ILLIUM, NOS ASTRA
Miranda and John has already arrived at the Nos Astra docking bay.
"Where is your contact?" John asked her.
"She is at Eternity bar. We should hurry." Miranda said, anxiously.
They were stopped by a friendly asari with two mechs flanking her.
"Welcome to Nos Astra, Commander Shepard. We've been instructed to waive all docking administration fees for your visit. My name is Careena. If you need any information about the area, it would be my pleasure to assist you."
"Who instructed you to waive the fees?" Miranda asked.
"The order came from Liara T'Soni, who paid all fees on your behalf. She also asked that I direct you to speak with her at your convenience. She's near the trading floor." Careena said.
"All right."
After entering the trading area, another asari got their attention. "You're Commander Shepard? I saw your….. I guess you would say your aura. I'd recognize you anywhere." The asari's face was full with awe and admiration. She bowed deeply. "I was asked to give you a message if I saw you. It's from a friend on Noveria."
"What message were you asked to give?"
The asari went into some kind of trance then someone else's voice begin to come out from her mouth. "We hide. We burrow. We build. But we know that you seek those who soured the songs of our mothers. When the time comes, our voice will join with yours, and our crescendo will burn the darkness clean. Thank you, Shepard. The rachni will sing again, because of you." After delivering the message the asari turned back to normal.
"I'm glad to hear that you are rebuilding. Are you somewhere close by?"
"The rachni queen is not here. The message is one of many memories I carry from her. I encountered her on an uncharted world. She saved my life. More than that, she gave me a purpose. They are an amazing people, Shepard. The galaxy owes you a great debt for giving them a second chance." The asari explained.
"Thank you for giving me that information. I'm glad my friend on Noveria is doing well." John replied honestly.
"Farewell, Commander Shepard. You are a great man. Remember that." The asari bowed again and left.
"I won't say I saw that coming." Miranda said after the asari left.
"Me neither. Let's go." Miranda nodded and led him towards her contact.
A few minutes later they arrived at the Eternity bar where Lanteia, an asari was waiting for Miranda. She was about to speak immediately but hesitated when she saw a man with Miranda. Seeing her hesitation, Miranda urged her to speak, "It's okay, Lanteia. The Commander is with me. You can speak."
"We've a few complications Miss Lawson. Your trusted source, Niket contacted me, that your father, Henry Lawson has sent Eclipse mercenaries after your sister. Niket was supposed to arrive with your sister at our arranged secured location, but he didn't." Lanteia explained.
"Maybe he had no chance to get there." Miranda said.
"Maybe. But, I think otherwise. I think he betrayed you Miss Lawson." Lanteia spoke the truth.
Miranda's eyes immediately turned angry. Niket is one of the few she trusted the most. If not she would've never entrusted her sister's safety with Niket. "What made you say that?" She asked, anger lacing her tone.
"I managed to intercept a communication between Niket and Henry Lawson. Henry Lawson offered him a life of luxury and I am afraid, that he agreed. In exchange he will hand over Oriana Lawson to your father." Lanteia explained. Then she played the voice call that she intercepted earlier.
Miranda's eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't believe what she just heard. Niket betrayed her. Her friend - Niket. But why? What have she done to deserve this? She was so sure that Niket will never….. She was always right not to trust anyone. No one is trustworthy. If Niket can betray her so can anyone. But there is one man, she knew who will never break her trust and he is standing right beside her and she was thankful for that. With him at her side, there's still a chance to save her sister.
"Where was he last seen?" Miranda asked.
"He was trying to get to the docks, the old one which no one uses. But few of my men has managed to block his path. Although we couldn't get your sister back from his grasp. It was hard to do so because Oriana still trusts that man." Lanteia explained.
"We will be going now." Miranda said stepping away from Lanteia.
"One more thing, Miss Lawson." Lanteia stopped them.
"There's someone else beside the Eclipse mercenaries who are trying to get to your sister. I have no idea who they are but they looked dangerous." Lanteia informed. Miranda and John exchanged a look. Things are getting worse they have to move fast.
ORIANA AND NIKET, A FEW HOURS AGO
"Niket… are you sure they are not following us anymore?" Oriana asked fearfully.
Niket looked around carefully and made sure that no one was watching them. He nodded. "Yes, for the moment we are safe."
"Where's 'Randa? She should have been here already." Oriana asked.
She was doubtful. Things are turning out to be rather odd. First, Niket arrives at her home, saying that Henry Lawson has sent his men after her and Niket will take her to 'Randa. But that incident was days ago. He still didn't took her to her big sister. Something wasn't right because everytime she asked for her sister, Niket would come up with excuses: Like there are complications, Miranda can't make it, Oriana should hide for now before Miranda comes, etc.
Oriana is an intelligent girl and not just intelligent. She is brilliant. She has a sharp mind, no less than her big sister. She didn't need her intelligence to tell that this time something fishy is going on with Niket but she still believed him, because 'Randa said she trusted Niket with her life and that was enough for Oriana. She couldn't tell particularly what is wrong, but Niket's behaviour was odd like trying to avoid Miranda. He shouldn't have done that.
