Shepard found himself walking up to a main informational building run mainly by asari. Garrus had decided to take his leave to berate his kids. They kept wanting to meet Thane. He was going to put the smack-down on quite a few of them. Thane easily took his place to help escort Shepard with Zaeed.
"So…" Zaeed started. Thane gave him a small glance. "How many people did ya kill?"
"Hmm…" Thane thought back. "Three hundred and seventy-one."
"Really? All bad?" Zaeed blinked his good eye.
"You could say that. A few of them…I killed on purpose," he admitted. "But…I'll get into that later. Not now."
"Fair enough. Maybe we can trade some stories!" he grinned. "I got the booze."
"We will see," Thane said and walked with Shepard. He surveyed the area calmly while they walked to the first building they approached. He also saw an asari guard watching over things, too, at the front desk. As he went to chat with the guard first, Alex was monitoring everything silently through the drones. At what he was starting to glean, his mate nudged him.
"We should join them," Agatha grinned lightly.
"Seriously?" he mused.
"We sat out on the last mission. I think we should join this one. Silus is entertaining Robert with Osiris and Isis. The other Kings are working with the ships. We should do something," she nodded. When Zomok chittered in a questioning way, she smiled. She knew it wanted to come along, too. "If not too many are around, we'll let you and Mr. Fluffster come out to play, too. Okay?"
It chittered with a happy form of excitement now. Even the Hunter was eager to play.
"Are you sure, my Empress?" Nick frowned.
"I think it's needed. Besides, I'm sure you're a bit bored, too," she chuckled.
"Never!" Nick grinned and glanced over at Spike. The Hunter seemed a bit distracted. "Is something wrong with you?"
It seemed to sigh, and a metal plate was handed over for it to tap on. -Can sense. Other. Mad. Can't join. Feel bad.-
"You can feel Evren?" Agatha frowned. Spike gave another sigh. "Oh…"
"Fuck…" Alex seemed to grown. He focused in on the link to reach Hypnos. :Hey. Is Evren pissed off? Something?:
:How did you know?: Hypnos asked with a bit of surprise.
:Spike sensed it. Why is it mad? I mean, Spike felt that it was pissed off, because it couldn't be here with us. Is that mainly it?:
:Partially. Ask Spike if it feels that Evren is hungry.: Hypnos advised.
"Spike. Does Evren need to eat?" Alex asked out loud. The Hunter paused started to tap.
-Yes. Can give? Food?- it asked now.
:My children, Evren needs to eat. Please feed it a couple Hunters. And, think on this. If you all feed it, we have that much more possible armor to use. It was mentioned to Hypnos as a bit of a joke before, but I think it's fully warranted now.: Agatha chuckled. At the clamoring of agreements in the link, she then had another idea. :See if thresher shedding is stronger than salarian armor. If it is, we can feed this to the ships.:
:I am TOTALLY testing that!: Thanatos crowed with laughter. Alex was grinning from ear to ear and kissed his mate passionately. It was an excellent idea. Not only a new way for profit, but we won't have to go to Mordin and his race for armors. That means owing them favors. We'll farm our own armor this way, and it goes with the meat production.
"Let's wait until Shepard comes back out. Then we'll talk with him," Alex said. He nibbled a bit of the chocolate off her neck that he missed and felt the ship land down carefully. It was still cloaked, and it was going to stay that way until they were ready to leave it.
"A justicar?" Shepard asked the officer at the door. "What's that?"
"You could say that it's an asari that gave up all of their worldly possessions to simply live and die by the code. Her code of conduct, which is our very law, is all that matters. It's every little girl's dream to become a justicar, but you don't just become one for any reason," the officer explained. "Justicars have been around for a millennia. I've read stories about them as a little girl, myself."
"I see. Anyways, where is Samara now?" he asked.
"She went to the space port. You can hail a cab to get there," she said. He nodded and walked out with Thane and Zaeed. The hidden viral ship was quick to follow them. When the cab landed, so did they, and it was done alongside one of the shuttle dock areas. They didn't want another ship to bump into them while in a cloaked state. When Shepard and the others got out of the cab, they easily sensed something was amiss.
There was, what appeared to be, a crime scene not far off. When Shepard went to investigate, he was told he didn't have clearance. He would have pulled Spectre ranking, but he had to talk to the main detective, anyways. As they walked into the main plaza that led up to the police station, there was a volus with two armed turian guards watching around him. Shepard paused in a slight bit of confusion. Another asari was following the trio quickly.
"Ah, you're not going anywhere," she grounded out.
"Excuse me?" the volus seemed to wheeze out in an irritated way. "I just want to leave and take my wares to another location. Like Omega. I had nothing to do with the murder."
"That was your business partner back there. You are a suspect. Until I solve this case, you aren't going anywhere," she growled. "Stay put."
"It's the asari thugs that did it, and you know it!" the volus growled.
"I don't care who did it. You are not leaving until I solve it. Got it?" she warned.
"But, that justicar may go crazy and start killing! I need to leave."
"Not until you are ruled out as a suspect, Pitne For. Besides, if you didn't do anything wrong, you'll have nothing to worry about. Right? Just stay here, or come find me in the station if something else happens," she said and walked off. The volus seemed to pout, but he stayed put with his guards. When Shepard walked over, the guards were wary, but they all knew that nothing would be done with the officers around.
"Olympus, park next to Shepard's craft. Remain hidden," Alex ordered the drone.
