Mass Dragon Effect I: Shadows of the Past
Chapter 6: The Politics of the Citadel Part 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or Dragon Age; it is owned by Bioware under EA, for now.
Beta Reader: Albert
Last Update: 10/31/21
Location: Serpent Nebula/Window/Citadel/Wards: Chora's Den
Human Date: February 5, 2183
In the dark rooms of a sleazy bar, a brutal firefight broke out between the soldiers of the First Battalion and Fist's hired criminals. A fight under any normal circumstance would be one-sided and last only a few minutes due to the Federation's superior skills, technology, and teamwork. However, in this case, the fight was closer to equal than to the soldier's liking. For one, they were put in a defensive role as they defended the civilians from the thugs that did not care for the lives of their boss's clients. They were also facing off against stiff opposition as one thug out of every four was equipped with military-grade armor, shields, and weapons, along with enough cover to drag the fight out. Long enough for a human of Asian descent to pop out a VI-controlled camera to report the news live. Her messy bowl-cut hair and damaged dress conveyed the chaos around her.
"This is Emily Wong of Alliance News reporting from Chora's Den here on the Citadel. A large Crime Syndicate that has used the strip club as a front has brazenly opened fire on Federation soldiers investigating the attack on Eden Prime. Civilian casualties are mounting as these men have opened fire on everyone in the room, even their own employees. Federation forces and a few of their allies have returned fire. As well as established a defensive line in an effort to save as many bystanders as they could. While trying to push the criminals back," Emily reported as the camera focused on several civilians.
A few were scattered around, trying to stay undercover while a large group, which included Jenna, were under the protection of Tali's defense drone and the former Turian General Septimus. The latter trained to the point that even inebriated, he was still a better shot than most of the thugs attacking them. Nearby, Lieutenant Ashely Williams kept the opposition at bay with suppressive fire and deadly headshots with her new M-99 Saber. A heavy assault rifle that can pull off fantastic headshots similar to a sniper rifle but with a high enough fire rate equivalent to a semi-automatic gun needed for engaging enemies at close range.
Though getting closer to the entrenched soldiers was the last thing the organized criminals were worried about as a quarian engineer sent a drone to attack the rabble. While sabotaging military-grade weapons and kinetic barriers of the elite thugs scattered among them. Putting their opponents into a perilous position as they faced a rampaging krogan that either flung them around with his biotic powers or blasted them up close with his shotgun. The gunfight had turned into a bloodbath, and it was all being recorded by Emily Wong.
A dedicated reporter, who had continued to report on the fight, even as she slipped over the bloody floor. She landed onto the body that was making the floor slippery. The corpse was an asari striper who had removed her top and bra to reveal her sizeable, perky breast to her turian client before the firefight took place. The hired guns of this establishment had not hesitated to put three bullets into her back and five more into the client who lay next to her discarded clothing. The floor was saturated by the asari's purple blood, along with the turian's blue blood splattered all over their clothing and seats. It was a bloody scene Emily used to show how little these criminals cared about how many or who they killed as long as they killed the First Battalion soldiers.
She was so engrossed in the story that she did not notice the thug sneaking up behind her. The hired gun planned to use the woman as a meat shield, and he was close enough to grab her, but he was ambushed instead. The thug reacted with fear when a powerful burst of telekinesis enhanced wind sent him accelerating into a metal wall. With enough force that the target was instantly killed via blunt force head trauma. Emily Wong gasped after she realized how close she was to getting killed when she turned around to her savior to gasp, "Commander Shepard."
Since the fight began, Jane Shepard had been in the background, supporting her team with her ranged weapons and powers. Especially with bolts of electricity (electrokinesis), ice spikes (cryokinesis), fireballs (pyrokinesis), and balls of wind (aerokinesis) that exploded with enough force to shred flesh. All the while ensuring Wrex did not hurt himself or get into a terrible position as he moved across the strip club with his biotic charges. She stayed ahead of the krogan advances until she noticed the woman with a camera and one of Fist's armed employees coming up behind her. She dealt with the thug in a brutal fashion. Jane planned to have a long talk with the non-combatant as Wrex continued his onslaught before he slammed into a krogan bouncer that stood his ground.
"What the hell are you doing wandering around?" Jane demanded from the scared woman as Wrex engaged the krogan bouncer with electric gauntlets for close-quarter combat. "You could have gotten yourself killed."
"I'm sorry, Commander Shepard," Emily stammered as she heard bones crack as the krogan that faced Wrex screamed in agony due to a vicious strike by the larger krogan.
Wrex's superior age, experience, and skills in biotics allowed him to overpower his opponent and dominate the fight as Jane zeroed in on the reporter's words. "How do you know my name? Wait, do I know you from somewhere?" Jane asked as she opened fire on two thugs that tried to take potshots at a bloodthirsty Wrex.
"I'm Emily Wong, a reporter for Alliance News," Emily said as she watched Wrex finish off the krogan with a bloody head-butt. Before he fell back to prevent himself from being mangled by a volley of bullets.
"I thought you looked familiar. You are that reporter that did a segment on kickback scandals committed by Representative Don Champion from the Human System Alliance (a member of the Federation). As well as a more positive piece that looked at the assimilation of the majority of the old System Alliance Navy into the Union of Federations Navy," Jane commented as she kept an eye on the woman. At the same time, she pushed the reporter down towards cover. "What's a respected reporter doing out here?"
"I was looking into the corruption here in the Citadel, and it was going nowhere until you came in," Emily answered as she gave a nervous chuckle. "Though I guess it's a bit bigger than that since you're here, and I knew you were investigating the attack on one of our colonies." Emily then ducked to avoid a stray bullet when she asked, "I don't suppose you would be willing to tell my listeners what exactly happened here?"
"Not in the middle of a firefight," Jane stated as she pushed Emily Wong back. "How about this, if we survive, I'll give you access to all our unclassified data and even give an exclusive. How does that sound?"
"Looking forward to the talk," Emily enthusiastically agreed as she moved to safety, just as the cavalry arrived.
Two of Fist's thugs at the entrance did not know what hit them when a Vine Grenade landed at the feet and set itself off. They were surprised when vines burst out of the grenade and began holding them in place. Unable to move or duck for cover to avoid the four bullets that killed them. Soon after, John, Velanna, Legion-VII, Trex, and a turian unknown to Jane rushed in with guns blazing. Along with exposition, biotic power attack, and mage abilities. In an instant, the thugs lost all their cover, and they were caught between two well-trained units of soldiers. It was over after one final explosion from Trex's M-37 Falcon assault/grenade rifle.
With the field cleared, the group made the all-clear sign, as the turian, Garrus, saw the two bloody bodies on the ground and felt a wave of depression. He recognized the two officers as close acquaintances as he called his superiors about a gunfight at Chora's Den. As well as the multiple civilian casualties and two officers killed in the line of duty. All the while, Jane and John's team conferred as the civilians slowly came out of hiding.
