PROPHECY
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE:
ARDAT-YAKSHI
September 28, 2185
1441 hours.
Medical Bay, Normandy-Class Stealth Frigate CAW Normandy SR-2, In FTL inbound for Walker Station.
Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Chief Engineer Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, Lieutenant General Kal'Reegar vas Normandy, First Lieutenant Madi'Soi vas Ceresa, Chief Medical Officer Karin Chakwas, Legion.
Marcus just finished ordering Joker to get them the hell out of there and back on course to Walker Station when the elevator door opened, and Kal raced out, moving with all speed towards the med bay. Marcus, Tali and Legion quickly followed, the rest of the squad having all stopped at the armoury to drop off their weapons and armor. They followed Kal, who still cradled Madi's body in his arms, as he rushed into the medical bay.
Escaping 2123 Pelaan had been easy enough. The Normandy had managed to lose the collector cruiser and they had rendevouzed behind one of Pelaan's moons and escaped the system before the cruiser could find them again. Encountering the collectors on Pelaan definitely hadn't been on Marcus' list of expected things to happen, but the battle hadn't been as difficult as the first fight on Horizon. We're learning how to fight the collectors better; and they're starting to fear us. Now we just need to get that thanix cannon so we can start destroying their capital ships.
With his helmet tucked under his armpit, Marcus moved into the medical bay and watched as Kal presented Madi to Doctor Chakwas. The doctor immediately motioned to a bed next to Jack's, who's arm was still broken and Kal lay her on it, taking hold of her hand as Chakwas rushed to her side, facemask and apron dangling in her hands as she brought a tray of equipment with her as well.
Chakwas looked at the medi-gel incisions and looked up at them, "Who applied this?"
"This unit helped in aiding the injured creator. We did not wish to see her runtime terminated," Legion replied, stepping forward to present itself.
Chakwas raised her eyebrows, "You stay. The rest of you out; I'm going to have do some surgery. That means you too, Reegar."
Kal, ableit reluctantly, let go of Madi's hand and allowed himself to be escorted outside by Tali's guiding hand. Marcus followed quickly behind them, leaving Legion behind inside the med bay. He approached the mess hall table behind Tali and Kal.
Kal fell down into one of the chairs and Tali sat down next to him, "She'll be fine, Kal. Doctor Chakwas is one of the best doctors I know. She's in good hands."
"But she's human," Kal replied, concern laced in his tone, "She doesn't understand our anatomy."
"You'd be surprised," Tali quipped, smiling as Marcus sat down next to her, placing his helmet on the table, "One time, two years ago, when we were rescuing Liara on Therum, I got shot in the leg. Almost died, too. But Chakwas patched me up and all I have is a scar to show for it."
"That was a leg," Kal replied skeptically, "Not an entire torso."
"You worry too much," Tali remarked and hearing Marcus chuckle to himself, she elbowed him, giving him a glare before turning back to talking with Kal, soothing him, but no matter what she did, Kal continued to look over at the med bay door until finally he stood up and headed over, sitting right outside and crossing his arms, standing vigil.
"He's loyal and loves her. You can tell," Tali pointed out.
"I'd do the same for you, you know," Marcus stated, taking a bite of an apple supplied to him and taking in its juicy flavour. An apple after combat was like heaven.
Tali looked at him, smiling behind her mask, "I bet you would. I better head back down to engineering to see what's going on. I'll see you later," she tapped him on the head with her visor before taking her leave, heading into the elevator. Marcus smiled and sighed, leaning back in the seat and taking another bite sized chunk out of his fruit. He began to close his eyes when he heard Kelly's voice next to him.
"Commander?"
He opened his eyes and turned to look at the red-head, a warm smile on his face, "Yes, what can I do for you Miss Chambers?"
"Kelly. You've earned that much," the yeoman corrected, smiling, "You wanted me to tell you if anyone wanted to see you. Samara would like to talk to you when you have a moment. She said its a personal issue."
Who doesn't have one? "I'll be there tomorrow," He finished off his apple, before throwing it in the bin, nodding to Kelly as he left, the yeoman carrying a plate of food with her as she sat down and watched him leave. She sighed. He's so sexy. Tali's a lucky girl.
Marcus stood outside Starboard Observation and knocked four times, waiting for an answer. When he heard Samara call out for him to enter, he did as bid and tapped the interface, opening the door and letting himself in. He watched the asari justicar go from her cross-legged position on the floor to standing upright, turning to face him as the door closed.
"Samara," he greeted, "Kelly said you wanted to see me on a matter of personal basis?"
The justicar nodded cooly, as always, "I am glad you came. I must ask for your help; that is not easy for me."
Marcus nodded and moved to join her beside the observation window, the asari's eyes moving to look out into the deep empty void of space. Marcus crossed his arms and addressed her, "What seems to be the problem and why do you need my help?"
Samara nodded, not even sighing, "When we met on Illium, I told you about a very dangerous criminal I was pursuing," Samara informed him, "Using the information you obtained, I have located her. She's been going by the name Morinth...and I would like to apprehend her before she disappears again. She is extremely dangerous. I need your help to take her out."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, "Didn't you say you'd track her after our mission?"
Samara nodded, expression clear, "I know where she is, right now. In a month, she may be gone. This is the best opportunity I've ever had."
He nodded, exhaling a large portion of his breath, "Very well then, we'll take her out. Where is she now?"
"Omega," Samara declared, "She is hiding out of Aria's HQ, the nightclub called..."
"...Afterlife," Marcus finished for her, "I know the place."
"It appears she's chosen it for her hunting ground," the justicar stated.
"Just how dangerous is this Morinth?" Marcus asked, wanting clarification, "Is she a serial killer?"
