Zrocker119: Hot damn! the amount of support I'm getting for this story is insane! Also really glad so see that people are enjoying the changes that I've made compared to the original. Anyway I'm sure that many of you have noticed that this chapter is significantly shorter than the previous two. Know that this will be not be a common occurrence, but that I just happened to accomplish the goal I set for this chapter much sooner than I expected.

Hopefully this will be the shortest chapter I put out.

Anyway, onwards to glory!

-DOOM Effect: V2-

-Chapter 3-

Start

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-Omega Nebula-

If I was being honest with myself, I was surprised by how close we actually got to the Relay before we were forced to a halt by a squadron of fighters. It was by that point that the leader of the bunch hailed us, demanding that we alter our course and follow them towards Omega.

With little other choice, I had Vega plot a new course and follow behind them. Throughout all this, Tali stood beside, wringing her hands out of nervousness. I couldn't fault her for this. Unlike myself, she didn't have the comfort of wearing a nearly indestructible suit of armor.

She, as well as the rest of the people in the cargo hold, was in mortal danger. One wrong move,a single mistake was all it would take for their lives to be forfeit. And for them to be killed or recaptured would be the biggest insult to all the hardships that they had dealt with in order to survive.

I had told Tali that I would deal with whatever came our way, and would have to back up that claim very shortly. Good thing I had the experience to do so and more.

The trip to the station wasn't a quick one, so I used that time to have Vega get me caught up on current events. For starters, it was the year 2178, the raid of Torfan having happened just a month or so ago.

If my memory serves correctly, that meant that I had five years before the events of the first game started to take place. That was a whole lot of time for me to be sitting around and doing nothing.

But this was a good thing. That meant that I had time to prepare. I was no fool. Fighting Reapers was going to be completely different from battling against the forces of Hell. Where before I only needed to charge in head first and Rip and Tear accordingly, the Reapers would require a different approach.

The more that I thought of how to proceed, the more I came to realize just how vital it was for me to make contact with Shepard. Maybe I too could lead a small squad of specialized troops, but there was no way that I could be the figurehead of this resistance.

I struck fear into those around me. Even now I could tell that Tali, despite me helping her, was still reserved whenever she was near me due to how I dealt with the slavers. It would be the same with the others. My tactics were just too brutal to inspire people to the cause.

But Shepard on the other hand…...

I brought up my omni tool and looked at the article that I had on display. "The Hero of Elysium" was the headline, and along with it was a picture of a woman with rusty red hair, fair skin and green eyes.

Lieutenant Jane Shepard.

Any further musings that I had were interrupted as our escort finally contacted us. They didn't relay any information other than to dock at the airlock we were directed towards and that an armed escort would be arriving shortly.

So I waited at the main airlock with no visible weapon on my person and waited for their arrival, Tali standing alongside me, though she had the shotgun I gave her strapped to her back and ready for immediate deployment. She was far from a combat expert, but certainly knew how to put what she was taught back at the fleet to use.

Still, I would've preferred to have her hang back with the others, but the girl was stubborn and refused to stay behind while I went out to face the music. She was certainly feistier than I remembered her being but hey, this wasn't a videogame anymore so there were bound to be discrepancies between what I knew and what actually was.

My inner musings were interrupted by Vega notifying me of a heavily armed squad of Batarrians and a few Krogan approaching the airlock. Nudging Tali with my elbow, I signalled her to follow my lead.

With Vega tracking their movements, I was able to time it so that the door opened just as they reached for the give the squad some credit they showcased absolutely no fear when my massive and heavily-armored frame stepped out. I would have to rectify that some other time.

I did take a small amount of pleasure when the leader of the group had to crane his neck in order to meet my visor.

"Let's get this over with," I shouldered passed the group. One of the Krogan moved to put his arm in my way, but I was faster. Before he could even blink I gripped the offending limb by the wrist and twisted it in an uncomfortable angle. "I know the fucking way. Just radio Ms. T'Loak that we're on our way."

Giving the mercenary's wrist one final tweak I let him go, smirking at the sight of him rubbing the sore joint, though there was a shine of respect in his eyes that hadn't been there previously.

With that settled, I moved forward with Tali sticking close.

"So, you've been here before?" Tali asked, shifting a bit closer to me as we passed some particularly unsavory-looking group of people that were eyeing her up. A slight tilt of my head in their direction sent them scattering like roaches.