"Thanks for the save, brother," Jane smiled as her brother rolled his eyes.
"It's no problem, Commander, but this is becoming a habit I hope we break. For there will be a time when I can't be there to save you from your own mistakes."
"Hey, my team and I could have handled it on our own eventually. In fact, we could have taken them out before your arrival if we had pushed harder than we did. The only reason we didn't was to keep civilian casualties at a minimum," Jane defended herself as John frowned.
"Maybe you should have pushed harder," John stated as Jane glared at her older brother. At the same time, the team's veterans rolled their eyes at the same old argument while the newer team members either agreed or gasped in shock.
"This is not the time for our common song and dance, brother, especially with reporters around," Jane stated as she looked at Emily Wong. The latter was busy reporting the aftermath and did not hear John's comment that would have gotten him in trouble. Again.
John became silent, as he did not need a lecture from Command about speaking his mind in public. Therefore, he was relieved when Garrus appeared to give them a report that inveterately switched subjects, "Captain, Commander. I've contacted C-SEC, and they'll be here in ten minutes to secure the scene and the civilians. That will give us enough time to talk to Fist."
"Good work, officer," John told the officer as Jane's team took notice of the turian.
Jane then looked at her brother with a thousand-watt stare, "So Captain, my Captain, will you introduce us to your friend?"
John rolled his eyes as he pointed to Garrus, "This is Detective Garrus Vakarian that we've all heard about. He has agreed to help us since he wants to see justice served, even if it means going against his superiors."
"And you're sure he is not just spying on us for C-Sec?" Ashely Williams asked with a raised eyebrow. "The turians are known to be loyal on a physiological level to the state and their fellow turians."
"Would it help if I swear that I am doing this on my own for my people? Saren is a traitor and a disgrace to all turians! He's a crazy varren who needs to be put down a long time ago, and I will make he will be this time!" Garrus exclaimed in a straight face that it made Wrex laugh.
"A turian with a sense of true honor and humor, we don't see that every day," Wrex chuckled as he developed a smirk as the turian frowned. He shrugged in response, "Well, regardless, I don't think he's lying. Turians are terrible liars and can only lie by not saying anything. So, I see no reason why we can't trust him to help us, provided he is useful instead of a waste of space."
"And I can be useful, krogan," Garrus growled as he activated his visor. "I can pull up the schematics of the station and ships that docked here on the Citadel. It's a great way for me to find things someone is trying to hide from me."
"Can it also tell us what we'll be facing?" Tali'Zorah nervously asked Garrus, who responded with a chuckle as his eyes lingered a bit on the quarian.
"I can tell you what they tell us during inspections. Outside of this bar is a warehouse, followed by a private room Fist uses as his office. And if I remember correctly, the latter is a panic room with no means of escape."
"Are you sure?" Kaidan asked.
"You would need a high-powered mining laser running for several hours to cut a hole out of that room. The Protheans and Keepers didn't skip when it came to building this place," Garrus explained.
"Okay, we've got a plan. Now it's time to get to it. Let us go," Jane ordered.
Garrus nodded before turning to the civilians grouped together with his omni-tool out in display to the civilians. "Hello, my name is Officer Garrus Vakarian. C-Sec is on their way, and I have just taken photographs with my omni-tool. If you are not here when they arrive, C-Sec will assume you have ties with Fist and most likely will track you down and arrest you. So please, don't run unless you want your whole life opened for inquiry via C-Sec investigation when they come after you."
The civilians grumbled as Garrus directed the team to follow him, leaving the civilians to wait for C-Sec. As the non-combatants waited, the heavily armed group approached a door with a simple lock at the end of the bar. It did not take an ounce of Garrus's skill to unlock it. Just a wave of his omni-tool equipped with a standard-issued lockpicking and hacking software used by tech soldiers trained in electronic warfare. Something the dockworkers at the other end of the door would not wish to face with one or two civilian-type guns and whatever they could get their hands on. Mainly harden-plastic boards and pipes.
They were brave fools standing their ground with such armament, "Stop right there! Don't come any closer!"
"What the hell is this?" Ashely asked aloud.
"Warehouse workers, all the rest of Fist's men must be dead," Garrus answered as the dockworkers nervously held their ground.
"Stay back, or we'll defend ourselves!" another threatened as Jane took the time to become the team's diplomat.
"You know, you don't have to do this and lay down your lives for what I am assuming is a horrible boss like Fist. You could just let us pass. After all, our business is with him, not you."
"Or you can stay in our way, and we will kill you in less time than it takes to pull the trigger, twice. So, what's it going to be," John added, making sure the uncertain men picked the right path.
They dropped their weapons as the leader agreed, "Yeah, yeah, you're right."
The warehouse workers then dispersed, but not before one last man commented, "I didn't like Fist anyway."
"Shepard-Captain, Shepard-Commander, while your strategy may not have been time-efficient, it was effective nonetheless," Legion-VII praised the Shepards.
"Glad to meet your approval," John grumbled as Jane looked around the room.
"Keep your eyes open. We don't know if Fist leaves behind any traps," Jane ordered as the team spread out. Far enough to expand the group's sight but close enough to respond instantly if one of the team got in trouble.
Alternatively, when a discovery was made when Tali called them out, "Shepards, I've found something."
The group rushed over to find a balding human on the ground with his hands shackled behind his back. He was a filthy man whose grey combat clothing was covered in grime and grease, while his face was covered in bruises. Though his face was not damaged enough to prevent Garrus from recognizing him, "It's Harkin."
"Confirmed, that is the Harkin-unit. Former liaison to C-Sec and CNIS units," Legion-VII reported as Harkin, with a face only a mother could love, finally woke up to a blurry world.
It took a few seconds before his bloodshot eyes cleared enough to see the large group in front of him. He made long glances at Jane, Velanna, Ashely, and Tali as his face formed a sly smile as he spoke in a slurred tone, "Hey babes, you come here often."
Tali and Velanna felt very self-conscious of their bodies while Ashely snarled, "Pig," as Jane counted up to ten to keep calm and not slug the vile man before her. Garrus figuratively slapped him as he growled, "You're on the ground at the mercy of others, and the first thing you do is act like a jackass to the people that saved you. You really are at the bottom of all pits, Harkin."
"Garrus," Harkin growled as he glared at the turian. "This is all your fault! If you hadn't roughed me up during your interrogation, Fist wouldn't have thought I gave you valuable information and tried to beat me to a pulp!"
"And whose fault was that you had anything to do with Fist?" Garrus asked rhetorically.
"Hey, it's not my fault the Federation and the Citadel doesn't pay me enough for the long hours they put me through. I needed my fix in booze and some lovely company, and they were not willing to help me. In fact, they performed a witch hunt on me!" Harkin yelled as others looked slack-jawed.
"Really, they went after you like it was a witch hunt?" Trex asked with a twitch as Harkin elaborated.
