Bioware owns all.
For Shenzi, Sesheta & Star: I couldn't keep this up if it wasn't for you guys getting me through! Thank You!
For Phoenix, No Kaidan (well talk about only), No smut, no torture, no meanie...enjoy.
For everyone else, sorry, this one is all me!
Creating A Niche
~Nine weeks after the destruction of the Normandy~
Garrus got out of the transport and looked at the docks of Omega. This place is a shit hole. But if he was going to find out where that tainted eezo was coming from, he would have to learn his way around here fast.
Walking through the streets he notices the smell. It reminds him of a planet they were on once, Shepard said it smelled like dead fish. The place is dingy and dirty. He walks by a batarian preaching, but pays him no mind. He goes over to a small food shop and orders some protein. He sits down in the corner against the wall and observes the environment.
He spots no less than five thieves, four drug dealers, and at least two sex offenders. He could swear that solarian across the way is a known murderer. While he is watching a pick pocket takes a ladies bag, and she shoots him. No one even blinks. Yes this is the kind of place he is looking for. No rules or regulations to adhere to. No paperwork to file. Now all he needs to do is deal with the criminal element.
Eating his food he notices three different gang colors. Blue, well that would be the Blue Suns. Yellow, that would be Eclipse. Red, that would be the Krogan band, now what was that name. He thought about it as he finished his food. Blood Pack, that's it! It's probably one of these gangs that are shifting the tainted eezo. He watches as Eclipse gang members shake down the woman who shot the thief, for killing in their territory. They extract a hefty fine from her. He looks around, no police, no uproar, nothing. This is ridiculous, they've just run amok. I think I might be able to do something good here. I just have to learn my way around. Yeah, I can make Shepard proud here.
Shepard is still on my mind all the time. How can one human woman become so important to someone's life? I don't even know how we actually defeated Saren and the geth. Really, if I wasn't there I wouldn't believe it. I still remember her there, undercover, flat on her ass talking to Saren, and trying convincing him of Sovereign's evil. A few words with her and he blows his head off. The way she always got things done. I still can't believe that she is gone. The Reapers, now there is a problem. I really should be with the rest of the team, planning to take down the Reapers. Without a ship we might have had some problems but we could try. Well we would have fewer problems if Alenko stepped up to the plate. I can't believe he is letting them use her image in the recruitment posters. Well to be fair, it was in a spaceport, maybe he hasn't seen them yet. I don't know if there is anything he could do about it anyway. I can't believe Alenko, he should be pushing like crazy to get them to go after the Reapers. To get the team back together. Well if we're all going to die anyway, I might as well do some good first. He gets up to find a place to stay.
It's early in the morning. The day is already working up to be a good one. He sets himself up in one of his secret perches. He waits. The scum will come. Its midweek, they always come to shake down the local merchants here in the slums. These people hardly have the credits for daily living and these animals are shaking them down. Eclipse this week, last week it was Blood Pack. When one leaves the others try and take their place. He will have to do this until they learn their lesson and stop coming. The locals have started to call him Archangel. They know he is helping. He takes the three Eclipse down quick and fast. The first two don't even know what hit them. The last just realizes it as he is hit with the final shot and it's done. Clean and fast, the best way.
He gets up and puts his gun away. Heading back to the apartment that he has rented he feels the peacefulness that his success gives him.
He has put out feelers for the tainted eezo, but while he is waiting, cleaning up the streets makes him feel good. This is what he always wanted to do. Take care of the criminal element, to protect people who can't protect themselves. Well maybe not always, maybe only since Shepard. And the locals they appreciate it. They are happier, they are comfortable. They are no longer afraid and can enjoy what little life they have.
~Twelve weeks after the destruction of the Normandy~
Looking through the site of his sniper rifle He counts six Blue Suns. They have been pushing red sand to children from this location. Garrus is going to put a stop to it. He waits as they each walk outside, than he takes them out one at a time. The first two have no idea what is going on. The third finds the body of one of the first one's just as he is hit with the bullet. The fourth is hit just as he turns around and tries to go back in the building after realizing what is happening The two that don't come out of the building he gets them through the window. He makes sure he moves between shots so the last one can't actually ever see him and can't get him targeted. After they are all dead he goes into the warehouse collects a bunch of weapons to sell and destroys all the red sand by dumping out of an airlock.
As he is coming out with his cache a turian male walks up to him. Garrus has noticed the male watching him now and then, but as he never interfered, Garrus let him be. Now he was approaching so Garrus gets his pistol ready.
"Can I help you?" Garrus asks the male.
"Well I was kind of hoping I could help you." The male tells him. "My name is Maro Patircolus and I have been keeping an eye on you.
