Aria lounged against the inferior couch in Purgatory, her arm draped casually over the top. The music pulsing beneath her feet as she recounts the loss of Omega. She had agents dispersed throughout the station as soon as she reached the Citadel. She clenched her jaw seething thinking about every second she has wasted in this sickeningly uptight club. The agents have done well to stay hidden and relay what's going on during her temporary absence.
She inhaled sharply, forcing herself to relax. She could not fathom how quickly Cerberus seized control. How she allowed the terrorist group to blindside her. Letting her escape was their last mistake. Her grip tightens on the data pad as she racked her brain for a plan of retaliation. None seemed violent enough for her tastes.
She scrolled through today's debriefing. The mercenary groups were running amuck. They were massacring each other in an attempt to gain more influence. Her lips pressed into a thin line, she needed to reel the Blood Pack, Blue Suns, and Eclipse quickly before they become completely useless to her. Aria made a mental note to investigate the Talons who seem to be rising to prominence.
She was about to set the data pad aside when something caught her attention. Aria used all of her willpower to stop herself from throwing the data pad at her bodyguard. She felt her face twitch as she read over the new development once more. The Council have not been heard from in days.
Aria knew this was no coincidence, the Cerberus attack on the Citadel as well as Omega. Their attempts at expanding their influence are succeeding. They have Omega and now they have captured the Council for who knows how long.
She needed to calm down. This blind rage will get her nowhere. She motioned to her guard to fetch her a drink, glaring at his retreating form. Upon his return, she focused a deadly stare at him, "Why wasn't I informed about the Council's…absence?" She practically spat out but managed to keep her voice low. It would not be in her best interest to inform the public about this delicate situation. She is surprised how well C-Sec have managed to keep this under wraps.
She narrowed her eyes as she waited for a response. He tugged at his armor as he shuffled his weight. For a brief moment, Aria was content watching him squirm under her gaze. She knew he was just a mere lackey. Expendable but good at his job. Of course, he wouldn't know but she needed to release this pent-up anger. She wanted to scream at him or rip him apart with her biotics. Her hands flickered slightly but she forced herself to maintain the ounce of control she had left as the biotics died out. She still had a use for him after all.
After several excruciating minutes, she let out a noise of disgust and shifted her focus away from him. Worthless. Aria pulls out her omnitool and sends a quick voice message to Grizz, her most trusted mercenary, "Start sending some agents to scope out where the Council is being detained. Do not disappoint me Grizz."
She had been caught up with Omega's issues that it had completely slipped her mind. Fuck, Tevos. She will find out who is responsible and murder them mercilessly. She lazily scans the sea of people to mask her growing concern.
Her drink forgotten, she casually brings it to her lipsand grimaced. The drinks at Purgatory were always lackluster. Her eyes landed on a familiar red head who was making her way towards her. Aria smirked as she took another sip from her drink, welcoming the distraction.
She pondered whether or not to seek Shepard's aid with Omega as well as prying her for some information about the missing Council. The Commander was a forced to be reckoned with. She knew she could trust her to get the job done regardless of the method. Despite their differences in moral code, Aria respected Shepard. Not that she would ever admit it.
She turned away from the approaching Commander and sighed. Shepard was already doing the impossible with the Reaper threat closing in. Aria would have to offer something valuable to get what she needed.
Shepard reached the edge of the sofa and nod her head slightly as a greeting. Aria looked pleased before motioning for Shepard to take a seat. Aria gave her a once over in feign interest, the corner of her mouth tilting upward, "Commander, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Unfazed, the Commander turns to face her but appears lost in thought for a moment. Aria takes this opportunity to study her. She had dark bags under her eyes and her entire being looked tensed. Aria had to stop herself from tracing the scars that ran through her cheeks. They haven't had the time to heal since the Lazarus project. The war has finally sunk in, and it is taking a toll on the poor human. She almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
Wordlessly, she motioned for her guard to get her another drink and shifted it over to Shepard. Shepard looked grateful as she took a gracious sip. Aria was starting to grow impatient and was about to speak up when she heard the Commander suck in a shallow breath, "As you know, I do not have the support to take down the Reaper. Most people are focusing on their own worlds and undermining the ruthlessness of the Reapers."
Shepard paused for second and ran her fingers through her damp hair. Aria stared at her curiously but allowed her to continue. Shepard finally met her gaze with determination written across her face, "I need any mercs you can spare. As long as they can hold a weapon, we can use them on the frontline defense back on Earth. Once I have the other Council races' support, then maybe we will have a chance at winning this war."
Aria pursed her lips slightly. Well, this is going to be easier than I thought. She crosses her leg over her lap and downs the rest of her drink with ease. She finds the matriarchs reluctance to offer aid quite stupid in the grand scheme of things. The Asari aren't exactly known for winning wars. It is only a matter of time until Earth falls. Are they that deluded to think they can delay the slaughter on their own?
Aria rolled her eyes waving her hand dismissively, "As much as I would love to help you Shepard, the mercs are no longer under my rule…Omega was taken from me." She felt all of her anger rushing back but refused to lose her temper in front of an audience.
Shepard raised an eyebrow waiting for her to elaborate. Aria met her eyes once more with a questioning glint. Does she know that the Council is missing? She hadn't mentioned it, nor does she seem concerned…I am unsure if they are on good terms. However, she has been reinstated as a Spectre. She must know something is wrong. She will have to put this on hold for now much to her displeasure.
She slipped back into her familiar mask of aloofness, "I will admit, I made a poor decision. I allowed Cerberus to use Omega as a supply hub. I took the necessary precautions as always, but they set me up. It was either concede or they destroy Omega." She couldn't help but let her bitterness show.
The emotion was gone as quickly as it came. She flashed Shepard an insufferable smirk, "Tell you what Shepard, if you help me take back what is rightfully mine, then I will be more than happy to supply your demand."
Shepard looked at Aria warily, but she was desperate for help at this point, "What would I need to do?"
"Meet me at Dock 42 on the Citadel at your earliest convenience. I will explain the plan later." She nodded curtly. Sensing that the conversation was over, Shepard stood up and thanked Aria for her time before making her swift exit.
Aria downed her last drink before standing and graciously making her way towards the exit, "Come on Shreek, we have big plans for Petrovsky." She smirked as she pulled out her omnitool to claim a few favors she accumulated over the years.