Chapter 9

Trusting others

Here is chapter nine with the Berkestein mission. Not exactly my favorite but still good, i hope at least.

It will a while before i shall submit the next chapter i fear. I need to think about my exams after all

Normandy sr2, 21 march 2185, Lena's chamber. 9 45 ship hour

"What is the meaning of this?!" asked a pissed off Lena to the uninvited guests now residing inside her room. She had just finished a long and tiring training session with Shepard discussing about the next mission: it was a pretty straightforward infiltration mission, the objective entering inside the mansion of a certain someone called Donovan Hock, finding his treasure trove and recuperating an item called Graybox, whatever it was. Apparently this Graybox belonged to Kasumi's fiancee and recuperating the item was a must if Shepard wanted to keep her inside her team. Shepard accepted without complaints: he was no stranger to helping his squad mates and besides, Kasumi warned him that the information contained inside the object could have destabilized the entire Human Alliance.

Unfortunately Donovan Hock is not some common Blue suns thug or your average run of the mill criminal, on the contrary he is a member of the galaxy's upper society. Storming his house gun blazing was out of the question unless Shepard wanted to cause a diplomatic disaster, hence the infiltration mission.

Hock is a sybarite, Shepard knew that, and that was the reason Shepard asked for Lena's collaboration for this mission: he was about to infiltrate inside Hock's house under a fake ID as a wealthy smuggler and what better (and plausible) escort than the infamous Ripper? She was his entry card and a perfect backup in case things went downhill.

Lena was annoyed by all of this but still agreed to help. Such infiltration missions were rare but not unheard inside her planet and impersonating a spoiled brat or a professional whore was something that could be easily done by the young Claymore.

What she could not foresee was to find both Kasumi and Kelly inside her quarters, quarters now invaded with dozens of pretty dresses and boxes of vanity.

"Isn't it obvious?" answered Kasumi with a smirk "Shepard told me that you accepted to help him for this mission, and I will never stop thanking you for this by the way, so me and Kelly decided to come inside your room with all our dresses and cosmetics just to give you a hand, especially when Raina told us that you are not an expert in make up and pretty dresses."

"Raina!" said Lena scolding the child. Raina quickly refuged herself behind Kelly's legs hoping to avoid Lena's wrath, something that made Kasumi smirk under her hood

"Aah, don't be too hard on poor Raina, we had already noticed it anyway. Now be a good girl and let us do our work dear, I promise you that you shall not be disappointed. I scoured at least a dozen of boutiques during this week the moment Shepard told me about your involvement."

Lena looked at the various dresses as if they were an army of yomas ready to kill her: unlike some vain Claymores like Galatea and Audrey she hated dressing up with this kind of stuff and for good reason. Most dresses were nothing more that elaborate traps, somehow capable to stop even the most basic of movements while still showing off most of her skin, and the high-heeled shoes that high class ladies liked so much both here and on her word were no more that an elaborate form of torture in the Claymore's opinion.

"Kasumi" said Lena while trying to resist the urge of kicking both of them out "I am going to accompany Shepard as the Ripper, not as some common whore with the sole purpose of showing off my cleavage. Hock is expecting a warrior at her ball, a well dressed warrior but still a warrior. These dresses" Lena took one of them, nothing more that some linen strips in her opinions "Are simply stupid."

This time Kasumi looked at her as if she was some kind of stubborn child

"Lena, Lena, Lena. You may be a famous gladiator but Hock accepted to have you on his feast because he want to parade you. He is not preparing a ring for you to fight, he just want to show to his guests that among his network of occasional friends there is the infamous Ripper and for this you shall need a pretty dress and a pretty make up, so stop complaining and let us work!"

"A normal dress will be more than enough, goddesses damnit!" retorted Lena "Kelly, tell her this, tell her that I am right."

"Actually, as your counsellor, I agree with Kasumi." chirped Kelly "I noticed during our talks that you tend to see yourself as some kind of ugly creature, unworthy of any attention, and this simply will not do. You are such a pretty woman Lena, and the feast of this day will be the proof. This mission is an unorthodox way of letting you see this but it is still good enough."

