A/N: Just a quick thank you to all of you who have favorited and followed so far. It's greatly appreciated.
The trip to Eden Prime was uneventful. The crew worked to get everything together and ready for the recon they would do the first night there. Each crew member also focussed on the smaller projects and details they could work on during the trip. Concussion grenades were assembled. Shield generators and medic programs were enhanced and applied to everyone's armor. Stealth shields were tested and retested, both for durability and reliability - the former was very promising, the latter not so much. The final stealth shield test gave the wearer a full thirty seconds of stealth fields before the battery needed a recharge, but that was only if you weren't hit by a fast-moving projectile. Two bullets would knock out the stealth field and lower the barrier. Even after working on it tirelessly, Zaeed and Cael, couldn't get it to absorb any more damage. No matter the battery's workload output or capacity, it would short out, or overload.
Sid's terrain searches had located a secure spot for Cael to land and hide the ship. It was away from the landing port, but close enough to the nearby settlement that the humans on the crew, and La'Dauna, could travel there without any problems. When they landed, Reza, Vetra, Sid, and Cael would stay with the ship so they wouldn't draw any unwanted attention on the human colony. Sid would act as their eyes and ears, gathering as much information as she could from any communications coming and going from the planet. Vetra, coordinating with Sid, would pass the info along to whichever ground team it would most benefit. Reza and Cael would make sure everything on the ship stayed in working order. The need for a quick getaway was always a possibility.
Once on the ground, Kas and Keiji would scout the area to find the quickest routes to and from the ship - for both the settlement and the science camp. Zaeed and Jack would check around the docks and tram stations used to transport cargo. Shepard and Reyes would patrol the local life, and Sloane would check with any alliance contacts. La'Dauna would use her position as a medical exchange worker with the Alliance to gain a position within their base. If anything went wrong, they would have a person on the inside. After their reconnaissance, they would meet once more and discuss what they found. If they still thought the job worth the risks, they would lift the artifact the next night and be off the planet before morning.
As soon as the Night Fox touched ground, the teams split up and went to their assigned tasks. Shepard and Reyes posed as business voyeurs, checking Eden Prime's prospects at housing the main office of their adventure guided-tour venue. Eden Prime was a new settlement with many undiscovered treasures for future clients to discover, and the local cluster offered plenty of exploration opportunities. As they asked around and checked with local businesses, they found the people of Eden Prime to be friendly and ready to help. However, they didn't have much information about the artifact, or the science team.
They did find out that Eden Prime was an archaeologist's wet dream. Prothean ruins littered the planet, and there was a science base not too far away, one that had made some big discovery. The details were vague at most, but Shepard and Reyes could tell it was the artifact they were there to get.
Kas and Keiji's scouting found the science teams about five miles from the main settlement. A small battalion of Alliance soldiers were also stationed to watch over the scientists. Although the two scouts were unable to put eyes on the artifact, they narrowed down its location. They knew it was somewhere at the far end of the science camp, which would complicate things a bit. The Night Fox was about three miles from both locations' main entrance. If the artifact was near the main entrance, the team would have plenty of time to get back to the ship and be off-world before anyone noticed the artifact missing. Since the artifact was at the far end of the complex, it would take another hour to get back to the ship. They would need a small transport to get to the ship faster once they procured the artifact.
Zaeed and Jack didn't find anything useful at the docks. The docks shipped out cargo and received imports that were then transferred to other settlements on the planet. Located near the science dig site, they could be an escape option if things turned complicated. Jack hoped in silence that wouldn't be the case.
La'Dauna arrived at the medical compound and flashed her credentials to the posted guard. He escorted her to the medical director. When asked why she chose Eden Prime, she told them the peace of the planet drew her. After her stint near the Terminus borders, she needed something more relaxing. She explained she was only there for the next couple of days. She hoped to observe and learn more about human anatomy and physiology so that she could better perform her medical duties.
Sloane's contacts in the Alliance had been unable to talk. They were busy with drills and assignments. She received a message to meet up that night at a local hangout used by civvies and Alliance.
When the team met up on the Night Fox that afternoon, they exchanged what they had found on their recon assignments. Also, Sid found out through omnitool communications that most of the scientists came into the settlement to blow off steam. The team agreed to check out the local hot spots, in hopes one of the scientists would give them further information about the artifact. After discussing who would hit which hangout, the crew of the Night Fox separated to get ready for a night on the town.
Cara finished touching up her eye make-up, smoothing out the copper eyeshadow, and making sure the kohl eyeliner accented her eyes just right. A clear coating of gloss covered her lips, and her hair fell in its usual stylized mess. She straightened her verdant green sleeveless shirt under the black vest, lined with lightweight armor, she wore. Happy with her look, Shepard grabbed the last couple of accessories - a silver link necklace that she'd gotten from her mom and her omnitool.
