CW/ torture and extreme violence: potentially disturbing or upsetting content. If you are comfortable with this content, please continue.
James was meeting Ashley outside the Apollo cafe. The most boring place on the presidium. He missed the silver strip with all its casinos and arcades. Shooting geth and collectors at the Armax center. But she insisted they meet here, and he was all too eager to get a little extra time between them.
Ashley had been wandering around the park, thinking deeply about how to fix things. The alliance has been calling, with Kester demanding a meeting as soon as she was available. He wants to help make everything right again. But what if it hurts the Shepard family beyond repair?
James called out to her from below the stairs of the open cafe. Picking up the pace, the Lt-Commander greeted him with a new smile. Although he noticed the sadder gaze. "Cómo eres mi amor?", he began.
They held hands together, walking to a table. Ashley took a seat across from him, unable to stare ahead. "James... stop that.", she asked, embarrassed.
He leaned out, grabbed her hand from under the table, and squeezed lightly. A flirtatious smile played over his robust features. "But I thought you loved comida caliente y picante?"
"James!" she pulled away, upset. "It's about Shepard.", her tone stern.
The new N7 straightened up in his seat, clearing his throat. "Oh. Well... what can we do?"
Lieutenant-Commander made her noises of defeat, slumping shoulders and sighing louder. "I don't know.", she said, discouraged. "I want to believe Shepard hasn't given into such extreme measures from desperation. But, on the other hand, I want to believe that the alliance is at fault for letting their damn command act out of fear." Then, slamming her fists on the table, "I'm pissed at Liara for making me her "lackey of justice," and I'm so sick and tired of acting like a spectre, when really, I do nothing but put more stress on myself, Shepard... and the rest of the crew!"
By now, she was breathing so heavily her flushed cheeks and neck were a sign of pent-up anger. It vexed Ashley so much how she felt like a stupid alliance agent.
James sat there, raising a brow as he looked left and right. Onlookers kept walking by on the stairwell as two Asari moved their chairs to another table. One Turian male stared in fascination. James stood to Ashley's horror, raising his hands in gesture. "Alright, gente shows over. vámonos!"
The Turian took the hint, not entirely understanding the speech, with others now minding their business. Ashley took a deep breath, giving him a sad smile. "Thanks, Vega."
James lent a hand, and they started their way out from the area. Now strolling to a park. Tall trees with bright green leaves swayed from an unsourced wind. The grass smelled fresh, although synthetic. A pretty good attempt to copy garden world flora.
They stopped at the monument that was erected recently. It held the names of those that were taken by the wrong kind of Sentarian. No one knows where those people who ended up pushed through the relay. She shuddered to think of it. "James.", Ashley began. "Do you think Shepard will continue in this downward spiral?"
He puzzled his face, "What do you mean by spiral?"
Ashley hit his arm, "I mean... She was brought back by Cerberus. Never really showed any unstable behavior before." Leading him through to a bench, they sat in a quiet spot. "As long as I've known that woman, she's been alliance to the core. She showed me how aliens... Um, the Turians, Asari, Drell, Quarian... all of them could be trusted. They are people, like us. Just different."
Those hard SR1 memories flooded in. "I was such a stubborn fool. I hated Turians for what they did to my family. Our name was mud. Couldn't get a good posting anywhere. But Captain Anderson saw something in me. He kept me on the SR1. After I met Shepard on Eden, my whole perspective changed. I admired that woman."
James stirred from his seat, "She always had a way with words and her fists.", he chuckled. Ashley stared at him. Clearing his throat again, Vega gazes forward. "I mean, she helped me too."
People stood around the monument, reading the names. Conversing about the day. Skycars zoomed by with distant sounds of their engine cores. It was peaceful. An Asari and a Drell walked around with a child. She was asari too, and so small. They held hands, watching her tumble on the grass, and laughed at her minor frustrations.
Ashley watched too. She could feel a fit of unfair anger build up. "Why is this so normal? How is it that this family is not bothered by councils and military governments because they chose to have a child?"
Vega stared for a minute realizing her question. "Look at the kid, Ash. She's still Asari. And if they somehow have a Drell kid, it's still a Drell. People don't like different. No matter how innocent. You know our own planet's history on that."
She faced him with a defeated gaze. Black hair waved around her shoulders with a lustrous shine. He felt his heart, beat faster but kept it under control. "And besides, Shepard didn't get to choose anything. Neither did the kid."
Turning to watch the family leave, the Lt nodded. There were no words to form except for quiet contemplation. Shepard needed friends right now. She needs support for her genetically created hybrid child. Who is not something to fear, but someone to get to know.
And if Liara can't even see that, to hell with her! To hell with the alliance, also. Ashley is going to help Shepard by backing her as a fellow spectre. Even if it means her once precious Alliance military career.