"See? Even Kelly want to see you all dolled up and Shepard gave me the authorization. Now, if you do not have any other objections" Kasumi grabbed the nearest box of vanity, her grin now nothing short of evil "Let us begin."

Lena instinctively stepped back from the two women, cold sweat now falling down from her temple. For some reason she sensed that she was more in danger now than during an awakened hunt.


So, let me get this straight" said Joker to a now well dressed and unharmed Shepard waiting for Lena near the shuttle. For this occasion the commander was wearing a dress borrowed from Kasumi, a long black silken dress coupled with leather shoes, and completely devoid of any holster for weapons, something that made him feel almost naked. His gift, a man sized statue of Saren Arterius (Packed to the brim with weapons and armors) was already inside the shuttle's cargo bay, waiting to be handed to Hock and to have his mortal load the moment Shepard, Lena and Kasumi managed to break inside the vault.

The irony of Shepard of all people gifting to someone a statue of Saren was not lost for the Specter; Kasumi clearly possessed an interesting sense of humor.

"You, the only human specter in the galaxy, want to infiltrate inside Hock's mansion during a feast, mingle with an army of yellow-glowed bastards while Kasumi search Heck's vault, break said super-armored vault without making a noise and go away tip toeing with the booty. Is this your plan?"

"Yes, pretty much." answered Shepard

"And here I thought you were crazy two years ago, during Saren's hunt." sighted the pilot while smirking

"You are more than insane Shepard, but if there is someone who can pull something so stupid out, that one is you."

"Come one Joker, it is not so bad" said Shepard "Very few people actually know my face, they only know me as a helmeted N7 soldier thanks to some posters made by Alliance command as propaganda for the newbies. Hell last time my face got broadcasted was when I punched that annoying reporter called Khalisa on the Citadel!"

"Yeah I remember that" chirped Joker "Girl got that coming, she literally accused you of being an incompetent commander in front of all her viewers."

"Right and besides, I will not be alone. Lena will come with me."

"Ah right, I forgot! Our resident Valkyrie will come with you, now I feel much better."

Shepard raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Valkyrie, seriously? Speaking of which, what do you think about her?"

"Let's see" said Joker "Half the crew think she is a dangerous psychopath, even more dangerous than Jack. The other half think that she is the poor victim of some kind of crazy Frankenstein. For me, I have to admit that she remind me of good old Wrex: she almost never speak, look at most of us as if we are only annoying ants and is more than ready to nail on a wall anyone who tries to piss her off.

All things considered I do not mind her, as long as she stay away from me when she has her period."

"Joker!"

"Oh come on! It was just a joke commander."

Their friendly banter was interrupted when Kasumi entered inside the hangar

"Sorry for the delay Shepard, Lena proved to be an interesting challenge, but now she is ready." the smirking Kasumi turned toward the door

"Come on Lena, come in."

"A second, goddesses damnit." answered Lena's voice followed by a constant clicking "Those heels are killing me."

The Claymore finally entered inside the hangar and even Joker stopped bantering for a second.

Gone was the pretty but gruff girl of the past, replaced by a true beauty: her long hair, usually tied on a strict ponytail, were now freely flowing along her entire body; her silver eyes shined thanks to a small touch of black eyeliner and her lips now showed ruby lipstick. A pearl necklace, courtesy of Kasumi, now rested on her white neck and a long, silken dress hugged the Claymore like a glove, covering Lena's entire body and yet showing off all her curves without a problem. Black, leather high heeled shoes completed the picture and Joker whistled in appreciation at the sight in front of him.

"Please, stop looking at me like that commander." said Lena with a scowl "This is not funny."

"It is not because you are funny, is because" Shepard stuttered for a moment "Aah, forget it! If you are ready we can go."

"Do not listen to them Lena" chirped Kasumi to the girl "You look amazing! Hock will open the vault for you the moment you shall ask him to do so."