"Skim a few crew credits off a case, note in the file. Sell a few trinkets that C-Sec and the Federation would have sold anyway, note in the file. Sell some non-vital information for a few easy credits, note in the file. Being late with some paperwork, note in the file. Losing some transfer papers, another note put in the goddamn file. It was a goddamn witch hunt!" Harkin exclaimed as the team rolled their eyes.
"I think you got what you deserved, you ass," Ashely Williams added as she looked down at the man who grumbled in response.
"Hey, don't you look down on me. You soldiers have it easy. If you shoot someone and take their stuff, everyone claps their hands and looks the other way. While I would be forced to fill out so much paper, I could have drowned in it." Harkin sighed as he stated, "I should have been a soldier."
"Well, I am glad you aren't one, for I doubt you would make it past boot camp with an attitude like that," Kaidan pointed out, much to Harkin's displeasure.
"Oh, stuff it. This isn't a confession, and you're not my priest. So keep your ceremonies to yourself," Harkin growled as Jane lost her patience.
"Okay, enough of this. Do you know for sure if Fist is still here?" Jane asked the man.
"Yeah, he's still here, waiting in his panic room for you. I suggest you get to it unless you don't want to see his surprise," Harkin laughed as John sighed before he turned to the others.
"Okay, we know Fist is here, and we're ready to deal with him. But before that, we have to decide on what we are going to about Harkin!"
"I say we leave him tied up," Trex said with a shrug. "It's what, as you humans' say, he deserves for being an A-grade asshole."
Wrex laughed as he put his hands on Trex, "I agree with the kid. Let the man stew in his misery."
"But wouldn't that make him our responsibility. Since he would be our prisoner after we killed Fist," Velanna pointed out with her soft tone, forcing the others to reconsider their decision.
"Yeah, I don't want to be responsible for him, sir. So let him go, and he'll be C-Sec and FCIS's problem, again," Ashely pointed.
"Oh, thank you so much for that," Garrus grumbled as he rolled his eyes.
John did not need any more convincing as he cut Harkin lose with his omni-blade. Harkin then got up and muttered about getting a drink. Kaidan just shook his head as he stated, "That man is going to die with a bottle in his hand."
"Only if we're lucky," Garrus added as Jane looked at the others.
"Okay, that's enough. I see the door up ahead. Let's deal with Fist, get the evidence we need, and be done," Jane suggested, and the others complied, moving toward the door.
Within seconds, Legion and Garrus approached the control panel to bypass the doors. John looked over to Tali, "Ensign Zora, see if you can get us some eyes in the room to see what Fist is doing."
"On it, Captain," Tali saluted as she came upon a console and began to hack into the system with Legion and Garrus's help.
The room Fist locked himself in was a fortified bunker of the highest quality. A strong polymer composite alloy designed to be resistant to heat, stresses, and just about anything that will lead to its destruction. Combined with being over a meter thick, it would take hours to cut through. Assuming they had the tools designed to burn through the door protecting the room. In addition, it was a sealed room with its own power generator and a smaller scale life-support system found on most long-range starships. The room also had enough supplies to last for years comfortably, if not the rest of their lives. Luckily, there was some vulnerability in its safety systems.
Since the room was sealed, its sensors were dedicated to monitoring heat, toxic chemical and atmospheric levels, power from life-support, life signs, and so on. Therefore, if the room had a massive fire or picked up no life signs, the system would assume the person was in danger or dead, and the door would open automatically. A weakness Tali and the others exploited as she quickly gained control of the sensors to find Fist's location in the room. She also found schematics of the room and cameras Fist used to record meetings with his business partners should they betray him or try to walk away.
Tali had a bird's eye view, and what she saw caused her to squeak, invoking Jane to ask, "Tali, what is it?"
"Looks like Fist has taken his security to a new level. He also has two military-grade defense turrets ready to blast anyone that tries to enter," Tali reported. Before she showed the team the images from her omni-tool.
She showed them a large brutish man with a military crew cut was making final design modifications on two large turrets in the room. Ashely whistled as she remarked, "They look like older models than the ones we used on Eden Prime. They are standard machine gun turrets that fire in a continuous stream of bullets. Useful against infantry units and most animals. I bet the two of them together can take down a Geth Prime within thirty seconds."
"We'll need to take those out quickly. Otherwise, they could be a problem," John stated.
Trex then pulled up a grenade launcher and exclaimed, "I can fire grenades at Mister Wanda-Be-Gangster and the turrets. That would take care of the problem."
"And could accidentally destroy everything else in the room, making all this effort we are putting into this operation pointless," John pointed out. "No, we need finesse, and I have the perfect plan of attack. Officer Garrus, when you get the door open, you and Ensign Tali sabotage the turrets with your omni-tools, preventing them from firing. At the same time, Lieutenant Kaidan and I will use the overload ability on them, causing them to explode. From there, Lieutenant Legion-VII will help Lieutenant Commander O'Connell and Commander Shepard to capture Fist. The rest will function as a backup in case the plan fails."
The others nodded in agreement as Garrus and Legion-VII rewrote the environmental computer code, causing the sensors to read the entire room was on fire and open the door. From there, they followed John's plan to the exact detail. Tali and Garrus rushed in as Fist activated the turrets and disabled them with a sabotage function from a virus program delivered by their omni-tools. Kaidan and John then overloaded them, causing them to explode with Fist caught in the middle.
His shields were drained to nothing in an instant, and he was temporarily blinded by the blast. The crime boss did not notice his weapons taken away by Legion-VII or the hex formed under his feet until it was too late. He realized it was over when he fell down. Screaming in pain as an ice shard broke through his armor and embedded itself deep into his leg. Fist could not surrender fast enough as he laid out on the ground, bleeding.
Defeated, the crime boss was picked up and forcibly pushed into his couch by the krogans. At the same time, Tali went to Fist's computer to get the information they wanted. Fist looked at the quarian with a quivering heart until John and Jane forced him to look right into their eyes. Fist raised his hands in fear as he stuttered, "W-w-wh-who a-are you? W-w-what do you want?"
"Who we are doesn't matter, for either you'll be in jail or dead," John told the scared crime boss. "What we want is very simple. All your dealings with a certain rogue SPECTRE named Saren?"
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Fist tried to lie before he screamed out in pain as Wrex squeezed his shoulder.
"Please don't lie to us. My brother and my two large friends behind you are not in the mood for your attempts to cover your ass. Your guilt is obvious, and C-Sec is going to take you away for life in prison, assuming you don't piss my friends off enough to just kill you. So please, no more grandstanding and tell us the truth," Jane pleaded with a tone that conveyed to Fist that she would not care if they killed him.
A tone that convinced him to tell her the truth, "Okay, I admit it. I had dealings with Saren. But it was just strictly business. He knew I could get him things in the Citadel that the SPECTREs would not be authorized to get without some scrutiny. So, I sold him the things he needed, and that's the majority of my business with him."