"Of course. Ah, may I also come with you on this mission?" the drone asked.
"Why?" Agatha asked.
"I may be useful. Also, Hypnos wanted to see how these would work from my ship flesh," the drone said with a small grin and exposed several rat-like creations that were injected with viral DNA. They looked a bit larger than the usual rat from it, and were quite hairless as a side effect. Alex rose a brow at this. "He was keeping it a surprise."
"How do they work?" Alex asked.
"Long-range spies for me," the Olympus drone chuckled.
"Hmm. Let them loose now," he grinned. A small hatch opened with a quick evolution for it, and the small animals skittered out carefully under Olympus's direct mental guidance.
"How do we tell where they went?" Nick had to ask.
"I will know. Also…" the drone said and gestured to an imbedded screen. It came to life with several video feeds from the released animals. Now Alex grinned wickedly.
"We can scope out everywhere before leaving," Agatha mused.
"That we can. Okay. Is this portable?" he asked, as he studied the screen.
"No, but I can tell you what they find. This screen lets us record what they see for evidence," the drone nodded. Nick was now a touch impressed. Spike seemed to sulk, but it was soothed with a caress from Agatha's tentacled hair. Zomok was glaring at the volus with the turian guards. It didn't trust him.
"If he touches us, you can eat him," Alex smirked. Zomok chirred with a form of agreement. One of the small creations was able to inch up to where Shepard was talking to the volus to get more information. On realizing that audio could also be gleaned, Alex was incredibly impressed.
"I don't trust that volus. Actually, I don't trust any of them," Agatha sniffed.
"If he fucks with us, we'll just track him down at his next location. Wait. Are those things also trackers?!" Alex grinned sadistically when one of the small mutations got into the volus's ship.
"You are correct," the Olympus drone grinned widely.
:Hypnos, you have outdone yourself with the rodent spies.: Alex nudged the King.
:Excuse me, my Emperor? What rodent spies?: he asked with confusion.
:You mean…you didn't give the ship I'm in a bunch of rats infused with our DNA to track and record conversations?: Alex frowned.
:I…did discuss with Olympus on the possibility…but…they were created?: Hypnos asked now. Alex sent over the information, and the King was stunned. :My Emperor, as amazed as I am that it was a success, I can easily tell you that I did not give over any such creations. Did…did Olympus make them itself? If it did…:
:Olympus. Explain yourself. Now.: he growled at the ship.
:I SAW AN OPPORTUNITY. I TOOK IT AND MADE IT HAPPEN. WOULD YOU HAVE NOT DONE THE SAME THING? GRANTED, KING HYPNOS DID NOT TRULY GIVE ME THE SPECIMENS, BUT IT WAS AN IDEA THAT DID NOT GET WORKED ON. I HAVE THE MEMORIES OF THE HIVE MIND. I WAS ABLE TO USE DRONES THAT WERE NOT ON TASKS. I WANTED TO HELP US GAIN AN UPPER HAND. WAS I WRONG TO DO SO?: the ship asked with a touch of worry.
:Okay. I see what you did. You did what I would have done. However, consult with us first before attempting such a thing. You took a gamble. It paid off. Also, you lied to me about Hypnos giving you these little fuckers. I'll let it slide. Just this once. Don't make this mistake again. Do not lie to me.: Alex warned the ship. A sensation of full agreement was given again. :Hera and I helped create you and give you life. As much as I know you are doing everything you can to protect us, lying to us to prove something only proves nothing. Be up front with us from now on.:
:YOU HAVE MY VOW. SHALL I CREATE MORE OF THESE CREATIONS?: Olympus asked.
:Yes. However, I want you to show Hypnos how you did it. So, Hypnos, get on this. Maybe expand the inventory with a bit of flight?: Alex chuckled.
:Birds?! Oh, I'll get on this right now!: Hypnos laughed and dropped from the link. Agatha was in a bit of shock at what she heard in the link. It actually worried her a touch, if the ship was starting to take certain tasks on its own accord. But, she also knew that the ship truly did want to help in other ways.
:I know, Hera.: Alex nudged her in their own private link. :I took care of it.:
:If it gets to be too strong…: she fretted a bit.
:No. It acted out like I did with the fucking serum. So, I let it slide this one time. I can relate. It won't happen again. I know this.: he nodded to her and kissed her softly. She smiled and nodded back with full understanding of that situation. With this little surprise out of the way, Alex refocused on what Shepard was doing. On learning that the little fat volus was clearly only out for himself, it did make Alex wonder if there was anything to gain from it. He would ensure the merchant was kept under very close watch until all of this was over.
"Now…that's interesting," Agatha mused at a piece of conversation. "Red sand?"
"Hmm. Oh. Shepard's memories entail that it's modified sand from Mars. Gives humans a biotic boost trip. A few other races, too. Asari seem immune to it. Other drugs can give off this biotic euphoria, too. It's illegal to sell, but…" Alex now seemed to grin. "I bet we can use it as bait on some merchant ships in uncharted areas."
"Let Lelantos know," she grinned back and got kissed. With them making new plans to acquire some of this illegal substance, Shepard was getting a breakdown from Detective Anaya in the police station. None of it seemed good.
"If you can get Samara out of my hands, then you're welcome to it. Just remember. She'll kill anyone that gets in the way of her code. Which is our main laws," the purple-skinned detective warned. "She'll even kill me, if I get in the way."
