A/N: Nothing much to say, thanks to anyone who responded privately or publicly with feedback.

Colonial Security Server Storage: Evidence set NTC-CR-A-#047. Acquired by Tap-Snoop-6
ExMail Correspondence: 25/03/2182 to 07/04/2182. Recorded for law enforcement purposes by colonial authorities.
Intercepted Communique: Trinity Falls, Horizon. 25/03/2182, Gregorian Calendar.

Henson, I decided to get our boys on horizon a vehicle for the dockyard base, should help with cargo and serve as a deterrent against all the other scum who sets up shop here, especially that asshat Vido's boys in blue. I've attached an entry for what I purchased, it should deliver soon.

- A. Harrin

Intercepted Communique: Trinity Falls, Horizon. 01/04/2182, Gregorian Calendar.

Al, dunno know why you got us one of 'ose pieces o crap instead of a right proper Grizzly or 'ven an ol Dogfish model. Blasted tings have a nice dual dickpit for visibility but it also makes um helluva vulnerable to 'ny asshat with an omni-rocket attachment.

Sure, the ting handles well 'n all, it has barriers 'n armor but it's a damned logi. I'll hook up tat HMG you're always sayin we should get sum use outta above the troop bay. Sum sod can get sum use outta it and hook uppa remote control or cannibalized droney for support fire.

Still Al, ting isn't going to go 'gainst a proper AFV. I swear if I have ta clean some poor 'bastards gut out of the wrecked dickpit I'm gonna charge ye fooking overtime.

Intercepted Communique: Trinity Falls, Horizon. 07/04/2182, Gregorian Calendar.

Al, I bloody tol you about the damn Bull-shit. I get back and half yer boys r dead with everyone who went on da little 'expedition among dem. The bloody ting was upended and crunched into da side of a cargo ship cause it ain't got no darn vertically aligned core. Y'all fookin owe me.

Date: 13/5/2182 Gregorian Calendar, Emerald.

I awoke sweat-soaked, panicked and staring at a wall. I couldn't immediately place it and lashed out, my arm sent something crashing to the floor with a sharp sting. I bolted upright and stared at my surroundings, my omni-tool already flaring with a flashlight that I swept across the room. The beam stopped when it came across the groggy asari now waking with tinges of a biotic corona forming on her figure. Syella on her cot across the room, tired but alert and awoken by the shattering of the glass. Said shards glittered on the floor as I slid off the edge of my cot and took care to avoid slicing my bare feet upon the mess.

"Another withdrawal pang?" My roommate asked, her tone laced with mix of annoyance and sympathy that I couldn't tell the sincerity of.

I nodded an affirmative, then dimmed the light from my tool to a gentler level. Debating the thought for a moment I got up completely and stood, the warm night air of the city noticeable even in the apartment. I gathered the shards of glass with care before sticking them in an omni-sludge canister to deal with later, then brushed the area with a static-charge tool to collect any small pieces remaining. Task complete I slipped out of the room, my bare feet quietly pattering among the metal flooring as I meandered to the kitchen. A glass of water first, before the blossom wine in the back caught my eye. Alcohol was tempting, something I was careful not to mix with the maxx for possible side effects but was now an option once again. Instead I slammed the small fridge shut faster than recommended, and several sauce bottles rattled against each other in the door at the motion. I put the empty glass next to the sink and walked back to the bedroom, settling back on my cot as I curled up again.

You don't work till night-shift later. Sleep some more, not like I'm going to share the contents of that mess of a dream anyways.

I lay there for a few minutes, entertaining happier thoughts as a diversion from the flickers of uncomfortable memories of the last few weeks. I repositioned as my thoughts drifted to the inside of the slavers cage, no longer free from wandering with the maxx out of my system. Blissfully I drifted off quickly, with no recollection of dreams when I woke up again.

I walked down the street on the way to work, nimbly sidestepping a salarian that breezed by on some errand. I'd slept for most of the time, Syella having briefly woken my up earlier to go to her earlier shift before I'd tucked back in for my nighttime one and spent the day in bed. My nose twitched and I briefly considered activating the filter on my helmet to avoid the metallic smell but thought better of the wasteful action and let it slide. I checked my omni-tool briefly after the near-collision, still paranoid after last week's incident and attempting to avoid a similar issue. Tool still there, I let it slide and noted Traesh's bar had come into view. My pace increased slightly out of the same paranoia.

A wave of my omni-tool's ident logo out of habit as the two bouncers let me in, before I snaked through the crowd to head to the employee's area prior to work. I could analyze and socialize later, not the few minutes before shift especially when I was still groggy. I walked by one of the dancers in the break room with a nod and slight smile, noting the siari gesture of greeting I received in turn. It was still ten minutes early for my shift, so I grabbed a bag of space cow milk from the employee fridge and downed it, receiving a perplexed glance from the dancer at the cultural quirk humans and batarians shared. I waved it off, slowly relaxing back against one of the human-styled chairs as much as my armor and rifle would allow for the last nine minutes I had until my shift started.