"You said the majority of your business with him. What was the rest of your business like with him?" Jane asked as she pulled out her M-77 Paladin Pistol, examining it as if she was deciding whether she wanted to use it on Fist or not.
The scared man tried to backtrack his words since he feared the truth would lead to his abrupt death, "It was a slip of the tongue. I meant that was all the business I did for him."
Sadly, for Fist, no one believed him as the crime lord screamed when Wrex squeezed his shoulder as he growled, "Don't lie to us!"
"I-I-I," Fist stammered as John frowned.
"You're hiding something. What is it?" John asked in a tone that would make anyone quiver in fear.
Fist was shaking in his armor when Tali called them out, "I think I know, sir." Gaining their attention as Tali was getting long-range communication network Fist set up to play a message he had a day ago. "I was able to break the encryption he had for his computer. And was downloading all of his financial data and corresponding messages when I found something you may want to see."
Then with a few taps on her omni-tool, two dual screens appeared. One was Fist, while the other was an asari within the matriarch stage, the final stage of an asari's life. She is also very distinct, even among asari. Her light blue skin is starting to darken with her outlook on the universe. As conveyed by her black dress, black crown and black lips formed into a frown on her beautiful face. She was not a very pleased woman as her blue eyes stared into a very nervous Fist.
The real Fist paled as the one on the recording bowed to the woman, "My lady, it's good to see you again. How may I serve Saren today?"
"Simple, Saren wishes for these people to disappear," the asari stated as a list of targets appeared before Fist. Fist had read the list as the asari continued to speak. "Most are inconsequential as they were just test subjects for Saren's military projects. However, the two at the very top are priority targets, for they hold valuable information that Saren cannot allow the Council to know."
In the recording, Fist scrolled up the list until he reached the top two targets, Captain John Shepard, and at the very top was Commander Jane Sheppard. Fist looked at the asari as though she was insane, "Are you mad! The last thing I need is to get the Federation involved. I have a hard enough time keeping ahead of C-Sec! I don't need the military of the Citadel and the Federation after me due to killing two high-ranking officers within the Federation Navy in Citidel Space."
The asari, for her own part, remained calm and collected as Fist ranted at her. She then tilted her head and gave a small smile as she spoke in a regal tone to convey her threat, "Have you ever faced an Asari Commandoes before. Few humans had and lived to tell the tale," the asari threatened as Fist shivered in fear. Just before she gave Fist her ultimatum. "I'll make this simple. Either you hire someone to kill them, or I will have my Asari Commandoes do it and kill you as well for becoming a loose end. Do we understand each other?"
"Perfectly, my lady," Fist gulped in real life and in the recording as John and Jane turned to the man with disdain.
"I look forward to hearing about your success. May the Goddess Embrace You," the asari bowed before the transmission was cut, leaving Tali to continue her report.
"Fist then made contact with some group called the Black Kahunas for the mission to kill you, ma'am, sir."
"The Black Kahunas!" Wrex exclaimed as he let out a sharp whistle. "That's a group I do not want to tangle with again."
John, Jane, and Trex scolded at the group's name as Kaidan looked up to ask, "Who are the Black Kahunas?"
Wrex sighed as he explained to the group, "The Black Kahunas is an elcor mercenary band that is mostly seen in the Attican Traverse. They are known for using heavy explosives to kill their targets and not caring about collateral damage. However, they are not to be trifled with."
"Wait, you're talking about the same elcor that explained what they are feeling due to the fact most species cannot converse through their subtle movement conversation. As well as being as slow as a sloth," Ashely asked as Wrex chuckled in response.
"Don't let the elcor fool you. They may not be the fastest species, but they are the strongest thanks to their homeworld being a high gravity world. They grew up under gravity so intense that it makes anyone there so heavy that you could die trying to put one foot in front of the other. An elcor is so strong they could crush a krogan if they wanted to. Moreover, they have a hide thick enough that most standard caliber bullets can't penetrate it without putting a dozen rounds in them at least. And that is not including the fact the standard solider and mercenary like the Black Kahunas can wear heavy armor with powerful shields," Wrex laughed as Ashely's eyes widened in shock. "Combined with VI controlled rocket launchers and machine gun turrets, elcor military forces and mercenary bands like the Black Kahunas are a force to be reckoned with," Wrex added as John approached the shaking crime boss. The man feared that death was coming for him.
With a speed that seemed faster than a biotic charge, John quickly grabbed Fist and brought him to his face, "Where did you send your hit squad!?"
"To Market District on these Wards," Fist stammered out in fear. "I was told that the witnesses that Saren wanted dead are there. I've just gotten the confirmation of targets, and they are moving to attack them. If you hurry, you can save them."
John threw Fist down on the ground as the team tried to contact the witness's guards. John looked at Fist, his hand on his gun, ready to kill. He barely heard they could not reach the guards protecting their witness when he pulled out his rapid-fire, N7 Eagle pistol as Fist cowered. He was about to execute him when Jane stopped him.
"No, brother!" Jane yelled as she held her brother's arm firmly within her grasp.
"What are you doing?" John asked in frustration as he glared at his sister for answers.
"I'm stopping you from performing another renegade act that would get you investigated by FCIS, again. We don't need to kill an unarmed prisoner."
John growled as Jane allowed him to lower his arm to place his gun back on his hip, "So what do you suggest we do? Let him go?"
"Please, brother. I am not stupid enough to let a notorious criminal go as a show of mercy. Especially when we have someone here that can arrest him," Jane grumbled as she turned to the only turian in the room.
Her face formed into an infectious smile as she moved in close to nervously smiling officer, "Garrus, ol' buddy, ol' pal. Do you have a nice set of cuffs to be used on our friend who is on the ground? I am sure C-Sec would love to get their hands-on Fist to learn every naughty thing he has done. And of course, who he has been dealing with him."
Fist turned paler than an albino, as he looked up to a smiling Garrus as he held out some electronic cuffs, "Sure, whatever you ask."
Garrus worked like a flash as he cuffed Fist's arms behind his privately owned pole-dancing pole. Meanwhile, Tali downloaded the last bit of information for the FID, FCIS, and the reporter Jane talked to earlier. Once the prisoner secured for C-Sec and the data in hand, John ordered the team to move out. He hoped they would arrive at the Ward's Market District in time.
Location: Serpent Nebula/Window/Citadel/Wards: Market District
Human Date: February 5, 2183
Walking through the crowded hallways was a cybernetic, insectoid creature as everyone stepped out of the way, giving it a needed wide berth created by its four long legs. Space was created not out of fear but respect as the living green machine paid no heed to the people around it as it moved with a purpose. A small console was activated by the green insect as its four arms with four long fingers on each arm typed away as data scrolled across the screen. Its big black eyes on its large head swayed on its long neck as it read the popped-up hologram screen with a dedicated focus that made it oblivious to the world. So much so it did not notice or care that two figures stared at its cybernetic backpack fused on it.
"So that is a keeper of the codex that these omni-tools talked about," Sten stated as he looked at the keeper with great interest.
