Shepard couldn't believe it. She just wanted a little shore leave. But here she is, fighting her way through the high-end part of the Zakara wards. The level she was on had been evacuated. Joker couldn't get through to C-sec to send help. Whoever is behind this has blocked all comms in the area.
Garrus wasn't far away from Shepard. She sounded injured and tired when she talked. She said she was able to grab a pistol. But her shields are getting worn down, she isn't wearing any armour, just a dress. Garrus was nearly with Shepard. But he got pinned down by some of the mystery mercs. He was stuck behind a sky car. He pulled out his sniper and placed it on the bonnet of the sky car. There were two mercs left. He pulled the trigger and shot one square in the head. But the other got behind a piller. He put his sniper back and pulled out his handgun, jumping over the car and shutting the last solider in the shoulder, then another in the head. The doors opened as the merc fell. Garrus shot head up to see heels, then legs, a leather dress. It was Shepard, she was tired and pale. Garrus walked over to her quickly. "So, Shepard. Not your night?"
Shepard smiled at him. "You could say that. I'm glad you're here though" She started to walk past him. All the doors in the sky car lot were locked down. She needed to find an override. "Come on, we need to get out of here" Shepard turned around, Garrus was looking at her body.
"You look... good" Shepard frowned at him. "Sorry. Come on, let's go" They started to make their way to the general office, where they should find the override for the doors.
"You know if we make it out of here alive. I might wear this stuff more for you" Shepard could see Garrus tense up. He started to move faster.
"Well, I heard you fell through a fish tank? I know you like seafood, but you could have easily asked for some to eat" Garrus waited for her snarky remark, but she just smirked.
"We will talk about it later" Shepard found the door to the general office. A Volus was inside, sat with his back to them. Shepard walked back a few paces. "Stand back" She pulled her gun up to shoot the glass, but Garrus pushed it down.
"Wait a second" He leaned against the glass and lightly tapped on it with his talon. The Volus didn't move. "Excuse me, friend. Could you open the gates please?" They waited for a second and then they heard the doors opening. Garrus looked back over to the volus. "very much appreciated"
The volus took a breath in, which they had to do because of their enviro-suit. "Please leave" Garrus turned around to walk out to the balcony, giving Shepard a sideways look.
"Well, I could have done that" Shepard knew she lied about that. She wasn't patient enough right now and would just shoot the glass and unlock the doors. They made their way to the balcony. Joker was meant to be meeting them for pick up, a shuttle did come but when the doors opened. The unknown mercs were back again. Around 10 of them in the shuttle, one holding out an MK43, which is a large gun with stands to hold the impact. Garrus stood shocked, Shepard had to grab him into cover.
Shepard looked around to see if they could use anything to their advantage. But there was nothing. Garrus heard a shattering noise and a deep roar. They looked up to see a large Krogan in red armour come flying out of the window and landing on top of the shuttle. He crushed one of the shuttle's engines. Shepard knew instantly who it was. The Krogan then started to make quick work of the soldier. He threw most of them out of the other door, which led to a long drop down the buildings. The last tried to get back up, but the Krogan kicked him out of the door. Shepard ran over, the Krogan was leant over a mercs body. Grabbing a large gun off his body. "Wrex! What are you doing here?"
Wrex stood up and chucked the gun to Shepard. "Oh, you know. Bumping heads with the Council over Krogan expansion. You want to tell me what's going on?" They started to huddle up and call Joker. But a huge explosion went up behind them. Back inside the store.
They started to fight their way through. Joker reported he was close by. But C-sec was also trying to get through. The mercs were flooding in, but because they were jumping from the above level. Shepard was able to get a singularity out to catch them at they jumped. The new gun Wrex gave her was very powerful. It seemed to electrocute people. It didn't need reloading, it charged up. "Shepard. Why are these guys after us? Do you have a plan?"
Shepard got into cover. The shuttle cars were getting shot and a couple nearly exploded. "Come on, Wrex. I am a professional" She sent a shockwave through her singularity, it can make it explode on impact.
"Well, that isn't a yes" He shouted back. Wrex kept charging the mercs. The bullets bouncing off his armour. He helped Garrus, who was getting pinned down. Garrus thought he could snipe the furthest away, but they used the shuttle cars as cover to get closer to him. He gave up on that and pulled his assault rifle out. Killing any that got to close.