"Kasumi is right." added Shepard while they entered inside the shuttle "We will be fine. Just remember: today I am not Odin Shepard."

"I know I know!" huffed Lena clearly annoyed by all of this "You are Solomon Gunn, infamous mercenary and red sand smuggler. I studied the plan Shepard." she placed herself in one of the seats "Let's just get over this. I miss my sword already."

1 hour later. Berkenstein planet. Hock's mansion.

The outside of the mansion was spectacular, Lena had to give Hock that: a beautiful garden filled with many rare trees and flowers stretched for hundreds of meters creating a soothing environment for the Claymore's eyes. The front of the palace (because what she was in front of her could not be described as a simple mansion) displayed a variety of crystal windows and precious marbles slabs that would have made the wealthiest noble back on her home-planet green with envy. Marble fountains created playful games everywhere and the floor itself was covered by a kilometer long red carpet.

The only sore spot of all of this display of wealth were the armored mercenaries just outside the door.

"Here is our host Lena" said Shepard pointing at a man in his early forties dressed in white.

They slowly reached him, trying to appear as natural as possible. Kasumi had already concealed herself and sneaked inside so there was no risk of getting caught for now

"Mister Gunn, Miss Lena" Hock greeted them when he noticed the both of them. His voice was gentle but careful

"Welcome to my humble abode. A pleasure to have here such a famous mercenary and the great Ripper."

"The pleasure is all ours, mister Hock. I hope our gift is one worthy of your collection." answered Shepard politely. Lena took it a step further and offered him her right hand for a hand kissing, something that Hock quickly and elegantly did. Judging by his looks he was clearly more interested in her rather than Shepard.

"Oh it is." assured them Hock "A golden statue of the specter Saren Arterius. Once there were other statues like that, but most of them had been destroyed after his betrayal to the Council, so it is priceless for collectors like me. Come inside please, most of the guest are already here and my house is ready to receive you."

"Of course mister Hock." said Shepard taking his leave. The pair entered inside Hock's mansion that proved to be even more luxurious than its outside: giant ceramic lamps, wooden walls where gentle streams of water flowed inside artificial canals; rare paintings, marble floors and crystal windows were everywhere in an opulent display of wealth. Guests of every race and dressed with expensive clothes mingled everywhere, their mistresses not far behind, all happily chatting and discussing whatever topic was at hand. Half of them stopped in their track when they saw the infamous Ripper entering the hall.

"Congratulation Lena, you just entered and half of the guests, mistresses included, want to eat you alive!" whispered Shepard to Lena "This will make our job far easier." Lena simply groaned

"Let the show begin!"

20 minutes later

"I am just saying that this Archangel fellow was not so dangerous after all. It was only a lone vigilante with delusions of grandeur."

Lena felt the almost irresistible urge to strangle the man who just spoke, a human in his mid thirties now elegantly sipping wine from a crystal goblet. Some kind of rich bastard for what she managed to understand.

Only twenty minutes had passed since Shepard ordered her to mingle with the guests while he and Kasumi busied themselves with finding a way to break Hock's vault and already the young Claymore wanted to massacre the people inside the palace.

The guests were simply disgusting: notorious slavers, rich embezzlers, cruel mercenaries, famous swindlers. The scum of the universe was all here, all of them well dressed and bragging about their famous exploits; all of them incapable of seeing the world without a diamond lens. Mingling with such filth proved to be quite difficult for Lena, especially considering that half of the guests shamelessly tried to flirt with her all while ogling at her body.

-Goddesses, grant me strength!- thought the frustrated Claymore

"I do not agree, dear guest." said another person, a famous Batarian slaver richly dressed in a gold garb.

"People like Archangel are a threat to honest workers like us and the faster are killed the better it is."

"Dear Ripper, what do you think about that?" intervened another person, an elderly man with two twin Asari escorts next to him; all three of them were eating her out with their eyes.