"Worse," Samara told him, "Killing her has been my focus for four hundred years. It is the most important thing in my life. She is not just a serial killer, she is the serial killer. And she's the reason I became a Justicar in the first place."
"I see," Marcus mused, turning back to the asari, "Tell me about her."
"She is an Ardat-Yakshi," Samara informed him, "It is a term from a dead asari dialect. It means 'Demon of the Night Winds.' But that is purely mythology; she is simply a very dangerous woman who kills without mercy and enjoys it."
Demon of the Night Winds. That name doesn't sound that promising, "So if Ardat-Yakshi is just mythology, does that mean she is a special kind of murderer?"
Samara shook her head, "You misunderstand; the Ardat-Yakshi described in myth is false, but they still very much exist and Morinth definitely is one. She suffers from a rare genetic disorder that has effectively weaponized her sexual organs. When she mates with you, there is no gentle tapping of nervous systems. She overpowers yours, burns it out, hemorrhages your brain...and when she is done, you end up a mindless shell, and soon after...you are dead."
Marcus stood there, horrified. Any asari that kills through sexual intercourse? Holy...holy shit. These Ardat-Yakshi are fucked up. But I can see the need to kill this Morinth; asari are heralded as beauties by the galaxy; she'll have no problem finding men and women to have sex with and kill. And Omega is the perfect place too; no law enforcement to worry about.
"So, how many of these Ardat-Yakshi actually exist?"
"Too my knowledge, only three," Samara stated, "Two live in seclusion in an Ardat-Yakshi Monastery on the asari colony of Lesuss, and the other is now on Omega, a dangerous deadly killer."
"Well, if this Morinth has to be stopped, she will be," Marcus declared, "I'll have Joker set a course for Omega immediately," Marcus turned to leave, remembering something he had to do before they reached Omega, when Samara called out.
"There's something else you must know," Samara told him and he stopped, hearing a tinge of solemn sorrow in her tone. He turned around, confused and waited for her to elaborate. So she did, "This creature...this...monster...Morinth...she's my daughter."
His eyes widened at the revelation and he moved to her side. But he could only think of one question to ask her, "You said this condition is genetic. How many children do you have?"
Samara hesitated to answer, but did so anyway, "Three. All of them...Ardat-Yakshi. Their names are Rila, Falere and of course, Morinth. Morinth was always the most intelligent; she was smart and full of energy, but selfish."
Marcus sighed, "Samara, I'm incredibly sorry to hear that," he went to squeeze her shoulder in reassurance but she shrugged it off, not wanting the additional comfort.
"I do not want pity Shepard," Samara told him sternly, "I do not accept it. My daughter's condition is my fault; and my redemption lies in killing her. Do not pity me, simply understand my situation and what I must do to protect the innocent. The cost...of my duty."
But Marcus wanted to understand more, "How did all this happen?"
Samara sighed, hands firmly clasped behind her back, "I spent my youth on the move; adventuring. I killed people, mated with them or simply danced the night away. I learned so much, experienced so much. And then my matron days came. I could finally sit back; bask and enjoy my family. But in one moment; it was all taken away."
"That sounds terrible," Marcus said with genuine sympathy. He never had a family of his own, only his mother and possibly Tali one day. He had never had the misfortune of losing someone except his father.
"I sat in a med lab while a near-sighted doctor droned at me," Samara told him, "And I let that nothing was as I thought it would be. I gave up all that I possessed; I owe nothing, claim nothing. All my knowledge will die with me. Now my only purpose is too destroy the only child that sought freedom and murder, instead of solitude."
"Now you want me to help you kill one of your own daughters," Marcus inhaled breath, leaning against the glass, "I don't know if I could do it to one of my own daughters if I had any. You have remarkably strong will, Samara."
"It is because my will was weak that I now face this predicament," Samara corrected him, "Now I must rectify it or let her continue her murder. What is my daughter compared to the hundreds of people she has murdered?"
"Doesn't make it any less difficult," Marcus told her, standing back upright, "But for what its worth, I'll help you. We'll arrive at Omega in a couple of days, and we'll put an end to Morinth's killing. I'll bring Tali only; I can't go on any missions without her anymore, otherwise she goes crazy."
Samara nodded and moved to reassume her position on the floor, "Thank you for this deed, Shepard. There are no words to express how much this means to me. Now if you would leave me alone to meditate; I must contemplate the deed I must do in the coming days."
Marcus nodded and left, realizing he was still wearing his armor and headed to the elevator, but not before informing Joker of their change in destination. He then headed into the elevator and hit deck one to take his armor off and check his messages. He just hoped this Madi would be okay; if not, he didn't think Kal would last long.
Once inside his cabin, he took off his armor and moved to sit down, before remembering something he had to do. Learning that Samara's target was her daughter had been enough to make him forget but now he had remembered. So instead of plopping down infront of his terminal like a real commander would have, he reentered the elevator and hit deck two.
Time to see Mordin.
He waited impatiently for the elevator to reach the CIC. When it finally did and the doors opened, he moved out, heading straight for the tech lab. He barely had enough time to give a quick hello to Kelly before moving through the empty box and into the tech lab, where Mordin was showing one of his new concoctions to Lia, who observed with omnipotent attention.
Upon hearing the door open, Mordin turned and, seeing Shepard, smiled, "Shepard! Glad you're here. Was just discussing with Assistant Vael the dangers of cross-species intimacy. Miss Vael showing unusual interest; perhaps interested in crew member?"
Lia seemed to blush behind her mask, "W-what? N-no, I just want to learn as much as possible, Professor Solus. I need to if I want to be a scientist."
"Of course, of course," Mordin replied hurriedly before turning back to Marcus, "Shepard, what do you need help with?"
Marcus cleared his throat, "Do you have a minute to talk," his glance landed on Lia's back, "In private?"
