Here we go everyone. I hope you paid attention to Miss T'Kari last chapter. Foreshadowing lol
POV: AedEyes
Waking up sucked. It wasn't as bad as I knew it could be but literally everything hurt, my side especially. Felt like someone took a pickaxe to my insides on that side. Pushing that out of my mind I felt around for the bed control and slowly pushed it up allowing me to sit up on the bed.
Looking around the room, I was in the Med Bay of the Normandy and as soon as I realized that I released a deep sigh of relief, they came for me. After recognizing that I began scanning the room and almost everyone was in here. All of my mentors plus Shepard, Garrus, Grunt and Tali. The last of which had her head lying on my thigh as she kept a grip on my hand.
Smiling down at her I gave it a squeeze as she slept, I was the only one awake at that point as everyone else was passed out. Well, almost everyone now. Frank had his eyes open and was staring at me from where he sat on the ground. Lying on his butt with his back against the wall he continued to look at me in silence before he got up and gave me a smile before walking over.
Embracing me in light hug he pulled back so he wouldn't hurt me too much. Grabbing a seat before I could say anything he sat down and looked me dead in the eyes completely serious. He first told me that Iris was with Kelli on Omega for the time being and was okay. After that he went on to explain who I had faced with the sword, Eshucivi Dashi. Apparently the Asari version of me with only a lot longer rap sheet and most of it was stuff I hunted or killed people for. In other words I will be seeing her again. Fantastic.
As he was explaining who she was to me my other mentors slowly woke up and came over and gave me congratulations for surviving again. Got a couple small chuckles at that but even that hurt my side. When Miss T'Kari came up I initially flinched at just seeing another Asari; fucking rapist. Still, she was understanding even if I didn't tell them what happened yet and we all talked quietly for a bit and it was good to see them; it really was. Eventually though everyone else began to wake up. Tali being the first.
She embraced me immediately and let out a couple of tears at seeing me okay. I gave her the tightest hug I could manage for the time being; it was good to see her. Shepard was next and it was mostly pleasantries on his part but I could see the relief on his face, it was obvious. Garrus was next and it was mostly the same as Shepard but with more emotion in it. Mostly because as soon as he was done talking he left the room and came back with a couple of beers, I was very thankful for that.
Jack was quickly after Garrus and gave me a small dressing down about letting my guard down. Then she hugged me and thanked me for staying alive; I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. She liked that answer but backed off when Grunt barrelled past her and started singing my praises. Said that what I had done in that facility was worthy of Krogan legend and if I ever needed someone in my corner he would always answer the call. Always.
Eventually most of them left the room and made their way back to their own beds at seeing me finally awake. Checking my omni-tool to see how long it had been it was roughly about 15 or so hours after I passed out in the facility. Remarkably good time for me, I could've been out for weeks with what had happened to me. Either way once most had left it was only my mentors, Tali and Dr. Chakwas in the room now. Dr. Chakwas had joined us not a couple minutes ago after she had gotten a notification that I was now awake.
She ran a couple of tests on me now that I was awake just to make sure everything was recovering well. The surgery in my side was the big part but she ran some tests for motor function and the like. Everything was good if a bit slow overall, she said it was mostly from the drugs they had put into me to keep me sedated during the surgery for that. I was perfectly fine otherwise just with most of my body now covered in torture marks and bandage wraps… All in all, it could have been a whole lot worse.
Once she had finished her tests and made sure everything was okay with me she left and went back to bed. That left just my mentors and Tali and after a couple of seconds of comfortable silence she shared a look with Frank. He gave her a reluctant nod before all of my mentors left the room leaving only Tali and myself. Watching them walk out I turned back to Tali with curiosity adorning my face.
"Before I begin just… just please don't interrupt," she started slowly looking away briefly ringing her hands together before she calmed herself and looked to me. I gave her a nod.
"What I did to you after our first night together was wrong. It was insensitive, hurtful and completely inappropriate; especially to you and the trust you had in me I broke. I know we already talked about this but that wasn't an apology, at least not a true one. That was a compromise that you took the bullet on because of what I did when you shouldn't have. So, Aedon Wynne; the man who deserves more than me; I apolagize for what I did and ask that I could earn your trust back."