"Yeah," Sarah nodded as she looked thoughtfully. "Surprised we haven't seen one sooner. The Citadel is practically crawling with them." Sarah then shrugged, "Of course, the Citadel is the only place you find them as they are born and bred to maintain this place until they die. They are an amazing work of engineering that was made before the asari, the oldest existing species even knew how to write."
"Impressive, they are truly what all qunari strive to be," Sten stated before he walked off towards the rail.
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked as she followed Sten.
"The qunari believe that we only have one life, one purpose to which we are assigned by Tamassrans, the priests of our society," Sten explained to Sarah. "They determine what we are best at through genealogy, tests, and examination, and they train us at a young age to be the best in our role within the Qun."
Sarah whistled in understanding, "That is very different from my childhood… Um, when I was a little girl… my adolescent years," Sarah added when she noticed that Sten did not understand.
"Of course, it would be different. You were raised by humans, after all." Sten started, as a matter of fact. Just before he turned to Sarah to ask, "What were your 'adolescent' years like? I am curious about what it's like being raised by humans."
"It's difficult to explain," Sarah admitted. "The people who adopted me and raised me, my parents, were loving people that took great care of me and supported me. Even when I went into the military, which they had strong opinions about, I still talk to them whenever I get the chance."
Sarah smiled fondly at the memories before she remembered not-so-good times as they walked to the edge overlooking the market district. "But other times, it was difficult. The colony I grew up in wasn't the most diverse, and I stood out like a cat in a room filled with dogs. A few of the children loved to remind me how different I was and often mocked me for my horns."
A painful memory that still tormented her to this day. Sarah needed a brief distraction, so she looked down at the sight of Adam acting as a chaperone for Anders, Leliana, Merrill, and Varric. The latter of which got a crash course on their omni-tools. It was a welcome distraction, but one did not last as Sten waited for her to continue. And she reluctantly complied, "And schooling was worse. During my first and only year in school, I was struggling not to fail every class because I couldn't focus on multiple subjects."
"Multiple subjects?" Sten asked with a raised eyebrow before Sarah explained schools to Sten.
"Most humans learn best with multiple subjects spread throughout a year as it helps them retain what they have learned, and their schools are set up for such learning. In the first year of school, I was learning math, science, literacy, history, physical education, and an elective art class, painting to be specific. I could barely focus on two of them, and it hurt my grades given to show my performance in the process."
"Why do they emphasize so many subjects?" Sten asked.
"Humans believe in an individual's freedom, and history shows that those who are educated are more likely to find their niche in life without being forced down it. Not to mention that they believe those who are not educated in the history and sciences of the universe would be doomed to repeat the failures of the past. As it is easy to influence an ignorant person to follow a stupid path," Sarah explained before she got back on the subject.
"Knowing that didn't help me much as I struggled until my parents took me to a psychiatrist, a mind healer. The psychiatrist realized I could not learn more than two subjects at a time despite having a better memory than most humans. Therefore, I was homeschooled until I went to the Federation Naval Academy, which was prepared to educate every species in the Federation. I then graduated from the academy before I was recruited by the First Battalion due to my communication skills and ability to focus past any interferences or background noises. And as they say, the rest is history."
Sarah then shrugged her shoulders as she stated, "I may not live a focused life, but I live a good one that prepared me to be what I am today and find a purpose that I love."
"Then I'm glad you found your purpose in life," Sten smiled in a way that made Sarah feel special as she returned that smile.
"Could you tell me more about my people?" Sarah asked, and Sten agreed as Adam continued giving Leliana, Varric, Merrill, and Anders a tour.
That was until Anders and Merrill went over to a medical shop, the Sirta Foundation, a medical store that sells all kinds of genetic, biotic, and mage implants. Anders, as a part-time healer, was attracted by the various medical procedures and equipment advertised. In contrast, Merrill was interested in mage implants. Something she was fascinated about since she awakened into what she considered a magical world. The thought of being able to talk with demons without fear of possession called to her as she explored the shop. Meanwhile, after Adams ensured he could keep an eye on the two mages, he followed Leliana and Varric to another shop called Rodam Expeditions. Specifically, they looked at a unique weapon found in a hunter's shop run by a hanar.
Hanar is a pinkish-blue jellyfish-like creature with a slug-shaped body with two humps near the head instead of antennas. It was a creature that one would not normally associate with hunting due to its limited mobility on land. In fact, they need contra-gravitic levitation packs for non-aquatic environments to survive. The pack allows their soft bodies to exist in non-aquatic environments and allow them terrestrial-based movement. Overall, it is an ill-suited species for ground-based combat and was most likely hired to perform sales pitches. The average hanar is considered a social species that is generally very polite as it greets the group with a warm, synthetic voice.
"Greetings, customers, and welcome to Rodam Expeditions, where this one's owner offers many different types of weapons and travel packages for the customer to explore. Is there a particular item or package of interest the customer wishes to see or hear more about?"
"Yes, I am very curious about the bow and arrows you have on the wall," Leliana pointed to the compound bow on the wall.
The hanar turned to look at the bow before it turned to Leliana, "This one sees you have an eye for quality. The bow you see is an MB-5 Compound Bow, made for hunters who want to hunt like their ancestors."
"Like who?" Varric asked the hanar out of curiosity, who looked back, confused. "I mean, who would want to hunt like their ancestors when they have weapons that make it so much easier to kill and less risky to one's life."
"This one understands your question and has an answer for you. At first, it was mainly sold to turians and humans who still live within tribes that hunt for food or for ceremonial reasons. However, many hunters have used them as a challenge to prove their skills and secure bragging rights against their fellow hunters. This one's employers are more than willing to help them experience the hunt that many claimed to be exhilarating."
"I noticed it's not your standard bow, is it?" Leliana asked.
"This one is glade you good eyes to see it isn't your standard bow for that would be too dangerous for this one to sell," the hanar admitted. "Many different animals have skin so thick that it would take a high caliber civilian or military-grade weapon to penetrate it. Even an old enough pyjak and varren would take a high-power weapon to kill them in one shot. This is why the MB-5 Compound Bow is made of nearly indestructible material and an added element zero-based generator to increase the tension and force within the bowstring. As well as a mass accelerator at the base to make it a weapon comparable to a sniper rifle."
Leliana had stars in her eye as Adams looked on in interest, "If I could take it apart, I could possibly figure out how to modify some of your weapons to make them worthwhile. It would be a waste to let all your training in your preferred weapons do not go to waste."
"This one is pleased that you appreciate the MB-5 Compound Bow design. However, this one is forced to remind you that you cannot manufacture weapons similar to the compound bow due to trade rights. Unless you purchase a Rodam Expeditions' License," the hanar reminded Adams. "Only after you purchased the license and weapon schematics may you manufacture the weapon, as well as buy additional upgrades for the weapon."