Mordin nodded, tapping Lia on the shoulder, "Go wait outside. Go talk to Mister Vakarian; develop relationship," Lia once again looked stunned but quickly hurried out of the tech lab, not wanting to be further embarassed infront of her commander. Marcus just smiled as he watched her leave. Lia and Garrus? I wonder if the turian shows the same interest.
When the door was closed, Mordin locked the doors and stepped out from behind his desk, "Funny you should come. Wanted to talk. Medical matters. Assume you're here for same reason, yes?"
Marcus nodded and came to lean against Mordin's desk, waiting for the salarian to elaborate.
Mordin smiled, "Aware that mission is dangerous; different species...react differently to stress. Past relationship with Tali'Zorah makes daliance attractive as stress release...still recommend caution."
"Let's get one thing here straight Mordin," Marcus stated firmly, angered, "Tali is not a 'daliance stress relief'. I love her and what we are doing is purely out love, not the need to release stress. Understand?"
Mordin held up his hands in his defense, "Understand completely. Did not mean to offend. Anyway; Quarian immune system weak. Sexual interaction could...potentially kill her."
I'm dangerously aware of that. As is she, "We've known that for a long time Mordin, but for the sake of the love we bare each other, we're willing to risk it. We might be dead after this mission anyway. We'd rather be together at least once before that happens; no suit in the way. Do you have a recommendation as a doctor?"
Mordin nodded, picking a datapad from his desk and thrusting it into the spectre's grip, "Tali'Zorah acquired antiseptic; recommend you self-sterilize as well. Oral contact with tissue dangerous; take precautions. Not happy that Miss Zorah has already initiated oral sex along with oral on oral contact, but this may have increased chances of her surviving. On that datapad is an advice booklet; valuable diagrams, sex positions, erogenous zone overviews. Can supply oils or ointments to reduce discomfort. Gave EDI electronic relationship aid demonstration vids as necessary."
Marcus was surprised at first, but noticed the phantom of a smile on Mordin's lips and realized what the salarian was doing, "Wait a moment Mordin...you're just yanking me around, aren't you?"
Mordin looked shocked, "Shocking suggestion! Doctor-patient confidentiality a sacred trust; would never dream...of mockery. Enjoy yourself while you can Shepard; I will be here studying cell reproduction. Much simpler; less alcohol and mood music required. Romantics not simple enough. Tell Miss Zorah I expect her to send me a saliva sample when she can so I can begin to formulate ways of making intimacy less dangerous. Providing we survive mission, of course."
Marcus simply chuckled and prepared to leave when Mordin raised a finger and spoke, "Also Shepard, you're quite good with biotics, are you not?"
Marcus frowned at the question, "Yes...what are you getting at Mordin?"
"Creative use of biotic fields during intimacy could produce interesting results," Mordin grinned to himself before humming as he looked at his work and Marcus visibly reddened as he hurriedly left. He looked at the datapad in his hand and shook his head. Mordin; what would I do without you onboard? But seriously; 'creative use of biotic fields during intimacy.' What the fuck?
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September 30, 2185
1519 hours.
Dock, Dyuko District, Omega.
Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Chief Engineer Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, Justicar Samara.
Being back on Omega was not something Marcus had particulary been looking forward to. The garbage heap they called a space station was not exactly the most warming place to visit. Calling it the 'darker version' of the Citadel was accurate enough of a description, he thought. The celestial epicenter of criminal activity was renowned for its terrible state. And now they were back in the heart of it; and looking for a criminal. Oh, who would have guessed?
Tali, as expected, had insisted on coming. Samara hadn't been too happy about it, commenting that Tali would most likely be a detriment to the mission, but Tali wasn't budging and Marcus wouldn't deny her, so she went with them. Samara reluctantly agreed, but only if Tali kept to the shadows and did nothing to hinder the mission. Tali agreed, but as usual, only if it didn't concern Marcus getting hurt.
He commed EDI, "Can you tell us where Morinth is located right now?"
"The death count on Omega is too high to accurately pinpoint an Ardat-Yakshi's location," the AI informed them, "However, given the reputation of the Ardat-Yakshi among the asari, Aria T'Loak may have more information."
Samara nodded, "As much as I despise her, she would be an excellent source of information on Morinth. Nothing happens on Omega without Aria knowing about it."
Marcus nodded and motioned for the duo to follow him, moving out of the corridor and immediately heading for the Afterlife; the line looking just as big as it had last time. Due to technically being 'Aria's assiociates', his team got instant access to Afterlife and bypassed the line, allowing them to move straight into the strip club to seek Aria.
They found the matriarch of Omega in her usual place; sitting on a sofa, surrounded by her guards, overlooking the dance floor. Aria widened her eyes upon noticing him and motioned for Marcus to sit with her, but for Tali and Samara to stay back. Aria smiled as Marcus sat to her right, smiling.
"Funny seeing you again Shepard," Aria greeted, "Thought you'd forgotten that Omega even existed. Not that I'd given a fuck; everytime you come here, you bring shit-stained fans with you. So tell me; just what colossal travesty have you brought to my station this time?"
"Don't worry, I'm not here to cure plagues or piss off mercenary organizations this time," Marcus told her with equal jest, "My colleague here is an asari justicar by the name of Samara. We've come here seeking an asari fugitive; an Ardat-Yakshi."
Aria looked fazed for but a second before turning towards the justicar, her face turning into a grimace, "An Ardat-Yakshi? I knew it. Nothing leaves a body quite so...empty, as an Ardat-Yakshi does. She fucked one of my guards one night; man thought with his cock instead of his brain and had the misfortune of not being asari; otherwise, he would have asked what she was. Found him dead; if you can call it that. He got fucked up alright."
