TO SURVIVE II:
AFTERMATH
Camouflage Part 1
Once it had been all black. At one point, he had seen nothing but darkness. Then the darkness receded, and he was looking straight at a batarian. He was forcefully kneeled on the ground, the darkness must have been a bag over his head. He looked up to see a batarian Mantis gunship hovering 6 meters above his target. The target that had captured him. His name was Balak, and he had only one mission; end this bastard. He was being held down firmly by two flanking batarian soldiers. Fucking batarians. Terrorists; all of them. Connor looked Balak dead in the eyes, and the same cold stare was returned only a second later. He could see through Balak's thick batarian skull, and what he saw on the otherside was a rage he had never witnessed.
"You human...you will pay for your crimes against the hegemony! You and humanity will pay for taking the Skyillian Verge from us!" Connor rolled his eyes and moaned. Still going on about the Verge. Their attack on Elysium and our counterattack on Torfan. Can't they just shut up about it? "That happened years ago, can't you just let it all go?" Balak looked enraged, if a batarian could. Balak leaned down and punched Connor in the face, but he barely felt the pain it intended to wreak on him. "We never forget." Balak stood back up and walked back to his standing position and began reading out the terms of his execution. "You...human...wannabe Human Spectre of the Council, Connor Faringar. Are sentenced by the Council to execution." Connor was confused at how Balak knew his name and then it dawned on him. Those scheming assholes. No, the Council wouldn't...yes, they would have. Bastards. I'll kill them all, every last one of them. Those three smiles hiding behind their policies will die very shortly.
He let his fingers feel around his back and he felt his backup omniblade. Stupid batarians. Didn't even conduct a proper body search. Taking the omniblade, he fitted it onto his arm and waited for the moment to strike. He heard Balak's words, now nothing but background noise. The gunship would be a nessacary obstacle, as he would need it to escape offworld anyway. He slowly smiled as he pulled up his hand and hit the switch. The omniblade swung into action, hitting the right batarian in the chest. He reeled back in pain and shock, allowing Connor to continue his assault and stab the left batarian in the arm, forcing him to let go. He grabbed the nearby Carnifex Hand Cannon and blew the left restrainer's head straight off his shoulders. Making sure to follow through, he killed the second, charging restrainer. He turned to Balak, only to find him gone and the gunship rearing its gun on him.
Acting out of instinct, Connor ran towards the nearest building and, almost like a skilled assassin doing parkour, leapt up the crates and used them as a jump pad to get on the building's roof. Without thinking, he ran back and leapt off, landing straight on the gunship. The carnifex quickly relieved itself of his grip, falling into the streets below. The batarian pilot tried spins to shake him off, but nothing worked. Rearing his right arm, he lunged forward and punched right through the cockpit glass, shattering it upon impact. His hand reached out and grabbed the batarian pilot's head and when he felt it in his grip, he wacked it onto the front console, knocking him out. With no pilot, the gunship quickly lost control.
Making sure not to loosen his grip, Connor ripped the hatch open and stepped inside, relieving the batarian body of its post and taking the pilot's seat. With his basic piloting training kicking in, it wasn't long before he headed for what looked like a spaceport. With the engines revving up he continued heading straight for the-
"Connor, Connor wake up. Its Daro." Connor shot open his eyes and sat up. What is with those recollections. What are they trying to tell me? Shaking his head he prepared to stand up and have a shower but remembered that Daro was waiting for an answer. He keyed his comm, "Yes Daro, I'm awake now. What's wrong?" The back of his neck ached and his head was pounding. He really did not want to do anything involved work. "Shepard is what's wrong. Hellion's got a trap planned for him and Tali. He's not letting me get involved."
Connor raised a brow. "Why would you want to get involved anyway?" It confused him why Daro would care about Shepard at all, or Tali. For all he knew, she was here because of him and her obsession with the geth. He too was fascinated by the geth, but he wasn't obsessed. He just said that she wouldn't get mad. "Because I've been gunning to kill that bosh'tet and her ape of a lifemate for quite a while. Now is my chance to rid of them so they can't interfere with plans to subjugate the geth."