"How much for the license and weapon?" Adam asked the hanar while keeping an eye on the nearby Sirta's facility that Merrill and Anders had wandered into.
The hanar was about to comment on the price when they heard a loud rumbling outside. They turned to see four large elcor had made themselves known. The elcor are giant creatures that resembled short, big-mouthed earth elephants, minus the trunks and tusk, while having hands where its front feet would be in a pachyderm. Their oversized hands (feet) were balled as they strolled slowly on all four. Standing taller than a krogan, the elcor can be intimidating if they wanted to be, and these elcors were no exception. Especially since they wore heavy armor and had VI-controlled machineguns and rocket launchers on their backs. Everyone nervously looked at them as the elcor made clear their intention.
"With a threatening tone: we are the Black Kahunas, and we have come to kill you all!" one of the elcor said before they opened fire.
Adam's group quickly ducked with most of the locals just before the explosions happened. Unfortunately, others were not so lucky as their flaming bodies, as well as glass and plastic spread across the floor. Only the Citadel's wall and its bulletproof glass held as people desperately used them as cover. At that moment, the four-man protection squad shadowing the locals from Thedas revealed themselves and opened fire.
This drew the elcor's attention as they returned fired on the unfortunate soldiers from the Federation. While the soldiers were well trained compared to most Federation soldiers, they were not elite special forces found in the First Battalion. Instead, they were security personnel from the USS Normandy. Highly trained soldiers to complement special forces and fill essential roles that do not warrant N-Rank Special Forces. That includes providing day-to-day security for the USS Normandy and protecting personnel that was not considered high risk. That had included the witness from Thedas/Eden Prime. They were doing their hardest to protect them by eliminating anyone who threatened them.
Unfortunately for these soldiers, it was a hopeless battle. They were not N-Rank Special Forces and lacked high-end ordinances. Moreover, they were trained and equipped with weapons meant to quietly intercept threats, not take down forces equivalent to an M-35 Mako. Therefore, they were only able to accomplish two things. One, allow the group to run to better cover, with Anders finding an excellent location to hide for increased survivability. The second is to kill one Black Kahuna before the elcor blew up the last soldier, a krogan, into burning chunks of flesh.
Satisfied that they killed off their latest distraction, the elcor slowly chuckled before they opened fire on the various shops Adam and his group took cover in. Figuring they had enough ordinance that it eventually cave-in or get a lucky shot and kill them. People caught in the crossfire panicked and died as several returned fire with weapons they had or acquired from shops. It was chaos as Sarah and Sten realized from their hiding spots as they watched those they could observe. Leliana and Varric could not get a shot in with their acquired M-6 Carnifex. At the same time, Adam was forced into a crouch position with his M-5 Phalanx. Merrill tried to fire off spells like electrokinesis with little success. Thanks mainly due to enemy suppressive fire. Anders was so well hidden that they had no idea where he was, and the elcor assumed he escaped from the battlefield and will have to hunt him down.
Realizing the situation, Sten decided his course of action. He got out his sword and snuck towards the Black Kahunas as Sarah yelled at him to come back. "Don't go out there! You will just get yourself killed!"
"I am an Antaam (warrior/soldier) of the Qun. To back down from a challenge to one's life would mean dishonor. And I will show these Bas (non-qunari) that fighting a qunari is death," Sten growled as he moved to face the elcor in battle, much to Sarah's exacerbation.
"Idiot!" Sarah exclaimed as she pulled out her M-5 Phalanx and tried to stop him but was distracted by a massive explosion below her.
Location: Unknown, Appearance Resembles the Serpent Nebula/Window/Citadel/Wards: Market District
Human Date: February 5, 2183
Pain, what a terrible feeling Merrill thought as she floated just above the ground covered in debris. She tried to remember how she wound up in the room. It did not take long for her to recall that she left her chaperone with Anders to look at those mage implants mentioned by Jane, Velanna, and the Codexs. She was fascinated by the idea of devices that could prevent possession by demons. Possession to be turned into what her people refer to as abominations have always been a fear. Even if she viewed them as spirits, who want something from mortals.
She figures dealing with demons would be easier if they cannot possess one, and a part of her wanted to know more about the implants to possibly get her own. However, she needed a more unbiased opinion. She tried to find out more, so she moved away from the salespeople to the doctors and the average person to get their views that were hopefully non-biased. She was feeling more confident about getting the implant when the Black Kahunas appeared and attacked. She got to cover as Anders was able to run across the field to safety after those four soldiers gave their lives protecting them.
She knew they were in a pickle and tried to help her friend by firing off hexes, lightning spells, anything that could help them. To no avail as she could fire off only the most basic of spells while hiding behind cover. Cover that the Black Kahunas destroyed as the last thing she remembers was the computer screaming "containment failure" before finding herself floating off the dirty ground. In a room frozen in time as she was the only thing breathing or moving as she tried and failed to stand up.
Frustrated, she asked the one question anyone sustainable would ask in such a circumstance, "Am I dead?"
"No child, you are not dead," answered a bored voice as a figure seemed to materialize before her. A figure she could not quite identify, as though the creature could not brother to create a familiar or congruent shape. "In fact, you are very much alive. It is just time that has slowed down to the point that we can discuss without distraction. Not to mention it would be too much effort to talk over so many explosions.
Merril's eyes widened as things slowly began to click into her mind, "You're a sloth demon, aren't you?"
"Correct," the demon said in a drawl. "Do not worry; it would be too much effort to possess you."
"Why are you here then? How are you here?" Merrill asked in shock.
"I am here because I volunteered," the sloth demon responded to Merril's question. "I was in a containment facility waiting for a partner that paid, what I assume, a considerable fountain to the Sirta Foundation to make them a powerful magician. I don't mean to brag, as bragging is tiring, but I am pretty powerful. Any mage would get a substantial boost. The fact they will feel energized due to sharing their body with me is an added bonus.
"However, with containment down, and my intended partner possibly dead, I am looking for an alternative," the demon admitted.
"Possession?" Merrill asked in fear, and the demon shook what she assumed its head, 'no.'
"If I possessed you, then it means I have to put the effort in keeping your body alive. Not to mention I would be on the run and hunted down since abominations have an on-site kill order by both Federation and Council forces. One incident where over three-thousand people die along with a few other such incidents, and they assume every lifeform that has a demon in their soul without an implant is out to kill everyone," the demon signed in annoyance.
"No, a better alternative is you take my intended partner's place!" the demon exclaimed. At least as much as a lazy, emotionally drained demon could before using telekinesis to bring a hair shaver and a syringe-like tool used to put a magician implant in mages.
"Wh-wh-wha-what?" Merrill asked in shock as the demon elaborated.
"Yes, all you have to do, is shave off the back of your head to prevent contamination. Then place the injector at the shaved end of your skull, just above where it is connected to your spinal column, and then inject yourself with the implant. It should be able to burry itself directly through your skull and seal it with a medi-gel built into the device. So, it will be perfectly safe and easy to use. It was designed for ease of implementation, and upgrade if necessary to promote more mages to taking the implant without making it required by law, for now."