Samara moved forward but one of the guards held his arm out and stopped her. Aria shook her head and the batarian quickly parted, letting the justicar through. Samara stopped infront of Aria, ignoring her offer of a seat, "You have an Ardat-Yakshi on the station, know full well about it, and haven't taken steps to eliminate her?"
Aria scoffed, "Why would I? She hasn't tried to seduce me. Her last victim was a young girl; very recent, about a day ago. Pretty thing; human, of course. Lived in the tenaments near here; one of the apartment blocks just before the elevator to the Gozu District. That's where I'd start looking."
Marcus nodded and stood up to join Samara, "Thanks for the information."
"Good luck finding her," Aria remarked, taking a sip of a drink, "Better luck catching her."
Marcus quickly nodded to Samara and they joined Tali downstairs who had just returned from beating the shit out of a turian. Marcus smirked, "What did he do?"
"Tried to flirt with me," Tali tsked, "That's okay, I can ignore that. Then he starts touching me; so there he is, on the ground."
He chuckled before turning to leave Afterlife, his team right behind him. So, apartment blocks just before the Gozu District entrance? Think I've seen them. Once out of Afterlife, they took a left and entered the shopping sector before turning right, where Marcus was met by a familiar sight; the Gozu District entrance elevator. Where I recruited Mordin. Feels like years ago now. They quickly found the entrance to the apartment Aria specified and he stopped, turning to Samara and motioning for the asari to enter first.
Samara hit the holographic interface infront of the door and walked inside, quickly followed by Marcus and Tali.
The apartment was pretty basic in size, shape and look. To their left was a L-shaped sofa and behind it a small kitchen sized area. The room was lit by a single, dim light and a door at the back lead to a small toilet, shower cubicle and a laundry room. A door directly ahead of the entrance lead into the bedroom; but the door was locked. To their surprise, an elderly human woman occupied the sofa.
She wore pink outlined and black civvies and black boots. Her black hair was tied up in a ponytail and her face was covered in the wrinkles that came with age, most likely being in her fifties or sixties. Her eyes were lime green and her lips parched and a pinky color. Turning to look at them, she spoke, her voice hoarse and dying.
"Are you here about my daughter?" The woman asked and Marcus silently cursed. Oh fuck.
Marcus nodded all the same, "Yes we are. Can you tell us the details?"
The woman nodded, "My Nef died about a week ago and noone seems to care. The medic said it was a brain hemorrhage but that's not true; it was murder. Someone killed my Nef...my baby," the woman was on the verge of tears and you could see thin droplets trickling down her face as she finished.
"We think she was murdered too. And I'm looking for her killer," Marcus informed her, moving to sit down the couch next to the woman while Samara sat opposite her, Tali sitting next to Marcus.
The woman nodded, sniffing, "Oh, thank you!" she enthusiastically replied, "Its so hard...when noone believes you...I'm all alone now...," she sighed and sniffed again, wiping the tears from her eyes, "Are you...are you one of Aria's people?"
Marcus took off his helmet and placed it on the table infront of him, "No, I'm not. My name is Commander Shepard. These are my companions; Justicar Samara, who seeks to bring your daughter's killer to justice and Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, a close friend of mine."
Her look snapped to him upon his introduction, "You're...Commander Shepard!? But I heard you were dead! Oh, who cares! I can't believe its you who's come to avenge my daughter. Thank you so much. Noone else on this hellhole station gives a damn that my Nef is dead. If you can do something about it, I'll help you however I can."
Samara spoke first, "Did your daughter have alot of friends?"
The woman shook her head, "Not alot, no. She was always so shy. Spent most of her time off making her sculptures, not hanging out with friends. Something did change in the last few weeks though; she started talking about an asari; her name was Morinth, she said."
Marcus and Samara exchanged troubled glances before turning back to the woman, Samara addressing her again, "I see."
The woman's tone turned into pure venom, "I loathed her. She kept dragging Nef out to clubs and I'm pretty sure she gave my daughter drugs. Red Sand, specifically."
Marcus spoke next, "What kind of a person was this Morinth?"
The woman shook her head, holding it in her hands, "I never met her; only heard about her. But Nef talked about her like she was a queen. You'd swear there was noone else alive when she talked about Morinth."
Samara nodded, "That fits the description."
Marcus nodded, placing an armoured hand on one of the woman's shoulders. The woman choked back a sob and nodded at the spectre. He turned to the justicar, "Samara, does Morinth control her victims with drugs?"
Samara shook her head, "She controls them through shear will. The drugs are just a lifestyle; she loves the club. Loves the bass. She's a hedonist."
The woman looked at her with realization, "So this Morinth did hurt my daughter? Is she the one that...that..."
Samara took one of her hands in hers and squeezed it gently, "I am a Justicar; my duty is to bring the stain of justice upon those who would wrong the innocent. This Morinth is a monster and I promise this; she will pay for her crimes, including your Nef's murder."
"Did Nef hang out anywhere in particular?" The spectre asked.
Fresh tears streaked down the mother's cheeks, "She was always quiet working here at home...then...a few weeks ago, she started going out all the time. To that VIP area in the Afterlife Strip Club. I think there's a special password you need to get in there. The change was so sudden; she just seemed...tired and distracted when she wasn't around Morinth."
Young love. Nef fooled herself into believing it was love she felt for Morinth and love she received in turn, when it was merely a trap set up for her by that asari creature to murder her with sex. Marcus couldn't possibly fathom a worser way to die, "What kind of a girl was your daughter?"
The mother managed to smile a little, "My Nef had a fire inside her; she was shy but...she was creative and driven and...the best girl a mother could hope for," she then cut herself off, choking on her next words and refusing to continue. She didn't have to.
Samara brought the conversation back up to speed, "She was creative? How so?"
The mother laughed, looking up, "She was a sculptor; several galleries were interested in her. Said her work was fresh."