The dancer spoke after a few minutes, causing me to open my eyes and turn my head out of polite interest. "Zeneska."

I raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

"R'vaein's off-shift, she's already left and said to tell you."

I didn't know her name, and rather than embarrass myself by asking I merely blurted a quick thanks her way as I got up and stretched. My arms no longer hurt as much in my armor's gauntlets, having scarred into an ugly numb barrel of skin despite the medi-gel. Overall, I felt that the aches from my injuries had flared down somewhat, my ribs not protesting at the motion. The thought made my tongue run over the shattered tooth I had yet to get fixed, and I dismissed the flicker of annoyance it caused.

I walked out of the employee's area and greeted the Salarian bartender - Sen - I was replacing, the counter folded up to allow me access to the central area before he slipped through behind me. I took quick stock of the inventory, sending a request for more tequila and another jar of gruoeka hide extract for turian patrons. Inventory complete and settled into my waiting stance, I eyed the clientele finally. Things had calmed down after last week, and the groups of batarian and humans who'd started the fight had been given a GTFO card by the bouncers when showing up again.

For a night shift it was oddly quiet, filling a steady supply of modified turian brandy sours for an asari huntress in the corner, on leave from a ship in orbit given her Republics Gatherers of Logistics - closest translation apparently - uniform. Throughout the night I continued to tend a large group of salarian clan-brothers who had walked in to celebrate a breeding contract for their dalatrass with a series of hits of ale of Manstja: fermented sap and mash of cattail-analogs from Sur'kesh traditionally grown in their ancient spawning pools and carried for familial celebrations.

Bit odd in my opinion, but the modern stuff we carry is farmed anyways. Not from the pond your eggs hatched in.

A group of humans and turians in armor walked in with somewhat of a commotion, with the turian bouncer sending me a hand signal to watch for any issues but treat them normally. I responded with the correct sign and moved to the side several were approaching from, my usual quiet service self-engaged. A pair of massive turians from the group walked up, I'd assume they were twins if such wasn't nearly impossible biologically, but the resemblance was uncanny even for siblings.

Perhaps they are.

"Treion Colony Brandy, tumbler to split."

I nodded and poured the requisite drink, taking the credit chit offered and slightly frowning at the lack of a tip. It wasn't a drink we had a lot of, and I'd have to watch if they wanted more later. Watching them walk away to the table, my tool pinged with requests from those at the table. A sigh as I filled several mugs that the server quickly grabbed, the female turian in light armor strolling away with hands full towards the jostling gang crowded around a square table and the haptic clawball game it was playing.

Should be happy your bored mind is blank, you can always turn to worse ruminations.

Time passed, the table slowly kept the pressure for drinks, luckily switching to a cheaper colony import when they couldn't taste as much. I entertained myself watching the biotiball match on the nearest table holo between customers and station care, not particularly caring about the match but still privately hoping the team from Europa would win over their counterparts from some "bucket" colony I'd never heard of.

Anyone eezo-exposed when a dust bomb went off in your marine hab deserves a better shot at life, never mind how they give a portion of their winnings and pay to Grissom Academy and Europa's Curie Medical Center. As for those colonies, I'd rather not have some local corp take most of their winnings anyways.

My eyes flicked off the screen when one of the humans approached, his face hidden behind a long set of bangs and mane. His skinny figure swaggered up to the counter, head turned back to focus on the group he was with, or on the asari dancer who'd walked in and was on her way upstairs for shift in the VIP area. I couldn't tell.

Something about the walk is odd, be careful.

I braced myself slightly, confident the arrival wouldn't do anything bluntly stupid but setting my hand near the emergency barrier's button just in case while the other drifted nearer to my pistol subconsciously. He stopped staring at the asari after bumping into the counter and turned around, hair whipping around to finally reveal his face. I blanked for a second.

That can't be, no way he'd be all the way out here. Probably just similar.

He spoke first before his eyes looked to me. "Hey pal, what do you have on special? Crew's spending big but I want to stay a bit thrifty, don't necessarily tru-"

He stopped, eyes finally turning to meet my face as his voice trailed off.

"Niko? Good god man I thought you were on the Citadel, whatavu been doing all way out here?

I chuckled at the pleasant surprise, confused but happy to see an old friend put here. "It's been…"

I trailed off as I tried to figure out what to say. My mood fell at the action as fast as it had risen seeing my friend.

Ah, there's a reason you haven't called any of them in a long time isn't there. Even if I never admitted it, I didn't want to say what I did. Murderer indeed, something you totally want childhood friends to know.

Deciding discretion was best course for now, I shrugged and made a nonchalant comment, a slight pang through my heart at brushing off someone I'd grown up with.

"Not while I'm working Henry."

His facial expression fell into a slight frown, a brief moment of confusion visible before he grabbed the drink I'd rung up at the start and headed back to the table.