Connor nodded, "I'll have Hellion give you clearence. I'll force him to see reason." Daro sighed, "Thank you Connor." He could hear her coughing. He frowned, "Are you okay?" Daro shook her head, aware Connor couldn't see the gesture, "Still sick from last night. I certainly don't regret it, but its taken a toll on my immune system. But if Tali can adapt, then I can. Daro out." With that, Daro cut the line and Connor sighed. Switching communications lines, he called Hellion. Hopefully, the moron would pick up. If not, he would use his 'persuasive techniques' to convince him. He preferred the latter purely out seeing Hellion scream. Little bastard thinks he is so special.
He was pleasantly surprised when Hellion actually spoke, "Yes Connor, what the hell do you want? Unlike you, I've actually got an operation to run." Connor rolled his eyes, "So does my soon to be lifemate. Let her have access. All she wants is Tali's head. You can have Shepard to yourself." Hellion laughed, "That sucks. I want Tali all to myself...if you can catch my meaning." Connor didn't even smile. This man was purely vile and had no soul. How this man could live with himself was beyond him. "You'll probably end up like Bradley. Now come on, let Daro have access. She wants to kill Tali. Let her have access or you'll find Hawk has learned a few of your secrets."
Hellion chuckled again, "Your so full of shit Connor. If you had any balls, you'd have fought me already. You know I'm better then you, thats why you haven't yet." Connor stood up firmly, "If a fight is what you want Yuri then maybe you should come say it to my face." Hellion appeared to hiss. Connor smiled. "I'm not Yuri anymore, its Hellion. Admiral Xen will have her access, but if she fucks up, its on your ass, not mine." He cut Connor off by disconnecting. Connor chuckled silently as he dropped his mic to the ground. Yuri, you little joker. I wonder if Vido was still alive, he might be pretty pissed at your treachery. I will have to admit; your no simple merc.
He wondered if Xen would be safe around him, but he was sure she would be. She's Daro'Xen for fuck sake. She's a quarian admiral, she didn't become one by simple vote. She earned her place...militarily. She can handle herself. Maybe this is how being a lifemate felt like. Constantly worried about your other half. Daro might have to explain this alittle more. He keyed his comm, realizing Daro needed to know. "Daro, Hellion's given you sanction to go. He's waiting for you on Illium, meet one of his agents in the Eternity Bar."
"Thanks Connor, I'll come back with that girl's head." Connor stopped and spoke, "Daro...show her some mercy. Don't...kill her like that." Daro was furious by this man's ignorance, "Who do you care about more? Me or that whore? That...Tzzazik?" Connor sighed heavily. "You know the answer to that. Your my soul Daro. But Tali doesn't deserve that kind of...gruesome death. If your going to kill her...kill her fast. Noone deserves that...unless they've...done something brutal." Daro smiled at Connor's sentiment. "Very well Connor. But this is the last time. Next time I do it my way." Connor nodded, "And Daro, just...be careful. Don' get to carried away. Hellion's a tenacious bastard, he'll stab you in the back, given half the chance."
Daro smiled again, "You don't think I became an admiral by sweettalking do you? I'll be fine, I promise." Connor nodded again as she disconnected. I certainly hope you know what your doing Daro. He reached into his locker and grabbed a fresh pair of clothes and entered the shower cubicle.
Cause I don't.
...
"Okay Tali...I know your pissed..." Shepard pleaded with the clearly angry quarian female. She was a sight to fear. If quarian eyes could be filled with rage, then this was it. It was there in the clear, for everyone to see. Tali turned her face to him. "Pissed!? I'm FURIOUS! How could you do this to me? You want me to be your...stripper? How dare you!" Shepard put his arms on her shoulders, and she surprisingly didn't shrug him off. "Tali, I didn't suggest it. EDI did." Tali gave him a 'oh really' face. "Blame it on the AI why don't you."
EDI took her time to speak up, "Actually, he is correct. I suggested it." Tali's eyes widened. EDI was talking to them in their cabin, in their shower, and she was naked. "Keelah! EDI, don't do that!" EDI immediately apologized, "I apologize for the intrusion. But I merely wanted to confirm what the Admiral said was fact." Tali rolled her eyes, "Thank you...EDI." After what seemed like a minute, Tali spoke up again, "This plan is ridiculous and I'm not doing it." Shepard sighed as the hot water continued to rush over them. He took the nearby shampoo began rubbing it into her head as she rested it in his chest. "Tali, ever heard of the saying 'take one for the team?'" Tali immediately looked into his eyes, "Yes! But I'm not walking in as a stripper! If you were in my position, what would happen if I asked you to become a sex icon for other men to stare at and fondle with? I'm yours and only yours. I'm not having other men touch me!"