"An innocent? Really?" Shepard frowned.
"It's the way it works with them. Justicars. They're like…your version of a warrior monk. They gave up everything and simply live to serve the code. Of course, she owns armor and weapons, but Samara is older than all of our life spans put together. She knows what she's doing," the asari cop explained. "As long as you don't do anything wrong, she won't kill you. Force her to do something else, and she'll kill you as a badge of honor for defending the Justicar Code."
"You really seem like you want her gone," he mused.
"Well, my bosses want me to detain her. They're worried she'll cause some kind of a cross-species incident. So, I can only do what I can."
"Then don't do it," he shrugged. "If your life is on the line, then why bother?"
"Don't follow the orders if our lives are at risk? Huh. If that's the case, can we opt in for that?" Zaeed grinned. Thane chuckled slightly, but he was paying close attention.
"Sure. Then you have to chalk it up with our other friends," Shepard smirked back at him. That got Zaeed to cough and glance around nervously. Thane was easily following suit. Turning back to the detective, he said, "Okay. So, where do I find Samara?"
"I follow the orders, because it's my job. Also, you need to be careful. I know there are Eclipse mercenaries here. The way that volus was murdered…it was a professional hit. You need to be on guard when you go back into some of these allies. I'm still looking for their nest to wipe them out. Anyways, I'll send word to let you into the crime scene. The guards will let you in," she nodded. He nodded back and rose up to leave. As he was about to leave, he paused to look at her.
"Ah, I might have some other friends of mine drop in. Call it a hunch. Would they be allowed to accompany me?" he asked. The detective frowned in thought.
"Well, since you are trying to get the justicar to leave…very well. I'll inform the guards," she nodded and started to make that call. Just as John walked out of the building with Zaeed and Thane, the viral ship came into view from the dropped cloaking. Alex walked out with Agatha riding on Spike's back. Zomok chittered and hissed at the volus in the distance.
"Zomok. No," Agatha warned. She said it loud enough to show she had it under control. The volus was now a bit more nervous than usual. He recognized the viral couple. He wasn't sure how high up they were, but they looked important. He decided to act cool and keep to himself for now. As they approached Shepard, Thane paused with complete shock at the sight of them. This was his first time meeting the Emperor and Empress. The usual drone honor guard was with them, too, to protect them.
"I figured you'd show up for this round," John sighed.
"Of course. Hello, Thane. We'll chat soon about your condition. My mate, Agatha, believes she can help you with her blood. She and I are the leaders of the viral hive mind. Emperor and Empress, in a sense. Anyways, I'm ready to fuck up something," Alex grinned. As the group walked over to the crime scene, the guards only stared at Zomok with a form of horror.
"Don't worry. It's tame. Unless I'm under attack. See?" Agatha chuckled and let Zomok croon before rubbing against her with a form of joy. "It's another form of guard."
"Where are the others you usually have with you? The Kings?" John asked, as they continued to walk towards the area where Samara was.
"I told them to try and give the ships bigger teeth. We think thresher shedding may be tougher than salarian armor," Alex snickered. John rose a brow at him with the idea.
"You think so?" he had to ask.
"It's being tested as we speak," Agatha nodded elegantly. When they cleared the area with all the official personelle, Alex now looked around.
"Okay. Show yourselves. Start hunting. When we find the target, cloak again. Go," Alex commanded. Twenty drones now revealed themselves and sped off to search. Thane was in complete shock all over again. I didn't even know they were there…
"Are you well, Thane?" Agatha frowned at him.
"Oh. I've never…experienced this before. That's all," he started. Then he paused at how her hair became tentacles to gently squeeze his form with a soft bit of knowing.
"You'll be fine," she smiled and nodded. "Come. We have a mission to help with. Don't we?"
"What…are you?" he asked with a form of wonder.
"I'm Alex's antivirus. I'm sure John told you much?" she chuckled and retracted her hair. "Oh. Don't get too interested in me. I have a daughter that clearly shows a form of interest in you."
"What?" Thane blinked.
"We'll chat later," Alex said calmly. "And you had to tell him about Gemma?"
"Why not?" she laughed softly and let Spike carry her on further. :I'm just planting a seed to let it take root. That's all I did.:
:Well, if he goes after you instead of Gemma, then I'll have to kill him.: he snorted.
:I doubt that.: she soothed him gently. Alex only sighed, but then his attention was caught at what was found. He gave a mental command, and they started to move.
"What's going on?" John asked, as he started to run to catch up.
"Found her. She's killing things rather effortlessly. I'm impressed," Alex chuckled while he ran. When they got to the scene of the fight, one of the asari thugs was already being thrown through the air to slam against a wall. The leader of the squad was just in too much shock.
"Those were my best people…" she shivered.
"Tell me what I need to know, Lieutenant, and then I will leave," the blue-skinned asari in the near skin-tight red suit said calmly. From what John's memories were about asari, this female was clearly a pureblood. Her form pulsed with biotic energy, and now Alex was studying how it was done rather intensely. I think I can do that. My body already shoots out blue sparks.
"I can't tell you!" the panicking asari mercenary whimpered. "I've done nothing to you, Justicar!"
"Tell me. Or you will die," the older asari female said. Then she simply picked up the asari mercenary with barely a thought with her natural biotics before flinging her away. She jumped down and floated to land soundlessly on her feet like the most graceful of cats.
"I like that technique. I did something similar before," Alex mused when he remembered how he approached Agatha on the dance floor.
