Darkness gave way to blinding light. Ruby cracked an eye open, wincing at the bright lights above her. Everything hurt, from the dull ache in her head to the soreness in her legs. She moaned weakly. It took her a long moment to realize her mouth was covered by a breathing apparatus, muffling her weak protests.
"She's awake," said a nearby voice, hazy through her dulled senses.
"I see," said another, this time female. "Keep me informed on her neural net. We don't need another crash."
"Understood, Doctor."
Ruby tried to follow the voices but her head was strapped down, as was the rest of her body. Not that she could break out or anything, she was too tired to move. Keeping her eyes open was struggle.
A face mercifully blocked off the light. Ruby dimly registered an Asari hanging above her.
"Hello there," the Asari smiled. "Can you remember your name?"
"Doctor?" the first voice spoke up. "We have the patient file right here."
The face looked away briefly, looking irritated. "I'm testing cognitive functions. Prothean signals are infamous for scrambling the brain waves of their subjects. Give me constant updates of her brain activity. Inform me if you see anything out of the ordinary."
"Understood."
She wasn't sure what was going on. Everything was hazy. Distant memories merged with the present forming confusing after-images.
The Asari returned. "Once again, do you remember your name?"
Her name...yes... she did.
"Ruby... Rose," she croaked through parched lips. "Serial number... N7-" She coughed, her throat finally giving in.
"It checks outs, Doctors," the first voice said. "The signals are stable. Yes... I'm reading a full return of cognitive functions. Her pathways are stablizing."
"Excellent," the Asari sighed, smiling. "Your memory appears to be intact, Commander. Welcome back to the land of the living."
Ruby croaked out something that might have been a thank you, though mangled horribly in translation.
"You going to give you a mild sedative," the Asari continued. "Your brain still needs to time to recover from the trauma. That Beacon did quiet the toll on you."
Beacon...
Ruby blinked slowly. The word sounded so familiar, but she didn't know why. She would ask Yang next time she saw...
The world faded away, the last laugh of her sister echoing in her ears.
-ooo000ooo-
A collective sigh of relief went through the observation room. Anderson felt the dark that permeated the air lift as the Doctor announced that Ruby would make a full recovery.
"Thank god," Chakwas whispered, leaning against the window as she watched the proceedings. He nodded in silent agreement.
In the operating room below, almost a dozen doctors clustered around the gurney, prepping Ruby for travel. The shear amount of equipment and monitors hooked up to her was staggering. Anderson only recognized half of it, the rest he could only guess at their purpose. The lone Asari commanded the throng of Doctors like a general. Under her guidance equipment was moved in record time and Ruby was wheeled out to her private ward in the Narucinea Memorial Hospital. Chakwas, ever the watchful parent, hurried from the room to follow.
For all his dislike of Alliance Intelligence, Anderson couldn't deny their dedication when it came to Ruby. They'd stepped in the moment Anderson had reported the casualty, commandeering a ward in Narucinea for her exclusive use. It seemed a little excessive, but no one complained or even agrued. Even the Council had agreed, despite the Alliance's frankly ridiculous demands regarding Rose's treatment. They hadn't blinked twice when Fang demanded that only doctors hand picked by the Colonel himself were allowed to operate on her. The only exception was Doctor Iona Yatisa, an expert in Prothean Bio-Science. What that meant exactly Anderson hadn't the faintest clue. What he did know from listening in was that the Beacon had nearly fried Ruby's brain into scrambled eggs.
Perhaps it was a move on the Council's side to get the Colonel on their good side. He was the only opposition to Rose becoming a Spectre and one of her direct superiors. In Ruby's case, the usual process of becoming a Spectre was drowned out in bureaucracy and political gain. With Ruby nothing was ever simple.
"She'll live," said Colonel Fang, appearing beside him, still as emotionless as ever. If that was meant to ease his worries than the Colonel did a piss poor job at it.
"You could at least try to make it sound like you care," Anderson said in a low voice.
"I'm a man of facts, Captain." He spared Anderson a look. "You've been standing here for the last five minutes."
Anderson blinked, looking around at he empty room. Had it really been that long?
"You could try and make your sentiment less obvious." Fang said. "You never know what others may perceive as a liability."
Like he would know anything about that. Had the Colonel been abandoned by his mother or something? Anderson bit the inside of his lip, biting back a retort he knew he'd regret. Instead he straightened and asked, "is that so wrong?"
