Ok, last chapter I said there'd be another inbetween Chapter on the Citadel. But a combination of Writer's Block, the ME3 demo, and simply not caring as much means that I've decided to skip it for now. Consider it a missing chapter, a "deleted scene" if you will. Or just think of it as you missing the last episode of a Tv show. Point is, I know what happened and they'll mention bits of it, I just haven't written it yet.
I'll finish it and put in it later, but for now, moving on to Hoth. Oh, Wait, wrong series. That's why I don't own Mass Effect.
Shepard sighed. "You know, I've seen you do some stupid things Bourne, but getting drunk knowing we had a mission today? And knowing that you'd then have a hangover on said mission?"
"Hey, after that damn reporter showed up again, I needed to get drunk. You think she'd have learned not to piss me off after last time, when I put a fist through her camera. Besides, it isn't that bad of a headache."
(Says you.)
)See? That's why it's not so bad. I know you're suffering too.(
*Ugh, you are never, ever drinking again.*
)Ok, a little guilty now, but I'll live.(
(If I have a say in it, no you won't.)
"You beat her over the head with her camera, then smashed it to bits, then threatened to spread a rumor about her."
"Isn't that what she wanted to do with you? Start spreading around that you and Liara are together?"
"But it's true in our case, even if I'd rather keep it under wraps. You were just making stuff up."
I chuckled. "Actually, I wasn't."
She stopped short. "Wait, seriously?"
"She swings for Asari at least. And that's from a source I know is accurate."
Shepard just shook her head. "Well, at least your knowledge finally came in handy for something."
"So who are we taking today then?"
"Well, you already said we should take Wrex, though you didn't tell me why."
"Believe me, you'll be glad we brought him along." I looked around again, making sure no one else was around. Though since I had passed out in my cabin last night until now, it seemed a bit redundant. "As for the others, since Ash drank as much as I did, she'd probably better stay here."
Shepard frowned. "I'll have to talk to her about that."
I met her gaze, though the glowing purple didn't exactly help my headache. "You know as well as I do why everyone got so wasted."
Her face darkened. "If you had told me about what would happen ahead of time, Alenko would still be here instead of offloaded to an Alliance Medical facility."
My Biotics flared slightly. "I've already explained my choice. And considering that we need to work together, a lack of trust isn't the best idea."
She sighed. "Ok, you have a point."
"And for the record, Garrus drank twice as much as Ash and I combined."
"He's a got a higher tolerance as a Turian, that's different."
I frowned. "Man, I hope Wrex doesn't have a hangover or he's going to be pissed."
(Yeah, nothing helps a hangover like a race of giant bugs that are supposed to be extinct.)
)Will you shut up?(
(And I might be the craziest, but you aren't acting sane either.)
*Sigh. What are you rambling about now?*
(He got a little bruise and pretended like it was life threating so Dino-lady wouldn't drag him anywhere. Now he's got the worse hangover any of the three of us have ever had, and he's going to fight?)
*Yeah, it says a lot that I'd do the same, yet you're known as the crazy one among us.*
)Seriously, how messed up must you be to hold that title?(
"Focus Bourne. Who else should we take?"
I thought about if a moment. "Honestly, I'd say the best choice is Liara."
Shepard's face got that old look for a moment, before she relented. "Ok, why?"
"For god's sake Shepard, she isn't a doll that needs to be surrounded by soft foam to keep from braking!" I put a hand to my forehead, my own yelling not helping. "And Benezia is her mother. That might be helpful. Low possibility, but It's worth a shot."
(No it isn't. You know as well as I do that she's going to end up dead.)
) I know. But Liara deserves to be there. And more than that, I want all the Biotics I can get against Rachni.(
*Can you please stop arguing? And put on some sunglasses or something?*
I laughed despite myself.
Shepard looked at me like I was crazy. Though it wasn't that undeserved.
"Iron and Hero are complaining because I gave them a hangover too."
She crossed her arms. "Get your armor on, then go talk to Chakwas. You aren't watching my back like you are now."
You let Alenko watch your back even when he got those migranes. I refrained from saying it though. It was too soon.
A few minutes later, I stepped out of the airlock feeling much better. Guess this isn't the first time Chakwas has had to deal with hungover marines.
(Can you explain why you two feel so much better, but I'm still feeling it?)
)Karma.(
*Or because now it's just me putting pressure on you so you still feel the same.*
(What happened to you being the Paragon?)
*You got on my bad side.*
)Note to self. Don't piss you off.(
*Good idea.*
(I hate both of you.)
*We hate you right back.*
)Oh yeah, definitely.(
I shook my head, catching up with Shepard in the lead.
I suddenly realized how cold it was, and was glad Chakwas had given me something to help. If she hadn't, I'd been moaning and groaning the entire mission.