"Shall we try to get a drop of blood?" Nick asked. John looked at them like they were joking.
"All in due time," Agatha nodded slightly. To the others, that small nod meant nothing. To the viral mind, it was an order to collect it as soon as possible.
"Tell me the name of the ship," the justicar said again and put her foot right over the neck of the other asari. "Your life is nearly at an end."
"Go to Hell!" she spat. With that said, a quick twist of the boot was all that she did to snap the trapped neck. Then she turned and regarded the group that watched the whole thing.
"My name is Samara. I am a servant of the Justicar Code. My quarrel is mainly with the Eclipse sisters, but I see…a group of interesting individuals, as well as well-armed people, before me. Are we friend? Or foe?" Samara asked. John glanced at Alex to stand back.
"That merc was wounded, helpless, and unarmed. Do you always kill like that?" John frowned.
"If my cause is just with the code, yes. Why? Are you any different?" she asked.
"I do kill my enemies, but only if it's warranted with just reason," he said.
"My code is what I answer to. It is clearly defined. If my actions are true to that code, then I am just. If they are not, then I am unjust. Such is how it is," she seemed to say in an unwavering tone. "I know that it may not seem right to everyone, but I still sleep well at night. That is more than most can say."
"I can agree to that," Alex nodded. Now she looked at him oddly.
"And who are you?" she asked.
"A new race. Not sure if you've heard about us yet. We are still learning the ways of this place. Ins and outs sort of thing. We accompany Shepard, because he found us. We lend him our strength," Alex said calmly. Samara detected no lies at all.
"We were created by humans. We are also shunned by them. Much like the quarians and the Geth," Agatha frowned softly. "We try to mean well…but some don't like how we are trying to fit in."
"Is that so?" Samara asked. "How do you assist?"
"We get shit done," Alex said. "Anyone that is a friend of Shepard's can ask for our help. We are becoming mercenaries for a fee. We don't kill what we think isn't fair. We don't cheat our clients, unless they ask for it, and we gather information. Lots of information. I heard you were looking for the name of a ship?"
"Yes. I am looking for a murderer. One of a mass murdering kind," Samara nodded. Then she looked at Shepard. "And what of you?"
"I need to recruit you for suicide mission. You're the best of the best. I really need you on my team," Shepard said. At this, the justicar studied him silently.
"I sense truth in all angles. It humbles me. But, before I can do anything, I must track down the murderer first. My code will not allow me to stray from it," she said. "I cornered her here, but the Eclipse sisters smuggled her off-world. I need to find the name of the ship to continue my chase. Before the trail goes cold."
"Why don't we just get you the name of the ship? Then we can all find this fucker and put an end to her?" Alex asked with a small shrug.
"If you get me the name of the ship, I will join you," Samara nodded. They looked over when the detective came over.
"I need her at the station under my watch," the asari said. "I've been ordered to take you into custody if you don't leave, Justicar."
"You risk a great deal to follow your orders, Detective. Fortunately, I will not disappoint you. I will not resist. You have one day to hold me before my code allows me to remove all obstacles in my way. By any means necessary," Samara said lightly.
"A day? Done. Shepard, let's go," Alex nodded. "We'll have it down within an hour. Tops."
"Wait…do I know you?" the detective said. She paused at the sight of Zomok, but, until it proved to be hostile, she would leave it alone.
"If you watch the live feeds, then you should know that we are the viral race that's been popping up. We are also supplying places with thresher maw flesh," Agatha chuckled. "Don't worry. We are only here to travel with Shepard and lend our support."
"I see…" the asari grimaced. She knew all too well about them from what news she was getting. "You don't plan to destroy the place, right?"
"Nah. If anything, we may take a nuisance off your hands. The Eclipse has to end soon, right?" Alex grinned a bit wickedly. "Don't worry about paperwork. This place will become much easier to watch over by the time we leave."
"Right. Just…bring me some form of proof after you clean out the rats," Detective Anaya sighed. "I'm all for the extra help, but…don't think I owe you a favor."
"Don't worry. We do this shit for fun. And it's free," Alex grinned again. "If all goes well, and you get a bit of a vacation, feel free to come by my main ship, Olympus. We'll set you up with a celebrity room and board. Including spending credits."
"The reservation is now made and can be used whenever you're ready," the Olympus drone nodded. It was the ship, after all, and easily set up the room with some drones. "Luxury suite."
"Is this a bribe?" she glowered.
"No," Agatha chuckled. "You've been working too hard. I can tell. It is merely a gesture of hospitality to show what we are trying to be. We are offering a place of relaxation, and even recruitment, should you need the extra help. It's all up to you, should you come by."
"And, if you need the extra help, I can easily let a few of my boys do a few things for free," Alex shrugged. "That's not an issue at all."
"Oh. Well…we'll see," she said lightly.
"Just drop our names. Alex and Agatha. We are the Emperor and Empress of the hive mind. The leaders in the flesh," Alex chuckled. Now the asari woman seemed to pale, but she came to easily. Now John cleared his throat.
"So, do we have an agreement?" he asked.
"Yes. You find the name of the ship while I am in custody. If you do this, then the Code will be satisfied. I will go with you," she nodded. "If I stay, I will be forced to kill many innocents to escape my incarceration. I would prefer to leave quietly and peacefully enough."
"Yeah. She would have to kill me," the detective sighed.