Citadel Embassy
Human Councilor's office
Khalee paced in front of her terminal. The receptionist stated the incident, and the cameras proved the recording. So that was their daughter alright. But with an alliance marine? The poor kid looked terrified. She ran away, of course.
Their next problem is the parents. They've suddenly disappeared. And now she's got reports from the news about a covered-up crash? Khalee poured herself a drink of cool water, downing it fast. Preferring a glass of sweet wine for a bit of settling of her nerves. She'll need to call a meeting with the other councilors, though. Immediately.
Ronin entered the lobby from the elevator. The petitioner's stage was just ahead. It's not too crowded, so a general panic shouldn't happen for a while. Moreover, with the station's celebrations soon underway, he doesn't need c-sec distracted by rioting or looting.
He'll want several groups scouring the wards for that damn family. As he began ascending the steps, a call came through his tool. It's Jain. "Hey, I'm working at the moment. Is everything okay?"
Her violet eyes blinked while Kaevun sat in the background. He looked a little grave. "I... I just need to speak with you. That's all. Can you come home?"
Ronin stopped at the top, "I'm sorry, Jain. I can't right now. Stay at home and wait for me.", he flexed his mandibles into a warm turian smile. "Will you do that?"
Jain huffed, folding her arms. "I'm not a simpering child, Ronin." Her glare shot through him.
"I know. I'm sorry.", he spotted the councilors speaking at the stage. "Listen, developments are happening right now. It may not be safe."
He watched Jain shake her head with a displeased sigh. "Dammit, Ronin! Leave that girl alone. I'm so sick of you going after her every time she's in distress. You don't belong to her. You're with me. Try to remember that when you decide to stop chasing her and come home."
The call ended.
Ronin lowered his arm, closing the tool. He needs to fix this relationship, speak with Satima when it's all over with. And finally make a choice, himself.
Tevos gave a short laugh as he approached them. Her long white gown was covered in red and purple patterns. She waved a hand to dismiss something. "I'm not giving any more time or this station's resources looking for one human girl-child. We have an event to manage for thousands of our citizens. Who expects this celebration to go smoothly."
Khalee shook her head, "I can't believe you think it's nonsense to find a child. She's lost in this station. Her parents are gone!"
Tevos scoffed, "And it's my responsibility to personally go crawling through every nook, cranny, and duct of this place? No. My duty is to every one of this station. And if Shepard and the ex-officer choose to leave without a trace. Good!"
Valern nodded nervously. "Besides, c-sec can handle this case with perfect efficiency. They have successfully found many a missing child before."
The human councilor couldn't believe her ears. "Dead, councilor. Found most of those cases dead. In the ducts or spaced." She stepped closer to Valern, putting her long finger at his waxy face. "If Shepard and Vakarian hear you've let their daughter die in those horrible conditions, all for the sake of a large block party... I won't hold them back from what they'll do to you, for it."
Taking a large swallow, the salarian stood closer to Tevos. She gave a rude humph before stamping off to the closest terminal. Calling for a private search party to find the human child.
Khalee let out an exasperated breath. She lifted a tired gaze to Ronin. " I can't believe the amount of stubborn stupidity here. How is your investigation going?"
Ronin stepped to her. "I have no leads yet. It seems that I should be looking for the child first, though. I don't want anything to happen to Satima's sister.", he added.
The Turian councilor came up the steps slowly. He had been gone for some time, since the last meeting right after the hybrid's incarceration. It had been hard to contact him, especially when Spectre Shepard was investigating through violent means to find the girl. Daxis returned to regular duties for a few days after the intense reveal of Argos.
Khalee noted that lately, he'd been absent for hours each day, away from councilor responsibilities. Daxis spent more time at a hospital. She worried it was something not good for him. "Daxis. You've arrived. I'm sorry for disturbing you, but the Shepard family has gone missing. Including the hybrid and her sister..."
She stopped speaking when he stood in front of them with an empty stare. "My wife... we. We tried to... Spirits, I didn't mean to cause harm." He looked down, gulping hard. Mandibles flexing in personal anguish. The turian lifted a grieving gaze. "You know my wife is human. We met during the war... She was so kind."
Something had happened. Ronin advanced to his side, "Councilor. Is everything alright?"
Daxis shook his head. His voice was barely above a whisper. "She says I've broken her." There was a shaky vocal that made everyone uncomfortable. "There's no way now without a surrogate of some kind. Or a compromise." The turian councilor met Khalee's gaze. "Grace won't speak to me. It's my fault for pushing it."
Khalee felt confused, a puzzled expression on her face. "Just what are you speaking of, Daxis? What did you do?"
Shamefully, the turian councilor lowered his head. "The alliance had come to me with a promise. If Grace and I agreed to it." He sighed aloud. "I asked the hybrid, now two years ago, and she refused. So... I accepted it in good faith they were going to help her."
Ronin had a bad feeling. "You knew."