"After all you fought for years inside the arenas of the station. Surely something about him must have reached your ears."

-More than something you asshole! I fight with him now.- she thought but quickly swallowed such words, flashing instead her biggest smile all while drowning her disgust with a long shot of Champagne

"Noble friend, I am an artist. I do not waste my precious time gossiping about some mad Turian on a killing spree, I have better things to do."

"True, then maybe you could tell us how such a gentle flower like you can become such a fierce tiger inside the arena. Even Krogans are no match for you." said then one of the Asari escorts, lust sparkling in her eyes.

Thanks the goddesses Shepard saved her from these people a second before she decided to punch the flirting bitch straight in the face

"Gentlemen, I need my escort for a moment." he said grabbing Lena from behind and dragging her on a quiet corner

"Well?" she asked Lena once they were alone

"We found the vault and we know how to open it, but it will be tricky. Me and Kasumi shall find the DNA sample and the exact password, your duty is breaking the secondary generator and recording Hock's voice. Here" Shepard handed her a small circular device

"You can use it to find the generator; you can also use it to record Hock's voice. Once you are done follow the map I just uploaded inside your omni-tool, it will bring you to the vault."

"Very well Shepard. I will be quick." answered Lena

"Good luck." said Shepard, and quickly went away.

Lena immediately started searching for this secondary generator, looking at every nook and cranny of the enormous mansion all while trying to appear just another curios guest, looking at the various paintings and commodities, trying to be incospicious. After ten minutes she finally found her prize, a little hatch hidden behind some books on a small library containing some copper wires. A lightning movement and the wire was broken, so fast than no one noticed her doing so.

Perks of being super fast with her limbs.

"Dear Ripper" said someone near her and Lena almost jumped in surprise for this. So focused had been to her task that she didn't noticed the arriving of nothing less than Donovan Hock in the flesh, a small smile on his lips and two crystal glass on his hands. He looked calm, and if he noticed her fiddling with the panel he refused to show it.

"I was looking for you. It is not every day that you meet a legend such as you in the flesh. Can I offer you a drink?"

Lena slowly accepted the drink all while with her left hand activated the machine

"I thank you for your kind words, dear host; I didn't know you followed my exploits inside the arena."

"How I could not: your fighting style is brutal and yet so graceful. A deadly dance of death just like the warriors of the legends of old."

Hock shortened the distance between them in a small step

"Tell me, dear Ripper, what do you think about this little party of mine?" he asked. There was an hidden meaning behind his question but Lena quickly noticed it and answered accordingly

"That it is a shark's gathering. You invited the most dangerous people in the galaxy inside your house, and in doing so you launched a message: I can invite all of you inside the my own mansion because I am stronger than all of you! Eat my food, drink my wine, but do not forget who is in charge."

Lena flashed at him her most seductive smile

"But I wonder: are you truly strong enough to command them. To command me?"

The taunt clearly excited Hock.

"You are a marvelous woman, dear Ripper. I would really love to know you in a more….intimate way." Two hands touched her shoulders and Lena let them stay in place, although she only wanted to cut them on the spot.

-Be quick with your magic, you stupid machine!- she thought annoyed, and as if possessing a will of its own the machine warned her that it now possessed the vocal track

"Another time maybe" said Lena freeing herself from Hock's embrace "I am not an easy woman to catch, mister Hock. I assure you though that if one day you shall manage to win me" Lena touched Hock's chest with the edge of her fingers "You will not be disappointed." and with this phrase Lena took her leave, leaving behind Hock without turning back.

-Thanks the goddesses this part of the mission is over.- she thought while moving toward the vault. Audrey would have loved flirting with half the people inside this place but she was not Audrey.

She quickly reached the vault, protected by an enormous metal door; Shepard and Kasumi were already here and Lena handed to them the machine without saying a word. Next to them the statue of Saren was already opened, showing his deadly cargo to everyone.