I could hear the emotion in her voice, it was cracking and I could see the tears behind her mask. Silently reaching out my hand I took her mask off to look her directly in the eyes. Gently cupping her chin I brought it up to my face but didn't say a word. Looking straight into her eyes I spoke
"It was that you didn't even talk to me before hand that angered me. The absolute disrespect you put onto me in that action and how it was handled. The only, only, reason I didn't flip out was because I agreed on the reasons of why you were talking to Mordin. I did not like it but I agreed with the reasoning. This is a relationship Tali, there is give and there is take and there will be mistakes by both of us in this… but you never lost my trust. Promise me that when anything, and I do mean anything, like this comes up regarding the both of us you talk to me before you make a decision that could affect us both."
"I promise," at those words and the sincerity in her eyes, face and body I gave her a quick peck on the lips before putting her face mask back on.
As soon as it was on she gave me a giant hug which ended quickly as she squeezed my side and I released a pained gasp. She pulled away instantly and went back in for a small hug but it felt good all the same. The moment was ruined when Ceelo barged back into the room.
"Leave girl. Your hearing starts in two hours; be thankful I could hack their communications or you would've been exiled already. Plus, we have matters to discuss with the boy," Tali glared daggers at Ceelo and my mentors who were standing behind him.
Frank just looked exasperated at the display but both Miss T'Kari and Volio looked amused. Either way she took off her mask one more time giving me a quick peck before leaving the room. Once she was gone each of my mentors took a seat around my bed. They were silent for a moment before Volio began.
"You will need to strategize as well. Continuous Torture for six weeks isn't something people just walk away from for the most part. I have a feeling you'll do better than most but still," looking at him with a concerned look Frank answered my unasked question.
"Shepard ordered a full psychiatric check up by Miss Chambers once she wakes," I let out a loud groan at that. I did not want to talk to anyone about what happened, least of all Kelly Chambers. "Kid… I know you did what you had to but trust me when I say that you're lucky he's not just benching you outright. So, tell us about what happened and we can help you. She'll know if you're lying but you can omit some things to get a pass here."
Staying quiet for a couple of seconds I thought it over before nodding my head. I then proceeded to tell them everything that happened. Everything I did, everything that happened to me; all the way from the torture and rape to literally eating an Asari and being as close to a feral dog as possible. Talking about being raped hurt, not physically but it felt that she had stripped away my dignity when she did it. Especially being who I am it just made me feel worse; but I got her back and that's all that matters. May she rot in eternal damnation.
My mentors, bless them, stayed quiet the whole time and just listened. No questions, no judging looks; they were just there for me. Throughout the whole story they were there and listened without once judging me. I don't know if you have someone like that in your life but if you ever do get them hold on. They are exceedingly rare and very cherished.
At the end of it they were all silent for a few moments looking between each other. They then proceeded to have a silent conversation of which I couldn't understand. After a few more moments they seemed to come to a conclusion before Frank started speaking again.
"I would highly suggest you say nothing about how you broke. Completely understandable in this case but definitely not something that you should tell a psychiatrist. Other than that though you should be fine with telling her everything else… And from the way you talked about it be careful when talking about the rape. She will probe you to make sure you are completely okay, you got me?"
"Yeah," I spoke nodding my head. "I got you."
"Good. Do you want us to stay on the ship or are you good?" the care in his voice meant more than you would ever believe.
"I'm good, go get Iris before Dashi gets any ideas. Otherwise, thank you all for being here," they each got up and gave me small hugs before leaving the room. How I got them as my mentors I don't know; they made me into this and I am beyond thankful. Before I could go back to nothing on the bed Miss T'kari came back into the room.
"Dashi, won't go after Iris. You survived her so she'll only go after you, it's weird but that's always been how she operates. Also, I compiled a data packet on her for you," she sent it to me before kissing my forehead and leaving.
As for the next hour I spent all my time looking over the data pack on Dashi Miss T'Kari had given me. Frank had told me everything he knew about her but the data packet revealed a lot that he either didn't know or didn't say. For example Dashi's parent's were complete unknowns, apparently she showed up on the forest of some abandoned garden world a couple hundred years ago. Apparently she had lived their her whole life until she was 80 and that's where she began training with swords.