He sighed once again as he stopped rubbing in the shampoo for a second. He put both of his hands to her cheeks and spoke clearly, "Tali, you know I would never ask another man to touch you. Ever." Tali immediately retorted, "Then why are you asking me to do this!" Shepard shook his head, "I'm asking you to go undercover. I won't let them touch you, I promise. Besides, my bond to you forbids it. I'd probably end up killing one of them for touching you." Tali smiled and playfully hit his chest. "You'd better. Otherwise I might have to kill them myself." Shepard smiled and hugged her, "Thats my girl. Now come on, we have to go to the Citadel to get some clothes for tommorrow. We also need plenty of rest. Unfortunently Tali, that means you have to..."
Tali moaned, "...dress up as a stripper. Remind me to kill EDI when we get back." Shepard smiled and chuckled as he added more shampoo into Tali's hair. It wasn't long before they had finished up their shower and gotten dressed, Tali getting into her suit simply to ward off any unwanted attention, and headed onto the Citadel. It wasn't long before they found the clothing area and they headed over to the men's section first. They had numerous sections for each species but disgustingly enough, none for quarians. Maybe not racism. Afterall, quarians only wore suits until a month ago. He walked over to the human section and looked at the men's sized tuxedos. He picked up one of them and looked at it. After a minute, he turned to Tali, grinning.
"How does this look on me?" Tali gave a pretend gesture of examination, and then used her fingers to form a box before bringing them down and putting a thumbs up. "Positively sexy." Shepard chuckled as he also took notice of a bow tie, and took it. "Nice red bow tie. Just like in the movies. I should watch James Bond again." Tali gave him a confused look. He chuckled at the gesture, "Maybe you could watch them with me." Tali smiled and nodded. Then something else caught his eye, glimmering in the corner. "Hold these for a second please." Tali nodded and took his tuxedo and tie, before he walked over to the stall.
"Excuse me ma'am, your not allowed to handle those." Tali turned to see a salarian approaching her, the voice evidently female. Tali sighed but not before Shepard came back, "She's with me." The salarian stopped at the sight of Shepard, "No matter. We'll have to ask you to order your servant not to touch anything. Actually, I could use her help repairing a malfunctioning panel. Come with me please." The salarian reached out and grabbed Tali's arm. "Let her go. Now. She's not my servant." The salarian smiled, "If she isn't taken then, I'll buy her. Now come along." The salarian did not let go and continued to move until Shepard grabbed her arm, causing a swift glare to switch towards him. "Maybe I wasn't clear enough. She isn't a servant. She is my lifemate, and if you value the bones in your arm, you'll let go now." The salarian stared bluntly at the threat, but let go nonetheless.
"How dare you threaten me! I'll have you..."
"Get out of here Uris. Take your racist mouth somewhere else." All three of them turned towards the person, but the salarian named Uris seemed to look downward. Both of them following the salarian's gaze, Shepard and Tali saw a Volus approaching them. The volus stopped, looking at Uris intently. Uris became blabbing, "Your just allowing these beggars and thieves into our store? You know their reputation! What if..." That's it, Tali had had enough of this racism. "WE ARE NOT BEGGARS OR THIEVES YOU DET KAZUAT!" With a single swift movement, she punched Uris in the side of the jaw. Uris backed away awkwardly from the strike, and looked at Tali in surprise. "She..." They all heard the Volus' breathing mask exhale and they knew he was about to speak, but the voice was...feminine? Shepard had noticed it before, but now it stood out even more. This was it, his first female volus. Not that he cared much. "Get out Uris! Go talk to that poster outside! This 'beggar and thief' saved the Citadel, destroyed the Collector Base and helped fight off the Reapers. Show some damn respect when its due, now get out before I consider firing you!"