"It is also, isn't a no" Joker finally came and parked on the edge of the balcony. They all started to fall back. Shepard placed a singularity by the exit. The mercs didn't think and they all started to run towards them. The singularity didn't last long due to the weight it had to hold. Garrus throw a grenade and it was able to kill the ones stuck in the Biotic field.
"Come on. Get in" Joker shouted. They shot the last of the mercs before Joker pulled away. They flew straight towards Shepard's apartment.
Thane was trying to get Gemma to stay calm, she wanted to leave. The doctor said she could but they need to do some last tests to make sure the induced coma hasn't made any long term problems for her.
Gemma was trying to get out of bed. Thane had to keep stopping her, the anger was building up in her. She wanted to leave. Her Biotics kept activating. "Siha, please keep calm. We will leave, soon as we can"
Gemma slammed her hands down on the bed. "God sake. They are taking their time. For all, we know Shepard and Kaidan could be killed" Thane smiled at her.
"Trust me. Whoever this person is who wants Shepard, will want her alive. I can try to contact the Major if you wish?" Gemma sat up in her bed, smiling at the idea.
"Yes please" Thane was about to call, then the doctor walked in. He bowed his head and took the call outside. It was busy, doctors running around and patients on the floor or leaning against the wall. The call was ringing, he stood in the shadows. Not wanting anyone to see him. Kaidan finally answered. He was sat in a shuttle. Thane could see Edi and Javik in the background. He expected Joker was piloting.
"Major, we are soon to depart. Is everything under control?" Kaidan panned out his arm more to show Joker. He waved at Thane. Kaidan was pointing out yelling at Joker to watch for traffic.
"We didn't make it to the fight. Garrus found Shepard they are safe and back at her apartment. We are on our way there now. Wrex somehow found them and helped them out. He is here as well. Once you are out, Joker will come to get you" Joker nodded in the background. Thane nodded and bowed his head. Ending the call.
Shepard, Wrex and Garrus all stood around her table. Brooks was there too, she was beaten up. But alive. "So, does someone want to explain to me what's going on?" Wrex said, pissed off. He can't go far without Shepard getting into some type of trouble.
"I don't know who they are. But they were hell-bent on getting me. They are not mercs" Shepard said as she stood at the foot of the table, in front of the fire. She was applying medi-gel to her scapes and burns. Noticing a hole in the side of her dress, she scuffed at it.
"They are not the types of mercs I have seen before. They were more of a small army. Using the guns they had and flying C-sec shuttles" Garrus saw Shepard look disgusted at her body. He gave her a forgiving smile. His mandibles loose on his mouth. Shepard gave him a small sad smile back.
Brooks started to shout. "I can't believe we survived that. They had guns, grenades and them drones. I got shot, and you killed them all so easily" She was pacing up and down the table. Wrex and Garrus looking confused at each other. "Am I jumpy. I seem jumpy. The medi-gel side effects said it can do that" Garrus just shrugged his shoulder in defeat. He knew she was scared but working in the Alliance, she should know the dangers.
"You're doing fine, Books. I'm calling Bailey, he can help us out" Shepard started to find his name in her omni tool.
"Good idea" But wait won't that make whoever you contact a target too?" Brooks asked, putting her hand under her chin to think.
"She is right, Shepard. Until we figure out who is after you. We can't put Bailey or anyone else in danger" Shepard sighed, putting her omni tool away.
"Alright. From now on we are on our own" She saw Brooks starting to jump on the balls of her feet. "You're doing okay. I know it's a lot to deal with" Brooks slowed down and took in a deep breathe.
"I got shot. The medi gel helps. But I feel I am going crazy. You shot a hundred guys with a small pistol. I took a desk jump specifically not to shot" Brooks walked closer to Shepard. The excitement and fear in her eyes.
"Well, yeah that did happen. But how did you get yourself wrapped up in this?" Brooks calmed down and stood back where she was before, swinging her arms.
"I monitor data for Alliance intel to prevent any fraud and hacking of officers ID's" She looked at Wrex and Garrus. "Like someone using an Admiral's pass to get into a nightclub on the Citadel, when that Admiral is fighting on Tuchanka" Wrex's eyes widened at that. They had no Alliance officers on Tuchanka. The Reapers were hardly fighting on the planet since most of the Krogan are fighting on Palavan. "I wrote a tracking program. It's really neat, called in Mr Biscuits after my cat" Shepard stood with her hand over her chin, taking in what Brooks is saying.