I'm really going to do that? Someone I've known for fifteen years of my life turned away because it's inconvenient. What the hell am I doing? It's for his safety, you really want him around you after what happened? How would everyone else react if you got him killed? Why does that even matter? I haven't seen them in years anyways.

"Hey, Henry." I quickly spoke while he was still in earshot. "I'm sorry. I'm on shift for another five hours. We can talk then, catch up a bit."

He smiled at the end, and I ignored the feeling that I'd just kicked a puppy. I smiled in turn as his posture took a more positive note and he responded. "I'd like that Niko, It's okay."

He walked back to join the group of turians and humans, a glass of the closest thing we had to his favorite bourbon in hand with a few purified ice cubes. He settled into the group next to a taller woman, cozying up as she took a trying sip of his drink.

Interesting, guess he finally got out of that asshat Rey's clutches.

I leaned on the counter and took a closer look at the group he was with, an attempt to gauge what he'd been up to in the past few years to end up here. The pair of nearly identical male turians and a single female sans fringe all had the same markings and plate shading. Siblings for the turian group, with Henry and his apparent partner taking up two thirds of the human portion. The last member caught my eye and was likely why the bouncer had sent a tip, a medium-build human with what I'd assumed to be body armor at first made me stare for a moment.

That's not something I've seen often. Other than the one cybered-up FCW vet who was a regular when you were working at the citadel. Tends to turn heads a lot, especially when it's that...blatant.

I suppressed an involuntary shudder at the sight, instead taking note of the aesthetics of said works. She had a mix of human-replica styled parts and blatant upgrades, the three-prong grasper limb in place of the left arm caught my eye more immediately, before I noticed the ski-like feet with Hamakar Interaction Plates. Said plates folded up into the leg piece to hide the gait when not in functional use or fit into armor.

Why does this bug me? I have civilian gene-mods, rather expensive ones that I blew a lot of income on when I was younger at that. How can I look at that and assume they're worse? It could be an injury. Hell, that could've been me if I wasn't as lucky.

I ignored the issue with an exacerbated shake of my head, switching my view back to the biotiball game. I privately cheered a bit as Europa was in the lead, only a few anti-climactic minutes left before they secured victory. The VI automatically switched to another stream when the match concluded, and I paid the new game no mind as another customer came up to make a request.

Should get one of the screens to a news feed later on. Note to self: Ask Traesh later.

Half an hour left on my shift, the club had filled up with significantly more patrons as the night drew on. humans and turians mingled despite the amino difference, with the occasional batarian or asari also amongst the crowd. Each beat of the base now only lingered slightly in my ribs as they healed, and the lack of smoking on the primary floor helped keep things clean. Traesh had worked his way out to interact with some krogan customers and noted my nod of thanks as he bought me time to blend the ryncol with melted lard and a few other oddities that allowed it to form an emulsion for their drinks.

Passing the jugs of uncomfortably warm beverage to the group necessitated the server - Tianna - to make a pair of trips, and I'd already moved on to a mid-caste batarian customer when Traesh's booming voice rang out.

"Zeneska, over here."

I gave a gentle rotation of my head to the left in apology to the batarian, then looked at the two krogan my boss was with. While both lacked the secondary spike fringe my boss had, they still weren't very similar. The one on the left was taller than Traesh, a more average height for a krogan despite being hindered by a relatively small hump. His eyes were the typical yellow, the skin a mottled yellow-green tinged with grey and standing out from the almost black crest. The second was shorter in body, but with a larger hump that towered over the other two krogan. His crest was odd and mutilated, dozens of rings individually pierced into the bone plate that made a form of chain-esque armor and revealed flashes of a pale blue surface underneath.

You should really get a nice flamer module for your tool. Okay, and with that I'm getting paranoid. Probably justifiable at this point.

I rolled my shoulders and vaulted over the bar instead of walking to the folding section, then strolled towards the group of krogan and tried not to give any sign of my nervousness. Traesh kept his head turned so a single eye could track me from the side, while the one without the crest rings turned to face me completely.

"What do you need boss?" I asked, taking a firm stance with my hands relaxed behind my back. "Some more drinks for your guests? Or should I grab some of the rations you keep stashed?"

"It is nothing of that sort, human. I know I said we were "even" before, but I wish to inform you that I may have an opportunity for you to make some cash."

I opened my mouth to speak up, tilting my head slightly up before I was cut off.

"Not now human, tomorrow. I waved you over so these two business folk-" I glanced between the other two krogan at the words. "- could give any comments on you, and so you'd be familiarized with them."

"I got a comment, why you sending a pyjak with a dinky little rifle with us? Why not one of your asari dancers with biotics. The Syella you spoke of prior, or even one of the turian bouncers? What purpose does the squishy mammal serve?"

At least he hasn't threatened to eat me.

Taking a hint from Traesh, I raised my omni-tool at the mention of biotics and activated the haptics momentarily, trying not to back away from the rancid breath as the large-humped krogan with the plate rings got into my face, his gaping maw made me almost flinch at the smell.