Daxis nodded. "In exchange for the ability to have hybrid children. I helped cover Argos... until..."
"Until Grace got sick? Is that right?", Khalee finished, disgusted. "What you did was wrong, Daxis. Satima's mother saved you!"
He lifted a glare in an upset at her. "I know! I just... it's not fair. I love Grace.", he faced Ronin. "Not most turians will admit a love for humans. And I know vice versa. But what if we could be the first species to accomplish this?"
"Accomplish what?" Ronin asked, disturbed.
"Hybrid children without the interference of the reapers.", the turian councilor replied.
A sad feeling washed over them all. Ronin went through quick flashes of images of hybrid children with Satima. Watching her human belly grow with the life they would make.
You don't belong to her.
Jain's voice rang a clear and sound alert to him. The alliance monstrously took from Satima and tried to sell it to a desperate man for silence. It was sick. He wondered now if she knew just what they did to her. "How was it possible? Can the hybrid…?" Ronin wondered.
Daxis shook his head, "I was told by the citadel research and species reproduction team that a hybrid species can't breed. They are born, or in Satima's case, made sterile."
Ronin took this in with a hard gulp. Spirits. His image turned black, but worst of all was the ill-feeling in his gut. Poor Satima. If she ever envisioned herself in the future… The reapers and this galaxy's evolution are cruel. "Is your wife going to make it?"
Daxis stared off. "Is she alive? Yes. She wants to leave me. I can't fix this."
Khalee had enough of his whining, balling a fist to punch him on the mandible. "I don't give a damn! You did something horrible. You can't be trusted. I will make a report to the hierarchy."
He accepted with a slow nod. Grief pushed him to proceed to the meeting room.
They both stood to the side of the stage as keepers skittered by to their stations. People were coming and going. Talking aloud of the celebrations that were coming in three hours. The air of the tower freshened again, with the fountains sparkling.
All this splendor had been foreshadowed. Khalee spoke. "Find Natalie Shepard. Hopefully alive. Once she's safe in my custody, find the family. They're all we've got against such a mad universe."
Ronin nodded, leaving the human councilor to contend with her colleagues.
Unsourced district
Warehouse and Docking Lv V8
A doctor looked after Garrus's head wound. Mending the gash and giving enough medi-gel to keep him roused and a little pain-free. Satima stared. How can this be happening? Why can't they leave them alone?
Why do they hate me?
She stared ahead, blanking out. Don't dwell on it. Don't listen to it. The dark figure at the back of her mind was reaching out to her. Satima felt it. It was getting closer now. Pulling her in, filling the room with heavy dread.
They couldn't feel it or see it. But she can.
"He has a concussion that needs seeing to. In addition, there's an older injury of fading scar tissue from a skull fracture that could be years old. I've done all I could according to his physiology, but he'll need a hospital soon."
Harkin stared on with a stern face. "How soon, doc?"
"I would say an hour, maybe two."
He nodded, prompted the creds from his tool. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind while I interrogate him." Her objections and presence were ushered out. Harkin faced them both, displaying a grin so devious, it sent a slight chill through Satima. Who the hell is this guy? And why is he so fascinated with Garrus?
"Looks like we'll have a little time to chat. Since we're alone now...", he picked up a pipe wrench, steadily walking towards the turian. "And I have my orders. I thought we could go ahead and get this messy part over with." Harkin smiled to Satima, "Don't you?"
Turning to Garrus, he swung the pipe wrench forward in strength to hit the ex-officers knee, with him shouting in pain when the hard crack of his plate resonated in the quiet space. He bit his tongue to take away the whimper of agony, groaning instead to the throbbing of his injury.
Satima yelled at Harkin. Screaming obscenities that would make a batarian blush. The ex-cop laughed out loud. "You think this is a simple undertaking here? Lady, I've got a hard job to do."
Harkin swung the wrench over his shoulder carefully," I need to get a little closure here, while I can. You understand that, don't you, Garrus?"
The hybrid breathed raggedly in upset. She glared at him, "Since torturing injured people is such a hard job, you prick! How about you let me take a swing at you with that wrench?"
She threatened well. "Words are empty, girl, without an action to back it up. Now, if you want a few pointers on actions..."
Ken Sha, he swung again! This time on the lower leg. Garrus gritted his sharp teeth between mandibles, sucking in long deep breaths to withstand the pain.
Harkin put the wrench away, stepping closer to his old friend. "Ruth wanted a recording for Shepard to keep her behavior in check. But, since you were readily available, I'm getting this nasty business with you out of the way first. So you see, although I'm enjoying this..." He grinned in a sickened manner, "and believe me, buddy. I do. The Admiral would like me to focus all my abilities on her. She's got a few things in mind."
He grabbed Garrus's mandibled jaw as the turian breathed heavily, forcing him to look at Satima. "But, Grey?" Harkin chuckled. "That lady has some sick ideas for the hybrid."