"Brooks" Shepard snapped. Her patience now starting to wear thin.
"Uh, right. Sorry! Anyway Mr... My program detected a breach in your classified files" She turned towards Shepard. "Soon, everything we had on you was hacked: personnel files, mission reports, everything"
Wrex wasn't buying it. "Since when did hacking into someone's personnel records, involve heavy weapon fire in the broad daylight and in one the busiest part of the Citadel?"
"Think about what people could do with Shepard's files, and her Spectre files? They could cause a war in the Terminus systems" Wrex nodded in understanding.
"Explains why they want Shepard dead. We need to get this situation under control" Wrex said. He couldn't stay long on the Citadel. But he wasn't about to leave and let Shepard get killed.
"Ok, we need the rest of the crew. And then we will shut them down" She said pointing her hand out like holding a gun. "But that means shore leave is cancelled" Garrus heard the disappointment in her words.
"Hey, when we get the chance. We will carve some time out. Just the two of us" Shepard smiled and him. "But for now, let's see that pistol you picked up along the way" Garrus held his hand out.
Shepard passed it to him. He rolled it around in his hands. "For such a small thing. It packs a punch, never seen anything like it" Liara walked into the room. She went on ahead of Javik.
"Let me see. I might be able to help. Glyph?" The little blue ball of Glyph appeared. He was the same VI from the Shadow Broker ship. But more upgraded, Shepard hated it as it called everyone the Shadow Broker.
"I will begin to collate relevant intel for review Dr. T'soni" Glyph disappeared again.
"Liara" Shepard said smiling at her. Shepard knew Liara would be upset to miss out on this.
"Shepard. It is good to see you. And in one piece" She smirked. "It's a shame about that sushi place. It was a lovely restaurant"
Shepard scratched the back of her head. "Yeah I keep hearing that"
"Great that's Liara on board. Where is the rest of the crew?" Wrex asked. On point, the doors slid open. Joker walked in, with Javik, Kaidan and Edi behind him.
"Hey, Commander. I was able to find some people who love being shot at" Joker said in a happy voice. Liara turned around and smiled at them, mostly Javik.
Soon the rest of the crew came in. Jame carried Tali over his shoulder, throwing her in the bed to sleep it off. She would have to sit out on this one. Everyone was spread out around the apartment. Everyone could mostly hear James stomach and complaining he is hungry. Kaidan stood by the fireplace. Thane still hadn't said to him if they have left the hospital. Shepard walked over to him. "How's Gemma?"
"She is good. Thane is with her. They should be here soon, but I wanted her to sit out of this. If it gets into another firefight" Shepard understood his request. Gemma didn't need to fight this one, hoping to get it done quietly and quickly.
"I understand. But you do know she will be annoyed when she finds out we will make her sit out on this one?" He turned to face her, a big grin on his face.
"Oh. I am counting on it" Shepard realised he was prepared for Gemma to kick off. They both smirked at each other. Shepard walked off to find Liara. Kaidan stood back to face the fireplace, he was worried. It was taking so long for them to show up. But just as Shepard called the crew over to get a plan in action, the doors opened. Thane and Gemma walk in to see everyone stopping and looking at them.
"Well look who finally decided to show up" Joker said, as he walked over to them. Thane had already disappeared. He heard Shepard call for the crew at the table as he walked through the door. Joker patted Gemma on the shoulder, her body still protesting. "I'm glad you are okay"
"Thank you, Joker" She said smiling. Kaidan walked over. Joker took it as his cue to leave. Kaidan didn't say anything, he just looked at her in the eyes. She still looked so tired. He placed his knuckle under her chin, pushing it up. "I missed out on a good fight I hear" Kaidan smiled at her. They kissed, slowly.
For some reason, the kiss made Gemma really warm inside. She wanted Kaidan right there and then. He pulled away and pulled her in for a hug. Everyone who could see in the dining room made throw-up sounds, Wrex grunted at them. They made their way to the table. Liara was typing on her Omni-tool a blue hologram pulled up above it.