She made makeshift swords out of wood and would fasten the edges with the debris from ships or houses on the planet. Fought the local wildlife her whole time there and when she was picked up joined the commandos immediately. Youngest ever inducted into their ranks at 82 and quickly made a reputation for brutality and efficiency. By the time she was 95 she was already leading commando teams. Something that was unheard of.
By the time she was 110 she was conducting solo Black Ops missions by herself and to this day hasn't failed a single one. She was an absolute monster. Then there was her time as a Mercenary. I didn't know this but to be a Named Mercenary like I am was exceedingly rare. Only 15 total in the last 500 years and to have two names was even more rare. Only four in the past 700 years and Frank and myself were two of them. I was given Torchbearer after my first assassination but earned it after Balak and the attack on the Citadel and Red Eyes after Omega.
As for Dashi though she had three names, the only one ever. The Seamstress for how she would cut you up with a blade with absolute precision. The Storm she got for raiding a Turian colony by herself and escaping with over half of them in chains. Her final one was Bloodied Woman after she slaughtered the home of a Krogan clan and killed all the children there as well. She was my antithesis and I wanted to have another go at her. I wonder how it would go when we are both at 100%.
The thing that really caught my eye though was one of her known abilities. It was labeled as 'Biotic Essense' and read like something straight out of an anime. Apparently when she wanted to she could have her biotic power seep out of her. It would affect the whole area around her and would fuck up everything within a 20 yard radius of her. It was really weird but there was a video showing it in action and it was devastating. It ripped up the entire area around her and she just stood there actively doing nothing.
Once I finished reading everything up on her I called Liara. As soon as she saw it was me she let out a relieved sigh and gave me a giant smile. Congratulated me on being alive and thanked the heavens that I wasn't dead. Once she realized I wasn't talking back to her she apolagized for what had happened and vowed to never let it happen again. She had taken care of the leak, apparently her secretary as I called years ago, before asking what my call was about.
"Who was your secretary working for?" that caught my interest. It would help me narrow down on who do go after and if the Shadow Broker was involved with them.
"The Broker for sure but… someone else. I haven't been able to break the Brokers encryption but I know what it looks like; this was something completely different."
"When we visit Illium again we'll talk. For now I want everything you have on Matriarch Raros," she looked mildly confused at what I asked for but didn't voice the questions as she looked at my face. I wasn't in the mood to talk about them and when she opened her mouth again I saw Chambers outside the door and hung up.
She walked in giving me a small polite smile as she grabbed a seat and sat down. Dr. Chakwas was in the room now and made no move to leave at all. Even when Chambers tried to ask her to leave she simply stared the other, smaller, woman down. Chambers abated and backed off before pulling up the seat next to me.
"So, Aedon -"
"It's Wynne to you ma'am," I stared daggers at her and I know it was petty but she wasn't my friend. Only my friends get to call me by my first name.
"So, Wynne… I watched the recordings of your escape. I'll get to that later but for now I want to know how you are? You don't have to be strong for anyone here, please tell me the whole truth."
"I consider my mentors my closest family besides Shepard, Garrus, Iris, Kelli and Tali. And when I saw my Asari mentor I flinched away. It only happened when I first saw her but since then I am fine. I didn't have nightmares, my body aches all over, I want my weapon near me, but other than that I'm happy to be back on the Normandy."
"And the reason for your brutality in the videos?"
"They weren't going to give me any mercy and I was out for revenge. Over six weeks of continuous torture and you try not to want revenge."
"Ah the torture, rather extensive from what Dr. Chakwas told me. Mordin informed me of something else," there was a small look in her eye I couldn't make out but I saw Dr. Chakwas mutter 'motherfucker' under her breath. "He informed me that you showed signs of someone who had been raped. Not as easy to identify in men, especially when its by a woman, but still there. How did that make you feel? To be demeaned, to be weak, to be nothing, to have your dignity taken away, to-"
"That is enough," Dr. Chakwas was standing up staring down at Chambers with murder in her eyes and I'll be honest. That shit bit deep but I stayed impassive; I have mastered that and will continue to use it. Didn't mean I didn't want to cry and then rip Chambers to shreds after I was done.
"You really don't like me do you?" I asked with absolutely nothing lining my voice. No emotion, nothing.