His heart dropped. Harkin is a psychopath. He did more than a few shares of drugs and torture in c-sec. Between ragged breaths of pain and losing consciousness, Garrus threatened Harkin. "You touch her.", grunting from the intense surge of pain, "And I swear, Harkin. I will find you and tear you apart with my bare hands!"
His gaze winced with every word, but the intensity of the avian glare did not sway.
Harkin nodded, letting the guy go. Standing straight. "Talons, you mean. You don't exactly have these." Flashing his hands in cruel jest.
Satima listened to them. It's torture those women mean to do. If Harkin continues with Garrus like he is doing, the alliance will have to answer to the Turian hierarchy. She wondered what a second war would look like between them. Considering all the new families that had been forged afterward.
Harkin kept staring at her. Or was it leering? She didn't like the look either way. He snaked closer to her, all the while Garrus wrenched his left arm trying to pull out from the clamps. It was no good this time.
He hoped Satima could figure a way out. Or maybe use her reaper abilities. But he didn't want her to fall victim to it again. If he could touch his visor once to open it, then he could get a message to Sol and his dad.
"It's amazing." Harkin poked at Satima's human-plated forehead. Minor feature compared to the fathers. "She's got your damned turian plate crap. But look at those hands!." Now grabbing her right hand, showing the four fingers to meet Garrus's glare.
"Get away from her!" But, unfortunately, his demanding tone is too weak to stop anything.
"Oh, c'mon. Look. Just like a human.", he smirked. The ex-cop let go, pacing around her. "Except the reapers forgot that we have five, not four fingers. But what can you do about a deformity?"
He stopped beside her again, reaching for a blade in his boot. "We fix it" He waited for Garrus to respond but continued. Harkin feigned a slice at one of her fingers. Garrus did not flinch, but she did. " I'd like to share a story.", he began while hovering around her dangerously. "I was his partner, and there was this time at Cora's that your father couldn't keep his eyes off an asari dancer."
He leaned into her ear. "They took about eight minutes in the john before she robbed him of all his creds." Harkin belted out a rude laugh, slapping his knee. "I thought it was the funniest damn thing! Garrus's dad, on the other hand, didn't." He jammed the blade into her thigh without a thought. Satima shouted, gritting her sharp teeth to scream at his face.
"Damn!" He stood back. "She's a feisty little shit. But, hey! At least it wasn't a finger."
The stinging, biting pain of the blade in her flesh and muscle caused her leg to tremble. Blood pooled around the black hilt, oozing down the side of her thigh. She closed her eyes, focusing on anything but the blade. Garrus shouted to her. "Satima!"
Opening her eyes, the hybrid returned a concerned stare as Harkin waltzed around the area. Watching them in intense fascination. He answered an omni tool message to view Grey. Her face had become pale and sickly looking. This woman had not slept well in a week.
"I just got started. If you keep interrupting me, I'll have to end it before you get a chance.", he spoke aloud.
"Quiet! If Ruth were around, she'd know our plans.", Grey yelled.
Harkin smirked, "I doubt she would care if the girl had a sudden "accident."
Garrus took in the meaning. Where is Charlotte? Does she know? Or did they take her too?
Where was Natalie?
Grey had no choice but to use a chair instead of her cane. She narrowed a nasty glare as her agent brought the vid call to view Satima. "I want samples before you finish it. Record any reaper anomalies she displays to defend herself." Grey stared hard towards Harkin, narrowing a hateful gaze. "And if she does try to fight, take her down slow and painfully. I want Shepard to rot away in a cell knowing her only daughter suffered, and there was nothing she could do about it."
Harkin brought the vidscreen to him, "Triple pay. You want a show in front of him over there; I need to make sure I don't have half the galaxy able to trace me back."
His demands were endless, but this was the only scum they could get on short notice. Someone willing to double-cross at any turn, with any creds. And someone Grey could utilize as her hand of vengeance. "Fine. If you find anything of use on the body, bring it."
The call ended. Harkin lowered his arm to an alarmed Satima. She didn't think about dying here or this human committing the act, especially in front of Garrus. Looking in his direction, the hybrid met a weary and terrified gaze. They didn't have to say anything; she nodded in understanding of the situation.
Staring back to the rusted floor, she gulped hard. Sweat beaded down her forehead, dripping down her cheeks. "I take it I cannot ask for a quick death?"
He crossed his arms, gazing at her. "I wouldn't be doing my job if I did." Stepping to her right, Harkin set his hand on the top of the chair behind her, leaning over. "Look, I know you probably didn't expect to die in such an embarrassing way. I'd hate to be butchered like a trussed-up bird, too."
Garrus stirred from his restraints. "Really? I'll keep that in mind when I do everything you've done to Satima; to you." His mind was fading in and out from the concussion. He felt like that old injury from Omega all over again. Except for this time, there was no doctor to help.