Uris erratically nodded and ran out of the store, still cradling her jaw. Tali smiled, "That felt good. I've always wanted to do that." Shepard clapped, "Congratulations. Next thing you know they'll have headlines saying 'Tali'Shepard vas Rannoch, Bane of Racism! Guardian of Quarians!" Tali playfully hit him in the shoulder and gave him his tuxedo and tie back. She also noticed the hat on his head. "You got a hat!" she exclaimed. Shepard nodded and smiled, "I look like Indiana Jones in this!" Tali raised a brow; not noticable behind her red mask but it was there for Shepard to see at least. "Another set of movies we'll have to watch together." Tali nodded in approval.
"Ahem. Forgetting someone?" They both turned back to the female volus, who was still standing there, looking at them. "Oh yes, sorry. Thanks for helping us out there." Shepard was slightly annoyed. What does this volus want? A medal? Oh wait...she wants my money. And what currently defunct gaming company does that remind me of...The volus attempted a solemn nod, but it didn't come out well. "You are most welcome. Now just as a reminder, I must tell you that that tuxedo and bow tie will cost you 150,000 credits?" Shepard almost choked on his own tongue. 150 what? The volus held up her hands and smiled behind her mask as she saw Shepard's expression, "But since your the hero of the galaxy and you've had enough shit from my employee, I'll give you a 80% discount." Shepard smiled. The volus then turned to Tali, "As for you young lady...I'll give you the same discount and a little something extra. I'll have one of my best dress designers prepare some clothing for you."
Shepard couldn't deny the offer. Tali nodded. The volus smiled and spoke again, "What kind of clothing are you looking for?" Tali didn't need to give much thought, but the next pair of words didn't bode well, "I need to look like a stripper." The volus widened her eyes in shock, a redundant gesture, and Shepard just facepalmed. "Why in the world would you...?"
"Infiltration mission. Classified." Shepard explained, trying to cover up that he meant 'none of our business.' But most of it was true, just not the classified bit. The volus nodded, once again, pointlessly, "I see. Well, I shall have something prepared. I shall also get a clean room ready for..." Tali held up her hands, "That won't be nessacary. I've got...special treatment." Shepard wanted to chuckle at that statement, but kept his mouth shut. The volus motioned for Tali to follow her, and that she did, but not before keying her dedicated channel, "You owe me for this. You...and EDI." Shepard laughed before retorting, "I'll inform Rael..." Tali snapped a look at him and he held his hands up defensively, "Just joking..." He turned away, putting the tuxedo over his shoulder, grinning as he went, "Emergency Induction port time. Gee, that sounds familiar actually..."
"OH YOU LITTLE..." Was Tali's only response before Shepard decided to quicken his pace. His upgrades allowed him to run and terrifying speed, but Tali would outrun him in seconds. Especially at this distance. He continued walking when he heard a familiar voice, "Why do you do that to her. What kind of son did I bring up?" Shepard stopped and smiled, looking at Hannah, who stood in the corner. She wore her useful bright smile and carried her usually blissful demeanour with her. She walked forward and hugged him before letting go. "Hi mum." Hannah laughed, "What happened to formality?" Shepard smiled and snapped in a salute, "Rear Admiral Lower Half Hannah Shepard ma'am!" She smiled and returned the playful salute, "Captain John Shepard!" Shepard smiled, "Actually, its Rear Admiral lower half now." Hannah nodded in impression. Shepard lost his smile, "Look mum, you picked a pretty terrible time to talk. We were just heading out."
Hannah raised a brow, "Were in the galactic stage could you be going now?" Shepard looked at the Normandy, which hovered to far up above. He keyed his comm, "Tali meet you back at the Normandy." No response. "Tali?" No response. He was starting to get worried when he heard an asari's voice respond, "She's in a dress cubicle. She heard you." Shepard nodded and put a hand on Hannah's shoulder. "So what do you say mum? Ready to see Rael again? The new Normandy?"
"It'd be a pleasure, son."
...
"Hellion sir, Rana and Andreas still haven't reported in. Should I send in Geo to check it out?" Hellion stood patiently on his pedestal, quitely overlooking the entire theatre of where the party would take place. He looked at the assault trooper captain with a simple smile. "That won't be nessacary. My trap is all set up, now I just need it sprung. Has Daro'Xen arrived yet?"
"I'm right here."