Lena did not even wasted a second and immediately took her weapon and armor from the statue, wanting only to get away from the dress. She found a dark spot inside the room and quickly began changing away from both Shepard and Kasumi

"Great job boys and girls." chirped the thief while they changed in a more practical outfit "Now give me a minutes and..." she worked a bit with both her omni-tool and the small machine; a little while later the door of the vault opened themselves without a sound

"We are in."

A small smile crept on Shepard's lips

"Good job Kasumi."

"Piece of cake. Gentlemen, after you." answered Kasumi with a small smile and letting them pass.

A few seconds and they were all inside Hock's vault.


"Unbelievable!" said Shepard for the tenth time since he entered inside Hock's personal vault. He knew that the man was an infamous collector and that he possessed some rare items but this…this was insane!

Quarian scripts, Krogan statues, old ceramics, even the Michelangelo's David and the head of Lady Liberty! The rarest and most important pieces of art in the entire galaxy were here, under his nose.

-Son of a bitch- cursed silently Shepard -I will make sure they throw you in the deepest, darkest cell for this. I have all the proofs that I need inside my omni-tool now.-

If Shepard was livid Kasumi was giddy, a girl brought by her parents inside a candy shop and marveling at the sight, something that annoyed Lena to no end.

"Wow, Quarian scriptures! Never seen one before, and all those interesting pieces of art, and the David of Michelangelo! Lena, could you carry the David back on the ship for me? Pretty please? You are strong, I am sure you would have any problem in doing so."

"No" flatly answered Lena, annoyed by the girl's antics for a broken statue. I mean, it was a pretty statue, but all broken and dismembered so why all this ruckus?

"Spoilsport" pouted Kasumi under her hood, but her scowl quickly disappeared when they reached a small display case containing a black, rectangular box

"Shepard, I found it!" shouted Kasumi while grabbing the small device "Keigi's blackbox, and it is intact. And this" Kasumi grabbed a gun placed next to the object. A machine gun, colored white and quite flimsy.

"This is a Locus machine gun. No, THE Locust machine gun." said Kasumi with awe "The weapon that killed two presidents. Here Lena, take it. A thank you gift for your help."

"Sure about it?" asked Lena while grabbing the weapon. It was lighter that she thought. "I am not the best with ranged weapon.

"The Locust is a piece of art Lena, and so light that it will not impede you in the slightest. Trust me in this."

In the end Lena accepted the gift and placed the weapon on her hip.

"Well that went smoother than I expected. Now, let's take the gray box and" Shepard was interrupted by the sound of a generator powering up, and a second later Hock's face showed up inside the room covering an entire section of the wall, smirking at them.

"You reeeally had to say that Shepard? Hadn't you?" Pouted Kasumi annoyed

"Excellent job Kasumi! I see that your fame is well deserved; you even managed to get the Ripper's help." said the holographic image of Hock "Now open the Gray box and I will let you live."

"Do I know you?" asked Kasumi now deadly serious "I do not like disappointing my admirers."

"The Gray box, Kasumi" insisted Hock "Or you will suffer like your boyfriend."

"We shall see about that."

A door at the end of the hall opened, revealing a dozen of mercenaries already pointing their weapons at them.

A gun fight quickly began and Shepard was forced to scramble for cover while grabbing his weapons.

"Now it is your time to shine!" Said Kasumi to Lena and Shepard. Shepard groaned, more annoyed than anything else. Could he have a mission going up smoothly for once?

Thirteen minutes later

Another mercenary died under Lena's blade, while a small squadron next to her exploded when Shepard used a grenade against them. These soldiers were determined, Lena had to give them that.

After killing the first squad inside Hock's vault Shepard guided them trough the underground network of warehouses and depots placed inside the mansion, all while killing small mechs and soldiers that tried to stop them. This place was a maze worthy of the building that it sustained: massive and yet clean and luxurious at the same time.

Of course most of his luxury disappeared the moment corpses and pieces of mechs began littering the ground.