"In a sense," I said, looking over the area as Vega scanned for potential hostiles. Needless to say that nearly every person that passed us by was highlighted in red. This was Omega after all. But between myself and the escort behind us, any civilian that was looking for a quick buck wisely chose to stay the fuck out of our way.

Thankfully the distance between the docks and the Afterlife Club was a short one and we were at the massive doors in no time whatsoever. As they opened, Tali and I were greeted by the sound of heavy techno music that only grew louder as we approached a secondary set of doors.

When those opened, the music seemed to triple in volume. I could feel the heavy bass as it pulsed throughout the room. It was much more crowded than it was ever perceived in game as clubgoers danced to the beat.

Humans, Turians, Asari, it didn't matter the race. Every single one of them were lost in the heat of the moment. I had to keep an extra close eye on Tali as several people unintentionally grinded into us.

The young Quarian would've been swept away had I not put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her away from the crowd. Our escorts seemed to take joy in Tali's discomfort at the scene and chuckled amongst themselves.

From there it was just a matter of reaching the private lounge that was located in the back. Vega highlighted one figure in blue as she tracked us from above.

After finally maneuvering through the crowd we arrived at the stairs that led to the private lounge. Only then did I finally let go of Tali, who brushed herself off before shooting what I knew was a pointed look at me.

I could only offer her a shrug in response. I didn't care how uncomfortable it was, I wasn't going to risk losing her in a crowded club. Especially on this station. Heading up the stairs I saw several armed guards eyeing the two of us up. Upon reaching the top I was treated to the wonderful sight of Aria T'loak.

Embodiment of rage and death I may be, that didn't stop me from taking in the Asari's hourglass figure that her clothes hugged like a second skin.

"I wasn't expecting Krark's ship to enter this sector for another week," The ruler of Omega turned as she spoke. "Imagine my surprise when I come to find out that not only did he not contact me, but instead chose to head directly to the Relay."

She sat down, one leg folded over the other and gaze hardening. "Well don't be shy. Come, sit and explain why this is?"

I idly observed the area before settling my gaze on the Asari. "I'd prefer to remain standing."

"That may be," Aria's eyes shifted to Tali, "but you and your little friend must be awfully tired from such a long trip."

With a subtle nod from their boss, two of her henchmen approached us, one going for Tali and the other towards me. They managed to get within three feet before my hand snapped up, grabbing the one that went towards Tali by the arm and twisting it so that the Batarian was forced onto a knee.

The one that was approaching me backed off and moved to raise his rifle, only to freeze as my omni blade rested against his exposed throat. Throughout all of this my visor never strayed from Aria, even while all the other guards had their weapons drawn and trained on me.

Tali looked between the two of us nervously, her hand slowly reaching towards the shotgun strapped to her lower back. Several tense moments passed as everyone waited for the bullets to start flying before I finally spoke.

"...He got greedy. Decided to try and nab my pod. He and his crew paid the price for it. Now I've got a ship full of injured people that I'm seeing home." Noticing man I had by the arm start to struggle I threw him to the ground, holding him there by planting my boot on his back.

Several of the guards moved to fire but were halted when their boss shot them a look.

Aria let out a "Hmm", resting her hands in her lap. "I understand. But what you don't know is that Krark and I had an arrangement. He would have safe passage to move product through my territory, and I would receive 30% of all profits."

She leaned back into the couch, one arm draped over the back. "Krark was one of the best in the business. And by killing him, you've cost me quite a bit in the long run."

"I wouldn't say that," As I spoke the Pirate Queen's omni tool lit up as she received a message. "You should check that."

The purple-skinned beauty opened the message that I had forwarded to her, courtesy of Vega, and her eyes narrowing by a marginal amount. "And what are these coordinates supposed to mean?"

"Krark had much more money lying around than you thought. Those will lead you towards two of the stashes that he scattered about the Terminus Systems."

"Only two," Aria raised a single brow ridge at that, "And you think that will be enough to cover all of the potential losses that Krark would've brought me? You underestimate just what that old slaver was capable of."

"Oh I'll give you the more than two, but I want two things first." Her eyes narrowed but I paid that no mind, "First is that I want Tali to be escorted back to the ship we arrived on, unharmed and allowed passage through the Relay."

"Alex!?" Tali cried as I spoke but I motioned for her to remain quiet.

Aria glanced down at her omni tool before returning to stare at me. "And the second?"

"I'll reveal that once Tali and the others have left the system." As a show of good faith I released the two guards that I held captive. Despite the dubious look Aria sent me I refused to elaborate further, instead choosing to have Vega send her the total amount of credits that those two stashes held within for further incentive.