And this is why Traesh surprised me at first. I'm more used to this shit from krogan given the citadel experience. Surprised there's so many there really, I wonder if they're leftovers from when they were lauded as heroes.

Traesh answered, both to chastise the other krogan and provide me with a modicum of details. "You know how she is Urb, sending another blue isn't going to be taken well and a batarian she'd just kill. Turian or Human to get her respect, and Nikolai seems competent enough based on past conversation. He has some surprisingly decent dampening programs on that tool of his, should help if things go south. Otherwise you show up and negotiate the trade with her, then pick it up the next day. Simple."

You going to go up against a biotic for more money, are you fucking stupid considering this? Not really though, I don't want to make Traesh think I owe him at all after the incident with my tool, despite what he says at least this is a favor for a favor. I'll have two Krogan for discouragement. Yes, since you know that means so much Nikolai, remember the Blue Suns Krogan on Horizon?

I wavered for a few seconds and tried my best not to shift under the gazes from three significantly larger reptiles.

Dammit

I reigned in a sigh to maintain appearances and answered." Okay boss, I'll do it."

Traesh nodded and turned to face between the two other krogan. "Human will do it, just let him talk and look as tough as you usually do and it should go well. I'll give him his tale later on.

My boss gave me a dismissive wave as I rolled my eyes at the comment, taking a moment to harden my stare at each of the other krogan before returning the way I'd came, counter-vault included. I settled back behind the counter and watched the pair leave, another customer order flagged on my omni-tool that I ignored for a few seconds. I'd just filled the next order when his voice rang out again in my direction.

"Nikolai, your shift is almost finished and you seem disposed. Go grab one of the Trident swills you're so fond of and get out from behind the counter. I'll comm Vetrarian to come out a few minutes early and pick up the end of his shift later."

You haven't had a drink since before you were using the maxx, sure you want to break that streak? Yep, may as well actually socialize with someone I haven't seen in years.

I'd started in surprise at him sending me off twenty-six minutes early, but quickly gave a nod of thanks and had rummaged to grab a northern blend of the drink, slightly more acidic in taste with less of a salty tone then the general equatorial mix I'd usually go for. I took the time to exit the bar area properly this time and made my way to the folding-up section to exit. As I left the center, I checked the area, a quick glance revealed Henry and his group were still at the same table. The humans on the booth with turianoid chairs pulled up around the open side for their fitted species. Based on noise and body language the inebriation level had gone up at the table.

I looked at the drink I'd grabbed at my boss's request, contemplating it for a few seconds.

Sure you want to? It's easier to avoid altogether, but it also is something that was never an issue until before. You made what, one bad mistake? Said mistake caused by drinking probably got a bunch of people killed and made you more of a murderer. Was it? I doubt my presence did much.

I'd opened my drink on the way and took a long sip immediately.

Such a good idea. Maybe I can get used to normalizing this again?

As I approached Henry he must have caught sight, for moments later he turned around from his new partner and called out with as much enthusiasm as I'd expected while seeming forgiving my prior dismissive stance.

"Niko! Good to see you still keep your word! Come, I'll scooch over to give you room."

He shuffled over to the side, squishing the woman next to him into the wall and leaning back into her to give me a space. Her face flustered for a second before she glared at me, then turned down to stare at Henry when I cocked an eyebrow.

"Why is the bartender coming towards us? Spirits Henry did you make a friend again? Could've at least asked for a discount or something if you're chatting up the staff"

I glanced at the turian across the table as she chided him, then shuffled into the offered spot and took another long gulp of my drink. The sour-salty drink brew lovingly parched my mouth as it went down, and I set the glass in a free spot on the table. I leaned back slightly and intended to speak, but Henry beat me to it. As usual.

"Nah, I didn't make a friend Katyain. I know Niko from Earth, went to school with him before he went off world." He turned from her and spoke to me directly. "Last time I saw you in person was before you left, then some messages from when you were on the Citadel."

I winced slightly, then leaned onto the table with my elbows as I tried to think what to say. I took another long sip of my drink to help and felt everyone's eyes on me as I did so.

"I left the Citadel Henry, I've only been on Emerald for a few weeks now."

His expression became a lot more serious. "No shit Nikolai, I can see you left it. Thought things were going pretty well, last I heard you at least had an apartment and a job in the wards. That's a hell of a lot better than a lot of people get. So what happened, what'd you do?"

I let out a purposeful sigh, moving to crack my neck and frowning when I couldn't get the motion range to do so in the armor. "A few things happened and I had to leave Henry, but it looks like you got yourself a decent crew anyways. Miners? Scouts? I sure as hell didn't fare you as the merc type."

His body language and facial tics let me know he noticed my evasion, but he still gave me an answer. "Shamshui series-six freighter crew. Twelve of us in total on the ship, we've got a run between a few of the traverse colonies. Mostly we ship some non-prefab goods to a few class-5 settlements, drop their wares at Albetto."

