2175 CE
"Thinking about the Hive again?" Templar asked.
"Thinking about my being." Jason replied.
He looked at the closed fist he held in front of him and summoned sparks of Arc energy along his gauntlet before he allowed it to dissipate. These thoughts had died down as he got more and more used to being in an entirely new world but now, once again, they were front and centre in his mind.
"What is real? Is this all just in my head?" Jason pondered and lowered his hand as he looked out through the cockpit window.
"It definitely feels real." Templar offered.
"That's for sure." Jason replied.
Once again he remembered. He remembered the claws that cut him, the bolts that pierced him, the blades that cleaved him, and the blasts that obliterated him. He thanked the Light for whatever it did to his mind to fortify it because without it there was no doubt he would have gone insane.
"No use thinking about that now, though." Jason spoke. "We've got a job to do."
And he was very correct in that statement as they were now travelling towards the Citadel once again, this time to meet up with their future employer. Said employer was non-other than the Spectre Tela Vasir. It seemed Jason had made an impression on her as now she was interested in hiring his services for an investigation she was conducting. Naturally, Jason assumed the worst just as he did when he first met the Spectre. Again he pondered to which party, or both, she would be reporting to and again he considered what actions he would have to take in order to minimise suspicion.
Or maybe the Spectre had seen his usefulness and was simply looking for a hired gun. Jason's history with his bounties would have been abundantly clear to the Spectre, he pretty much exclusively went after pirates and slavers so if the Spectre wanted to hire some extra muscle then it made sense to recruit someone that seemed to have the same interest.
These were only some of the possible scenarios Jason considered as the Tempest reached the halfway point of its journey and began turning around to apply thrust in the opposite direction so that it might reduce its speed for the arrival to its destination.
The ramp to the cargo hold of the Tempest lowered and, as it did, Jason identified the head crest of an Asari before the ramp allowed him to view her in all detail.
"Nice ship." Vasir remarked as she inspected the Tempest.
"What's the job?" Jason asked as he walked down the ramp towards the awaiting Spectre.
"Not here." Vasir answered before turning around and walking off, Jason in her wake.
"You know, you've been getting a bit of a reputation." Vasir began as the two started walking. "Some people, mainly Batarians, have been calling you 'The Cyclops'."
Jason turned his head towards the Spectre.
"That's... original." He remarked.
"I thought so too. You might be a few inches short but the enormous strength part of that particular mythology certainly has merit." Vasir replied.
There was a moment of silence as Jason considered her words before speaking.
"Wouldn't expect anything less from a Spectre." He said.
"Even I've gotten some enhancements, even with my Biotics, but seeing the damage your guns dealt... well, only a Krogan should be able to handle the recoil from that." Vasir probed further.
"You want to know where I got it from?" Jason asked.
"Maybe." The Spectre admitted. "I've heard of gene enhancements that can bring one's strength up to a Krogan but to say that the procedure is dangerous would be quite the understatement, to body and mind alike. You seem perfectly stable."
"Just got lucky, I guess." Jason shrugged as he considered possible explanations. "It definitely could have gone a lot worse."
"Hm." Vasir wondered.
"Are you going to interrogate me, Spectre?" Jason asked.
"Now that'd just be rude of me." Vasir defended herself. "But if the Council could reliably make soldiers like you, I'd say that'd be very beneficial to galactic security."
"Then you're out of luck. There was no secret ingredient, no special sauce." Jason replied. "Like I said, I just got lucky."
"Alright, Miller, I won't overstep." Vasir resigned.
"That's not very Spectre of you." Jason joked.
"Enjoy the clemency I have given you, human." Vasir chuckled.
The pair eventually made it to C-Sec Academy and upon the authentication of Vasir's Spectre codes, they were allowed access to more than just the public area. Vasir wearing the Spectre insignia on her armour dissuaded any officers from stopping them so they travelled unimpeded. Security in the headquarters for an organisation dedicated to the security of the Citadel was tight and the entry of a Spectre certainly would have prompted notification to the officers inside so it wasn't like the insignia was the sole reason for their freedom - it just helped avoid any small potential for confusion.