"Potentially. You never know who might be watching."
"Excuse me." They turned and noticed a human doctor standing behind them. The man still wore his surgical gown, though a name tag on his chest read Alaric. He held out a datapad. "If you have a minute, Colonel?"
As they moved away Anderson kept his gaze focused on the window, though he strained his ears to listen in.
"It's exactly as I theorized," he overheard Alaric say in a low voice. "A massive resurgence in her Temporal Lobe and Insular Cortex. And that's not even taking into account the strain on the rest of her brain."
"Is there any permanent damage?" Fang asked quietly.
"Nothing so far as we can tell, but the scars have deepened. The Council is going to see them, no doubt about that."
"And her file?"
"Locked down, sir."
The rest of their conversation was too low for Anderson to make out. Before too long the Doctor left and Fang resumed his post at Anderson's side, contemplating the view beyond the window as though it was the most fascinating thing in universe. But Anderson knew what they were both waiting for. After another minute of silence Udina strolled into the room, wringing his hands with a glee that made Anderson shudder.
"It's done!" the Ambassador crowed. "Oh you should have seen the look on his face."
I can imagine, Anderson thought dryly as he turned to face him. "How did the trial go?"
The Ambassador's smile was downright terrifying. "Saren didn't make it past ten minutes. William's helmet camera captured everything. Caught him executing Nihlus red handed! The Council has revoked his Spectre status and branded him a traitor." He rubbed his hands together. "Oh this day couldn't get any better."
Anderson glanced over at Fang. To his surprise the Colonel meet his gaze, the slightest bit of uncertainty in his eyes. Anderson shared his sentiment. It wasn't everyday the Ambassador acted so... evil.
"You're taking this rather well," Anderson said slowly.
"It's not everyday I get to ruin a celebrity's career," Udina shrugged. "It always was a childhood dream of mine."
"That is highly contradictory," Fang noted quietly, turning his back on Udina. "It would assume you had a childhood at all."
Fang had never been one to insult before, though maybe he'd been pushed too far this time. Either way, the barb and its intended meaning was hilarious. Anderson managed to keep a straight face as Udina glared at the Colonel.
"I never took you for a comedian, Colonel," he growled. "Though I imagine you have more important things to worry about. How is Rose?"
"Recovering," Fang replied without sparing him a glance.
"I see. And when can I expect to see her?"
"Why?"
"We have important business to discuss," the Ambassador huffed importantly. "Her Spectre candidacy must come first."
Fang's lips twisted as though he'd bit something sour. "I see... I'll pass along your request."
"See that you do." Udina huffed and made to leave. He gave them one last parting look over his shoulder "This is in humanity's best interests, Colonel. I'm honestly surprised you can't see it for yourself."
He left, leaving the two officers in silence. Fang continued to contemplate the window, impassive as ever. Anderson didn't know what to do. Ruby would still be out for a while and there was still some time before his next engagement.
"You really care for her, don't you?" Fang asked suddenly, shaking Anderson out of his stupor.
"Aren't you the one who just said I should be hiding my feeling?" Anderson asked with a raised eyebrow.
Fang looked at him. "Please. You know I can be trusted, Captain. Our motives and methods are different but we both... appreciate for her."
"You have a funny way of showing it."
"Its nothing personal. We're both sworn to protect the humanity, though my duties are much more than pointing a gun."
"As I'm aware."
"But you do care for her, yes?"
"I do." Anderson looked at him a suspiciously. "Why"
The Colonel gave a long sigh, the most emotion Anderson had ever seen from him. "Times are changing, Captain. Something is coming... and it's probably already here. Humanity at its core might be threatened."
His words caused something to shift in Anderson's chest. Apprehension, maybe. He'd heard that very same message dozens of times before, but never from the man beside him. The fact that Fang of all people was acknowledging it meant he might just be telling the truth. He was a man of facts, after all. Anderson swallowed. "I... never took you as man of... paranoia, Colonel."
"It's my job."
"And what does this have to do with Ruby?"
"Do you remember when you found her on Mindoir, Captain? The odds that she had survived the initial invasion were low, as were her chances of survival."
"She was lucky."