Marcus sighed, smiling a weak, reassuring smile, "Do you mind if we check Nef's room?"
The mother gave a sigh of her own, smile evaporating, "I didn't want to disturb anything: her clothes, her art, her sculptures...everything is the way she left it. The way it will...always be," fresh tears appeared and flooded down her face, "My baby is gone...," and then she was in a sobbing fit, crying into her hands.
Samara wrapped her arms around the mother and brought her close, rubbing her back. She gave Marcus a look he understood well enough. I'll look after the mother. You search the room. Marcus nodded and motioned for Tali to follow him, the quarian having little problem opening the locked door as they moved inside to investigate.
Her room was pretty basic; just a bed along with a bench full of sculptures, datapads and papers. The room was dark, but that quickly changed when Tali flicked the light switch on. They immediately began investigating the room, looking for any clues as to how they could get into Afterlife and lure Morinth in.
They mostly found video logs of Nef's life. At first, it was just about how dull her life was, but then it developed and finally it showed Nef only talking about Morinth. Eventually, Morinth talked about how she planned to invite Morinth to her room so they could make love. That had been Nef's last video recording.
"To murder someone by luring them using intimacy," Tali trailed with disgust, "Sex is meant to be about love and trust and passion, not murder. Keelah, its almost impossible to imagine such a horrible thing."
Marcus had agreed with her. Thanks to the video recording however, they had managed to acquire the password into the VIP section of Afterlife; Jaruut. Apparently it was the name of the elcor who founded Afterlife in the first place. He motioned for Tali to follow him outside, not wanting to disturb Nef's room anymore than he had to. When they got outside, they found the mother sitting silently and Samara approaching them.
"This is Morinth's work," The justicar declared, "She is attracted to artists and creators. Someone with a spark; slightly isolated from their peers. She impresses with sophistication and sex appeal. And then she strikes...the hunt interests her as much as the conquest."
Marcus grimaced, "Anyone who's successfully hunted sapient beings for four hundred years warrants caution."
Samara nodded, "Morinth speaks to you on many levels; her body tells yours that she'll bring you unimaginable ecstasy, her scent evokes emotions long hidden. Her eyes promise you things you were always scared to ask of another. Her voice whispers to you after she is done speaking."
The spectre shivered and he noticed Tali looking uncomfortable at the prospect, "A perfect predator. She sounds more like a highly evolved killer than a genetic defect."
"The condition has been present since the asari were still huddling around fires at night," The justicar explained to him, "Perhaps it is symbiotic, rather than a defect. Storming her den would be a mistake; she would have a hundred escape routes planned. She will go to ground and disappear for fifty years or more; this is the closest I've ever gotten."
"So we have to lure her out," Marcus caught on.
"Exactly," Samara complimented, "Afterlife's VIP section seems to be her preferred hunting ground," she stopped before continuing, "Shepard, you must go there, alone and unarmed, and lure her out."
Tali was quick to object, "No, absolutely not! Marcus, don't, we can get someone else to-"
"And put someone else in danger?" Marcus replied, shaking his head, "No, it has to be done. I'll head back to the Normandy and get changed. I don't like being unarmed; makes me feel naked, but its the only way."
"Please Marcus," Tali pleaded with concern, "Its too dangerous. At least allow me to go."
"I have to be alone Tali," Marcus told her, "Morinth won't go after people she knows are coupled."
"Then I could watch over you," Tali suggested, "From a distance of course, but if anything went wrong, I could rush in and stop it."
Marcus seemed to consider it for a couple of seconds before nodding, "There's no harm in that; last I checked, Ardat-Yakshi don't have super vision, so you just have to find a spot and hide in it. I want Legion with you as well. If shit hits the fan, I need a sniper that can take her out in a heartbeat; noone reacts faster than a geth."
Tali seemed to hesitate but finally nodded, "Thank you Marcus."
"You'll be the perfect bait," Samara told him, "She flee if she sees me, so I'll hide in the shadows; Thane has been giving me lessons, and wait for the moment to strike. You must lure her out and convince her of how delicious you are; enough that she'll take you to her den. Once inside, I will move in and make the kill. You'll be irresistable to her; you are an artist on the battlefield, you have the vital spark that attracts her. Your power will draw her in."
"I've got you in the shadows, Tali ready to pounce and Legion to put a bullet through her pretty skull. I'm perfectly safe," Marcus tried to convince himself, "So why do I feel so naked?"
"The only fear you must have is that of Morinth's seduction," Samara told him and gave a quick glance in Tali's direction, "Your love for Miss Zorah is strong, that I do not doubt, but Morinth is an entirely different creature. If you are not careful, you will find yourself a slave to her will. You must not allow yourself to fall under her sphere of control."
"I'm an impenetrable fortress of non-emotion when I want to be," Marcus told her, "Morinth will have a hard time battering my walls down, on that account, I have no fear. Let's do this. I'll meet you outside the entrance when I'm ready," he turned to Tali, "Tali, go fetch Legion and find a good vantage point. Somewhere in the shadows."
"Okay," before she left, she wrapped her arms around him, "Please be careful. I love you."
"I love you too," Marcus smiled, letting go, "And if I die, its your fault."
She slapped him on the chest, "No, it'll be Legion's. He's the expert shot, remember?"
They both laughed as they left. And as they parted and went seperate ways, Marcus could only think of the mission ahead of him. I'm going to kill Morinth. Or Samara will. Or Legion will, or even Tali. Either way, Morinth dies. Of that, I have no doubt.
He just hoped he didn't die too.
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September 30, 2185
1531 hours.
VIP Section, Afterlife, Dyuko District, Omega.
Commander Marcus Lee Shepard.
The music pounded at his ears like a constant bombardment of bombs going off next to him; but it was rthymic and flowing. He dared not dance; it might make him seem pathetic to Morinth.