Harkin shook his head, a disappointed tick to his face. "Now, why did you have to go all threatening, for? I was going to give your little miracle some time to adjust to the thought." He brought out a pistol from behind his back, "Guess we'll just have to get it all over with. I've got an important ride to catch later."
He held the weapon over the hybrid's head and pulled the trigger. Grey's orders were explicitly laid out in his mind. Plus a few extras. But he didn't want to hasten his fun. Satima flinched, only realizing Harkin had missed on purpose. The loud ringing sound in her ears vibrated in and out until she could finally hear again.
As the torturer paced between them, the hybrid focused on a nearby crate of goods in the corner. Red biotics flared instantly, and the metal box flung itself towards Harkin, hitting his back and knocking him to the ground. Winded, he began to scramble back to standing as Satima hastily worked on freeing herself.
Within seconds, he hit her hard. Clenching her jaw, Satima writhed from the pain as he grabbed the blade in her leg and dug deeper. The hybrid roared a pained shout in his face as Harkin taunted her with a mocking chuckle.
Garrus watched unbearably while an old enemy easily toyed with Satima. Feelings of unrest grew within, but it was no use considering how helpless he had become. This fearful moment consumed his attention. Filling every vein, every beating pulse of his life in dread. Harkin didn't stop. His eyes glittered in the excitement for the many ways he can and will inflict harm.
With Satima already restrained and unable to defend herself, the ex-cop resorted to other means to fulfill the commands of both women. A table had been unused to the corner of a workstation for some time.
Until he made his way towards it. Lifting a dark cloth off the surface, he revealed medical instruments while retrieving what looked like an injector. Garrus peered, scrutinizing hard what the color of the substance was. It looked like a purplish hue that had pink swirls in it.
His gaze widened. Halex. Harkin is going to drug her? Is it a setup he's after? This seedy place, the drug... what next?.
"Since you insist on being difficult like your old man here. I'm going to calm down those nasty reaper biotics. So we can continue with the extractions."
Satima could barely focus; the callous way this man approached her and the severe torment of their wounds stole her attention at every second. Panting from the sick feeling in her gut, the hybrid's vision started to wane from the blood loss. It's been two years since that day on earth, and Reaper taking the only thing that gave her the edge in battle.
The hybrid smirked to herself in a silly quiet manner. How stupid everything seemed when she feared so much of the gifts the reapers gave her.
Harkin stepped closer with the menacing drug. "I see she's already liking the idea.", He grinned, handling the injector in jest. "Good stuff if you can practice a little moderation. Keeps you going for a while. Increases blood flow too." Harkin glanced at the bloody wound. "Not that you need it."
Quickly jamming the needle into her neck, Satima felt the sting of the drug burn through her veins. It surged rapidly in her system.
"Well. Guess there's a little more work to be done. Can't have c-sec getting the wrong idea of how you died." He punched her in the gut hard enough to make her sharply inhale from the force. Halex was weakening her mind and reflexes. Her abdominals were too relaxed to prepare for such a blow.
Harkin brought the medical tray to him while reaching for an intravenous syringe. Sticking the needle into her exposed hand, leading the tube to a series of vials. He opened a small metal container that had refrigeration to keep the samples from degrading.
Garrus didn't understand what twisted scheme was unfolding here. Satima tried to force herself to wake from the stupor of the heavy drug. Fighting to free herself once more. Harkin fought her down, bringing another fist to her face.
The hybrid's nose turned red, becoming swollen as blood trickled down a nostril. A cut lip looked a little meaty from another knock of his knuckles. Satima endured it. Helpless to fight back or stop it.
Reeling from the assault, the hybrid vomited to the side of her restraints from the heavy dose of the off-world narcotics. Harkin held his right hand for a minute, feeling the throbbing pain of a broken knuckle. She wasn't soft and easily hurt. This girl had a body made for battle. Taking in every hit with the trained response of a soldier.
Both were heavily gasping for breath for different reasons of the torment. All the while, one person sat in silence, unable to turn away or speak.
It became hard to imagine tearing that human apart or using him as a living target for shooting practice. All those horrible thoughts bled right out of his mind. Instead, he only imagined Satima.
A petite young thing. Sitting there taking the agony of torture. Staring at him in questions of why this is happening to her. Why isn't he saving her from the evil human?
"You weak, sick shit! You're nothing more than a useless meat sack." His voice echoed out, but he swore his mandibles weren't moving.
Harkin slowly faced him with a snarky tone. "What the hell did you just say to me?" The ex-cop left the hybrid, stomping closer to the turian, grabbing him by the exposed throat. Yelling, Harkin squeezed the wind out of Garrus's voice. "What did you call me?!" He spat in a rage.
Garrus began laughing at him, "Always licking my father's boots to skirt patrols. You needed me to cover for you when that smuggler was beaten half to death. I was young and stupid. Hot-headed, as you called me. "
Harkin released, taking a step back.