"Okay, now that everyone is here. I called in some favours. We have found a lead, finding a trace on the gun" Gemma looked at the table, a highly modded pistol was laying in front of Liara. "It led me to a casino owner named Elijah Khan. He is suspected to use his profits to smuggle weapons onto the Citadel, right under C-secs noses" Liara looked at everyone around the table, making sure everyone was listening. "Right after the attempt to kill Shepard. He made this call" She pulled her omni-tool up to bring a hologram message up in the middle of the table.
A low but high pitched voice came through. "I'm cutting you off. I'm returning the down payment you gave to me now" There was a static sound for a couple of seconds.
"What is the problem?" A much deeper voice came through. It almost sounded as the cover voice Liara uses as the Shadow Broker.
"Turn on a vidscreen!" The lower voice shouted back. Shepard guessed that was Elijah. "When I sell a gun, I don't expect to see it on the nightly news!"
"You won't be linked to me" The other voice said back, trying to reassure Elijah.
"Save it. Our contract is terminated" There was a short silence. "And if you think of coming after me, I've got info on you ready for the news. So you ponder with that. Khan out" He said in a threatening voice. The hologram disappeared.
"Well it looks like we found who wants me dead" Shepard said, crossing her arms on her chest.
"Looks like he's got an ID disguiser. Those things are a pain the in the ass to work around" Garrus said, crossing her arms behind his back.
Shepard looked back at Liara. "Did you get anything on those mercs who attacked us?" Liara started to type on her omni-tool again.
"They're a private military corporation called CAT6. As most of you know, CAT6 is an Alliance nickname for dishonourable discharges" Liara looked back a the crew. "Many have criminal records, history with steroid abuse, red sand consumption and other charming features. No doubt hired by the thief, not by Khan"
"That phone call was pretty damning stuff. How did you get hold of it?" Liara turned to Shepard, a smirk on her face.
"It involved a Hanar prostitute, a female Drell assassin, biometric data and of course Salarin intelligence" Thane knew straight away that was not true. Female assassins wouldn't take a job on the Citadel, they take easier jobs since female Drell do someday need to breed to make their population sustainable.
"Really?" Is all that Shepard could come out with. She knew Liara was good at her job. But, she didn't even know Hanar prostitute was a thing.
"No, but the truth is boring" Liara said holding in her laugh.
"Aw... I wanted to know what a female Drell looks like, I've never seen one" Gemma spoke up in disappointment. Thane smiled at her across the table.
"They aren't much different from Human females. The skin colours are lighter then ours, but their body structure is in more ways than one the same as you" Gemma smiled at Thane's reply, bowing her head in thank you.
"Khan obviously does not sound friendly. But since he is pissed off with our thief who wants me dead. Maybe we can lean on Khan for information?" Shepard asked, unfolding her arms.
"That would take some very good smooth-talking. If he sees you, he might assume you are looking for revenge" Shepard was a good talked, she was able to convince Saren to kill himself to stop Sovereign. "The casino has a panic room. Chances are he has gone to grounds there" Liara looked and pointed at Edi. "Edi can give us programs to hack the door, but the cameras and armed guards walking around will be a problem"
"Yeah, Khan could disappear or worse. If guards ever open fire, normal people like me will get shot" Brooks said, the last part in a quiet and shy voice.
"She is right. We can't risk spooking him. We go in quiet, small team, no gunplay" Shepard commanded. She needed to think about who to take. Wrex would probably make everyone nervous. Javik will have all the attention on him, which might help.
Glyph appeared in the middle of the table. "Dr T'soni. This evening the Casino will be holding a charity event to assist with war refugees" Liara knew that would their ticket in.
"Purchase some tickets Glyph, then call up a layout of the building" Liara commanded. A second later, a hologram of the casino came up across the table.
"Score!" Joker shouted. "So how do we get in? You don't always put a back door in a panic room?"
Edi highlighted a small shaft. "This air shaft bypasses the security gate and ends up in storage. From there, the panic room door-cameras can be disabled"
Kaidan didn't like the idea. It seemed to easy for them. "Still we are talking about a casino. There's got to be alarms everywhere, including that shaft"
Liara turned to fully face Shepard. "I have countermeasures that will help. I'll know more of it, once we are inside" Shepard looked at the shaft. It was small. Even Kaidan couldn't fit in that. It would need to be a girl. "Of course we need someone to go into the shaft and small in size" Liara said, reading Shepard's mind.