As we got closer to the doors, we were met by a small squad of marines; I quickly counted, and came up with ten.
(That's way more than when I was here.)
*Maybe because Bourne is here too?*
(With his luck, probably.)
I ignored Iron and Hero, and started picking targets for if came to a fight. I could see Wrex was doing the same behind me.
"That's close enough." The one clearly in charge said.
"Relax. We aren't here to cause trouble." Shepard said.
I, on the other hand, slid a few concealed knives into each hand, grateful that I'd restocked on the citadel when I had the chance.
"This is an unscheduled visit. I need to see your credentials."
I glanced up, waiting for Parasini to break it up. "You first." I stated.
The blonde next to her glared at me. "We're the law here. Show some respect."
Her voice sent knives into my ears. Guess that stuff didn't work so well after all.
(Or she's just that annoying.)
Her boss sent a glance telling her to stand down. "I'm Captain Matsuao. Elanus Risk Control Services. This is Sgt. Stirling, my second in command"
Shepard looked me with that look at usually meant she was going to do something horrible to me. "I'm Commander Shepard, and this is Lt. Bourne."
Ok, apparently she's mad about yesterday.
(You think?)
I snarled. "That's Agent Bourne, Spectre. You should have just said that first Shepard. And mentioned that you're a Spectre too."
Stirling snorted. "Load of Horsecrap."
My eyes glowed dangerously. "You really shouldn't talk about your face like that. It isn't good for your self-esteem."
(Ok, I have to give you credit, that was a nice way to turn it around.)
)Thanks.(
(I was being sarcastic you idiot! That was the worse comeback I've ever heard.)
)I'm hungover here! It isn't easy to think of insults, Give me a break.(
*If you keep doing things like that, Stirling is going to give you a break. In your arm.*
)Please, I eat punks like her for breakfast.(
(Is that what you and As-)
)Friday, Friday, Gotta get down-(
(ARGGH! It's even worse with a Hangover! I didn't think that that was possible!)
*Stop pissing him off then!*
)Oh, that was a bad idea. There must be something that isn't as annoying to me, but is still annoying to you.(
"We will need to confirm that." The Captain said. "Also, I should advise you that weapons aren't permited on Noveria. Sgt. Stirling, secure their weapons."
"Gladly." She said, moving forward.
I flared my Biotics and popped the blade on my knives, holding them ready to throw.
I heard Wrex unfolding his shotgun behind me. "Don't even try it." He said, aiming at them.
I smiled. "No, go ahead and do. Please. I could use the entertainment."
Everyone but the captain suddenly had a weapon aimed at the two of us.
"Bourne, stand down." Shepard said forcefully.
"I know what I'm doing Shepard."
She stepped back a few feet, not doing wonders for my confidence. Liara did the same, eying us all warily.
"Charge and lock." Stirling said to her team.
"I'll make you a deal. I give you all my knives, then I step over your body and walk in unscathed." I activated my Biotic Barrier.
The Captain made one last effort to stop it. "We are authorized to use lethal force."
"So am I. Perks of being a Spectre. And believe you me, I've taken down a lot more, and a lot tougher than you morons." My eyes never left Stirling, and her weapon never left me.
Wrex flared his Biotics next to me.
"You have to the count of three to relinquish your weapons." The Captain said, resigning herself. "One, two,"
On cue, a voice came over the intercom and stopped me from launching a few knives. "Captain, stand down!"
(Damn, I actually wanted to see a fight.)
*Why?*
(I'm "Crazy", remember?)
)Yeah, we know.(
I glanced at the opposition. "Again, you really should listen."
"We confirmed their identity. Spectres are authorized to carry weapons here."
I sheathed and stored the knives, keeping my Biotics ready. "Glad that we got that settled." I shook my head. "Honestly, how is that everyone on the Citadel knew Shepard and I were Spectres within five minutes, but out here it's been over two weeks and you didn't know?"
"Don't push your luck." Stirling said, glaring at me, but lowering her weapon.
I just smiled, letting my powers fade.
"You may proceed Spectre. I hope the rest of your visit is less confrontational."
I was suddenly aware of Shepard's death glare, so I bit back what I had been about to say in response.
"Parasini-san will meet you upstairs."
"Behave yourself." Stirling warned.
"Don't worry, he will. I'll make sure of it." Shepard growled, pushing me through the door.
I tried to head up the stairs, but she pushed me to the side towards a bunch of terminals.
"Wrex, Liara, can you excuse us for a minute?" She said through gritted teeth.
They quickly fled her presence, and I wished I could do the same.
)Say, Iron, any chance you could let me do a charge past her?(
(You're one your own pal.)