'Randa said he is loyal and a good friend. But is he still? Can he be trusted?
Oriana wasn't so sure anymore. She has suspicions that Niket might have betrayed her sister.
"Wait!" Oriana protested.
Niket halted and turned back to face her. "What? We don't have time. We have to go. Now!" He insisted.
"No. First I need you to answer my questions. If you don't, I'm not moving an inch." Oriana said stubbornly.
During her journey with Niket she saw few men who were clearly following them. But they never showed any sign of violence. She wouldn't have suspected anything if she didn't saw Niket signalling them silently behind her back. She confronted him about that, but he explained that they are Miranda's men, watching their back. Oriana didn't believe him even for a second. Those men were different. They wore armours. Miranda's men never wore armours, they are agents. They work from shadows. Oriana knew Niket was lying. From that time she begin to suspect him but there was nothing she could do except going with him.
But the question is why would he betray her and her sister? Isn't he 'Randa's friend? Oriana knew the answer. Niket always had a lust for money. Henry Lawson might have saw through his weakness and easily trapped him in his desire for money. Niket always craved to be rich. Everytime Niket brought her to meet Miranda, he took a lot of credits from Miranda in exchange of his service. A true friend would've never done that but Miranda never minded. She gave him the money without any hesitation.
Oriana knew her sister didn't trust anyone easily. But if she trusts someone, she trusted that person completely. So, Miranda never thought about Niket betraying her. It is sad actually. Oriana knew her sister will probably kill Niket, but she will regret it later. But there is another reason behind Niket's betrayal. Oriana is very observant, she may be young but like her sister she is very observant. She knew Niket fancied 'Randa from the beginning. But her sister never shared those feelings. Miranda's heart belonged to one man only, one whom she could trust blindly and will never have to be betrayed in her life, the one who cares for her more than himself: Commander John Shepard. Miranda never told Niket about John, she was always very secretive. Niket tried many times to show his affection for Miranda but they never worked. She never even glanced at him that way. Now, she understands Niket's feeling. He was heartbroken, angry and jealous. Then her father came with the offer to provide him with insane amount of credits and Niket lost himself.
"Is it necessary? We really have no time." Niket whispered.
"Absolutely." Oriana replied.
"What do you want to know?" Niket asked.
"Where's 'Randa?" Oriana asked.
"We are going to meet her within a few hours and….."
Oriana had enough of his lies. She couldn't stand it any longer. SHe felt disgusted that she trusted this man. "LIAR!" She yelled.
Niket's face turned white. "What?!"
"You are a damn liar, Niket. Tell me the truth. Where are you taking me? You are not taking me to 'Randa." Oriana spat.
"Why would I lie to you?" Niket looked around cautiously. His forehead filled with sweat because of the nervousness. "I….."
"Please spare me your lies. You know if 'Randa finds out, which I am sure she already did, she will kill you once she learns that you betrayed her." Oriana said coldly.
Niket gulped. But suddenly Oriana felt something on her nose and then she knew no more.
Miranda hurried forward towards the dock with John following her. She couldn't move much farther as she found her way blocked by several mercenaries, filled with vanguards and engineers.
Not now. I don't have time for this nonsense. She thought.
"Halt!" One of the vanguards stopped her. "You will move no more."
"Get out of my way!" Miranda snapped. She was getting impatient.
"Shut up bitch! You take one step forward and we will shred your body with bullets." The vanguard said. He turned to his comrades. "Don't lower your guard men. Boss, said this one is dangerous."
"You can't stop me." She warned and started to glow with her enhanced biotics. Then she struck suddenly within the blink of an eye.
John was watching everything silently. He had not said a word. He let Miranda do whatever she thought would be the best for Oriana. But now he acted. He jumped forward and punched one vanguard in his chest, breaking his bones easily through his armour as if it wasn't even there. The others got distracted by his sudden attack. Miranda seized the opportunity and shoot a hanging container. It crashed down and squashed a few of the mercenaries like bugs. She didn't bother to see. With John at her side she killed the others within minutes. Those mercenaries stood no chance.
Niket let Henry Lawson's men carry Oriana and bring her to the docks. He would've brought her here long ago but Miranda's secret agents were creating problem for him. He had to avoid them while avoiding suspicion from Oriana. He failed to hide his true intention from Oriana. She saw through his lies easily. He should have expected this. She is Miranda's sister after all. Speaking of Miranda… Niket what Oriana said was true. Once Miranda get to know about his betrayal, she will surely kill him. Miranda is very protective of her sister.
He felt bad for betraying Miranda like this but his anger and jealousy took over his guilt. Then came his desire for money to get rich and live a life of luxury.
He always wanted Miranda, mostly because she is too hot to ignore. He dreamt of bedding her, have fun with her occasionally at night. But that woman never glanced at him once. She never cared or him that way, and she was also not attracted to him, even slightly. Truthfully Niket never cared for Miranda much. During his childhood he stuck with her because he fancied her because of her physical attractiveness. Who can blame him? Then he mostly worked for her, because of the money she always gave him for his services. It was a good income but not enough for him. He wanted to live a life of luxury. And Henry Lawson offered him that. He couldn't say no, Miranda and his sister can go to hell, he didn't care. He never did.