"But I learned. I may not have been a good turian or a cop with honor. But I was always better than you in every mission, every patrol, and with every rank."
A violent expression covered Harkin's surprised glare. He scooped up the pipe wrench from the floor and swung again on the same leg. Garrus screamed this time. There was no use holding back from the pain.
"You turian son of a bitch! I was the best they had before you came along. Your father was too busy being a noble idiot to notice me." He dropped the pipe, pacing in uncontrolled anger. "I needed those pills to help me focus, so I could show these soft imbeciles how it's done where I come from!"
Garrus sucked in a few breaths of pain. Spirits he sounded pitiful, but the groans grew with the surging agony in his leg. "You're a disgrace to your kind. And just like Saren, you need to be put down. Something I should've done years ago."
His mind quickly wondered why he let Shepard talk him down from finishing Harkin when he was Fade.
He finished with more groaning, looking to Satima. Her head was slumped over. Was she unconscious, or did the insane amount of Halex stop her heart? He waited too late to distract Harkin. They won. His little girl is gone. And he can't even hold her in his arms, say he's so sorry for everything. Harkin quickly retrieved the same bloody blade from the hybrid's leg. She didn't move or make a sound.
He roughly pulled Garrus's head back by the fringe and ripped off the visor to hold the tip of the steel over the turian's avian eye.
"How about I pick out one?", his manic smile turned into a pursed grin. "I'll send one to your father and the other to Shepard?"
Garrus stopped staring at the blade, turning his gaze to his child. "Do what you want. My last vision will be what you did to another innocent." He then brought his stare back to pierce through Harkin. "You remember... the dancer at Cora's that turned you down? I guess my story kept you off the trail long enough for me to nail your depraved ass before Saren took all the attention."
And for the first time in a long while. The turian smiled.
The reviled human put away his rage to dash over to where the hybrid sat. His pistol back in hand, Harkin aimed. The weapon primed to his snarl. "Wake up, hybrid! It's time to finish this!" Satima opened her eyes, slowly lifting her head to the sound, wincing with blurred vision.
"Say goodbye to daddy.", he chuckled in amusement.
"Don't look away, Satima. I'm here. I'm always here.", Garrus tried.
She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.
Suddenly a shot resonated in the room, and Garrus blinked. He can't believe he blinked! The blade over his eyes, and it was this moment that he blinked!
Harkin reeled back, holding his hand in pain. The pistol was on the floor, with the ex-cop looking around to shout curses, only to recoil at what he found.
"That'll be enough of this messy act. Rassa. Dispose of him."
Garrus couldn't believe his own eyes. Archer!
Harkin pushed himself to run. Knocking barrels and other boxed wares over, blocking Rassa. She aimed again, firing in his direction. Another bullet grazed his leg, but he was knowledgeable of the warehouse. Opening a comm, the ex-fade barked orders loudly.
"Get the cab ready! We've been breached! Get it done, Finn."
One of the walls rippled in pixels as a holographic surface made itself visible. Harkin darted inside a hidden lift, panting in a panic before going down. Rassa had begun to follow when Archer gave his orders. "Don't pursue. He'll be taken care of soon enough by his own doing."
She nodded, holstering the weapon, walking back to position to glance between the two victims. "Oh, well. I can get more playthings later, I guess." Rassa spotted Garrus. "Looks like our friends were in trouble.", she smirked.
Archer ignored her, stepping to a surprised Satima. Cold sweat danced down her brow, cornering her eyes. You would think it were tears. Perhaps it is. She gulped hard, wincing and shaking from the drug and blood loss. The physical trauma from that human drove the droid to internal vexation. Archer began to pull out the syringe from her hand and put away the medical instruments.
He's here to complete a mission. But seeing Satima at the hands of another maniac distracted his resolution. If only briefly. Turning himself to face the turian, the one he successfully tricked and killed so long ago, now. The man was injured as severely as the hybrid and seemed in immediate need of medical help.
Satima needs to continue. The importance of the meeting will depend on all players being present. Archer stood over Garrus. His avian gaze was half-open, meeting the bright droid eyes that studied him. Breathing difficultly, the turian attempted to ask questions.
"I suppose you're here to gloat over this situation. Is this your work?"
Archer tilted his head, "My work is never without a result. But this.", he gestured to the hybrid. "This is madness without reason."
Garrus chuckled to himself, swallowing a dry cough. "Oh, there's a reason. If you're not a part of this, then there's only one faction that is."
The droid nodded, "The Alliance."
He lifted his arm, bringing out a unique kind of omni tool. Scanning the turian, administering two medi-gel packs. "This will keep you alive longer. But it will not fix your injuries. The remaining pack is for Satima."