When the squad finally reached the exit, after passing at least four other rooms and killing even more mercenaries, they found a massive metal gate, strictly closed and impenetrable by small arm fire. Any attempt to open it with conventional means failed and even Lena and her superior strength proved useless.

"Some ideas about this door Shepard?" asked Kasumi after the third attempt at hacking the door.

Shepard looked at the door, then at the room where they were now standing. It was a pretty standard place, rectangular in shape and packed to the brim with various objects traded by Hock on the black market: guns, ammunitions, paintings, deactivated mechs, stolen tanks…

A small smile crept on Shepard's face when he saw among the smuggled goods an Alliance heavy tank, their outside ticket.

"Ladies, stay away from the door" said Shepard smiling. They looked at him puzzled but complied.

Shepard's omni-tool flashed into life and the specter activated remotely the huge tank. Most of its systems were deactivated but the display showed that it was still loaded with warheads, and thanks to his clearances codes he managed to bypass this problem and power up the main gun.

A second later a superheated a.p. warhead blasted the metal door to pieces.

"Next time warn us Shepard." said Lena annoyed, her ears still ringing.

"And where is the fun in that?" answered Shepard with a smile "Come on, let's go outside."


The blast was heard also inside the mansion, where various guests stopped moving for a second trying to understand what happened; some even panicked a bit.

"Please do not be scared" quickly said Hock to his guests "I am sure it was just a small incident." and then he ordered the various drones to double the refreshments

"What the hell are you doing down here?" hissed quietly on the inter comm when he managed to be alone "Have you finally killed them?" he received an answer from a panicked mercenary telling them that half of his hired guards were dead and the targets were escaping.

"Bunch of idiots! Go outside and slaughter them! I am paying you for something no?" and then he killed the contact.

-Better getting the situation in my own hand.- he decided in the end


"We are out, finally" said Lena relieved looking at the landscape. They were upon some kind of metal terrace just outside the mansion. Crates of many sizes were everywhere and tubes of various size moved next to them, probably bringing inside the house the necessary water and energy. A lush forest was just some miles from their position.

"Do not get too cocky Lena." said Shepard "We are not out of the bushes yet." and as on cue a dozen more mercenaries immediately charged their position forcing them to take cover and last but not least, a gunship soared the sky and started hammering their positions.

"We could have done this the easy way Kasumi" said Hock inside the gunship "Now let me show you the hard way."

Shepard fired a missile against the ship but a blue barrier enveloping the aircraft stopped it without a problem, making the commander curse him under his breath

"Shepard, Lena, I know how to deal with that shield." said Kasumi "You take care of the remaining mercenaries."

"Got it." said Shepard "Lena, charge!" and so Lena did. For one last time during this mission Lena sprinted against the new threat, too fast for the poor mercenaries to stop, and clashed against their lines like a thunderstorm. She impaled the first soldier using her momentum, then she quickly ripped another apart with a horizontal slash. Bullets hit her barriers like a rain of metal and soon all defenses collapsed but still Lena slashed and thrusted, killing and maiming anyone foolishly enough to get to close to her, flushing out all others mercenaries and not caring about the small holes than now littered her armor. Shepard kept hammering down the flushed down enemies in a barrage of incendiary bullets, shredding armor and flesh alike. The enemy tried to retaliate but closed between Lena's sword and Shepard's marksmanship they stood no chance and in the end littered the floor of the balcony with their broken bodies.

At the same time Kasumi moved against the gunship with a speed and agility that left everyone speechless. The girl effortlessly jumped across the intricate web of crates and tubes, moving too fast for Hock and his bulky ship that fruitlessly fired against her with her main gun, and quickly managed to jump above Hock's gunship. Such were the beauty of her movements that even Lena looked at her for a second despite the battle raging on near her. Her footing was incredible, perfect, more akin to a Claymore than to a clumsy human!