"I cannot let my quarry go and continue to keep murdering others. I have sworn my life to track her down and end her life. If I survive your mission, I can go back to resume my own investigation," she further said calmly.
"I say we find the name of the ship, track the bitch down, and kill her. Done," Alex snorted. "We may even be able to get her while working on our mission. It can happen."
"That would be a pleasing thing to do," Samara agreed.
"But…if your cause is complete, then what will you do after that?" Shepard frowned.
"I shall continue to live and serve the Justicar Code," she responded. After that, she nodded to show she would wait for them in the police station. The detective nodded to them all and left with Samara. When they were gone, and out of earshot from what they knew, the justicar looked at the official leading her away.
"Would you really take up their offer?" Samara asked the detective. "For a place to relax?"
"If they get you off my hands, then I just might. Hell, by then, I'll probably need it," she said with a thoughtful tone. The drones heard this bit easily to relay the news. Agatha would easily ensure that the detective would have a wonderful time if she visited them.
"All right. Where do we go from here?" Shepard asked the others.
"Something tells me that the volus, Pitne For, has something. He comes here all the time to do trades. I'm sure that my hunch is right," Agatha mused. "It must also be why Zomok doesn't like him."
It chirred and growled a bit with agreement. Alex mused and made a mental order to the drones.
:The little fat fuck. Corner him. Don't let him leave.: he snickered. The drones were all over it.
"He did sound a bit nervous. And he did say that his ex-partner did drug deals with them. Yeah. Let's go pay him a visit," Shepard nodded. They made their way back and found the turian guards knocked out from the drones. Alex grew out his claws and charged his way over to him.
"The Eclipse base. Where is it? You tell me. You live. Got it?" he spat out. Now that his life was in danger, the volus gave over the information easily. Thane was now thinking rather hard.
"Thane?" Zaeed frowned.
"Just thinking," the drell said lightly. "A rather swift way to get what's needed."
"That's Alex for you," Agatha sighed. Now her mate looked at her oddly to get her laughing.
"Well, we have the information. Let's go play with some mercs," Alex said with a grin. "And don't let that fat fuck leave! He waits until the investigation is done."
"Yes, my Emperor," a lesser drone of Nick nodded. Now Pitne For knew he was in dire straits for sure on learning that he was just interrogated by the leaders of the viral hive. He had no choice but to wait and hope they learned nothing about him.
They got back into an alley and found an abandoned building. At least, it should have been abandoned. When a door opened with Pitne For's code, they found no one in there. At first. As they walked in, there was gunfire all around them.
"Shepard, please use caution. There is a chemical compound that will boost biotics, but do not linger in the clouds for intense exposure. It will cause severe tissue damage. I would strongly recommend limited exposure," EDI said through his communicator.
"Roger that!" he acknowledged.
"Must be the dust?" Agatha frowned.
"Possibly…" Alex mused. :Let's pick some up while we're here. Get a move on.:
The drones were quick to act. Much to his pleasing surprise, the drones were immune to the drug. Then again, we're immune to almost everything. When they cleared the main room, they heard whimpering just inside the door. They walked in to survey the area calmly, yet ready for any form of action. Then a cloaked drone materialized and held a viral blade up to the hiding asari's neck.
"Don't move. Or you die," it said in a flat, monotone voice.
"Ah! I…" she gasped.
"You're an Eclipse member?" John frowned when she was forced to stand. A gun was kicked out of her reach and claimed by another drone. Then another gun that was attached to her belt from behind her was removed and tossed aside to keep her from doing anything too irrational.
"I…I'm new here!" she said quickly. "I just…joined up for the thrill! I didn't know they did drug deals and stuff…"
"Really? So…" Alex said calmly and walked up to her. Zomok growled even more. Spike gave out a bone-chilling hiss. Then it started to tap out on the metal ground.
-Lies. All lies.- it growled.
"Prove it. Give us a drop of blood," Agatha said.
"Blood?" Thane asked.
"Of course. A drop of blood gives us all of their memories up to now. If she's really telling the truth, then her blood will tell us. Now, if she doesn't give over the blood…then she's a lying bitch," Agatha nodded to show she meant every word.
"I…no!" the asari growled and tried to break free. Now Agatha's hair came alive and snatched up the asari. At the constricting motions given, the blood was neatly obtained.
"Tendrils of death…they catch and hold still…" Thane whispered.
"She was the one that murdered the volus," Kim said from the gleaned memories.
"Really? Interesting. I guess you had to pass initiation somehow, eh?" Alex smirked. Now he looked at John. "Do we turn her in? Or can I keep her?"
"She murdered someone. She has to go in," John nodded.
"Fine. Vials of blood first. Then knock her ass out and deliver her with a note," Alex said to the waiting drones. When the asari tried to use her biotics, Agatha's tendrils did something that even surprised herself. They absorbed the biotic attack.
"What just happened?" Zaeed blinked his good eye. He saw the blue biotic essence get absorbed into the tendrils. Then the absorption seemed to flow down into Agatha directly like electric cables plugged into a power source. Thane kept falling into shock at what he was witnessing.
"I…hmm…" Agatha mused. "I know I got a shot of advanced biotic DNA, too. After my eggs were birthed. I never bothered to try and do anything. But…if I can absorb biotic attacks…ah! Alex! Come here. I may make you very, very happy."
"You do that, anyways, but sure," he grinned and moved to her side.