The cybered-up woman chose to speak, admittedly surprising me with a vibrant voice instead of the flat drone I'd expected. "One-sided conversation so far."

"Yeah, it is. Look Henry, I left the Citadel May twentieth last year. Worked security on Freedom's Progress for a bit before I again had to leave and came here. I don't know how your year's been, but I've really not been in the mindset to talk to any of my friends."

"You were never good at staying in touch with friends while away."

I know he's right. Dammit what do I actually say?

"Dammit Henry I killed people. Doing my job caused it twice, and the second time was intentionally. It's why I'm bartending and not on security anymore, I don't want the same situation."

I wasn't going to mention afterwards. I didn't want disgust or pity.

The turian spoke up again, her unique voice somewhat inaudible due to the general noise but still clear enough for me to make out the words with some effort. "Nikolai, we don't even know yo-"

I rudely cut her off, caught in my own tirade.

"You didn't need to know that. I didn't want any of my friends to know that, it's part of why I didn't call. Pathetic as this probably sounds to the turians and ex-alliance lady in the corner." I glanced at the cyborg and tapped the spot on my neck where the Alliance "A" tat was peeking out from the collar on hers.

"But really Henry, I'm okay here. I've got a place to stay and a job, both of which are relatively safe. The planet has enough interest to warrant a force that staves off pirates, and well, yeah…" I trailed off once again, looking down at my drink before taking another long, parching swig.

Swig complete, I looked back up. The atmosphere of the group had shifted, no longer as boisterous and upbeat as before I came. The Turians were quiet, unsure what to say to the human. The ex-alliance borg didn't care, and Henry's partner was still shooting me a somewhat pissed-off glance. His demeanor had fell, shoulders slumped despite the maintained smile.

Yeah, time to go. This didn't work out how I wanted it to and it's better to leave. This is why you usually stay quiet dipshit.

I got up and downed the rest of my drink quickly, then blanched for a second at the intensity. After scooching my way out of the booth, I turned around to say something, tripping over air as my mouth opened and nothing came out.

Looks like he has some new friends, some new crew. Better then you'd be at this point anyways.

I shook my head and waved goodbye, fast steps out through the door of the establishment and into the cooler night air. I ignored my surroundings as I walked on autopilot, not bothering to glance back at the club until it was out of sight. I'd stopped momentarily, a moment to try and catch up and think for a minute when I'd noticed the other club - Pulsar Lenaya- nearby, raunchy signs plastered on the walls. I stared at the door, noting the mercs and miners crowded outside loitering.

I'd kill for a hit of maxx- ah shit, that's not a good thought.

I almost turned to walk to Xorinal's place at the thought of the maxx, before I stopped myself and shook my head, despite its desire lingering with several unpleasant visual memories. I again glanced at the club, sorely tempted to head inside the much less reputable location.

Head home Zeneska, you really should just head home.

I ignored the rationalization and walked closer to the club, the tones of batarian beat-cants becoming more audible the closer I got, with tinges of the terminus asari remix nature peeking through in oddly bright notes. I stopped across the street, then took a moment to analyze the crowd outside. Krogan bouncers in armor I couldn't place held Batarian-made AT-11 Protector "crowd control" shotguns in their arms and stood watch over the gathered people outside. I'd noticed the crowd wasn't a lineup or waiting area, but another aspect of the socialization free from any restrictions inside so long as within the law.

I dismissed my nerves and crossed the street after a truck had passed by, then stopped on the edge of the building and leaned against the wall for a moment, still contemplating entry despite the losing battle of rationality. Given it was Emerald, everyone was armed - that wasn't a surprise. Notably however, everyone had actual armor suits akin to what I was wearing rather than the usual flak jackets or light plate miners and omni-foundry workers would wear for general protection.

Crowd is mostly mercs, security specialists and the paranoid. Likely more krogan bouncers to discourage anything and enforce a mutually assured death clause. May as well, got nothing else productive tonight.

After brushing past a group of planetary defense force troops in armor lingering on the corner of the crowd I managed to slip into the entrance area. The krogan bouncers regarded me with an eye each as I walked past, one checking my metrics on his omni-tool as I passed through the scanners undoubtedly at the entrance.

"Don't cause any trouble or human, self-defense only and try to keep it non-lethal."

Totally safe, just a bunch of armed scum and hardasses with gear and guns. Probably only works because half the customers are EDF troops. How the fuck is this legal?

I stepped inside, not bothering to do my usual comparisons and instead shuffling up to the curved, thessian-inspired bar that took up a chunk of the closest wall. I took a seat on the end stool next to white-haired soldier in EDF colours, the only available spot on the line. The human bartender looked at me for a moment before I pointed at the low-quality tequila and held up four fingers. I got a nod and the clear-silver liquid was placed in a glass in front of me moments later, slice of reddish-purple Terra Novan plainsapple fruit on the rim of the glass to bite when I was done. I took a gulp and downed the quadruple before biting down on the tart, buttery fruit as the liquor burned down my throat. I isolated a credit chit and set up a tab as I ordered another, receiving and downing it just as quickly as the previous before settling to stare at the glass for a bit.