Shepard slipped her omnitool, disguised as a silver solid band bracelet, on her left wrist as she exited her room. She found Jack waiting with her back against the wall beside the door. Cara knew Jack wasn't happy with the team assignments. The group decided that Jack, La'Dauna, Zaeed, and Kas would hit up the civilian haunts, while Sloane, Reyes, Keiji, and herself would check out the military scene. "Look, I know what you're going to say, and we discussed it already, " Cara said. "We'll be fine. I know enough about the Alliance to blend into the crowd, and I'll have back-up if needed."
"Yeah, yeah," Jack said with a scowl, "just don't fuck up. Then, you'd have to live with the burden of me saving you hanging over your head for the rest of eternity. Don't think I'd let you forget. " She pushed off the wall and joined La'Dauna and Zaeed, who had arrived, ready to begin the night. Kas was to meet them later after she and Keiji had scouted the dig area once more after nightfall.
"Looking good, Cara," Reyes said, approaching from his quarters.
Shepard ran her hands along the thighs of her form-fitting black denim jeans and straightened the silver-buckled belt. "I am," Cara agreed with a teasing smile. Her ankle-high, heeled boots made her eye level with the smirking man. "You're not looking too bad yourself," she told Reyes.
Sloane walked up next to Cara and poked her on a bare bicep. She looked between Shepard and Reyes, "You both know this is business, not pleasure."
"Why can't it be both?" Shepard asked.
Sloane rolled her eyes and turned to look at Reyes, who was also dressed to the nines. "Good grief you two. We're going out to get information, not hook up," Sloane's colonial accent emphasizing her annoyance.
"Yes, but I find people are more likely to share with someone who looks as good as we do," Reyes said with a smirk. "Plus, I can't help it if everything I wear makes me look this good."
Shepard chuckled, "Too true, Rey," agreeing only to needle Sloane, who again rolled her eyes and left for the airlock. Shepard winked at Rey as she stepped up beside him. They followed Sloane out the airlock with matching grins to the aircar that would take them into the settlement.
Cara looked over to Reyes in the backseat of the car, "The crew has a bet on who can get the best information first, me or you."
Reyes looked at Shepard intrigued, "Go on."
"What if we heightened the stakes a bit. We have information. What we need is access to the dig site. How about, first one who gains that access wins."
"Rules?" Reyes asked.
"Subtlety is key as you know, so no direct questions about the artifact. To even the field, I get the girls you get the guys..."
"Afraid they would ignore you if they knew I was there for them, too?"
"Yeah. Right, Rey, keep lying to yourself. I've already proven they like me more than you. If I recall correctly, I managed to get the straight girl when you couldn't." Shepard's lips curled into a gloating smirk.
"Ah, yes," Reyes said, "the so-called straight girl, who fell for none of my charms. I do believe that competition was rigged."
The aircar touched down in a public parking lot.
"Don't be a sore loser, Rey. You're better than that," Shepard said as she exited the aircar. The fresh, warm night air surrounded her, and Cara inhaled a deep breath. She had always liked the earthy smell of being ground side.
"Ah, I guess we will see tonight then," Rey said, stepping out next to Cara.
"Let's go, you two," Sloane said, walking towards a lively bar. The place was a popular but relaxed dance pub. There was an L-shaped bar that started along the left wall and elbowed onto the back wall. It was well populated with Alliance types, and scattered with a few civilians and scientists. A chilled electronica sound played overhead. The atmosphere worked well for dancing and relaxing over a few drinks with your buddies.
Sloane led them to a table with a group of Alliance types. She clapped a well-built, dark-skinned man, with a friendly face, on the shoulder. He turned around with a questioning look on his face that transformed into a grin when he saw Sloane.
"Sloane," the man said, "long time no see." He stood and held out his hand.
She grasped it and shook, "That it has been, Jacob. How's the Alliance treating you?"
"I can't complain," Jacob said, releasing Sloane's hand. "How's life outside the Alliance been going for you?"
"Not bad," Sloane said, "I run a security agency. We do well for ourselves." At that, she turned to Reyes and Shepard, "These are my partners, "Rey and CJ."
Jacob held out his hand for each of them to shake, welcoming them. He looked back to Sloane, "You're more than welcome to join us," he swept his hand over the table. "Cricket and Hill won't mind." He indicated each with a jerk of his thumb in their direction.
The two men at the table nodded amiably at them, indicating they were okay with the idea.
"I'll let old friends catch up," Reyes said, bowing as he backed away.
"Catch up first," Shepard agreed, "we can join up later. Plus, I hear a drink calling my name." Shepard followed Reyes over to the bar. They found a spot to order their drinks then turned to survey the bar. The room was overflowing with possible marks. "Final rule," she said, "honor system. No cheap tricks to sabotage the other, no getting the other kicked out of the bar, et cetera."
The bartender sat their drinks down behind them, and they turned back around to retrieve them. Reyes held his glass up, "Deal." Shepard clinked her glass against his then turned back to the crowd, looking for her first mark.