"Touch my hair," she chuckled and gave him a soft kiss. He nodded and let his hands move to run through the tentacles. Then he paused. She just gave me a solid boost of biotic power!
"Holy shit! You gave me her power?!" Alex said with complete surprise.
"Apparently, I can transfer it. Not much, but I'll have to work with it. I suppose I can be a bit of a portable battery this way. Think you can use what I gave you on something?" she winked. The asari was stunned and soon knocked out.
"Wait. What did you do?" John asked.
"Touch my hair," she said. He paused at this, but he soon found himself doing just that. A blue glow seemed to envelope his form when the temporary biotic power flooded his senses.
"Wow…" he blinked.
"I'm sure the enhancement will wear off after a few minutes, or even seconds if you push yourself to the limits, but it should give you a small edge when you use it. I'll need to work on this for sure," she giggled. Alex gave an intimate smile to his mate, and he knew he'd be running his hands through her hair even more after this.
:I love you.: he chuckled at her.
:I love you, too.: she gave him a mental kiss before urging Spike to move forward. They made their way through another set of hallways with oddly spaced rooms. Each one was filled with other Eclipse asari mercs, and they were quickly dispatched. When one tried to use her biotics against them, Agatha was quick to use her hair to dart over and suck out their power. When the other asari saw what was happening, they tried to target Agatha. Then her drone entourage was allowed to play.
John paused with a form of horrific awe at the sight of the drone entourage at work. They were truly the elite set of drones. Every attack they did was perfectly coordinated. The Olympus drone had Alex's attack to pin others to the walls with viral mucus. Alex was quite pleased at that. It made them easier to pick up without a fight. When Robin spun around with its hammers out, Alex could only laugh with a form of complete amusement at the asari that tried to stupidly charge into it with her biotics out only to get smacked straight through a steel wall.
"Kill…me…" she whispered when Kim stalked over to the downed asari.
"No. You will have a far worse fate for attacking our Empress!" the drone hissed and knocked her out. "Aden. Blood bank."
"Done," the drone nodded and let another drone carry her off.
"Shepard," Thane said and walked over to him once the fight was done.
"Yeah?" he asked and kept his eyes open for any stray mercenaries.
"These viral people…they help others in need?" the drell asked.
"They can. Why? I can help you, too, you know," he chuckled.
"I know. When this is over, we all need to chat," Thane said and quickly shot down an asari that tried to get too close for comfort.
"We can chat on the run," Agatha chuckled and let her hair give them both a healthy dose of biotic power. Thane looked over at her with a soft chuckle.
"I will get distracted. Let us wait," he nodded. She nodded back, and they moved forward through the cleared areas. The next hallway lead to a small food shop and another room, but, what stumbled out of the room, was a volus that was quite apparently under some form of intoxication.
"Behold!" the volus said with a wobbly walk. "I am a biotic god! I think things…and they happen! Fear me, lesser creatures!"
"Um…are you drugged?" Alex asked. "Yeah. I think you're drugged."
"I most definitely am not!" the volus argued. "I, Niftu Cal, am your new god!"
"Hmm. I'd try and drain him, but I don't think that drug-induced biotics would be very potent," Agatha frowned. "What do you think?"
"Don't do it," Nick said with disgust. Then Alex bit his cheek to keep from outright laughing at what the drone mumbled out next. "Drugged up, lard-filled fucker…"
"Yeah. I agree," Shepard said with his own small smirk and looked at the doped up volus. "You've clearly been drugged."
"I have not!" Niftu argued. "Yes, the asari did inject many drugs into me, and it was terrifying. But, now I see that I am more than what I was! Biotics made flesh! And, with my new powers, I will charge into the next room where the Eclipse leader is, and I'll make Wasea beg for mercy!"
"Is he part of Pitne For's group?" Nick asked.
"I used to work for that mortal fool. He's likely terrified that I have not yet returned," Niftu bragged. At this, Alex bit back a laugh.
"I didn't see any reports that you were gone, eh?" Zaeed smirked.
"Likely to keep from getting delayed on his flight out," Thane sighed. "He values money more than friends. Maybe as much as his own life. Possibly."
"Whatever!" Niftu shouted out. "I will wreak just revenge on his people! All in due time, mark my words. Then I'll conquer the rest of the galaxy!"
"Go take a nap," Shepard said lightly. "It's only obvious that Wasea will tear you apart."
"I never need sleep! And me? Killed by Wasea? Ha! I -!" he got shoved by Shepard now to stumble. Now he found a complete change take him over, as he wobbled away to flop on the ground. "I'm a…biotic god…wait. What? What was I saying? I…yes. A nap. I'm tired. I'll take over the world…and the galaxy…later…"
"Makes me wish I brought a tub of popcorn. Maybe we can experiment with Harkin," Alex mused with a small grin. That got Shepard coughing from holding back the hard laugh. "At least we know the bitch of them all is next door. Shall we?"
"Oh…did you get the name of the ship from any of the asari?" John asked, as they walked into the next room. "I thought you would have."
"Yeah. We have it. But…while we're here…" Alex chuckled.
"Can I have the name for Samara?" he asked.
"I'll give it to you. As long as we can still fuck that bitch up," Alex said.
"Well, as you said, we are already here. I'm sure we'll get a data pad as proof, too," he nodded.