"Yes, I noticed you. Midweek outside the clinic, weeks start at the grocers, and two days ago outside the apartment entrance."
"Yes, well I guess I need to work on my tailing skills." Maro says.
"For a start, depending on what you're trying to accomplish. My skills were refined by one of the best though."
"What I want to accomplish huh? Well for starters, I would like to help you. I like what you do. You don't hit civilians, and go out of your way to help them. I have skills. I am a fairly good shot, with a sniper rifle and pistol. Like on this job, you could have used someone to flush them out maybe."
"Guess you terrible tailing skills would have been useful here. That is, if you had wanted to be a target. Why do you want to join me?" Garrus asks.
"Well you seem like someone that can get things done. I want to get things done. I don't want to change the universe, just my little part of it. I have lost friends to those gangs. Good friends that had good skills."
"So you're in this for revenge?"
"Yes… no… not really. I just don't want them to get away with what they do. Omega is shit and they are the ones who shit on the shit. I want them stopped. In a way it is revenge, but I want to beat them." Maro explains.
"I don't know if we can beat them, but I can certainly make them hurt."
"Hurt is good. So you'll let me work with you?"
"Sure, always can use some company. I have been watching you too. I have checked you out. Maro Patircolus, former C-sec, had problems with authority, honest and caring and too interested in the details. Actually you might fit in good with me." Garrus tells him.
"So do I call you Archangel?"
"No, please I am Garrus Vakarian, call me Garrus."
"The Garrus Vakarian, the Savior of the Cidadel Garrus Vakarian?" Maro asks
"I am not the savior of the Citadel that was Commander Zinya Shepard."
"I have seen the vids you were there, and she said she couldn't have done it without you. I heard her say that."
"Yes she was very generous like that, but I think you would find it was the other way around, we could never have done it without her." Garrus tells him.
"She stood up there in front of all the races and told anyone that would listen that it was her team that made it all possible. She was very specific that it was the different races working together, including a krogan that made it work. She also talked about a threat to all sentient life. They downplay it now, but I remember the speech."
Garrus remembered it too. That morning she was complaining that she had to make a speech. They were being awarded the Star of Terra, first time for non humans, and she thought it was all too much. She made the speech anyway. She was so bold and proud, telling the universe that her team was the best and there was no equal. She said the races working together could accomplish great things. Then she started to talk about the Reapers. Kaidan squirmed next to him as he saw Anderson scowl at her, and even Garrus could tell that Anderson was not pleased. She didn't care, she thought if even one person believed her that was one more than none. Well Garrus believed her. The rest of the team had no doubts. Truth be told even Anderson actually believed her. They just didn't want it aired in a public forum. That was just after they came back from shore leave. She was so happy then, happier then he had ever seen her. Then they sent them after geth. Two weeks later she was gone.
"Yeah, well she was telling the truth, the Reapers are coming." Garrus tells him.
"You mean, she wasn't crazy like they say?"
"What do you mean crazy? Who is saying that?"
"Yeah that's what they say. Chasing Saren made her lose her grasp on reality. Some human Ambassador was saying it."
Udina, it could only be Udina that little pyjack. He never treated her with any respect. Then the lock down… he had sold them out, just like Kaidan had said. Now there was no one to tell her side, with the team all spit up. Well Kaidan, but he couldn't really do anything, junior officer and all that. Plus he was a biotic with the L2 implants, humans looked at them as unstable anyway. Poor Kaidan, this was probably killing him inside. Well Garrus kept writing him, tried to call him. Kaidan never answered. Not sure what he is thinking, but obviously whatever he is thinking, he isn't thinking straight. It's stupid to turn your back on your friend. I could have supported him in this. Garrus was both sorry and glad he had left the Citadel.
"Well if it's the Human Ambassador that I am thinking of he is worse than most of the scum here, so pay him no mind. That woman was not only not crazy, but probably the sanest person you could know." Garrus told him.
"Well you knew her and if you say so I believe you. You should know though, since I have been watching you, I believe what she said too. I think having you in her team made her stronger. Your are really good at what you do. I think she was also right about races working together. They are stronger than when they keep to themselves." Maro said.
"Honestly, Shepard was strong without us, but she has a way of bringing out the best in people. She could make the most dangerous gang give up just by taking out a few key players. There was this one time that a group of rebels took over an ammunition depot. She figured out if she took down the leader she could get them to surrender. She took her head shot and killed the male. She than got everyone else to surrender to her. Then she had to field the politicians. Yes that was Shepard, she could handle anything they threw at her."
"She does sound too good to be true. So it was good working for a Spectre?"
"It was good working for that one, yes."
"So you need help to carry that?"
"Sure, it's a bit heavy."