"I respect you Wynne but I also know that you are the deadliest individual in this galaxy. And you just went through possibly the most traumatic experience anyone could go through and lived. I cannot be gentle in assessing you because if you flip out in combat then someone will die. With there being a good chance of them being a crew member and as the Yoeman of this ship I cannot allow that to happen," her words were stone cold and on some level I respected it. She had a shitty way of going about it but she did care for the team.
"Then I will be honest about the rape," she nodded her head and looked on expectantly. "It sucked, but that goes without saying. What really got me though was what she would say when she was raping me. She would talk about Tali… how she was nothing, how I deserved more than a 'suit rat', how she was weighing me down and so much more. How the Asari were so much better, how only they could satisfy me. Then she would forcefully mind meld with me during this. I was somehow able to fight her off every time but that didn't make it any better."
"She was the first to die then I assume?... I saw them bring kids into your chamber and then left with her in there."
"She was."
"How did you kill her?"
"I broke out of my chains, threw her on the bed and then screamed her into the ground until her body couldn't be recognized."
"Did it make you feel good?"
"Relieved more than happy."
"And when you left the room what was your plan?"
"Kill the scientists studying me, get my gear and then get out."
"Did you have to brutalize the scientists as you did?"
"No, I could've killed them quickly."
"But you think they deserved it?"
"What I did to them was wrong… but I don't regret it at all," she contemplated this for a second before continuing.
"And the Asari you repeatedly choked?"
"At night they would take away oxygen until I couldn't breath and almost past out. Only then would oxygen come back… every night," she didn't say anything to this for the longest of times before she looked back up to me and stood up.
"I still think you are a danger but… not to the team. You're cleared Wynne, if you have nightmares or want to talk to anyone about what happened please let me know."
I gave her a nod as she left but said nothing else. Once she left Dr. Chakwas gave me a sad smile, one that I returned. After that I passed out and I don't know how long it was but when I woke only Dr. Chakwas and Grunt were with me. Looking between them I called out to Dr. Chakwas and asked if it would be possible for me to get in a wheelchair and join Tali's hearing.
She looked extremely reluctant to allow it to happen but after Grunt voiced that he wouldn't let me do anything stupid she lemented. She grabbed a wheelchair and had Grunt lift me up and gently put me into the wheelchair. The moment I tried to move it though she grabbed my hands and shook her head. Grunt took that as the go ahead and grabbed the back of the wheelchair wheeling me out of the room towards the airlock.
I felt demeaned at that to be honest but I wasn't going to be able to do anything about. Especially since I knew walking would open my stitches and hurt myself. Walking was still better and I could have entered as a conquering hero instead of a, currently, incapacitated one but such is life.
Anyways we went through the airlock and then the clean room the Quarians had set up. When we stepped out of there the Quarian Marines all looked at us apprehensive, I'm assuming because of Grunt, but for the most part left us alone. A brave one came up to us and tried to stop us. He got a death stare from me and a growl from Grunt. He stepped away quickly at both of them.
After that minor interruption Grunt took me to the hearing area where I got some curious looks from everyone. However, once the Admirals, Koris, Gerrel, and Raan, noticed me they all came over to me. All from different parts of the room but all noticed me at the same time and decided to greet me.
"I praise the ancestors that you are alive," Koris said as he got within a few feet of me. I waited until the other Admirals arrived before looking to Grunt. He gave me a questioning look but I just kept staring at him until he nodded and went behind me. Grabbing me by my shoulders he picked me up to my feet, once I was on my feet I saluted the Admirals. After that he set me back down on my wheelchair.
"Thank you Admiral Koris," I said betraying nothing.
"It is good to see you healthy, if a bit hurt," Raan stated giving me an appreciative nod.
"I'll recover, just need time."
"And what the Ancestors are you doing here Red Eyes," Gerrel growled. Couldn't really expect anything else from that, we still weren't on the best of terms.
"I am simply here to watch the trial you are unjustly putting on my girlfriend," that seemed to be the wrong thing to say apparently.
"So you admit you and Tali'Zorah are romantically together."
"Yes. Interspecies relationships are normal. Especially with my abnormality; I am compatible with Quarians."
"But you are not Quarian."
"I don't see how that matters sir. I am a friend to your people and god willing I will always continue to be," I growled back at the man before looking to Grunt giving him the signal that we should move. "It was good seeing all of you."