"It's the AML Demeter. But…we do need a hardcopy. Don't we?" Alex shrugged. When they walked into the main headquarter chamber, they saw an asari with blue skin and red markings on her face. She was reading off a data pad, and it was the same one that they needed. She drank down her last glass of booze and looked over at them while saying, "You know…everything's just gone to Hell since we smuggled off that filthy creature. And now you all barge in after that justicar shows up…"
"Want this to be easy? Or a challenge?" Agatha asked.
"Well, if we want Samara off this world to save more lives…eh. Easy," John chuckled.
"Done," she nodded and let her hair latch onto the charging asari.
"What the-?!" Wasea gasped and screamed when her current biotic powers got stripped from her.
"We need to keep this one," Alex said. "We gave over the last one. This one is ours."
"Okay. Make it look like her body got caught in an explosion. Done," Zaeed snickered.
"Get a few syringes of her blood and paint up the place. Make sure we take everything we need from this room for us, too," Alex ordered.
:Zeus. Touch me. Please…: Agatha seemed to whimper. :She's…very strong…:
"Shit!" he hissed and moved to start taking off the excess charge. "In time, you'll get stronger. You'll be able to hold more. Eh, Shepard, touch her hair. She's getting overloaded."
"She is?!" John blinked. Now Wasea was catching on to this and began to focus. What she didn't expect was for the other drones in the room to suddenly materialize and take the excess burden. That relieved Agatha intensely, and Wasea was now in a critical mess from lack of biotic strength. Once she was thoroughly drained, it was easy to knock her out and strap her down for transport. The drones were quick to take their new blood bank away securely.
"An idea," Thane said. "In the future, try making shields and such to spend what excess you don't need. Think it will help?"
"We will definitely attempt it," Alex chuckled.
"My Empress, I believe I can create a series of specialized batteries just for you to help contain the excess amount. I'm not sure if other drones can work, but it may help if something goes wrong. Would this be feasible?" the Olympus drone asked. Alex rose a brow at this and nodded his approval.
"Yes. We'll attempt it. I need to work on this more, it seems," Agatha sighed.
"My Emperor. I found something," Eddie said.
"Hmm?" Alex looked over. At another data pad handed over, he glanced at it. Then he grinned wickedly. "Shepard. I'll give this to you."
"Oh?" he asked and took it. "Hmm. Pitne For's ship manifest. Oh, look. He smuggles red sand. And other things…"
"Can we kill him?" Robin asked.
"No. We will turn him in to the authorities," John said.
"They are far too greedy for their own good," Agatha sniffed.
"The volus are, as you would say, a necessary evil," Thane said while they walked back.
"Oh?" she asked him.
"The volus gave us the ability to have a credit system. For purchasing and producing goods. If it wasn't for them, I'm not sure how this galaxy would be," he said.
"Well…are there any honest volus out there?" she had to ask.
"That's like asking if Garrus will ever take that stick out of his ass," Zaeed snickered.
"Shall we tell him you said that?" Nick grinned.
"Ah…no?" he said to get them all laughing.
"Oh, the stick isn't there. Trust me. I know," Agatha grinned rather wickedly.
"I didn't need to know that!" Zaeed groaned.
"Why not? He's using it to beat up his kids with," she laughed softly. Alex just shook his head and ran a hand over his face.
"I don't need that visual! Come on!" the ex-mercenary groaned again. As they continued to walk, Alex suddenly turned to Shepard to gesture close.
"How would you like some intricate spies? Other than the drones?" he asked.
"I'm listening," John nodded. He now learned about the rodent spies. He was amazed. "Can we test them out?"
"Already doing that. Hey! What are you doing to my ship?!" Alex growled at a couple asari officials. The ship was in a bit of a defensive posture with several tentacles trying to keep the asari back in a rather gentle manner.
"This is a ship?!" the first one blinked.
"Yeah. I'm the Emperor of the viral mind. I was just helping take care of your little Eclipse problem. They're gone now. You're welcome. Now get away from my ship!" he snapped.
"I'm a Council Spectre. He works with me," John said lightly. Now the asari officials backed down. At the sight of the detective walking out, Alex crossed his arms over his chest.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"They were harassing my ship. For no reason," Alex stated.
"Is this true?" she asked.
"And, before they say anything, there are cameras that record around the ship," the Olympus drone said. A video of what happened was now sent over to Anaya. Now she turned to look at the two guilty officials. The video showed them actively joking around and poking at the ship to see what it would do. The ship was trying to deter them away gently.
"You two. Inside. Get some paperwork done, since you're both so bored. I'm hoping you have good news?" she asked. John nodded and gestured to walk.
"I'll talk to the volus," Alex muttered.
"Why?" John asked.
"He may pay to keep his manifest. I wanna…toughen the deal," he grinned wickedly.
"He should be arrested," John muttered under his breath.
"If he doesn't go my way, then he will be," Alex smirked.
"Well…working for you would be considered a form of just punishment. Be my guest," John cracked a small grin, handed over the manifest, and followed the detective inside. "But…if you do come across something interesting in his shipments…"
"I get ya," Alex chuckled and nodded. Now he walked up to the volus waiting with his drones. Agatha was right there with Spike. Zomok gave another growl.
"Easy," she chuckled and watched her mate calmly.
"Hi. I have something that belongs to you. However, because of the contents you currently have, I have a problem. I should turn you in. But, if you work for me, then we'll come to an arrangement," Alex said calmly to Pitne For.
"What?" the volus blinked the glowing eyes of his suit.