He had never felt so vulnerable; walking into a strip club with a basic shirt, no weapons and no squadmates with him. He felt somewhat safe knowing Samara, Tali and Legion were nearby, but it did nothing to clear the horrible feeling he had in his stomach. But instead of dwelling on it, he moved forward, with a purpose.
Almost immediately he was stopped as one human man stepped infront of him, a huge grin on his face. He wore a leather jacket and a brown goatee on his chin, but that was just about all Marcus examined before the man spoke.
"Hey! Do you have tickets for Expel 10?" the man asked, "I heard this amazing asari say they were her favourite band. I want...I just want whatever she wants. I gotta find tickets; Expel 10 are playing tomorrow."
Morinth. Of course. Be lucky you aren't a victim, "No, and if I were you, I wouldn't ask random strangers for tickets again. It might piss the wrong people off. You're lucky I'm not wrong people," act the tough guy. Marcus moved forward, "I'm angry right now, and you're too close!"
The man just looked at him in wide-eyed fright before running off. Marcus gave him an angry look until he was gone before proceeding further into the club. Off on a good start, at least.
He moved onto the dance floor, not knowing why. I thought we agreed my body doesn't cope well with dancing. Damn it, if only Tali was here. She's one hell of a motivator. Seeing her dance...He shook that thought of his mind and tried to calm himself. Just act natural. He moved to dance, trying to keep himself calm. One fuck up and it was all over and Morinth would ignore him like a fly. But then he noticed an argument going on nearby between an asari dancer and a turian; the asari wore a revealing dress and the turian plain civvies and a hoodie. He listened in.
"Don't be like that!" the turian pleaded, "I've got creds! We'll go back to my place; I've got simple tastes," the turian slurred, trying to sound seductive, but just sounding like a drunken moron.
The asari shook her head, moving away from the turian, "Back off asshole! I'm a dancer; not a hooker!"
"You've got a mouth on you!" The turian complimented, smirking disgustingly as he reached up and gropped one of the asari's breasts, "I'll enjoy watching you use it!"
How do I intervene without looking like a paragon? Morinth loves renegades; not goodie-to-shoes. Then he thought of something; Tali would hate it, especially if she was watching, but he had to do it. It was the perfect plan. He moved up to the turian and pulled him off the asari, grimacing at him.
"Get your hands of my girl you fuck," Marcus snarled, grabbing the turian and throwing him against one of the pillars, "You think you can just touch my girl and I'll stand by and watch? Touch her again and I'll rip your balls off and feed them to my pet varren, and I'll enjoy seeing its mouth put to good use. You'll be a eunuch; would you like that?"
The turian wet himself. He could tell, the smell was omnipresent, "Okay sure! Just let me go!" Marcus did just that and through him onto the ground, letting the turian stagger and run away. Marcus smiled and turned to the asari, who apparently had been watching the whole thing. Noticing him looking, she smiled and edged closer, "Thank you for that sir. Would you like to dance with me?"
Marcus cursed inwardly. Salt to the wound, Marcus, salt to the wound. Tali is going to be so pissed. Then he remembered. She's a skylord; she understands how this shit works. Infiltration requires a deft touch; she'll understand. So he accepted the asari's offer of a dance and for a while they just moved their bodies to the beat, the asari edging closer to him and occcassionally brushing against him, but he pretended not to notice.
Eventually, Marcus excused himself from the dance floor and the asari lightly kissed him on the cheek before returning to dancing. Marcus left the dance floor without missing a beat. Retreating, he quickly moved over to the bar, watching a bored looking human male washing a bench with a small blue cloth. Watching the spectre approach, the man looked up and smiled, "What will you be havin?"
"These people look bored," Marcus noted, "Bored people don't spend much." That's it; piss off some people. That'll attract Morinth. She digs that shit, if what Samara told me is true.
The man scoffed, "And you've got an idea...?"
"A round of drinks shows that you appreciate their business," Marcus told him, "Your rep will improve and you'll make more money in the end."
The man contemplated it before turning to the crowd and shouting, "Hey! Everyone! We love having you here; so have a round of drinks! On the house!" He grabbed a couple of bottles and settled them about, pouring drinks for the horde of people quickly approaching the bench. Even an angry krogan looked satisfied. Marcus quickly retreated, thinking he had done pretty well so far.
He walked along the isles, not knowing what else to do. I have to find something. But just as he was thinking of what to do next, he felt a hand on his shoulder and warm breath on the back of his neck. At first he thought it was the asari dancer again, but when he turned he saw a completely differen asari; she wore a leather black swimsuit. Her face was a paler blue than most asari and her lips were a deep shade of purple, reminding him of Benezia in many ways. Her eyes were blue and nose protruded but most of all; she was amazing. Its no wonder she's so good at seduction. Doesn't beat Tali though.
The asari smiled, "My name is Morinth. I've been watcing you very closely," she trailed a finger down the center of his chest, which sent tingles up his spine, "You're the most interesting person in this shithole. We should get to know each other; I've got a booth over in the shadows. Want to talk?"
I've lured her in. Now to seal the trap, "Sure. I have to say; you're very sexy."
Morinth smiled and looped her arm under his, "I'm sure I am," she then escorted him over to a table enveloped by darkness and they sat opposite each other so they could see each other. Morinth seemed so innocent; he found it hard to believe it was the same asari who murdered Nef. And hundreds more. Don't panic; Legion's got her in its sights and Samara is nearby. Keep your cool.
"Some nights I come here and there's noone to talk to," Morinth began, "Some nights...there's just one person. Tonight its you; how does that make you feel?"
Marcus smiled darkly, "Fantastic. You and I want the same things."
Morinth had a skeptical look on her face, "Do we?"
Marcus conjured memories of all the things Samara told him about Morinth and chose the most memorable one, "What do you think of the music here?"