After some walking, Vasir stopped at the door to a room and opened it. Upon entering, Jason identified the room as being dedicated to giving briefings. This was confirmed by the Spectre when she activated the hologram projector located in the centre of the room. The Hologram displayed what looked to be a crime scene with officers about and with covered bodies on the ground.
"Earlier this week C-Sec found 3 bodies further along the arm here on Aroch Ward." Vasir began. "All 3 bodies had their throats cut with further bruising on the rest of their bodies. Seems like they were beaten and then had their throats opened. Their bodies were found hung upside down in an alleyway. What's interesting is that crime scene investigation found traces of various drugs throughout the alley. As to how long the bodies have been there, CSI says well over a week."
Vasir fiddled with her Omni-tool and the hologram updated to display C-Sec's various findings.
"C-Sec thinks it was gang-related, a drug deal gone bad or one gang messing with another gang. Then they hung up the bodies to make an example." Vasir explained.
"You have a different theory." Jason stated.
"These three arrived at the Citadel together some weeks back." Vasir spoke. "C-Sec thinks they were recruits for a gang. I think they came here with smuggled drugs trying to make quick and easy money."
"You want to find where the drugs came from." Jason said.
"Hm, not bad." Vasir spoke.
"And you called me here because you found a lead." Jason realised.
Vasir's mouth formed a small grin on one side of her face.
"Maybe we'll make you the first human Spectre." She joked as her face resumed its normal form.
"A week before the three victims arrived at the Citadel, there was an arrival of 2 Turians. They came to Aroch Ward to see a big show at one of the theatres, not too far away from here actually. They left only a few days ago." Vasir explained. "Obviously these things by themselves don't show anything, but the interesting part is that these 2 Turians never went to that big show they'd come to the Citadel for. In fact, their recorded activity on the Citadel for the duration of their stay is almost non-existent. And the 3 dead bodies, all with their throats opened? The cuts were consistent with Turian claws."
"Someone sent them to eliminate the 3 drug runners." Jason stated.
"That's my theory, yeah. Someone who doesn't want to be screwed with." Vasir spoke. "Real organised, too. Their arrival and departure as well as the tickets for the show were all pre-planned. Took a little bit to find it with so many people coming and going to the Citadel."
"So where'd our 2 Turian assassins go?" Jason asked.
"Bekenstein." Vasir answered.
"Nice ship." Jason remarked as the Spectre's ship came into view.
The ship was smaller than the Tempest and had a much sleeker hull.
"Maybe we can have a race to see who's got the fastest ship after this." Vasir joked.
"I doubt I'm going to be able to beat a Spectre's ship." Jason lied.
"True, being a Spectre gives me access to resources most agents would only dream of." Vasir began. "You seem to be pretty well-off as well. You've got your own ship, enhancements, weapons, and armour - all to a high grade, if your enhancements and weapons are anything to go by."
"I get by." Jason replied.
The Spectre examined him for a few moments as they walked before returning her head in its forward position. She was probing, of course, and Jason wondered if the answers he was giving would be sufficient to ward off suspicion.
"You from Thessia, Vasir?" Jason asked, seemingly bored of being the one to answer all the personal questions.
"No, I was born on Cyone - in the capital Polos." Vasir answered. "My mother was a Huntress, or Commando, for a Matriarch. I was for a time as well, until I was recruited into Special Tactics. What about you? You're from Earth, right?"
"Grew up an orphan in the south - Australia, joined the Marines as soon as I could." Jason began, almost rehearsed. "Left not long after to become a bounty hunter."
"And why'd you want to become a bounty hunter?" Vasir asked. "Didn't like taking orders?"
"Sort of. I liked the Marines but most of the time it was just 'hurry up and wait'. I wanted to be able to be out there in the action so I left before my enlistment period was up and took up bounty hunting." Jason answered.
"Maybe if you stuck around you could've made N7." Vasir remarked.
"Maybe." Jason shrugged. "What about you, how'd you become a Spectre?"