Hellion turned to see Xen walk into the room, shotgun strapped to her waist and assault rifle on her back. Striker and Claymore. Efficient. Hellion held out his hand to greet the woman, but she never took it. Good. He had only been looking for an excuse to gun the filth down. "So, you want Tali dead do you?" Xen examined Hellion with a stern gaze, never filtering. She was dead serious, she wasn't letting some idiot exploit her. I leave that up to Connor. She crossed her arms, "No, I'm here for the beautiful scenery and the hordes of men just waiting to comment on my hips." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. Hellion laughed, "I like your business based personality. I hope we both get an equal share of that woman's dead corpse. I see this becoming a very close working relationship."
He went to touch Xen's cheek, or side of her helmet, but he felt the barrel of a shotgun jutting into his chest. "Stop touching me Hellion or I'll relieve you of command myself." Hellion chuckled as he backed off, watching Xen reseat her shotgun. She then walked down the staircase to her position, Hellion watching as she went. "Keep an eye on her." He ordered the Assault Trooper Captain, and the trooper ran off. He went back to his position of overlooking the complex. He smiled, almost evilly in some mediocre cliche fashion. Once again I have my gold coin. He pulled it out of his pocket and layed on his clenched fist. Shepard is tails, and I am heads. I can bend fate the I want it too. Its almost as if...Bellerophon guides my movements. He chucked the coin and it landed on the ground, spinning until it landed on heads. He grabbed it and put it in his pocket, smiling.
And may the odds never be in your favor. This is my games, and I make up the rules.
But I only have one rule. Its quite simple really.
Fuck with me, and you fuck with destiny.
Det kazuat: Term of curse, considered especially crude. Literal Translation: Living sack of excrement. The Otquer, a large predatory lizard, will pass its meal neatly wrapped in a membranous tissue. Inside the sack, the enzymes used to break down the meat of the prey while still in the lizard continue to act as a stimulant keeping the indigestible brain synapses of its last meal still working until the sun dries the sack out.
Tzzazik: Term used when describing traitorous lifemates. Literal Translation: Unknown. Used as a curse word, but all translations lead to the word 'slut'. The actual translation is unknown, even to the quarian people themselves. Due to Shala's reaction though, it is likely she knew what it meant.
Bosh'tet: Thought by many non-quarians to be the quarian equivalent of "son of a bitch" or "bastard." Surprisingly, it is actually the name of a animal native to Rannoch, similiar to Earth rats. It is a rodent to lives my scavenging, but has a very low intelligence, is quite irritating and lazy. It eats the excrement of other animals, using what's let of it as a home and the undigested bits as sustenance. It will eat any dung, even its own. It will defend its dung pile at any cost, even its own kind, and has been known to fight to the death. Quarians used it as a curse word for people who are being stupid, unresponsive, irritating or fighting for a worthless cause or reason.
So, what this a interesting chapter or not?
So, do you remember who Yuri is? I bet you do. Don't remember him? Lets just say he was involved in indoctrinating Tali. How did he become Hellion? Well he did something bad...and he was punished. But how so you wonder? Why is being Hellion so bad? Well you see...Hellion is more than a simple codename...
Now, read through Hellion's last thoughts in the chapter and tell me what I'm referencing. It should stand out straight away if you watched the movie. ;)
On a sadder note, I am utilizing a newer and to be honest, more efficient chapter system where the chapters will be significantly shorter, no more than 5,000 words, 6,000 if I'm in a REAL writing mood. The 'finale' chapters will be long, but the current ones will be no longer than 5,000, damn even that's hopeful. No more than 4,000 most likely. Really depends.
We have multiple stories happening. Shepard and Tali. Connor and Daro. Hellion and Connor. Hawk and the Illusive Man. Bellerophon and Cerberus. What do all these stories have in common? And how the hell is Bellerophon alive? Will Shepard and Tali survive Hellion's trap and capture him? Does he hold all the answers? And what of Daro? Can she really be reasoned with. And what is it about Connor's past that might change the fate of one of the galaxy's most important council races?
Find out soon, in To Survive II: Aftermath. For all questions have an answer, you just have to seek them out.
Now I'm done with suspense, I say goodbye to you all and recommend you watch the movie 'Kickassia'. Its a really funny movie that I recommend you watch. Can easily be found on YouTube so don't bother yourself by looking in your nearest video shop.
:D
"Don't fuck with Aria."
- Aria T'Loak