Leaving the turian's side, Rassa uneasily switching between stances, Archer made his way towards the hybrid. Gesturing to his accomplice. "I'll need your assistance, my dear." He commanded.
Rassa smiled, winking at Garrus, attending the droid's orders. Satima stared at them. Her dark teal gaze was watered and wavering. "You're not here to help me, are you?" She gulped hard. A thirst that built up between the assault and pain.
Archer lowered his stare. "What I came here to do will not kill you. But it will change things considerably." He wiped away smeared blood on her nose.
Garrus stirred vigorously at this.
The hybrid took in the strange gesture, trying to understand the moment, only to recognize the real danger. "Archer, what are you about to do?" She asked in fear.
Rassa reached out, grabbing Satima's shoulders and holding them firm. Her grip tightened, with fingers digging deep into the girl's skin. Satima's creator retrieved a long thin device, hidden in his person. The end was deadly sharp, with an extracting piece mechanized inside the metal tube.
"This is an implant extractor. Designs of this instrument were a part of the Directive's many archived pieces. As a head scientist on the hive, I had complete access to the archives. Which means I remember many of my tools."
Satima squirmed in Rassa's hold. "Archer, listen to yourself. You weren't like this on Argos. Everything had changed between us. You called me Reaper!"
He held the gadget, listening. "Nothing has ever changed between us, Satima. Only... a feeling. Something I have worked through great difficulty to erase."
Rassa hurt Satima to keep the girl still, but she wouldn't stay compliant. "No! You can't erase Argos. We helped Sam. We reached him!"
Archer looked away, "We didn't reach that abomination.", swallowing in hidden terror. " We reached something else."
The droid held a dark secret. His excursions to Quarian space only bought him enough time to configure the location. With the Omega relay still active, anything... or anyone could come through it. From where? Or when? Archer did not know.
It terrified him to be wholly ambushed by this living scenario. And if he could trace the signal to its origin, maybe there is a chance he can meet its creator. Unless it was the Directive. Still active, still coming for them all.
Multi-dimensions worked in such a twisted labyrinth of questions.
But he needed the key to it all. The hybrid so happened to be using it. Or was it shaped by her? Is she the key? If so, why did the presence so easily take over? Why was Satima physically assaulted by a figment of the mind? Are reaper devices only an illusion?
So many questions and so little time. Archer was not going to be the puppet of their will again. And if a reaper awaited them on the other side, he'll blow the relay to hell. System and all.
A desperate difference of character took over Archer as he leaned in face to face with the hybrid. "I need it, Satima. It is the only way to reach the signal. Unfortunately, I cannot take you because you are compromised from it."
Garrus did not understand what the hell was going on, but whatever Archer had in mind alarmed him. "What signal? Reach who?!" He tried.
Rassa glared at him, "Quiet!"
The hybrid struggled to keep herself away from him. Archer held the back of her head firmly, preventing her from wrenching away. She eyed him for a second. They stared before he opened the device's interface. "No... NO! Archer!"
Her eyes suddenly turned crimson, gritting her teeth in affliction. It was painful; spirits, it hurt! But she couldn't stop it!
Archer held the device firmly, trying to move his arm. He stared in distress, almost unable to will himself to move. "Get out of my mind, hybrid!" He roared.
Rassa delivered a firm blow to the hybrid, trying to undo the indoctrinating effect on the droid. Satima recoiled from the impact, shutting her eyes to the throbbing of the back of her head.
Free from her hold, Archer realized how much she had become what Reaper's last moments alive were. The device in hand, he lamented what this would do, the grief and loss of trust. But another side of him spoke of the means. How far he has gotten to solve the signal. To breach home. Or to find the Directive waiting for them.
"I am sorry, Satima. This must be done." He panted from the exertion, leaning in close to her ear. "I won't let you die, but this will cause suffering."
Rassa stood in front of the hybrid as her last gaze settled on Garrus. The ex-agent held Satima firm, putting her body weight onto the hybrid's chest to keep the girl still. Archer had her head, forcing it to the left and at once utilizing the extractor.
Satima screamed in agony. Garrus listened to the tool's whining noise and the crunch of bone being penetrated. He eventually looked away, closing his eyes.
Within minutes it was over. The loud, piercing cry of his daughter became silent. Hesitantly, he opened his gaze and made himself view the scene. Rassa stood with Archer as he held a tiny bloody implant between his droid fingers. "Remarkable.", he scanned Satima's unconscious form. Applied medi-gel. "The signal is weaker in her now, but there are traces. She will no longer receive the aid of this implant."
Only the control.
Archer stared ahead to Garrus. "Do you hear me? The implant is gone now. She will be disoriented, but your daughter will remain an indoctrinated puppet."
The turian stared away towards her. He didn't speak, only nodding his head. Garrus's secret of the Illium facility reassured him that all was not lost.