Morinth rolled her eyes, sipping her ale, "Dark rthyms. Violent pulses. It stirs something primitive in me. What about you?"
Marcus shrugged his shoulders, leaning back. He remembered something the guy at the entrance mentioned, "I'm curious about a band called Expel 10."
Morinth's face lit up and she leaned forward, "They get in my head and tear it to pieces. They're in concert soon; maybe we should go together. Tomorrow, maybe?" when saw Marcus nod she sighed and leaned back herself, "You can lose yourself in the music here. There are ways to enhance that. You know? Ways like..."
"...like Hallex?" Marcus finished, smiling when she smiled.
Morinth nodded enthusiastically, "It slithers through my soul. It seems like we share some interests."
"What do you know about art?" Marcus asked, conjuring up Samara's next suggested question.
"It speaks to the darkest places in me," Morinth replied in her usual poetic tone, "What do you know about it?"
Its like back-and-forth questioning, "Do you know the elcor artist called Forta?"
Once again, Morinth's face lit up and he knew he had pulled the right string, "I didn't think anyone around here knew him. He's sublime. Art comes in many varities; I've seen vids more powerful than some sculptures sitting in a gallery."
"Do you know of Vaenia?" Marcus asked.
"My favourite," Morinth answered instantly, "The two actresses on it are so glamerous."
"I'll have to watch it some time," Marcus hinted at suggestively and Morinth smiled.
"I've travelled all over the galaxy, did I tell you that?" Marcus added.
"It changes you, doesn't it?" She asked, "The danger, the excitement, the pulse-bounding action. It drives my primal instincts to the limit."
Marcus nodded in agreement, "Real travel means dangerous places. I once even travelled to Haestrom."
Morinth laughed, "In geth space? You truly are a wonderous man. Travelling to dangerous places is just doing things that noone else could possibly imagine. I love the violence; the thrill of it all."
"I've fought and killed," Marcus told her, "Was once a Blue Suns merc, myself. Quit after Vido died though; work got too boring and the dangers got less and less. An organization dying, if you ask me."
"The Blue Suns were always pussies. I'm not surprised," Morinth waved it off, "I find myself drawn to dark, dangerous places. Violence is the surest expression of power."
Marcus pretended to agree, "The strongest of men are usually the most powerful among men."
Morinth nodded, "That's certainly true...among children," she sounded disinterested and he knew he'd fucked up. But he knew just how to regain her attention
"The one who wants violence the most will most assuredly hold all the power in the end and therefore is the most deserving of it."
Morinth placed her drink on the table and stood up, "You want to get out of here? I can take you to my apartment. And I want you all to myself."
Marcus nodded and followed her as she moved outside, taking him to her skycar.
Step One done. Lets hope Step Two is as smooth.
{Loading...}
September 30, 2185
1557 hours.
Morinth's Apartment, Dyuko District, Omega.
Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Ardat-Yakshi Morinth.
As Morinth lead him over to her sofa, Marcus awed at the size and grandeur of the Ardat-Yakshi's apartment. There was two levels; the lower level had a sofa and a fireplace, along with an observation window allowing free view of Omega's city skyline, a dinner table and a pot of plants. The upper level had a life-sized krogan sculpture and a kitchen area, but nothing much else. There was also a bed, but it was single, not queen-sized.
It was an impressive apartment...for someone so lethal and deadly. Marcus allowed himself to be guided over to the couch by Morinth's hand, which felt like silk under his fingers; so easy to wrap his fingers around. Morinth sat him on the couch and sat next to him, smiling the entire time.
"I love clubs. People, movement, heat," Morinth stated, "I can still hear the bass like the drums of a great hunt out for your blood. But here...its muted, and you're safe. Is that what you want, Shepard? To be safe?"
Right now? More than anything. To just kill you, walk out of here and hold Tali in my arms while your body rots, you sick fuck. The more I'm here, the less safe I feel. I hope they were able to keep up. Instead he appealed to Morinth's cynicism, "People feel safest right before they die. Safety is just a lie; a delusion."
"Its true; we're never truly safe," Morinth responded, curling up next to him and resting her head on his chest, "I never understood the fascination with safety. Some of us choose differently," she quickly sat up and sat in his lap, "Independence over submission? I think we share that; you and I."
Then you know nothing, Morinth, "We've both killed; but that's where the similiarities end." Have I revealed my true identity too early? Shit, what if I've fucked up!
Morinth's lustful look turned into one of skepticism, "Why do you say that I've killed? What do you know? Let's stop playing games," she then bent her head back and closed her eyes. When he realized what she was doing, he was too late, her hands wrapping around his head and her eyes turning black. His vision was filled with lust and envy, pleasure and pain. It was all over the place; colors, places, people, things he had seen.
It was too powerful. The sensory overload was too much to handle; was this how he was going to die? Sex with an asari? No, he couldn't die this way. But despite wanting to stop her, his body didn't want to and gave into her, not letting go of her bond.
But then his mind conjured up images of Tali; his mate, his girlfriend, his supposed wife. He loved her more than anything, wanted to spend his life with her and couldn't bare the thought of leaving her alone again. He died once and left her alone for two years to dwell over his death. Could he do that again? How long would it take for him to come back this time? Would he even come back?
In that instant, he broke Morinth's hold over him. He reclaimed control of his body and grabbed her wrists and forcing them away. Morinth fell back on the couch and Marcus sat up, backing away. Morinth looked at him with fury, "You never told me you had a quarian for a girlfriend Shepard; is it her safety you seek? You lying piece of shit. It would appear the bitch has found her little helper."