As he moved me away from the Admirals I simmered down my anger taking deep breaths. He took us over to the left side where after a couple of seconds I saw Kal'Reegar. Grunt, without any prompting, took me directly too the Quarian and once he saw us he broke off from his conversation to come over to me.
"It's good to see you sir," he spoke saluting me. I waved off his salute before reaching out my hand, he took it immediately before stepping away.
"It's good to see you too Kal. How's everything around here?" the way I looked at him demanded he not bullshit me. Something he followed through with once he started talking.
"A lot of rumors. Most say we're going to war, some say we aren't doing anything, and the rest are bullshit sir. All I know is that a lot rides on this trial and Tali'Zorah is unjustly being accused," I could've told you that.
"What do the Admirals have to gain on doing this to her? Is it just political or is there anything that they hope to gain out of it?"
"The Marines respect her, even if some are jealous of your relationship. The people adore her and worship her as one of the few to literally save the galaxy. She's vastly popular with how she works things with Captains. Plainly put, she's a threat to the way things are and she will change things when she comes into power as an Admiral. All that though I don't think that's the main reason.
When someone is exiled, unless they escape before official exile all of their research and projects are confiscated. So, whatever you were arguing about with Gerrel when Cerberus attacked is something that will be on the table for them to take. I don't know what it is but from what I do know all three of the Admirals want it." Fuck. Before I could respond though the doorway to the entrance opened.
Tali, Shepard, Jack, Garrus and Thane all walked into the area and began marching to the front of everyone. At their entrance all the Admirals seemed to know they were coming and were already at their stands. As for the rest of the people in the area they all scrambled to get a halfway decent seat. I just made sure Grunt put me as close to Tali as possible. When she noticed this she gave me a sad and resigned smile before facing the music that they had made for her.
It went just about the same as it did in the game with the accusations and bullshit but there was definitely a united front within the Admirals. They wanted her exiled, most probably couldn't see it but with what I knew it was incredibly easy to spot. It was almost insulting how obvious it was. Even Raan, though she was the most reluctant, still made to push for Tali to be exiled.
I was growing angry just at the talking and how it was being handled. Looking around the room I could see that a few of the Marines agreed with me and a couple of the scientists did as well. They saw straight through this farce. Then it finally came down to the decision and Shepard made his speech, the Paragon one. Where he keeps Tali's dad's name clean and calls out the entire procession as staged and bullshit.
Something that all three of the Admirals dismissed immediately. Before the crowd could get behind Shepard the Admirals shut it down but that didn't stop the voices of the crowd being raised in objection. Ignoring all of this they began their final vote to exile Tali. I couldn't just watch this and do nothing.
"Fuck you!" I roared through the voices that were raising and instantly the entire room was quiet and looking at me. Looking at Grunt I gave him a nod and he pushed me forward towards the podium.
"You have no right to speak here Red Eyes," Gerrel growled. The other two looked to be in agreement of this but I wasn't having it.
"I have every right. Without me all of you wouldn't have a future without your suits. Without me more would've died in Cerberus' attack, something you screwed up with Gerrel. Without me you would still be dying to common colds. Without me the Reapers might already be here. So don't tell me where I have or don't have the right to speak," Silence reigned in the entire room as I stared down the Admirals and when they said nothing to stop me I continued.
"As my Commander just said this whole trial is a farce. Orchastrated by all of you to take the technology that Tali has developed. To use it for yourselves and get rid of Tali, a future Admiral. You all should be ashamed of yourselves and recognize that Tali would NEVER do what you are accusing her of."
As soon as I was done speaking there was a beed of silence before the entire crowd erupted in agreement. The Admirals tried to take back control but it was firmly gone from them. Taking a glance at Shepard and the others Shepard looked at me with respect, Tali looked about ready to jump me, Jack looked proud as hell, Garrus was impassive but was sending me a thumbs up and Thane looked at me with curiosity. Still, the crowd roared in agreement through it all.
When the Admirals were finally able to wrangle the crowd back into order, a feat that took several minutes, they talked amongst each other for a few moments. When they were done talking between each other they turned back and addressed everyone.