"Just about the usual way anyone becomes a Spectre. I was good at my job, my talent was noticed, and I was recommended to the Council." Vasir answered.
"And just how is being a Spectre?" Jason asked.
"Well, like any job it's got its demands and requirements and there are times where your morale might be a bit low." Vaisr answered. "But knowing that what you're doing is helping keep the galaxy safe - that's all the reward I need."
The two arrived at Vasir's ship and made their way onboard through the cargo hold ramp. Unlike the Tempest, this cargo hold opened up on the side of the ship and it was smaller. Unlike the bounty hunter, Vasir didn't need to make this ship her home so there were fewer amenities. Instead, more space was dedicated to the speed and maneuverability of the ship.
The pair seated themselves in the cockpit of the ship as Vasir engaged pre-flight checks and came in contact with Citadel ATC. Being a Spectre, her departure was granted without delay.
Taking up the controls, Vasir activated the ship's atmospheric thrusters to lift it up and move it towards the exit. She cut the thrusters as the ship exited the mass effect field of the docking bay and used the ship's zero-G maneuvering thrusters to correct any spin as the ship moved further and further away from the docks.
When operating, the main thrusters of any ship generated temperatures in the millions of degrees celsius so in any given arrival or departure the aforementioned main thrusters would be deactivated within a certain distance of the docks - both for the safety of the docking area as well as the safety of any ships that might be coming and going. Anything caught behind the thrusters of a starship would speedily enough find themselves turned into a different state of matter.
Having cleared the safe distance, Vasir engaged the main thrusters and both occupants were pushed back in their seats as the ship accelerated.
Once the ship was clear of the Citadel itself, Vasir activated FTL and the ship began its interstellar transit.
A door opened and a bronze figure rushed through, shields blaring as mass accelerated slugs slammed into them. The bronze figure was joined by another figure in blue and white emanating blue energy as the fire from her machine pistol and the biotics from her hand spat out.
There was a period of loud gunfire as these figures contested the room with 3 other figures already inside the room but said period did not last long.
2 Turians fell to the floor, chests and arms blown apart at different points, while a third Turian was lifted up into the air and allowed to fall down assisted only by gravity. The Turian attempted to draw a pistol but as he raised to do so, the pistol was grabbed by a bronze gauntleted hand and stripped from him with surprising strength whilst another hand, shaped into a fast, slammed into his stomach.
The Turian fell backwards onto the floor and as the bronze figure approached, he bit down on something in his mouth before he began convulsing. The episode only lasted for a few seconds before the Turian stopped moving, his heart now having stopped.
"Dammit!" Vasir exclaimed. "Suicide pill."
"What are our options?" Jason asked as he walked towards one of the dead guards.
"Hm, maybe I can get something from his Omni-tool." Vasir figured as she crouched to retrieve the Turian's device.
Jason looked down at one of the guards and as it turned out, they weren't dead. Somehow, even after taking 2 explosive slugs, he was still alive - barely and most likely would not remain so in the coming minute. Jason raised his right leg and brought his foot down onto the Turian's head, crushing it onto the ground and sending out a splatter of blood. The Spectre turned to examine Jason's disturbance for a few seconds before returning to her work.
"Missed one, did you?" She asked.
"Somehow still breathing, if barely." Jason answered.
"I've seen a lot of combat in my centuries and got pretty good at it - what's why I was made a Spectre. Seeing you in action, though. I'm not sure if I could take you in a fight." Vasir pondered.
"Your Biotics would be your best asset." Jason replied as he turned away from the mess and walked back towards the Spectre.
"Telling me your weakness?" Vasir turned her head and raised an eyebrow.
"Just saying." Jason stated. "Almost died to a Commando once."
"Tell me about it." Vasir spoke.
"Not much to say." Jason began. "She knocked me around pretty good with her Biotics but I was able to get close and get a stab in with my knife."
"Interesting. I'll take this into consideration whenever I get into a fight with you." She joked. "As for our Turian. His friend left Bekenstein a day ago, neither of them knows each other's destination. This one was headed to Omega, it seems."
"Terminus space." Jason remarked.