-I wonder if she will accept a training partner- mused Lena while killing another enemy -I surely hope so.-

Hock tried to shake Kasumi off his ship but it was all for nothing. Kasumi's hold was perfect and the girl quickly activated her omni-tool tool, inserting a program inside the ship's core. The gunship suddenly trembled and shacked, its precious shield vanishing in a puff of blue smoke. The thief smirked deviously under her hood and saluted Hock with a small wave of her hand, just before jumping down from the ship. She landed on the floor like a cat, gracefully and quickly, and a second later she was already running into cover.

"Cursed thief!" shouted Hack in outrage "I will make you squeal in pain for this, just like your fucking boyfriend!"

"Don't you dare talking about Keigi you filth!" snarled back Kasumi "Shepard, Lena, now!"

They quickly complied and a barrage of anti armor bullets hammered the ship with great effect, and smokes quickly started pouring out from dozens of holes. Even Lena joined the firing, using her new gun that Kasumi just gave to her.

The ship buckled and stuttered all while it absorbed hundreds of bullets. Hock tried to steer away from the danger, but Shepard had other plans.

With a swift movement Shepard discarded the gun and took the grenade launcher, aiming at the thrusters.

"Shepard, he is getting away!" shouted Kasumi distressed but Shepard ignored her

-Just another second.- he thought while he carefully took aim -Another-

The missile escaped from his weapon, his aim perfect, and the warhead hit the ship on its back with devastating damage. The gunship trembled for a second and for a second it looked as if it would have been able to escape.

A second later both its thrusters stopped working and the ship crashed down on the floor like a rock, exploding a second later.

"And this is the end of Hock." smiled Shepard satisfied "Now we can go. Call the ship Kasumi, I am tired of this place."

"Gladly Shepard, and thank you" answered Kasumi "Both of you."

"Not a problem Kasumi" answered Lena "Although I do not understand why that black box is so important."

"A Gray box is a particular device Lena, it allow you to literally store inside it the memories of someone, in this case my dear Keigi. I could not leave it in the hand of his assassin."

"You must have really loved that boy." commented Lena "I envy you. I never had the chance of being loved by someone like your boyfriend, all because of me being a Claymore."

"Aah, do not say things like that Lena!" said Kasumi cooing her "It make you look like a small, sad puppy with sword. I am sure that one day you shall find someone that will love you and make you feel special. Actually I think that this someone is inside the ship."

"What do you mean?" Kasumi smirked devilishly at this

"It's a secret. Talking about something else, have you something planned after the mission?"

"Yes, I have to see Mordin."

"Mordin?! Why?" asked the thief surprised

Because I made a promise to Shepard" said Lena "A promise that I want to fulfill."

Normandy sr2, 19 36, Mordin's laboratory.

Tap tap tap tap. The noise of Mordin working tirelessly on his computer could be heard thought the entire ship. As always the old doctor had immersed himself inside his work, uncaring about simple things as socializing or having fun. Not that many people wanted to speak with him, the only one was commander Shepard and his talks were mostly about possible improvements for the ship or discussing about Mordin's singing talent.

So when the door opened Mordin simply said

"Shepard, how can I help you?"

without even looking up

"I am not Shepard, doctor Solus" it was Lena's voice "I am Lena; I need to speak with you."

Mordin this time looked up, noticing finally the young Claymore still in full battle armor looking at him with a strange expression. For the first time since he decided to follow Shepard inside the Normandy the old doctor looked at the new guest with surprise, his brain trying to understand the reason of this visit.

"Lena, unexpected. Your distrust about scientist quite well known. Here for some specific reason? Shepard sent you?"

"Not exactly, doctor Solus." Lena's voice was strained, almost scared. Mordin immediately noticed this "It is about the incident on the infirmary."

"Ah yes! Terrible mistake from me. My past experiences as xenobiologist made me believe capable of helping you without possessing the proper knowledge. If scared about me trying something like what happened at the infirmary once again then I assure you that it shall not happen. My moral block me from doing such an uncivilized act unless life threatening scenarios are involved. Just wanted to help, still my bad."