"It is under careful consideration…" yeah I'm not gonna lie I zoned out. I was feeling seriously tired from that outburst even without if being anything physical. Head lolling around my neck Grunt gave me a gentle tap on the shoulder and that was what I needed to wake up from my stupor. When I did it was to the crowd cheering and looking over at our group Tali looked incredibly relieved. Guess it worked then.
Looking back to Grunt I gave him a nod and he wheeled me out of the room. He made a quick stop near Tali and she bent down giving me a hug. She held the hug for a long time before letting go and resting her faceplate against my forehead. Pulling away from her I kissed the top of her mask before nodding to Grunt. I didn't even make it to the airlock before I passed out.
A week had passed with me on that fucking infernal medical bed. Dr. Chakwas let me go out on the wheelchair every now and again but for the most part I stayed on the bed. It was annoying but I understood why she insisted I do it. At least I had a few decent interactions.
First and foremost Tali kept me company almost the entire time. Only time she wasn't in the room with me she was either sleeping or working on something. She wouldn't tell me what she was working on but promised that I would love. I was a bit skeptical in all honesty but if it was what Ceelo showed us I would love it.
Other than Tali Dr. Chakwas kept me the most company and that's because she literally worked in the med bay so she couldn't leave me. Though she did turn on movies for me and showed me the whole recordings of what I did at the facility. Not gonna lie, it was like I went full Doom Guy on them and it was glorious. Other than that I found out that while she was a combat medic she worked with N7's.*
Besides her everyone else visited and I do mean everyone. Which was a bit of a surprise in all honesty and most interactions went well but only were a couple were anything of note. For example Thane, he brought me a bible while I sat in my bed. Said he heard I was religious and since he was as well thought I would enjoy a bible. I did and we had a rather entertaining talk about religion. After that first discussion he would come in periodically to talk about religion, I liked it and could tell we were bonding through religion even if it was differnt ones.
Besides him Garrus came around every day and always shared a beer with me. That was always appreciated and enjoyable. Most of the time we wouldn't even talk and just relax with a beer in our hands. Very few things are better than that. That was about it for notable interactions.
There was a small one besides those though. On the second day my pistol appeared at my side as I woke up. Looking around the room I couldn't spot her but I knew Kasumi was in the area. Good of her to stay and to get me my pistol. Felt good to have it with me.
As for what happened while I was bedridden Shepard took care of Zaeed's deal. I could tell when they got back as I was strolling around in my wheelchair that Shepard wasn't all that happy about what had happened but Zaeed was almost glowing. Guess he got his revenge. Other than that though nothing really happened besides a couple of small missions for the Alliance.
When my time in the bed was up the first thing that happened was Shepard walking into the room after Dr. Chakwas gave me the all clear. He asked if I wanted to have a go at the Asari in our brig. I told him no and that we should let her stew for a little longer and go to the Citadel instead. Tevos and I needed to have a talk.
He gave me a reluctant nod at that before leaving the room stating as he left that we were already on our way to the Relay to go to the Citadel. It would be a couple of hours later and as I walked to my room and opened the door Tali was standing there with her mask off holding my armor up by the shoulders. It looked to be mostly unchanged but there were lines around the outside that seemed to glow.
"Ceelo's design made into your armor. Unlimited tech abilities, no overheating for your omni-tool. Advanced tech armor as well. You deserve nothing less," I looked on at her in shock. I knew that she had been trying and guessed that she had done it but to actually look at it I was shocked. She slaved over this for me.
Walking up to her I grabbed my armor and laid it gently on my desk before cupping my hand to her face and bringing her in for a kiss. It lasted longer than I expected and she might have been a little expectant in what was going to happen. Still, I didn't want to. Not right now at least, I needed to think about how I was going to approach the Councillors.
Pulling away from the kiss I gave her another peck and another… and another. Damn it. Yes, it quickly changed to sex*. About 20 minutes and a heated session later we were cuddled on the bed. Getting up off the bed I went and took a shower before coming back into the room. As she saw me reenter the room I kissed her forehead before telling her that I needed to go talk to Shepard. Before I left I put on all of my armor and helmet, including my weapons; all of them.
A couple minutes later I was knocking on Shepard's door. There was a few seconds of scuffling feet before I heard Shepard call for me to enter. As I did I saw the tell tale signs of someone who had gotten laid. Giving Shepard an amused look behind my mask I walked around the room for a couple of seconds before looking at the closet, cliche.