Archer again studied the piece of technology that only the sentarians had the technology to create. Something so small and yet so valuable. They began leaving out the front door, with the droid signaling to Rassa. She used her tool to release the clamps from both Garrus and Satima. The hybrid fell forward face-first to the floor.
With the reaper agents gone, Garrus attempted to sit up and walk over to her. Grabbing his visor, he yelped from the pain in his leg, collapsing to the floor, confident his knee was broken. Clumsily, the turian crawled towards his child. Reaching out to push her over, to see the face.
To his horror, there was an open surgical wound in her right temple. That's where the sentarian designed implant resided. He tapped his visor, but there wasn't a good signal in this area.
Garrus sat up on his good leg, supporting himself to lift Satima to him. Holding her, caressing the bruised human flesh. The shame of it all while being forced to watch them torment her. To accept the possibility of her death.
"Satima...", his tone shaky. "Spirits... I'm so sorry. Nothing is right. I can't make it right for you. I don't know how." He sniffled, holding back the urge to cry. Holding her closer, his avian gaze settled in personal rage. Her cropped ginger hair had grown more to thick feathered strands.
Garrus could feel it tickle his forehead and mandibles. He glared ahead, pushing back the terror and pain. "We won't stay here anymore. I'm taking you to Palaven. You'll be safe there. Charlie, Natalie... all of us together."
His promises sounded resolute in his mind, but once he spoke them, they became a silly dream, only fools say.
Her body felt cold. She wasn't warm and lively anymore. The fight she had slowly faded out. It was the same fight Shepard always had. "Spirits... Satima! Don't give in. Open your eyes to me... please."
Sitting here felt useless. He can't help her by shouting a command to stay alive. Garrus set her back on the floor, forcing himself to sit up more, putting all his weight on the good leg.
Limping in agony, the turian father made his way across the warehouse. Nearly slipping on oily sludge, grabbing the rails of a workstation. He didn't recognize this place before. It seemed older than the usual lower ward areas. An excellent place to use for sinister means. Harkin did his research well.
And once he's on the mend, that bastard will pay. Slowly, painfully. Daily.
Garrus winced, clenching his mandibles together. The plated knee made a popping sound when he put weight on it. Almost to the door, he could see the brightness of the nearby cargo docks through cracks of old broken widows. If a keeper ran by, maybe he can flag it down.
Will it listen? Satima and Ronin both witnessed these creatures' abilities to read minds. That's how they communicate. But, spirits, it sounds so damn stupid like a ridiculous story.
Garrus reached his goal, touching the panel to open the heavy door. As he did, two marines stood at the entrance, guns primed. He fell back as one of them kicked him. The turian felt every wave of pain course through his body.
He'll never be able to get up, now. He can't get outside to strengthen his visor's signal.
One of them ran over to Satima, poking her body with his rifle. "Shit... Reeves. Look at this. I thought the admiral wanted us to bring her onboard alive?"
Reeves kicked Garrus back down, stepping to his squadmate. "Well, damn. Guess that seedy bastard Harkin betrayed the deal. Call it in. It's over, as far as this thing is concerned. Shepard will be held on earth, and we can all get some peace around here."
Garrus turned over, trying difficultly to stand again; he managed to get on all fours. Dizzy, unable to stable his vision. Luckily, the visor enhanced his surroundings for him. He could see those two hovering over Satima.
Something suddenly washed over him, sending him reeling from a nauseous stomach. He wanted to retch but held it down, long enough to view a queer sight.
Her eyes are open.
Reeves aimed his rifle at the other marine, shaking. "What's happening?"
The second marine didn't even make his call before he stared down a slug to the eye. Reeves shot his partner dead. Garrus watched uneasily while the human male struggled with himself. He dropped the rifle, only to unholster a pistol and aim it at his head. Both men laid dead, now. An uncomfortable disquiet settled about him.
Footsteps were coming in by the dozens behind the entryway. Satima shot up quickly, holding her head in apparent pain, gasping, groaning... reeling in tears.
Carefully, he lifted a taloned hand toward her, speaking. " Are you okay?"
His hybrid daughter attempted to sit up, standing drunkenly. The critical aspect of her wounds should've forced her to crawl.
"Satima. You don't need to walk. I'll get outside and comm c-sec, and Ronin. We'll get you help.", he winced again. His head was pounding like an angry krogan. How long can he withstand to stay aware to help them both?
She clumsily made her way to him. Garrus shook his head, still on all fours. "No... don't try it. Your wounds." But he noticed something else. Her eyes were crimson. A glowing reminder of what she is.
Satima leaned down to him on her knees with tears. "What's happening to me?" She begged. "It hurts so much, but I can't stop it."
Her turian father reached out, "Sit with me. It'll be alright. I'll get help." Something hit him in the back of the head hard.
All he remembered was her shouts. Her legs stirred, and she stood. More shouting and gunshots. He can't stay awake for her. Garrus went to sleep.