Slowly, the Colonel fixed him with a look that could have frozen the sun over. "Please tell me you don't believe that. Someone put her there, Captain. She was in the perfect time and place for you to find her. There's too much convenience with her sudden appearance for it to be... natural."
Anderson's mind churned. He'd harboured his own doubts about Ruby ever since Mindoir, but now to hear Fang echo his own uncertainty sent warning bells ringing.
"Watch her, please," Fang said, turning to leave. "I know you don't answer to me, but keep an eye on her. Udina is an idiot to hand her off as a Spectre. She needs to stay with us, for her own safety."
Anderson sighed in exasperation. "You're still afraid the Council will corrupt her, as you say?"
"Somewhat." Fang started out. "My real worry is that whoever sent her will take her back while our backs are turned."
"And who would that be?"
Fang paused at the door. "That's that scares me, Captain. I have no idea."
-ooo000ooo-
They didn't have any Ryncol, a fact that caused his already dismal view of the club to plummet even further. Even the stuff they had on tap was shit. Still, Wrex supposed he was lucky. Few people got a whole bar to themselves, though it would be even better if his target was even there.
He popped open another beer, noting it was some human brand, and down it without a second thought. He could hear the bland liquid running down his throat. Though he enjoyed drinking in silence, this was not one of the times. Chora's Den was empty. Deserted, more like it. He couldn't find a single guard, worker or patron during his search of the building.
Fist had jumped ship. Who knew where the little pyjak was now?
Another bottle joined the others on the floor by his feet. Damn but human liquor was crap. He reached behind the bar for an Asari blend and popped the top off. He could very well become an alcohol connoisseur with all the stuff Fist had left here, but he still had a job to do. Fist had to die, he just had to find him first.
As he drained the bottle, a faint sound echoed through the club. He paused, listening carefully. It came from the back.
Wrex sighed and heaved his bulk over the bar, raising his shotgun to the door at the back. The club had three entrances; the front door, stripper entrance and a loading dock. The front was locked down tight, but the two at the rear could be hacked easily enough. He waited, weapon trained on the door to the back of the club.
A minute crept by, then another. Whoever it was they were taking their sweet time clearing the area, or they had already left. A worker maybe, but he didn't want to take any chances. Before he could jump over the bar to begin his own inspection, the door suddenly opened. He raised his shotgun, preparing for a hailstorm of fire. None came.
"Hello?"
Wrex stiffened as a female voice called out and the barrel of a gun peeked around the door frame. He could have fired, but it was probably just a stripper who didn't get the memo. He might be able to get answers out of her.
That thought vanished as a Quarian of all things peeked in. She saw Wrex and froze. The Krogan almost pulled the trigger as she brought her own shotgun to bare, but a note of familiarity stayed his hand.
"You Tali'Zorah?" Wrex asked, keeping his guard up.
"I am," the Quarian nodded slowly. "And you are?"
"None of your business."
"Then how do you know my name?"
Smart girl. "The Shadow Broker doesn't forget people that easily."
Behind the nearly opaque faceplate, glowing eyes narrowed. "You're the Shadow Broker?"
"No. I'm an agent." He thought back to the mission dossier he'd read. "You wanted to trade information?"
"I did." She looked at his shotgun. Wrex decided to humour her and dropped his aim an inch. She mirrored him and together they lowered their weapons, though neither of them dared return them to their holsters.
"You did, huh?" Wrex grunted as he sat on a bar stool. "What changed? You know the Shadow Broker doesn't like people pulling out a deal."
"Fist happened," Tali snapped as she stalked to the bar, seemingly forgetting about the Krogan in her ire. "That dirty bosht'tet sold me out to Saren, took the data and tried to kill me!"
Wrex reached for another drink. "So why are you here?"
"I had to try and get it back," she protested, taking a seat beside him. For the first time despair started to leak into her voice. "I...I thought the deal was still on, that I could get somewhere safe."
Wrex nodded as he grabbed another beer. He could respect that. The girl was only trying to come through on the deal. "So Fist took your data, eh?" he asked.
"Y-yes," she stammered. "Though I'm trying to get it back, I swear!"
"Calm down, kid," he smirked, opening his drink and taking a swig. "I'm not here for you."
"Then who?"
Wrex fixed her with a look. "You don't betray the Shadow Broker and get away with it. Something Fist is going to find out very soon. Don't worry, you'll live." Tali visibly sagged with relief. "For now."