"...Very well," Aria waved her hand and her men stood down. "You," she pointed toward the Krogan that I had roughed up upon our arrival. "Take the Quarian back to the ship. No one is to lay a single finger on her. Am I understood?"

The beefy Krogan let out a grunt of conformation and gently, for a member of his race that is, pushed Tali towards the stairs. The Quarrian in question sent me what I could only guess was a worried look.

"I'll be fine Tali," my Omni tool lighting up as I sent her my contact information. "You just focus on getting those people the help they need. I'll be seeing you around." Tali gave me a reluctant nod before disappearing around the corner, leaving me alone with Aria and her bodyguards.

"Cute," Aria commented with a smirk as we watched Tali be led through the crowd and out the club entrance until they closed. "How nice of you to reassure her. Now, let's continue where you left off."

Nodding I took a seat which earned me another raised brow. Ignoring that I took off my helmet and set it on the empty space beside me.

When the armored behemoth of a human removed helmet and Aria saw his eyes, she couldn't stop the shiver that traveled the length of her spine. Much like herself, this man held the gaze of a killer but the voice in the back of her mind told her that it was something much more.

Oh, so much more.

The way he moved and carried himself spoke volumes of his capabilities. She hadn't even seen him manhandle her men until he already had them both right where he wanted them, all without even having to actually look in their direction, having maintained visual contact with her the whole time. His visor never straying from her.

His armor was another curious thing.

Most armors could be customized to fit any individual need, but all, regardless of species, were typically made up of ceramic plates with a combat hardsuit worn beneath. This gave the wearer optimal protection and allowed them to transverse hazardous environments.

This man on the other hand wore a combat suit that was unlike anything else that she had ever seen. It was clearly advanced but it lacked the distinct, almost plastic-like appearance given off by ceramic plates, a dead giveaway that it was made of something else entirely.

He had certainly gotten plenty of use out of it. It's colors were faded and a majority of it was littered with battle scars, though none were bigger than scratches.

What really set her off though was the man's lack of weaponry. While she had never seen him on this station up till this point, he certainly knew of its reputation as the bed of the criminal underworld. You would be hard pressed to find someone who didn't know that fact.

Yet he agreed to come and speak with her, the Queen of this station, armed with nothing more than his fists, and an omni-blade. Either he was just plain arrogant, or just that confident in his capabilities.

Seeings as he had taken out an entire Slaver ship though, Aria was leaning towards the latter of the two.

"Alexander Slayer."

She blinked in surprise before letting out a bout of laughter. "Slayer? Now that's just precious. Did you come up with that yourself?" Now she knew that he had to be messing with her.

"It was title given to me by my enemies. Since I no longer remember my family name, I decided to go with it." He spoke with a no-nonsense tone that quelled any further laughter. "Now if you're done mocking my name, can we get back to business?"

"Then by all means," Aria motined for him to continue. "What's this other condition of yours?"

"I need connections."

"Connection?" She questioned.

"Suppliers for raw materials and a location to store said materials. Along with that, I need identification."

"...Are you serious," She spoke in disbelief. "You killed one of the most experienced slaving crews in the galaxy, costing me millions in potential profits. Then come to my home and risk the lives of those you just freed...all for things that you could've gotten from any infobroker in the galaxy?"

"And I would've done so had I made it through the Relay uninterrupted," Alex motioned towards everything around him, "as we can see, that didn't exactly pan out. But if I'm being honest, this is for the best."

Aria tilted her head with interest. "How so?"

"'Cause it allowed me an audience with the famed 'Pirate Queen'," She might have taken that as a compliment had it not been for his dry delivery. "Someone that can get me in touch with the best the criminal underground has to offer. Someone that can get me all the resources without drawing the attention of those who would interfere."

Aria leaned forward, resting her chin on her knuckles. "And exactly whose radar are you trying to stay under?"

"The Council," His voice may as well have been dripping with venom as he spoke those words. Looks like he had a history with them. Or maybe he just didn't like them. Goddess knows there were plenty of people that didn't. "They would rather live in blissful ignorance than address the coming threat. Well I plan to be prepared and ready to fight."

Aria's interest reached its pique with his last statement. "And what exactly is this threat?"

"Tell me, Ms. T'Loak," Alex raised an open palm as his omni tool flared to live, and the image of something that she thought looked like a mechanical cuttlefish now hovered above it, spinning about in a lazy circle.

"Have you ever heard about Reapers?"

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-End-