"You heard me. I become your employer. You work for me. If you don't, you go to jail. You know? For smuggling red sand? And other narcotics? Even illegal weapons tech?" he asked in a rather sarcastic way.
"Well…what would I be doing?" he asked.
"We are running baited cargo ships. You have a pretty good routine already. So, we'll let you keep your profits. However, we will putting some merchandise on your ship to attract unwanted people. We take them out, your goods are safe, and our goods are used as more bait," Alex explained carefully.
"And if…well…someone wants to purchase your products?" Pitne asked.
"It depends on the product," Agatha said when Spike brought her over. "and, if you try to steal anything from us, we will know. We will always know. Then you will be punished most severely. But, when it comes to our products, they will make the deal through us. Not you. Maybe, if you do well enough, we'll give you a cut of the profit."
"We can give you a salary on top of your own profit. For each successful run you do, I can see about a small bonus being added on the side," Alex nodded.
"Oh! Well…that does seem reasonable…" Pitne seemed a bit excited now at the concept of more profit. "When would I start?"
"Right now. We are tripling your amount of red sand, so you know. And it's highly concentrated. Straight from the labs of the Eclipse sisters. One of my boys will be in the inventory room of your ship. My boys don't sleep or eat. Or shit. They will also defend your ship if anything gets in it. Now, if you go on your ship, it will start. Here's your manifest," Alex said and handed it over. "Just remember. Myself and my mate are the leaders of the hive mind. You just agreed to work with us directly. This could be a life-long contract. Don't fuck us over. You won't live past five minutes to regret your mistake."
"Of course…" the volus said and quickly moved out. The turian guards he had were already on his ship and recovering from their concussions.
"Shall we go inside?" Agatha chuckled and let her mate lead Spike into the building. "Ah, Zomok? My dear, you need to wait in the ship. Olympus will be with you."
Zomok seemed to chirr with worry, but it understood. The Olympus drone nodded and let Zomok follow it back into the small ship. Alex and Agatha moved into the building right after that, and they found Shepard giving over the information of the ship name.
"I am impressed. You kept your part of the bargain. Therefore, I will fulfill mine," Samara said from where she was sitting on a ledge next to Anaya's desk. She jumped off of it and looked at the detective. "I am ready to leave immediately. You can inform your superiors."
"Thanks. You can go," the asari nodded. "It has been an honor having you in my station. And I'm grateful that you didn't have to kill me, too."
"So, from what I was reading," Shepard said. "The murderer you're looking for is called an Ardat-Yakshi. What sort of person is that?"
"Yes. She is a very dangerous criminal. I must bring her to justice," Samara nodded. "I will tell you more about what an Ardat-Yakshi is when I get settled on your ship. However, before we leave, I must be sworn to your service, so that I am never forced to choose between your orders and the Code."
"Oh? Very well," Shepard nodded. Alex and Agatha glanced at each other, but they remained silent witnesses to this likely rare event.
Samara knelt down in front of Shepard with glowing white eyes and seemed to chant out, "By the Code, I will serve you, Shepard. Your choices are my choices, your morals are my morals. Your wishes are my code."
When she rose back up, her body pulsed with a rather intense, biotic white light to show it was in effect. Anaya was clearly amazed at what she witnessed. "Never saw a code like that before."
"Just to inform you, if you force me to do anything dishonorable, I may need to kill you when released from my oath," she said calmly. "I do look forward to serving with a company of honorable heroes."
"I doubt that will happen, but we'll talk more on the ship. And, thank you for doing this. I can tell this is a rather important thing for you. Did you need anything more from me, Detective?" John asked her when she sat at her desk.
"Well…thanks for getting Samara out of my district. At least now I have higher chances of getting grandchildren, and I can tell them that I met a justicar and lived," she said with a touch of amusement. Then she paused when Shepard gave over a document that showed that Eclipse killed the volus merchant in her district. "Oh. And the murderer?"
"There's your proof it was Eclipse. And…we did deliver her to you," Alex nodded.
"That you did. I'm glad she's behind bars. Of course, she claims her innocence," the detective sighed. "At the same time, it could all be admissible, too."
"I vouch for Shepard, as well as his companions, and any evidence he brings forward," Samara nodded. Alex rose a brow and gave a small nod of respect to her. Agatha beamed softly in gratitude.
"Okay. I can take the statement of a justicar. That will work nicely," Anaya nodded back. "What of the leader of the Eclipse?"
"She died trying to protect the knowledge of the ship," Alex shrugged. "Self-defense on killing her. She tried to rush us."
"At least the Eclipse is gone for a long time," Anaya seemed to smile wryly. "Thanks."
"Alex? Agatha? Do you plan to join us, too? Or do you need to do things on Olympus?" John asked. "I never know what your schedules are anymore."
"Do you need us to do anything? Oh, wait. Robert is still in the marketplace with Silus. Okay. Agatha promised him a female. She needs Robert to fuck her to get that going. It would be at least a day. Did you need anything right now?" Alex asked.
"Not right this minute. It's fine. It will give my two new recruits time to settle in. Later tonight, you think?" Shepard asked, as they walked out of the building.
"That works! I'll go pick up my people, and we'll see what else we get to fuck up to make better," he grinned. Shepard nodded, and they parted ways to start settling in and decide what was next on the list. He knew Thane wanted to talk to him about something. He also wanted more information from Samara about the person she was hunting down. He'd get them both settled in first. Then he'd see about finding some answers.