"I thought that researchers like you despised the idea of having any kind of moral." said Lena confused

"Some researchers are like that, usually the worst ones. Believe in incorrect reasoning that morals being an obstacle for any line of research. Totally wrong: morals not roadblock, only a challenge. The true researcher always manage to do his work while keeping his morals intact."

"I see" mused Lena "Then now I know this was a good idea. You see doctor, what happened inside the infirmary, we warriors call it partial awakening. Essentially our bodies enter in a different stage of mutation, still stable but different from the usual one. No one clearly know how it work, mostly because besides me only seven warriors are known for reaching such a state. In all due honesty I am a bit scared about all of this, and I thought that a famous scientist like you could be able to shed some light about this peculiar condition of mine."

"You want me to analyze the unknown parasite inside your body, catalogue its biological properties, discover if it is evolving and create a possible cure in case of rampant mutation, all while not possessing a pure genetic sample to analyze and not permitting myself the slightest mistake?"

asked quietly Mordin, and Lena smiled bitterly at these words. The doctor was right, this was insane! Moroni had never seen a Yoma in all his life! How could he

"Marvelous! I accept!"

Lena was abruptly brought back to reality

"Wait, what?"

"My research about Collectors countermeasures almost finished, just missing field test. I was worried about not having anything else to fill my mind and I was ready to start my research on seashells but this is so much better." Mordin was giddy at this point

"Being able to analyze an unknown life form capable of such an interesting and functional symbiotic relationship with a humanoid host never seen in the history of biology! Thank you for giving me such an opportunity! Scared to ask you about this because your distrust of scientists quite easy to see during these weeks."

How the hell Mordin managed to say all of this without breathing was a mystery for Lena

"Yes, I am wary of researchers. In my experience they are ruthless and cold, but Shepard trust you completely so I guess than" Lena's face turned on a scowl, the poor Claymore literally ripped the last words from her mouth "Goddesses! I cannot believe I am about to say this; I guess that, despite being a scientist, I can trust you."

"Marvelous! I assure you that I will not do anything you shall find unpleasant. Can we begin now? Please sit near the machines."

Lena did as he said the Mordin immediately started working

"Good good. I shall need some blood samples, and platelets, and skin fragments, and some nerve tissue, also need to analyze your body in various states of yoki usage and also checking how your organsworkunderyokipressionandwealsoneedtomakeafullbrainscanandsicoverwherethemainpart"

"Doctor!" shouted Lena stunned by the insane stream of words. "Slower please."

"Yes yes, sorry for my outburst. I little excited."

"Another think. You may be a good person but the universe is not. Your research must not cross this laboratory. Shepard is fine but all the others are off limit; are you fine with that."

"Of course. Already destroyed the bugs inside my laboratory. I assure you that no one will know about this. Your distrust is comprehensible, and I do not want to personally discover the sharpness of your sword. Shall we begin now?"

And so they began. Mordin collected dozens of samples of any kind from Lena's body, taking copies of the same piece just in case; dozens of machines examined Lena's body all while the Claymore gradually increased her yoki percentage, allowing Mordin to analyze the various differences; groups of small suction cups were attached over Lena's head, necessary according to Mordin for analyzing her brain.

Lena endured all of this for three hours. Three goddesses damned hours.

When Mordin finally told her that he possessed all that he needed for his research Lena did not even tried to hide her sight of relief.

"Well doctor, it has been a pleasure. Now if you do not need me" Mordin was not even listening her, his mind already on his own word

"Yoki substance infecting 63,2% of the host body constantly and yet no signs of rejections. RNA modified but not the original DNA. Interesting. Reason?" and so on and so on

"Yeah….i guess I will dismiss myself" commented Lena "have a good day doctor." and with these words he left the laboratory, leaving an overexcited Mordin to his work.

-Let's just hope I am not doing a mistake.- she commented in the end

Aaaand done. This was a bitch to write, mostly because of real life issues. Still here readers? I hope so

Next time Horizon, where Lena shall make some interesting discoveries about the Collectors, and herself.

Also Mordin is loose.