He chuckled into his beer as the Quarian stiffened, then glared at him. "So, you came looking for your data, huh?" he asked.
"Yes." Tali nodded, looking around. "I take it he's gone then?"
Wrex scowled in response and downed the rest of his beer. Noting his reaction, Tali left the bar and headed to the back, most likely to Fist's private suite. Grunting, Wrex reached for another drink. The Quarian would be lucky to find anything. He pulled up another bottle and looked at the label.
"Asari Nightshade," he read aloud with a sense of appreciation. "Vintage brew."
He stashed it away in pouch around his belt. Nightshade was pretty expensive, especially one aged five hundred years. He could name a few collectors who would pay a pretty penny for it, otherwise he could just throw it up on the blackmarket.
At least I'll get something from this mess, he thought bitterly, reaching for another crappy human brew. He probably shouldn't have been drinking at a time like this, but this human stuff was so weak he could drink it until his bladder exploded and barely be buzzed. It was more like juice than anything... crappy, bland, disgusting juice.
"Dammit, it's not here!" Tali stormed back to the bar and sat beside him again, though she seemed more frustrated than desperate.
"I already checked. The place is wiped clean," Wrex supplied, tossing away another bottle.
"So I noticed," she spat. "Where could that Bosh'tet be? I checked his house, I checked his safe-house, I checked his other safe-house!"
Wrex paused, a bottle half raised to his mouth as Tali continued to rant. His mission dossier hadn't mentioned anything about a safe-house. He just assumed Fist would hold up in his club, coward that he was. Still, it made sense. But that opened up the possibility that the Shadow Broker had missed something.
Tali's shoulder's slumped and she sighed. "Eh... There's one more place I can think of..."
"Where?" Wrex asked sharply, turning to her. She flinched back and held her shotgun tighter.
"Well, I-uh..." she stammered as Wrex stood, towering over her. For a moment, Wrex thought she would bolt. But then she took a deep breath and steadied herself.
"Okay... you want Fist dead, yes?" she asked.
Wrex nodded.
"And I want my data back. It might be enough to buy me safety, right?"
"Depends," Wrex shrugged. "I'm not the Shadow Broker."
"But there is a chance, right?"
"Possibly."
Tali swallowed and almost shrank in on herself before she summoned some sort of inner strength and carried on. "Okay... I know of one last place Fist could be. He got sloppy with wiping his database and forgot a personal message with a way off the Citadel" She looked Wrex dead in the eye. "I can tell you, but you have to work with me to get my data back."
Now this girl was smart. Wrex could count the number of times he'd been caught in a situation like this. Half of the time the other guy would be so intimidated that he'd still his guts just to keep them on the right side of his rib cage and have nothing left to bargain with. No, the little Quarian was doing everything right. You propose the deal and hide your cards.
Smart. Irritating as hell, but smart.
"And why should I help you?" Wrex demanded.
Tali swallowed again, but she managed to keep her fear in check. "Because I know where he is, and you don't." She stood, barely coming up to his chin, and looked him in the eye." Help me get back my data, and I will lead you to him."
As good a reason as any.
"Deal."
-ooo000ooo-
Hello Fist,
I am truly sorry for the restrictions Saren as set on you, really I am. Why must we hold back on valuable man power for something so trivial? Unfortunately I can't do much for you. Your extraction is beyond my control, though I may be able to assist you.
In the cargo bay you will find one of my little surprises, along with everything you'll need to deliver it. With it, I can give you this ultimatum. Kill Rose, and you'll be safe. If you do, you can leave the Quarian, she mean nothing in the long run. But kill Rose, and I will reward you beyond your wildest dreams.
Good luck,
S~
AN: I've been told that Fang is painfully stereotypical. Personally, I see him as excellent practice for keeping a character in character. His role and attitude is something we've all seen before, not exactly relate too, but we know how he'll act. Thus, I find that keeping him in character while branching out is a huge help in learning how to make your characters react to situations instead of having them do things for the sake of the story.
Here, I was hoping to sell the picture that Fang is still reluctant to let Ruby become a Spectre, but slowly accepting the fact and covering his bases as best he can. He's frustrated, showing it in a little insult against the cause of his troubles, but still doing what he can.
And yes, the trial is already done and over. I wonder how that will turn out for everything. The partnership between Tali and Wrex will certainly make things interesting.