"Well that won't be me" Wrex said with a deep laugh. "Too much roast Varren leg snacks" He said, patting his belly.
Shepard thought about Tali. But she was still pissed up in bed and her tech in her suit will probably be detected straight away. Everyone followed Shepard gaze to Edi. She was small and could hack in easily. "My presence in the casino would arouse suspicion. Mechs are not allowed in since we can carry cheating software"
"What you need is someone trained in zero-emission tech. No electronics, no metal. Just undetectable polymers" Gemma looked over to see it was Brooks talking. Gemma didn't even realise she was here or who she was. "we had a course back in Op-int, disabling a bomb with these little tweezers. See, the bomb was filled with shaving cream an..."
"Alright. You're in" Shepard said cutting her off. "As you said, we all have too much tech" Brooks looked around at everyone, confused and unsure of what to say. Then she panicked.
"No. I got shot just talking to you. If I get caught I will be killed instantly" She said nervously, rubbing her hands together.
"And when you get into trouble, we will come and get you. No one gets left behind" Shepard said in a warm voice.
Liara brought down the hologram. "Well if that is settled, it looks like we just have one more hurdle to get us inside" Shepard got worried. She thought they had everything figured out. Shepards look gave Liara the question on what it was. "Black-tie required" Everyone made a moaning face at it.
"That's just great. Alright, Garrus you are with me on this. We need to blend in and being a couple will be the best way" Garrus sighed, he didn't want to get out of his armour. "Everyone else, you can do as you wish. We will meet back tonight to find out the results of at the end of the night. Understood?" Everyone nodded in acknowledgement.
Shepard, Garrus and Brooks left for the casino. Liara and Edi set up in the kitchen to help them over the comms. Most of the crew left to do their own thing. Gemma went to find a bed to sleep on, she was tired. The effects of theanesthetic still lingering. She found Shepard rooms and didn't want to sleep there, so she crossed the hall to find an empty room.
Kaidan went to get some coffee. He heard Liara talking to Shepard, they seemed to be making good progress. He grabbed another cup for Gemma and went to find her. He walked into the wrong room and found Tali half hanging off the bed. He placed the cups down and pulled her back in, not wanting her to fall and hurt herself.
Kaidan went upstairs and found Gemma under the covers. He walked closer and she pulled her head up, smiling, but had big bags under her eyes. "I brought you coffee" He placed it on the bedside table.
"Thank you" She sat up in the bed. Holding her hand out for him, he walked over to the other side of the bed and climbed in, to snuggle with her. Gemma placed her head on his chest, hearing his heartbeat. "I am still so tired" She said, fighting her eyes for them to stay open.
"Go to sleep then. I won't be going anywhere" He stroked her hair, it waving down her back. She was so warm-up against him. Kaidan wanted to sleep as well.
"I wanted to talk for a minute. Are you okay? Thane said you didn't leave my side whilst on the ship and in the hospital" Gemma pulled her head up, Kaidan looking back at her. She could tell he was struggling.
"I'm much better now I have you back. You scared the shit out of me. I don't want to lose you" Gemma pushed herself up. Kaidan having tears in his eyes, Gemma place her hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into her.
"I am not going anywhere. I promise" She kissed him, slowly and full of passion. Gemma climbed on to Kaidan lap. She wanted so much more right now. But the door was wide open and there was still some of the crew here. Gemma knew Joker wouldn't care to just walk in.
Gemma broke from the kiss, looking into Kaidan eyes. The tears stained against his cheeks, she wiped them away. "I just can't lose any more people in my life. I.. love you, Gemma"
Gemma looked back at him. Her body stiff and the breath came out of her. Kaidan looked at her, his head moving, looking around for a response. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that" Kaidan pulled his head down.
Gemma pulled his head back up. Finding his lips. "I love you too" Kaidan pulled away, the biggest smile across his face. Clashing his lips with hers.
They kissed for what seemed an eternity Kaidan finally pulled away. Stroking Gemmas messed up hair away from her face. "Come on get some sleep" Gemma nodded and laid her body so it was between Kaidan's legs. Her head on his chest.
"Only if you promise to wake me. The moment Shepard gets back?" She started to snuggle into his chest.
"Of course. I love you, Gemma"
"I love you too, Kaidan" His heart warmed as she said it.