That was how Garrus met Maro Patircolus, the first member of his own team.
"Let's go into here and get something to eat. I hear they have great food." Maro tells him.
"Sure, better we have a full stomach in case this takes longer then we think it will." Garrus says.
They walk into the little diner like kiosk. It's neat and tidy, has a counter with some seats and a few tables set up in the area. The proprietor comes over and welcomes them.
"Gentleman, I am Casosus, and you are most welcome in my establishment. I have made a special turian delicacy that my father taught me, Romulaco and I would like to buy you each a bowl. Come sit over here." He leads them both to a table by the wall.
Garrus scopes the place out "that table in the corner would be better for us Casosus, rear coverage and better view of the territory"
"Certainly sir, certainly." Casosus leads them to the table Garrus has chosen and they both take seats with their backs to the walls. He then leaves them to fetch the food.
"Well I guess word has gotten around about you." Maro says
"About us you mean. Yes it would seem so." Garrus answers
"Well at least you're appreciated. I haven't had good Romulaco for a long time."
"Who says it's good?"
"Well, I think it might be, I have only heard good things about this place." Maro says.
"I hope so, here comes our food."
Casosus puts a large bowl of food down and some drink in front of each of them "Enjoy gentleman." He leaves them to savor the meal.
Garrus takes a bite not expecting anything special and is pleasantly surprised as his mouth analyzes the food. "This is actually quite good."
"Yes it is quite good." Maro continues to scope the area as he eats. "We have a problem, Eclipse mercs closing in from the south, two of them."
"There is a third coming from the north. Let's move it, there are too many civilians here." Garrus tells him.
"Right, back door?"
"That will work"
They get up and walk towards the counter "Casosus can we use your back door, we have company that I don't want to disturb your customers with?" Garrus asks
"Certainly Archangel, I understand, this way through the kitchen." Casosus leads them through a very clean kitchen to a door that opens into one of Omega's many alley ways.
"Thank you Casosus, we will be back to sample many of your dishes. Your Romulaco is the best I have ever tasted." Garrus tells him.
"You will always be welcome here Archangel." Casosus leaves them in the alley.
Garrus looks to the west and sees the Eclipse mercs enter the alley so he and Maro turn and start leading them back throught the maze that is the alleys. Garrus has used his time on Omega well and as Shepard would have said, he got to know the area like the back of his hand. He and Maro split up in a north to east juncture, Garrus took the north and Maro continued east. Two of the Eclipse mercs follow Garrus, the third follow Maro.
Garrus leads them towards the north then takes a west turn at the next crossing. When they turn the corner he is able to take one of them down, but the other is fast and he can't get a clear shot. Still, now there was only one, better odds. Garrus heads south at the next intersection because he knows it narrows two clicks away and he will be able to get a better shot at his assailant. As he gets closer though he sees that someone has detonated something in the area and the narrowing has now become a dead end. Knowing that he has no choice he turns to face the Eclipse merc one on one.
"So Archangel, you have made a lot of trouble for us and cost us a lot of credit chits. That stops today. We will no longer have to worry about your interference." The merc tells him.
"You don't think that I am just going to stand here and let you just shoot me do you?" Garrus asks him.
"No I would like it if you figh-" and the merc's head explodes.
"I think that he talks too much, if you're going to shoot, you shoot." A tall turian with green markings on his face comes into Garrus view.
"I was wondering when you would stop following and make your presence known." Garrus says. "Turians are nothing if not consistent. You following up because you want to join us is that it?"
"You've got it. You get things done, I want to help."
"Dolab Salinatrix, ex military, you have several commendations and three medals. You left the service after being passed over at tier assessment. It seems you have problems with the command structure."
"I don't have problems with command structure as much as assholes. You are not an asshole."
"You don't know me that well, I can be an asshole." Garrus tells him.
"Most people can, but you lead where others choose to follow. That works for me. If I ever have a problem with one of your commands I will tell you, but I will go where you lead anyway, even if I disagree with you. Is this acceptable to you, Archangel?"
"It is, Call me Garrus."
And that is how Dolab Salinatrix joined the team.
"Okay well if we are going to take them down in that stronghold we are going to need an explosives expert." Garrus tells them. "Anyone have any ideas."
"I don't really know any explosives experts, C-Sec didn't have a use for explosives experts, well except in the terms of deactivate that is." Maro says.
Well I have some ideas, but does personality count?" Dolab asks.
"Does he have a personality of a door or of a vorcha?" Garrus asks
"Well close, think varren." Dalob says.
"Well, Varren huh? I think I can work with that." Garrus says.
"Let me make some calls." Dalob tells him.