"Not that, though I do thank you for explaining how to use it," Merrill explained. "But that is not the point. The point is, what makes you think I would agree to be implanted?"
"Because your curious, and you want power," the Sloth demon answered with a yawn. "You want to be able to communicate to spirits to learn magic lost to your kind. Even if it means making deals with spirits that became demons. I can see it in your heart, and it is filled with so many burning questions that it is tiring. So, tiring that if the alternatives were not exhausting, I would not give you the option. But regardless of how I feel is irrelevant to you. What is relevant is that sharing a body would make it so much easier to ask entities in the fade questions if you don't have to fear demons possessing you.
"You are also burning with a desire of power to protect your people and newly acquired friends. And while powerful as you are, how little effect your spells on those elcor proves you are not powerful enough without the power boost I can provide. As I can provide the power to survive not only this encounter but also any future threats you will face out in outer space. And possibly at home as you'll need the power to seek out knowledge and protect the knowledge you seek from those wishing to destroy it."
Merrill hesitated as she looked at the shaver and syringe as she argued with herself, trying to determine if she took the plunged. It only made worst when she looked out to see her friends huddled in a corner, ducking for sheer life before looking back at her hands, feeling ten times their weight as she made a decision. "What's your name, demon?" Merrill asked.
"Fargo," the demon answered with excitement, as far as a monotone voice can convey at the very least.
"I accept Fargo," Merrill agreed before she picked up the shaver to shave the back of her head before placing the syringe near the back of the neck before asking, "Here?"
"A little higher, prefect, now press the button and then think about letting me in. I can take it from there," Fargo instructed, and as soon a Merrill pressed the button to inject herself with the implant. Her would was filled with a blinding light as she transitioned back to the real world.
Location: Serpent Nebula/Window/Citadel/Wards: Market District
Human Date: February 5, 2183
Back in the material plane on the Citadel, the elcor mercenaries felt much joy as they were blasting everything within their visual cortex. They always felt great excitement watching rubble and body parts fly in every direction. It was that very reason they were kicked out of a growing Council of Ducana's military. Which was expanded through funds from the Asari Republic. Due to the rising tensions of the Batarian Hegemony and the rising star, the Union of Federations. It was part of the reason they took great pleasure blowing up that human-looking girl with pointy ears (elf) with the destruction of the Sirta Foundation entrance. They saw a few bodies flew from the explosion made them think they succeeded in killing one of their targets as they concentrated on the others located at the Rodam Expeditions' shop.
They were so sure they got the young elf that they were not expecting a retaliation that may prove lethal. A dozen roots busted through metal and pulled the elcor down, squeezing their shields, weapons, and elcor themselves to death. The locals, not caring how it happened, took the chance to run for it or take their revenge. Using whatever makeshift weapons they could find or the guns they had on them if they had any. Only Leliana, Varric, and Adam noticed the viral and toxic attacks used to help weaken the elcor shields when Merrill appeared with a giant grin on her face.
"Hello," Merrill waved in excitement as she spoke like a hyperactive child on candy. "Did you see how I knocked down those elcors? I mean, I wasn't expecting that, but there are a lot of plants under their feet. Don't know why it felt like a mini forest. Can we go visit one when we're done here? I like to go see it. I bet it would be nice. What do you think um… why are you all staring at me like that?"
"Merrill, what in Maker's name happened to you?" Leliana asked with wide eyes.
"Oh, it was amazing. I thought I was killed when time seemed to stop after that explosion near me," Merrill explained faster than a hamster on a wheel. "Turns out it was a demon named Fargo who wanted to make a deal. I didn't trust it at first, but it pointed out the mage implants behind me, and I injected myself in the back of the neck. We fused, and I was able to save everyone, and he gave me a boost before he went to take a nap in my head." Merrill had explained as a panicked Adam examined the shaven back of her head to examine the implant with his omni-tool.
Adam's calm explanation comforted Leliana and Varric's relief, "The implant is stable, but it could use some modification and a military upgrade. However, I do recommend that Doctor Chakwas perform a more thorough examination and possibly surgery to replace the implant with a better one once we get back to the Normandy."
"Okay, that sounds good," Merrill added before she yawned.
"Daisy, do you feel alright?" Varric asked the young elf, who was lowering herself to the ground.
"I feel tired all of a sudden," Merrill admitted as Adam shook his head.
"I had a feeling this would happen," Adam had stated as he sighed. "I am no medical expert, but I read about these implants, and I think Merrill is becoming fatigued." Adam sighed again before explaining to them why she was tired. "If Merrill were implanted when she was a child, she would adapt quicker thanks to her synapses developing with the implants. As it is, she'll be feeling tired for days, possibly weeks. I am amazed you are still awake."
"I may have borrowed energy from someone else to be as active as I have been," Merrill yawned. "And now I'm sleepy and losing control of the roots holding the big meanies down."
"What!?" Leliana asked as she rose up to see the Black Kahunas were starting to break free.
In fact, the group leader had already broken enough vines to be able to grab one of the civilians, a salarian. Before he squeezed the civilian with one hand to the point, his whole body popped into a gory mess. Effectively putting real fear in the rest of the civilians that were now running. Leliana realized she had little time left before the elcor started to fire on them again when she grabbed the MB-5 Compound Bow and its arrows before she ran out, took aim, and fired. She watched it soar as it went through the air before it broke the elcor's weakened shields and continued through its eroded armor. The arrow went through one of the elcor's eyes sockets and went deep into his brain. She had killed the head elcor, and the other two were not pleased as they struggled with anger as they had freed themselves. Leliana ran for cover from the machine guns, just as Sten made his appearance.
Before Leliana killed the lead Elcor, Sten silently moved directly above the elcor for a sneak attack with his sword. Quietly and with precession, he worked to be above the trapped elcors. He waited until after Leliana's kill to make his move. Then, with a giant leap, Sten used both his strength and gravity to strike. The effect was evident as the feminine elcor screamed a girly pain as Sten broke through her weakened shields and cut deep into her armor. It was a powerful enough blow to cause unintended consequences. Through sheer pain-driven panic or damaged circuitry caused the weapons on the Elcor to discharge in a random direction, hitting someone important to the Federation.
Not that Sten noticed as he was too busy worrying for his own life. His strike did not kill the elcor, as she grabbed the qunari and slammed him into the ground. Breaking several of his bones and temporarily paralyzed him. Not that Sten noticed as he screamed out in pain as the elcor raised her front legs. The elcor was about to kill him when a biotic push sent her tumbling into a wall. Sten felt lucky as he turned to see John Shepard, Kaidan, and Wrex had come to his rescue as the female elcor shook off their attack.