"C'mon out," I said outloud. Walking out of the closet with nothing on was Jack. Neither of us said anything for a few moments as we looked at each other before I spoke choosing to ignore the naked Jack in the room.
"Sir. I am requesting you call for a meeting with the Councillors in person with the highest priority you can get. We-"
"Already done Aedon, should only be a couple hours now… Just so you know too no one else besides us and the Quarians know you're alive," I gave him a nod before turning to leave. However, at the door I stopped and looked at Jack.
"When you two are done and you're showered knock on my door and we'll talk," I got a reluctant nod from her before I left the room.
I waited in my room tampering and going over my weapons for the next 30ish minutes making sure everything was the best that it could be. After they had been sitting for as long as they had been they needed a little cleaning. Plus from how much I used them the ax and knife needed sharpening. So that's what I did and I was able to pound it all out before Jack got there; Tali had left for the engine during that time.
"You wanted to talk?" Jack asked as she tentatively entered the room. Still wasn't used to her appearing nervous at all. Guess she looked up to me enough to want my approval.
"How long?" was my simple question.
"About three weeks. Started out as just angry sex after the Collector ship mission… I… fuck. I think it's more now but I don't know."
"Is it affecting how you two operate in combat?"
"No."
"Then do what makes you happy Jack. If you need to talk about it I'll be here," she gave me a grateful nod of her head before walking out of the room.
About an hour later I got a message from Shepard saying that we were just about to arrive at the Citadel. Grabbing my gear and putting all of my weapons on I walked out of the room and headed towards the airlock. Getting there everyone but Zaeed, Kasumi, Miranda, Mordin and Jacob were already waiting there. Nodding to them we waited a couple more minutes before Joker announced that we had arrived.
Taking the lead I stormed out of the Normandy with the others right behind me. Walking through the scanner without preamble pushing past others in the line it went off and two officers instantly came out of the side. Each of them balked at seeing me in full regalia and just staring both of them down. They instantly backed off.
Walking the rest of the way through the checkpoint Bailey looked shocked at seeing me. Glaring at the man he took a moment to regain his bearings before he told me where the Councillors were. Giving him a nod of thanks I continued on my walk and grabbed a large cab, enough for everyone. When everyone was piled in we took off towards the embassies.
Once we arrived I continued my charge and went straight for the room with the Councillors. It was the one they tried to make us sign that NDA in. As I made my way to the room Shepard stuck right by my side and gave me a sidelong glance relaying to me silently not to do anything stupid. I gave him a small nod as we reached the room.
Entering the room all of the Councillors were there and at seeing me they were all both shocked and relieved. With them were their seconds, Anderson being one of them. Before anyone could do anything though I marched up to Tevos, pulled my pistol and put it right on her forehead. The tension in the room skyrocketed as everyone held their breath on what was going to happen.
"Do you know?" I growled out to her. She looked shocked, confused, and terrified all at the same time but in her eyes was confusion and uncertainty. She didn't know. Once I determined that I pulled the gun away from her head eliciting a sigh of relief from her before I gestured for everyone to sit down. Everyone did with trepidation not knowing where this could lead.
"What is going on Torchbearer?" Sparatus asked as he sat down staring at me demanding an answer. I didn't have to give him one but I did anyways.
"Before I go on anyone who does not have an Ultra Top Secret Cleareance must leave besides the crew of the Normandy," slowly everyone else besides the Councillors and Anderson left the room, once they were gone I continued. "I was taken by an Asari supremacist group which I believe has had a hand in a lot of things since at least 300 years ago,"
"Now, tell us what is going on," Udina snapped out at me. Once he did I opened my omni-tool and sent them the footage of the fight with the sword wielding Commandos. No one said a word as the fight began but I saw both Anderson and Tevos tense once Dashi began to talk. When she showed her face Anderson and Tevos both swore under their breath.
"She died. The kill was confirmed," Anderson spoke softly after the fight ended breaking the tension that had building during the fight. Trepidation and fear lining his voice.
"Apparently not," was my only response. Before any of the other Councillors could ask anything Tevos spoke up.
"How embedded are they?"
"One of their leaders was confirmed to be on the Council of Matriarchs," was all I said in response. Tevos put her head in her hands at those words.