The effect of eight drinks in succession kicked in, and the background patterns of my random idle thoughts faded away into blissful silence. I looked up, motion continued a few degrees more than necessary before stopping as my head panned right to left across the floor. A wall to the right of my seat gave way to a path between the sidebar I was at and the dextro-serving island in the center. A single elcor in plated gear stood in the center, the automatic droning of its voice translator audible through the mix of dialects my implant was barely picking up on. Everyone gave the large being a wide berth, even intoxicated most knew better then to annoy the car-sized creature from a high-gravity world to the point it's temper finally got the better.

Good for you to keep Henry safe like that Niko, he really doesn't need the luck you've had lately to follow him around. Just keep in mind a lovely thought, the scene your friend and his new crew warming up a ship as you flee to them, only to watch them die one by one for coming to your aid. No Niko, you really don't need to be around an old friend at all.

The bartender paid my frozen stance during contemplation no mind, only giving a flick of her eyes when I signaled for another drink, only holding two fingers up. I gave a small tip and got an extra fruit wedge, which I placed in my mouth but didn't chew whilst I resumed my more routine scan of the bar, surely losing details as my head started to swim. The dextro bar had mostly turians in colonial marked gear with a few outliers, traders and other individuals in common unmarked hierarchy hardsuits. The occasional human sat intermixed, enjoying a general tolerance for most of the selection that our digestive tract afforded compared to an Asari or Salarian despite the inaccurate general mindset.

Tales of exploits, cheap boasts and flirtatious conversations mingled for attention alongside shop talk, hushed conversations and general friendly banter that I didn't bother to focus on despite it being once again drawn to my attention by a sudden shift. My gaze shifted to the group of asari standing next to the bar, a single one in Eclipse colours and two in unidentifiable matching hardsuits that were talking to a grizzled turian merc with a cybernetic eye and a human EDF customs officer on off-hours, still wearing her armor with the "duty flipper" set to red.

I steeled my gaze when one of the asari met my gaze, mimicking the glare I received with apprehension and probably an unintentional trace of a leer before my adrenaline spiked. I realized just how close her eyes were to Syella's and in my state only focused on the similarities, backing away and falling off the stool due to the recognition and combination with my mood. She gave a condescending smirk and nudged the Turian, but I'd took the moment of distraction to quickly reseat myself and maintain my sweep to avoid any repercussive glares. I glazed over most of the tables, the mix of turians and humans in colonial defense uniform hardsuits not particularly interesting aside from the occasional odd but unremarkable appearance. A few of the tables held more obvious mercenaries, mostly freelancers in random gear despite the occasional Eclipse, Blue Suns or Nova Fist coloured hardsuit poking through the mix. Only three groups I'd recognized from cursory knowledge.

Why did you even come here? To drink away sorrows and watch the crowd of beings in armor and tempt fate? This gives me nothing, no perspective or resolution. Even dulled your thoughts still linger on more recent actions, perhaps you should have stayed at Traesh's, tried to talk to Henry one final time.

I stood up from my spot, a moment of disorientation at the motion passed quickly when I moved to lean against the wall, rifle and shoulder against the omni-dispensed material while my eyes glazed in a blank stare.

This is a waste, head back and try to salvage something. You haven't spoken to most of your friends for years. You owe them this much.

Another emotionally-driven course of action decided that I move towards the exit, inebriated enough to feel like I was flowing but likely just narrowly avoiding collisions with other drunk patrons. I didn't bother leaving a tip for the bartender, already having moved on in my mind. I ignored the cacophony of conversations while I rushed for the exit, then stepped out into the lit-up street. I continued on my walk, only to be confused for a second when the ground started to get a lot closer as something tapped my leg.

I realized I was falling and managed to get my hands out slightly, catching myself before rolling and sitting up so my gun didn't uncomfortably hit the ground. I pushed myself up and leaned against the wall, noticing one of the Krogan bouncers was walking towards me. I followed his gaze over my shoulder and let out a groan at the sight, the same eclipse-dressed merc and the turian veteran next to where I'd fallen, having apparently tripped me out of drunken amusement or viciousness.

My spirits buoyed by liquid confidence I stood again, making a show of dusting off my armor while I glared at the pair. The bouncer edged in, clear that if we got close to the actual club body parts would go flying, but also willing to see a single human get smeared in a drunken brawl.

I could maybe take the turian sober given I have armor on and he doesn't, still don't want those claws anywhere near my face. Neural shock mine? Asari might get barrier up and I'm screwed.

My mouth opened, a flicker of thought slipped into my vocal cords before I could consciously think on the words. "I didn't do anything to you. Fucking Eclipse joygirl."

Why did I just say that?

Her corona flared as I tensed, omni-tool manufacturing a dampening dart for launch. Neither of us moved, the krogan bouncer now aiming his shotgun in our general direction as a few other patrons looked on in curiosity. I saw credits change hands via omni-tool and frowned, knowing this wouldn't be particularly enjoyable.