"I should be able to figure something out with Aria T'Loak." Vasir stated as she stood back up. "What? Spectres make our own underhanded deals as well. Spectres only answer to the Council, that should be all the indication you need."
"Yeah, I know, I know." Jason replied as he began following her towards the exit. "I'm not judging. You guys get your hands dirty so the Council can keep theirs clean."
Vasir half-turned her head and a faint smile crossed her lips.
"Couldn't have said it better myself." She said.
Inside a hangar bay on the station known as Omega, a firefight had erupted. There was a ship in the hangar and it was being defended by 2 Krogan as well as many more Vorcha. The Vorcha weren't faring very well against their assailants and they soon found their numbers decreasing at a rather alarming rate. The Krogan were faring much better, their natural toughness and centuries of experience saw them more able to resist their attackers.
However, as the fight went on so did their frustration. Frustration at an enemy that simply wouldn't allow themselves to be killed and whose weapons maintained such an assault on their numbers that they were being pushed back.
One of the Krogan had had enough of it and with a mighty roar, he charged towards his enemy as his shields flared and broke, uncaring of the further slugs digging into his flesh and blowing bits of it off. His challenge was never answered as more explosive slugs simply slammed into him, its volume too much even for the notoriously tough Krogan. The creature fell to the floor before even getting halfway to his target.
His murderer turned back into cover as he allowed his weapon to cool down from the overheating whilst his companion maintained the attack with her machine pistol and her Biotics, thrashing Vorcha about like ragdolls. It then became her turn to become suppressed as the remaining Krogan unleashed his own hailstorm in absence of the bronze bounty hunter.
With Vasir pinned by the Krogan, Jason leapt from cover and used his thrusters to launch himself at her attacker - knife drawn. The Krogan switched targets as soon as he left cover and it was damn accurate fire too because as he came to collide with the Krogan, his shields broke and he found 3 slugs impacting with his armour, 1 hitting the soft undersuit and digging itself into his flesh as it crumpled from the impact, as it was made to do, before his armour's Medi-gel kicked in and sealed the breach.
Perhaps not expecting such aggressiveness, the Krogan was not able to stop Jason as he slid his knife, held with both hands, in between the head plate of the Krogan and straight into his brain.
"You're hit." Vasir spoke as she quickly approached.
"Non-vital, Medi-gel's got it handled." Jason replied as he moved towards the ship, his Spectre in tow.
They found a Turian fiddling with the engine of the ship before opening fire on them as they entered. He dodged a Biotic pull and leapt towards Jason with claws bared. When Jason saw those claws coming at him his right fist shot towards the head of the creature it belonged to and cracked it right open as bits of the creature's brain, among other components, fell to the floor alongside the body.
"It would have been useful to have taken him alive, Miller." Vasir scolded.
"Sorry. Reflex, I guess." Jason replied.
Vasir shook her head as she made her way to the terminal the Turian had been fiddling with.
"Shit." Vasir remarked, prompting a head turn from the human. "He was trying to overload the ship's core and cause a self-destruct."
"Then that means there's something important on this ship." Jason figured. "Nothing on his Omni-tool."
They both made their way towards the cockpit of the ship and Vasir sat down before accessing the ship's data. Jason did not afford himself the same luxury as he remained standing, keeping a guard over the place.
"Well, well, well." Vasir began as Jason came closer to her side. "Looks like our Turians were working for one Marcus Tullius. He's a Turian who runs a private military corporation, Pheonix, made up entirely of Turians based on the edge of Turian space. They have a cordial relationship with the Hierarchy, they only do legitimate business and they've taken a few contracts for the Hierarchy itself. Seems like Tullius here was looking to make a bit more money than he could, started discreetly dealing in drugs."
"The three bodies on the Citadel?" Jason asked.
"They were part of the setup, tried to run away and make some cash on their own. Their deaths were a warning but also a reminder - his drug trade doesn't get distributed into Turian space or the Citadel itself, something about honour." Vasir explained. "Pheonix's headquarters is a private space outpost and they've got their own ships."
A smirk came over the Spectre's face. "The Hierarchy is just going to love this."