Morinth's body pulsed with biotics and she bombarded him with warp fields, but he brought up his own biotics, blocking every shot. Morinth looked at him with surprise but quickly recovered shooting at him like a biotic rocket. She hit him in the chest, sending flying back into a bookcase and knocking it over, stunning him. Before he could get up, Morinth was ontop of him, grabbing him by the throat and raising a biotic fist.
"I could have had the pleasure of killing the great Marcus Shepard," Morinth hissed, "With sex! What would his girlfriend think of that? Oh well, I get to kill you all the same."
"Think again, bosh'tet."
Morinth's head snapped towards the opened doorway and she managed to raise a barrier just as a shotgun shell impacted it, sending her flying back from the force and causing her to drop the field. Tali raced in, shotgun in hand, Legion and Samara behind her. Legion guarded the doorway, pulse rifle in hand while Tali holstered her shotgun and kneeled down next to the spectre.
"Marcus, are you okay?" Tali asked, scared, "Samara told us Morinth had started the bond and we rushed to get here. Did she hurt you?"
"I'm fine," Marcus told her, smiling, "She almost killed me with the meld but then...then I thought of you. I'm not dying again, I can tell you that now."
Even through the mask, it was clear as day that Tali was smiling. She immediately set about helping him up, while his own attention turned to Samara and Morinth's confrontation in the middle of the room.
Samara was wreathed in biotic energy, as was Morinth, both of them possessing the energy to rip apart the apartment piece by piece. Neither moved, simply standing off. Finally, Morinth broke the silence.
"Well hello mother," Morinth hissed.
Samara fired a warp at her, but the Ardat-Yakshi easily battered it aside, "Do not call me that," Samara demanded.
Morinth shrugged, "I can't help being your daughter, mother." Morinth sent her own warp towards her, but the justicar saw it coming. She nimbly dodged it and launched a shockwave in the asari's direction, which Morinth was unable to predict. She flew backwards, smashing into her krogan sculpture and shattering it, shouting in pain as a jagged piece founds its way into her torso.
Samara approached her with death as her purpose, but Morinth was suddenly consumed in bright light and she seemingly exploded, sending Samara flying backwards, only for her to land gracefully in a crouch, but Morinth was already limping forward, her biotic claws clasping around a piece of sofa and hurdling it at the justicar at unpredictable speeds.
Samara raised a barrier than the sofa broke apart on it. But it was all a diversion; in those few seconds, Morinth moved up to Samara and slammed a biotic warp into Samara, sending her slamming into a wall where she crumbled to the ground, Morinth approaching her now instead.
"The only crimes I committed was being born with the gifts you gave me," Morinth stepped over her mother, who was helpless to get up. She placed a foot on her throat and raised a biotic fist, "I am the genetic destiny of the asari. But out people are not ready to accept this; so I must die. Well no, mother. You must die. Today, with me."
Once again, Tali came to the rescue, punching Morinth squarely in the jaw, before sweeping her feet out from under her, causing her to fall to the ground. Just as Tali moved to finish her though, Morinth picked her up and held her. At this point, Morinth's look turned to Marcus and she smiled, "Go catch your bitch, Shepard."
And then she threw Tali out the window, to plummet to her death.
Marcus reacted instantly, shooting out with his biotics and grabbing hold of Tali. In his grip, he wretched Tali free of Morinth's grip and placed her inside before turning to Morinth and deflecting one of her attacks. Before Morinith could continue however, Samara was getting to her feet and was preparing to finish the asari off. But both of them fired at the same time, causing both biotics to collide in an explosive combination. They both faught to overwhelm the other, but neither was successful.
Morinth turned to Marcus pleadingly, "I'm as strong as she is. Let me join you!"
"If you think I'm going to betray my friends for scum like you Morinth, then you are delusional," Marcus moved forward and grabbed Morinth by the wrist, causing her biotics to falter and die. Samara ceased her assault, "Plus, you just tried to kill the woman I hold deeply to my heart. That doesn't earn you points in my book."
"One day, that woman will be the death of you," Morinth spat, turning to Samara, "And people say I'm the monster," Morinth moved to charge up her biotics again, but Samara already had her in a stasis, unable to move. The justicar approached her daughter and stood a mere few feet from her, looking at her with a saddened look.
Tears streamed down Morinth's cheeks, "I only wanted to be free mother. I didn't want to be caged up like an animal noone loves."
"I know. I love you, Morinth. You were always the smartest of my daughters. May you find peace in the embrace of the goddess," and with that, Samara reached around Morinth's head and jerked it sideways violently, snapping the asari's neck instantly. She relieved the stasis and Morinth's limp body collapsed to the ground, all life gone within her. She had taken her last victim.
Samara simply looked at Morinth's dead body with sadness, not believing that all her years of pursuit had ended this way. Finally, after a couple of seconds, Samara turned to Marcus, sorrow still etched into her features, "I am ready to leave this place if you are, Shepard."
Marcus gave a simple nod and the justicar turned to leave. Marcus quickly moved over to where he had left Tali. Legion was helping her up but the quarian shrugged out of his grip, not wanting a geth's help. She turned to him, straightened her veil and nodded. Marcus offered his hand and she took it, both of them and Legion, leaving the apartment behind, and Morinth's dead body.
It was one less mass murderer in the galaxy.
"I don't know if I could ever kill Ashley. Or Kaidan. Or Thane. Or Penya. Or any of our sons or daughters."
- Tali'Shepard pav Rannoch.
"Samara never did recover from killing Morinth, but she knew the necessity of it."
- Marcus Shepard.
"Getting closer to the suicide mission. What happened next?"
- Garrus Vakarian.
"Heretic trouble."
- Marcus Shepard.
A/N:
Yes, Legion's loyalty mission next up and then that'll be the last of the loyalty missions. The next chapter maybe very long; I don't know yet, as it will most likely include some Lia/Garrus build up. I'm not rushing this romance like I did with Kaidan/Ash.