"Look, I didn't mean anything. I've got other stuff to do." I tried my hand at diplomacy.

The turian took the time to comment. "Human, give an apology."

Before I could stop myself I laughed, my mouth ran away with the next sentence bolstered by intoxication and general annoyance as my brain scrambled to catch up.

"Apology? I met her eyes for a few seconds while sweeping the room. Try getting an apology from one of the dozen beings leering at her armor-plated blue ass instead of the one with too much on his mind to care for such. This is a waste of your fucking time turian."

I moved to walk away, slowly keeping my head in position where my field of view could keep an eye on them as I walked away, confident that they weren't going to follow and do anything aggressive. Happy at my flustered resolution, I caught sight of the turian making a gesture he had to have learned from a human and laughed again, moving on as I'd automatically reacted in my state. My reaction was an Asari gesture I'd learned from Syella, my two hands moving through the motion that should never have been used without proper consideration.

The eclipse merc's expression dropped for a second, before twisting into what I assumed was shocked outrage while the turian blankly stared between her and me in confusion. My brain decided to kick in and I started to run, dashing down an alley I knew would let me lose the pair if they followed. Footsteps followed behind me, each fall echoing in time with my own pace as I activated the armor's stabilization systems and fumbled to get my helmet on, managing to mash my still-damaged nose into a bleeding state and almost barrel into a corner in the process. I turned as I passed it, the leftwards path taking me between more unique structures instead of the easily predictable prefabs common in the area.

I ducked between the next set of buildings, then took another left to dart back into the main street. I crossed it in a few moments, barely aware of the crowd parting with various reactions. I darted into the alley on the opposite side, intending to turn towards Traesh's place for refuge and for unfinished business.

Nausea from exertion in my state was starting to build up, yet I continued to push on in fearful panic. I passed between a pair of miners heading home from work, catching their repeated exclamations several seconds afterwards as my pursuers still followed. I didn't look back, but only a single set of normal-sounding footsteps was audible.

Likely the asari, not too willing to use biotics in her state or can't charge. Turian would have caught up at the beginning without issue and swept you aside. You need to stop soon or you're going to vomit. Think.

I stumbled as my train of thought derailed and a headache flared, tripping on an old crate into the hallway and sent into the air with a sense of deja vu. My speed kept me carrying on for several seconds before I slammed into the ground and rolled instinctively to break the fall, still managing to jar my nose enough for the bleeding to resume and add further to the already iron-rich odor of my helmet. I attempted to scramble up before I felt myself leave the ground, lift field enveloping my limbs as I slowly spiraled and tried not to puke in my helmet.

I heard the eclipse asari speak from behind me. "Finally. Caught you. Stupid ape." Short on breath and slightly slurred her voice was still sharpened by anger. "You're not going." Another breath. "To get away after that."

I felt a tingle as I lifted off my feet, then a blow of force at my back as I slammed into the nearest structure before the field failed. I scraped down the side, a grinding whine in the air as my armor scratched against the rougher building material. I let out a grunt when I hit the ground, looking up to see her corona-wreathed form before she thrusted her arm forward in a memetic before I could raise my own omni-tool.

Why did I do this.

I'd expected to be thrown into the wall at bone-breaking speed. I got lucky and was only clipped by the edge of the field, sent to spin into the wall for some nasty bruises as the intoxicated Eclipse Asari staggered at the exhaustion. In my state I couldn't roll in time and had to watch her stagger closer as flickers of a corona briefly manifested and failed in tune with her wavering concentration. A last throw was flung my way, but already on the ground I rolled with it and plastered myself against the wall comparatively gently.

Raising myself to a crouch, I felt a non-biotic kick bounce on my chest and do little through my armor. Expecting a repeat, I managed to catch the second attack and twist the leg, which sent the pair of us to the ground again. I rolled away and into the wall, ignoring the tenderness from the same spot managing to hit it all three times.

Finally getting to my feet I grimaced. I glanced at the still-floored Eclipse merc and looked at the UI icon for my never-used immunity package with a frown as I re-mounted my helmet. I took a breath and stepped away before breaking into a lopping run out of the area.

At the end of the block and near Traesh's I turned back and used a camera to zoom in. The turian she'd been with prior looked at her stumbling form and glanced my direction in drug-addled confusion, not quite sure what to do before the other two asari they'd been with each grabbed one by an arm and led them away, ignoring me entirely as I stumbled my way into Traesh's place. My head started to pound from the action and alcohol as the adrenaline wore off. I triggered the painkiller dispense on my suits medical suite and felt the telltale prick, sighing as relief flooded my veins.

Great. Another thing you've taken too much pleasure in lately.