Angered by the newcomer's interference, the Black Kahuna got on all fours and took aim at the three biotics with her rocket launchers. The elcor then pulled the trigger, expecting to blast them when she heard a loud winning sound. Fortunately, the elcor did not have the chance to see the quarian had sabotaged her weapons when they exploded on her back. Taking half of her back with it when she fell to the ground dead, leaving the elcor elcor remaining. An elcor who knew he was finished when spells like leach and hexes from Velanna drained the power of his shield. To the point, coupled shots from Garrus and Ashely Williams's sniper rifles were enough to take down his shield quicker than he could comprehend.
He knew it was the end, but he planned to go down fighting, preparing to open fire on the new arrivals when he got a fireball to the face. He howled out in pain as he felt a second spell hit him, one that started to make him feel bloated by a spiritual death spell. He did not know the full aspects of the mage's spell until Jane Shepard swiped across his neck with her flaming sword. Blood poured out at an abnormally fast rate as he fell to his knees in shock as the elcor fell onto his stomach.
He looked at the Commander to say in a garbled voice, "With a disappointed and angered filled curse: Damn!" before he lay down due to blood loss. The elcor bled to death before Jane ran to help Sten.
Sten stunned to see such a creature fall at the hands of the woman before his eyes filled with respect as he nodded to the woman as best he could, "Thank you for saving me, Commander."
"Glad I could help, just wished we had come sooner to help you," Jane told Sten as before she injected through her omni-tool the miracle gel known as medi-gel. A specialized synthetic gue and nanoprobes are used to seal wounds and temporarily mend bones.
"I will heal in time, and when I do, I will help you in your mission to stop Saren. This I swear," Sten promised while Varric, Leliana, and a tired Merrill came to the scene.
"So, will the three of us," Varric stated with a smile. "We're not about to leave you hanging and maybe pay back whoever tried to kill us. So here we are if you allow us to join."
"Well, you are skilled and could be an asset even if you are a bit primitive and will be held back," Jane noted as Merrill yawned. "But if you think its best, I won't turn you down your offers, and I think my brother will not turn down some extra hands."
"Especially with a chest like mine," Varric stated as he puffed up to show his burly chest. The group laughed as C-Sec finally arrived to cover the scene. After that, things felt jolly as Sarah came rushing down, checking them over when she noticed someone was missing.
"Where is Anders?" the female qunari asked, and the group searched until their eyes spotted near the blast spot was a young human mage they got to know.
The group was dead quiet as Jane and John slowly went over to the unmoving body. The duo became mournful as Jane got out her omni-tool to scan the body to confirm their fears. "He's dead. The shockwave from the blast had killed him."
Merrill and Leliana gasped in shock while Varric looked sad at the magical jokester's death. Then, things became silent as Sten put together what happened as he silently told himself, "My fault."
"Sten?" Sarah quietly asked as Sten looked down.
"I let my desire for battle, to prove myself a warrior in this new world I found myself in. But instead of proving myself, I had to be saved and got a comrade, even if he was a Bas Saarebas (mage/dangerous thing), killed. So, I am a failure."
"Maybe you are," Wrex grumbled as he looked at the young warrior. "However, as mistakes go for young warriors, it is not the worst mistake one can make. At least you are still alive and able to learn from this. Are you going to learn from this?" Wrex asked Sten, who looked at Anders's corpse.
"Yes, I will atone for the mistakes of the past. As long as you prove your worth, I will follow them to fields of fire and ice to atone for my mistake," Sten stated as he gave a silent prayer to the Qun.
Meanwhile, as Varric, Merrill, and Leliana stared at their fallen companion, Kaidan leaned over to ask, "Are you sure you want to come with us and help? There is a very good chance that you wind up dead as well."
"Yes, I am surer than anything," Leliana answered, with Merrill nodding along as tears formed in her eyes.
"So many died already. It wouldn't be right to quit now."
"What daisy said," Varric nodded with a melancholy feeling as Ashley voiced her thoughts.
"Good, because your training will start soon." Ashely then moved to help Merrill as medics came rushing in with the C-Sec police. "Now, let us get you all to safety first. We need you guys safe if we want to pin Saren for his crimes against you, me, and everyone else that lost friends and family to that son of a bitch. If you're able."
They nodded as the group was taken away to safety. Their path was set for all the souls that would call the Normandy home. May the fates look out for them during these dark times.
Finally done. Sorry for the long delay, but I have been busy these last two months and just did not have much time to write this chapter out due to work. Also, it took a long time to edit due to all the significant changes introduced. The first was a more in-depth conversation with Fargo and Merrill, possibly setting up some story threads I hope to explore. The second is the death of Anders, as he does not bring much to the story, and I wanted to show that decisions have consequences. As not killing Sten would likely not end with Anders's death. Finally, this chapter also took forever editing. I had to redo it a couple of times, so I hope you like the final product.
Bonus Scene: Two Days Later
"Welcome back. This one was jubilant to see your return after such horrifying events yesterday. How can this one help you?" the hanar shop owner asks.
"I am glad to see you are alright as well. As for why we are here, we came to see if you still have that Compact Bow and Crossbow for sale?" Leliana asked the shopkeeper.
"This one offers it for free for you and your team since you helped in saving this one's life," the hanar told the young woman.
"Great, and how much do you want for the license and blueprints?" Adam asked as the hanar looked thoughtful.
"This one is willing to negotiate," the hanar said as the world returned to normal for the business jellyfish. All was well.
Author Note
A) Gamer Choice if This Was a Game: Anders could have survived if Sten did not get in the fight directly and would take Sten's place if Sheppard killed him on the Normandy.
Character Stats
Name and Rank: Ms. Leliana (cadet)
Species: human
Class: Rogue Trained in Hypnotists (Tech)
Special: bard
Melee Weapon: molecular bladed daggers
Grenades: cryo grenades
Kinetic Weapons: mass effect compact bow, M-6 Carnifex, & N7 Valiant/Blue Widow
Ammo: inferno rounds
Next
Name and Rank: First of the Keeper Merrill (cadet)
Species: elf
Class: Creation Magician (Mage)
Special: keeper spells and power derive from a sloth demon named Fargo
Melee Weapon: molecular bladed staff
Grenades: vine grenades
Kinetic Weapons: Arc Pistol (power amplifier), & Geth Plasma SMG (power amplifier)
Ammo: particle plasma rounds
Next
Name and Rank: Sten of the Beresaad (cadet)
Species: qunari
Class: Berserker (soldier)
Melee Weapon: molecular bladed greatsword
Grenades: a sticky grenade
Kinetic Weapons: N7 Typhoon (heavy barrel, omni-blade & Stability Damper), Reegar Combine, & Blood Pack Punisher (heavy barrel & heatsink)
Ammo: cryo rounds
Next
Name and Rank: Mr. Varric (cadet)
Species: dwarf
Class: Rogue Trained in Infiltrator (Tech)
Melee Weapon: dual molecular bladed daggers
Grenades: flashbang grenades
Kinetic Weapons: modified mass effect crossbow, & M-6 Carnifex
Ammo: explosive rounds