But what if she finds you? She will kill you instantly. A voice in his head said.
No, nothing will happen to him. Once she hands over Oriana to Henry Lawson, he will disappear. Not even Miranda could touch him then. He has nothing to fear. He looked at the unconscious form of Oriana in Henry Lawson's men's arms. He turned straight and found himself in the docks. There was a blue asari sitting on a large wooden crate with a shotgun in her hand.
This one must be their leader. He thought and approached her cautiously.
UNKNOWN LOCATION
A man was sitting in a chair inside a dark room. The room was only lit by the bright star that could be seen through the glasses of the room. The man released a puff of smoke from his mouth after removing the cigar that he wa smoking. He head a beeping sound coming from one of his computers in the room. He activated it and found a personal message addressed to him from K.C.
He opened the message. Then his mechanical eyes shone with cruelness that was never seen before. He took another puff from his cigar and leaned back in his chair.
Is Miranda really involved in a relationship with Shepard? Or she is just seducing him to make him do what she says. He really doesn't care what Miranda does with her personal life, as long it does not affect his goals. But he knew his thought was absurd. Miranda is not that kind of woman. She never slept with her marks, she never let anyone touch her and he knew she will be no different with Shepard. But his contact seems to be hundred percent sure that Miranda is sleeping with Shepard and it is way more than a physical relationship.
What if Miranda gets soft and does something stupid? He knew Shepard has the power to do that. Shepard has the ability to convince even the most stubborn peoples around the galaxy. That's one of his great qualities that makes him a great leader.
But being the head of the organization he cannot allow this. He have to remain silent and observe until they put a stop to the Collectors and then if needed he will make Miranda disappear from the face of the galaxy, if necessary. He will just have to wait.
"Take her away hurry!" Niket said to the asari.
The asari didn't seem to care. She lazily ordered her men to put Oriana inside the shuttle that was waiting for them. Her men nodded and begin to carry Oriana towards the shuttle. But they couldn't. There was a large blast and the shuttle destroyed. The mercenaries immediately drew their weapon in defense. They found themselves surrounded by at least thirty men, armed to teeth in strange armours. They were outnumbered.
The mercenaries didn't surrender. They tried to put up a fight against the odds but they were quickly taken care of. Even their leader, the blue asari was dead.
Niket couldn't think of anything. Who are these men? Where did they come from? But one thing he knew. They were not Miranda's agents. Miranda's agents were all dead, killed by Henry Lawson's men. Niket had the privilege of knowing those agents because Miranda trusted him enough to give him that information. he took advantage of that and as a result those agents were killed before they could utter a single word.
Then he saw one of the men in strange armours slowly picked Oriana up on his shoulder and begin to walk away. Niket watched everything with round eyes. He didn't move an inch. But at that moment the elevator door to the docks opened and two persons came in. It was Miranda and ….. Commander Shepard?
What is Commander Shepard doing with Miranda? Why is he here? His blood ran cold when he saw Miranda's cold blue eyes looking at him. At that moment something unexpected happen. Niket heard a strange voice coming from those strange men's comms. The voice only gave one command: "Leave no witness."
Niket knew what would happen next. He wanted to run but his legs didn't move. There was a large bang followed by another gun shot and then he felt massive pain at his lower back. He fell down.
XXXXXX
As soon as Miranda exited the elevator she saw him: Niket. Her friend. The one whom she trusted with her life. And he betrayed her. Her eyes immediately turned cold. But then she saw her: Oriana. She was unconscious and was being carried by a man wearing a strange armour. There was also a strange logo on their armour. She couldn't remember but she has seen that logo somewhere. But she had no time to dwell on that matter. She have to save her sister. At any cost.
She was about to run but then she saw one of those men in strange armours raising his gun on Niket's back. She wasted no time and fired. But she missed, partially. Her shot grazed the man's armour. Another shot rang out, but this time from the gun of another man in same kind of armour. Niket fell down.
She gritted her teeth in anger. With a powerful biotic attack she crushed that man. But there were too many of them. John was at her side fighting against them to hurry up and get Oriana but those men has already put Oriana inside a shuttle. She and John tried to get past those men, but it was impossible because they were too many in number to get past them within seconds. She killed those men mercilessly with the help of John, but she couldn't do anything about Oriana. She had to see the shuttle flying away.
"Ori…." She murmured. Tears fell from her eyes silently.
NOTE: SORRY FOR THE SHORT CHAPTER. I AM NOT RUSHING ANYTHING. THIS CHAPTER IS DONE SHORT PURPOSEFULLY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FUTURE CHAPTERS.
I WANT READERS TO LET ME KNOW WHETHER THEY LIKE WHERE THE STORY IS HEADED OR NOT. IF NOT, THEN I WILL QUIT BECAUSE IF READERS DON'T LIKE IT, THERE'S NO POINT IN WRITING. LET ME KNOW.
P.S: If you think that Shepard could easily get past those men within seconds by using his biotics, then no. He couldn't. Yes, he took training from Samara about biotics but she also said that he still has one more thing to learn and it is the ability that gives him overwhelming powers. (This is for clearing the confusion).