Maro stays undercover on the northwest corner of the stronghold. He knows that Dalob has taken up residence on the northeast corner, and he even knows where he should have stationed himself, but he can't see him. This is as it should be, because if Dalob is doing his job right no one should see him. Maro just hopes that he is doing a better at hiding then he used to.
Dalob wasn't kiding about the new explosives expert, he was just plain not friendly. Not strange for a batarian though. Flin Jenk'anon only grunted when he was introduced to Garrus and Maro. That went on for so long that Maro wondered if he could speak at all. Finally when all was explained to him he had only one question.
"So I am not allowed to blow up Omega right?"
"No I would appreciate it if you kept the explosion local only, inside of the building, and try not to weaken the structure of the building. It would really help if they think they can use the building again. We won't lose any time learning the layout of a new location." Garrus tells him.
Flin Grunts.
"It doesn't matter if any of them are killed, but I want all the red dust stores destroyed." Garrus says.
Flin Grunts.
"There will be krogen inside since it is Blood pack, so you might have to up the charge. I take it that won't be a problem?"
Flin Grunts.
"I will take you in and we will sneak around and plant the charges, we will go in early when they will be lightly guarded."
Flin Grunts.
"Do you have it all?" Garrus asks.
"Can't blow up Omega, can't destroy building, no structural damage, killing okay, will be krogans go in early and destroy red dust." Flin said.
"Yep that's about it, can you do it?" Garrus asks.
Flin Grunts.
Garrus took that as a yes and they went in two hours ago and haven't been heard from since. Maro was starting to get worried a bit, but he also knew that precision bomb planting took time. It looked like more of the Blood Pack were waking up, that meant more chances to be caught. He scanned the courtyard of the stronghold once more, still not seeing anything suspicious or any movement. He scanned the roof which was Garrus' secondary escape route if they got cut off. Still he saw nothing. He took a deep breath, nothing to do but wait.
Dalob was right, Flin is good. He takes his time and calmly sets each charge with precision. He doesn't talk much and has the stealth skills of a serial killer. Garrus has to admit he was a bit worried about how they would be able to sneak around, but the batarian is nothing if not quiet. He also moves like a cat, or at least what Garrus had read cats move like. He had never actually seen a cat. Flin is even quieter than Garrus. It takes Flin just under two hours to set the charges and than they start to head out. Problem is there is a merc between them and the exit.
Garrus watches the merc contemplating whether it would be better for him to die now or later. Take the head shot and risk discovery or wait him out. Garrus hasn't brought anything to silence his weapon with. He has a blade, so he could sneak up on him, but the armor and the thick krogen skin meant it would be a noisy kill anyway you slice it. Yeah, that was a bad pun. Just as Garrus was thinking it would be better to take his chances with the head shot, the krogen moves and the way is clear.
Giving Maro a signal Garrus and Flin approach him from the west.
"How did it go?" Maro asked him.
"Really good except for the last few minutes our way was blocked by a krogen. They usually all go in for a quick debrief at day start which should be any minute now." Garrus tells him. "the best chance of taking them all out will be then."
"How loud an explosion should it be?" Maro asks.
"I don't know, Flin how big an explosion will it be." Garrus asks.
"Big, not much noise." Flin says.
"Sounds good to me. Look, they are going in now." Garrus says watching the Blood Pack enter the Stronghold.
"When?" Flin, always short on words, asks.
"Wait five minutes for them to get to the central room and blow it. Do we have to move from here?" Garrus asks him.
"Contained." Flin says.
"Does that mean no?" Maro asks.
"I guess so." Garrus says.
Flin Grunts.
Four minutes later the bombs blow and Garrus is amazed at how little noise there actually is. There is a small flash from the windows and then heavy smoke. No flames, no yelling, no problems.
"Well I guess that is the end of that." Maro says.
"Yes, very good work Flin. Thank you."
Flin Grunts.
Dalob comes over to join them.
"Did you get anything while you were in there?" he asks Garrus.
"Yes I got some assault rifles, missles and some grenades that I hid over at the south west corner of the courtyard. There was also some tech there, not top of the line but it should bring in a pretty credit on the market. I also was able to secure some food stocks so it was a good haul." Garrus tells him.
"Well then this mission is a success." Dalob says.
"Yes it is thanks in large part because of Flin. I would like you to stay on as our explosives expert, Flin, we don't harm civilians and you can't destroy Omega. We want to take down the gangs but not hurt the citizens, okay?" Garrus asks him.
Flin Grunts.
"That means yes." Dalob translates.
"Great that means now we are four." Garrus says pleased.
A/N: I made the batarian the explosives expert because it made more sense to me that the solarian would be the Tech expert. I know it doesn't follow exactly, but then again what does. It made more sense the the explosives expert would be mean.