*Word of advice: don't argue with anything she says. It'll only piss her off more.*
)Well that's just great. You guys are a lot of help.(
"Bourne, you have about five seconds to explain yourself."
"We got through, didn't we?"
"You nearly got us into a fire fight!"
"No, you and Liara weren't involved. They were aiming at Wrex and I, and I never told him to-"
She slapped me, sending pain shooting through my skull.
"Oh come on!"
"I don't care if you're hungover, I don't care if you broke every bone in your body, that is not the way we operate!"
"Believe me, that slap was punishment enough." I muttered, my head still ringing.
*You know, it'll be interesting to see what she can do with an Omni-blade if she can hit like that.*
(Yeah, interesting. Also, OWWWWWWWW! Don't let her do that again!)
"For the rest of this mission, you're following my lead. Got it?"
I sighed. "You have no faith in me at all, you know that? I knew that someone'd come over the intercom and defuse the situation." I grimaced.
Shepard threw her arms in the air. "Oh, great. So you were just making enemies because you could?"
"Did you really think I was just going to let them take our weapons?" I smiled. "Do you know how long it would take me to remove every single knife? Or put them back on?"
My smile quickly disappeared as she managed to tower over me, despite that we were the same height. "Don't push me Bourne."
"Jeez, did you drink too much last night too?"
"No. I lost a good friend, who will now never walk again."
"You think I don't know that?" I said quietly. "In case you forgot Shepard, I actually risked myself to save him. It was nobody's fault what happened."
(Bull.)
)Would you rather she slapped me again, or rather I half-lied and avoided that?(
*I would rather you avoided that.*
(Yeah, even I aint that crazy.)
She glared at me a moment more, but then she relented. "Fair point. Just do me a favor and stop trying to kill everyone that we meet?"
"Deal."
We proceed up the stairs, me doing my best not to groan at my aching head.
Shepard.
I don't want to shoot him, I don't want to shoot him, I don't want to shoot him, ok, I want to shoot him but I won't.
Shepard's hand dropped to her pistol as alarms went off everywhere.
A woman in a red dress walked to the desk. "Weapons detectors, don't mind them."
"Yeah, because I was really worried about them." Bourne said sarcastically.
Shepard sent him a glare, and he wisely shut his mouth.
"I'm Giana Parasini, assistant to Administrator Anoleis. I apologize for the incident in the docking bay."
"Did someone piss in her Ryncol this morning?" Wrex rumbled.
"Who drinks Ryncol first thing in the morning? Well, maybe you would, but…" Bourne chuckled.
"You know what I mean Bourne."
"The Captain takes her job seriously." Parasini stated. "One of my jobs is orientation of new arrivals. Do you have any questions?"
"Lot of security for a small port." Wrex muttered. "Care to explain?"
"The executive board does everything in-"
"Spare us the corporate BS." Bourne interrupted. "I have bigger things to do than investigate a few small cooperate secrets." He crossed his arms, face blank and unreadable.
Shepard could tell his head ache was bugging him. She'd reprimanded far too many subordinates to be fooled so easily. To anyone else though, he would have been the perfect actor.
"Anyone of interest pass though lately?" He asked.
"Of interest? An Asari matriarch passed through a few days ago."
"Benezia?" he said, not a question.
"Yes, that was her name."
Liara tensed beside Shepard. "Benezia? She is here?"
"So where is she now?" Bourne continued.
"She left for the peak fifteen complex days ago. To the best of my knowledge, she's still there."
"Then I guess that's where we're headed next."
"You'll need to ask Administrator Anoleis for clearance to leave this port."
Bourne snorted. "Clearance? Maybe you missed that whole discussion in the docking bay, but Shepard and I are Spectres. We don't need 'clearance.'"
"Bourne, you've already almost gotten us kicked out once, so maybe you should let me handle this." Shepard interupted, irritated.
"I'm just saying. Isn't that the whole point of having a special tatics and recon branch in the first place? What's to stop us from just-"
Shepard ignored him. "Where can we find the administrator?"
"He's on the main level. Left at the top of the elevator. If you need any help, you can ask me at the administrator's office."
Bourne chuckled. "Somehow, I get the feeling it'll be the administrator that'll need help."
Shepard turned to him.
"If Shepard tells me it's ok." He added.
"Good answer."
"Spoilsport."
"Bourne…"
"Shutting up now."
"I imagine you want to talk to me Shepard." Liara broke in hesitantly. "About my mother."
"No, we don't. I trust you Liara, more than almost anyone."
Bourne nodded agreement. "Same thing Shepard said, but without all the- on second thought I've pissed her off enough for one day."
"Yes Bourne, you have."
Which is why I'm cutting off this chapter here. More should be up soon.
Until then, Keelah Selai.
And again, especially to you new guys, I'd appreciate reviews and advice.