As I got closer the bouncers at the door glanced at me in recognition. Both of the turian's flicked their mandibles at my state, a blood-painted face and crimson streaked on the front of my armor an apt attention grabber. One of them stayed to watch the door while the other dropped into a turian sprint and closed the distance, awkwardly trying to place arms for support despite unfamiliarity with human kinematics. He settled with hooking his hands under my arms around from the side and hoisting. We both ignored the grinding of armor plates from our suits as I relaxed into the grip, lifted clean off my feet by the armor's servo assist and larger species musculature.

I accepted the action and drunkenly grimaced in discomfort, the turian doing his best to stay stable as I was carried through the door. A chirping whistle cleared a small path, and I watched the crowd stare for a few seconds and murmur before quickly going back to their previous attentions as we passed through the club. One of the other bouncers strode beside us as escort, having joined from outside my field of view as we approached the employee's area at the back.

Upon entering the door, I was carted to the same seat I'd sat in prior to my shift. Seconds later I was gently but unceremoniously dumped into it by the bouncer. I moved to stand up. My head buzzed, still numbed from the painkillers as the room got foggier by the second. The bouncer mumbled something - my translator picked it out - but I didn't consciously acknowledge the words as he walked away. One of the dancers took a seat next to me, watching as another human bouncer walked into the room with a cleaning tool and started getting the blood off the front of my armor's torso, blissfully silent.

The dancer spoke up, her voice cutting through the silence as she interrogated me out of concern for another employee returning in this state.

"Zeneska right?"

I nodded in acknowledgement, trying to focus on her words. She relaxed slightly when I responded.

"Alright kid. You don't look too well but you seem to be intact. Wait for Traesh to get down and he ca-".

Her voice trailed off, unneeded as the heavy footfalls of armored Krogan took its spot. I looked up to see my boss walk into the room alone, neither of the krogan from before present. He looked at me and at the bouncer wiping blood off my armor and nodded when the dancer gave me a fabricated cloth for my face. I started to clean it and felt the sting of disinfectant on small cuts as I did so, stomach unsettled by the antiseptic smell in my state.

"Human, you got slammed up doing your job before. But I have yet to see you act stupid enough for it to happen when your drinking. Mentioning it I seem to recall you not drinking much prior to this either, but that's also not relevant."

I nodded, not in the mood to argue and just wanting to go home.

"I would like to know what actually happened here, so stop being a wimp and tell me. You did show up here after all Nikolai."

I grunted, then leaned forwards and removed the cloth from my face before responding, words slurring slightly despite my efforts.

"Went to Pulsar Lenaya to drink, accidentally pissed off an Eclipse Merc. Asari, apparently enough for her to do this. Not super surprising given the…" I trailed off, not sure of the gesture's actual name. I signed it quickly for reference, and saw the dancer plant her face into her hands in the corner with a sharp breath of air.

Traesh let out a laugh at the action, clapping me on the shoulder before his face twisted into disapproval for a krogan. "Don't pick fights above your level human. You can't regrow everything - not without a lot of money anyway." He looked to the turian bouncer who'd dragged me in. "Take him back to his place and see he gets there unharmed."

We left the establishment, I'd managed to wave off the offer to be carried and walked on my own unsteady feet until we reached the employees exit instead of cutting through the main crowd. I exited the building and turned towards my place, ignoring the other beings on the street. Halfway to the apartment I stumbled and was lifted up as a result, slung over the armored shoulder like a sack of flour and resigned to giving door instructions and clumsily using my omni-tool for the lock when we got close.

Opening the door, I stepped into the room and was greeted with the smell of takeout and Asari honey-mead, both left on the small table across from the small couch in the central area. I waved away the turian after a brief protest and closed the door, uselessly glaring at Syella passed out on the couch with splayed limbs. I rolled my eyes and walked past her without a second thought to grab the blanket from her cot and drape it over her sleeping form before slowly removing my own armor. No longer hooked up to the medical suite my headache came back, and I popped some painkillers and rolled onto my side after slowly easing onto my cot.

You still need to go to Traesh's tomorrow, hope whatever his job is don't end up getting you killed. No messing up like today, or you won't be able to walk it off. And yeah, you need to do this. High-quality reshaping of your armor after the last mess cracked some panels cost a good amount of your savings, even with the bounty from the slavers ship and assorted pay you've scrounged.

CODEX - M-080 Bull AFV

The M-080 'Bull' armored fighting vehicle was part of the crash-series of new vehicles developed during the First Contact War. Intended primarily as a logistics unit the interior is relatively spacious to accommodate a variety of cargo, or to house an extended troop module for passenger transport. Twin cockpit modules provide a clear view of the terrain for the driver and commander at the expense of armored protection, while large tires provide ground clearance for uneven terrain.

Now the vehicle is held mostly as a reserve unit in Alliance garrisons but remains a staple for local militia's and mercenary groups. It's sealed interior compartment and small embankment airlock allow it to be used in most conditions, though it lacks the vertically-aligned mass effect core later vehicles have.

While the stock logistics models are unarmed, several variants do exist which serve as dedicated weapons platforms. Commonly sold modules include a 145mm mass accelerator or munitions rack intended for surface site bombardment or GTS duties.