting for this day. Initiate Project Phoenix and begin with total facial reconstruction on Frost. I want an update on a daily basis. Understand?"
A/N: Now you guys might think it's odd that I'm actually showing what's going on at the bad guys' side, and why I'm doing their POVs as well. I'm not gonna be giving anything away, but the story's cover picture should be a big enough clue. :P See ya!