"Is that?" Sparatus asked leaving the question open. I simply nodded my head. He immediately swore at the confirmation.
"From now on I would recommend consistently changing your codes when you send messages about anything," I started before looking at Tevos. "As for you ma'am I suggest that you be left out of the loop unless absolutely necessary."
"If it is as deep as you say I agree… Can I at least know the member is though?"
"Raros," if she looked depleted before she looked absolutely devastated now.
"If she is alive why the long silence, why not do anything else?" Valern voiced from his seat still looking over the video.
"I don't know, probably orders not to do anything. As for now though since I escaped I don't know," from how he looked at me I knew I would have to be careful with Salarians in the future. They might be on my side now but there was no doubt in my mind they would kidnap me to test my abilities if given the chance.
"What do you plan to do?" Anderson asked. Udina looked affronted that he had taken the leave but I didn't care. Udina was the politician, Anderson the soldier.
"For now, nothing. Once we are finished with the Collectors though I will be going after the whole group."
"What do you need from us?" Tevos asked, uncertainty lining her voice.
"Permission and forgiveness for what I will do," there was a long silence in the room. Every single council member looked at each other in silent debate for a few seconds before looking back to me. All of them giving nods of assent.
"Thank you. Now, where's the most secure message system you have?" I asked looking at them. For a moment there was silence before Valern pointed to the wall were a terminal was. Walking up to it I immediately made a call to Aria.
After a couple of rings she answered. When she did she looked at me in surprise for a moment before a satisfied smile crossed her face. Guess she had been betting that I wasn't dead and had just won a lot of money.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked, amusement covering her voice.
"Are you alone?" she nodded her head. "Dashi is alive," I may not like Aria all that much but she always put herself before others and if she knew Dashi was alive she would put the whole of Omega before herself. That was something that I could get behind with my group being on Omega as well.
"You're fucking with me," was her only response though.
"I wish I was. My mentors confirmed it," there was a silence between us for almost a minute as she looked at me in disbelief. When it finally set in I wasn't bullshitting her she let out a long sigh.
"I will have my people look into this quietly and if anything comes up I'll let you know," I expected more resistance out of her and at my impassive face beyond the mask she must've noticed that as she continued. "I do not like you Wynne. However you fight chaos with chaos to being some type of order in. Dashi is only chaos and revels in it; if she steps back into the game it'll only be detrimental for everyone involved."
She cut the connection after that and when I looked back to everyone in the room I gave a simple nod to Shepard and we all left. The Councillors still needed to figure their shit out and they didn't need us there for that. Either way we left and made our way back to the Normandy.
On our way back we were swamped by people trying to get a picture of me. The Torchbearer was back and he was alive and they wanted every moment captured live. Still, we walked past them as if they weren't there at all. It did make the trip back to the Normandy slower than normal but it didn't stop us.
We pushed through everyone to make it back to the Normandy but by the time we did I was already trending on all social media sites. Most had the hashtag that I was back and the resounding positive feedback was surprisingly to me. I never expected to be this loved with people. I was just doing what I thought was right… guess they like that more than anything.
Anyways when we made it back to the Normandy Grunt let out an extra large growl and Shepard looked at him impassively. After a couple of seconds of silence after Grunts large growl Shepard nodded his head and called up to Joker to take us to Tuchanka. Looks like we were heading to Grunts mission as nothing of the Collectors had come up.
As Shepard called that in to Joker I asked about Legion, asking where the 'geth' was. Garrus gave me an answer stating that he was in the AI area. Nodding to him in thanks I left the rest of the group and made my way there.
Getting there through the med bay I opened the door and looked at Legion. He too looked at me as soon as I opened the door but neither of us said anything for a moment. Before he could formulate a response I walked up to him and stretched out his hand. He probably saved my life with what he did and deserved that much.
He seemed to be almost grateful at the extension of friendship and shook my hand. When I pulled away neither of us said anything. Still, I was curious as to why he saved me. So I asked.
"Why were you there?"
"You once had a favor with us. We wished to have one with you as well," I laughed at that. Not at the explanation but at for everything about it. Guess the Geth were already learning.
"Then let me say I am one favor deep to the geth," I gave him a smile behind my mask. He didn't register anything with my body language when he answered.
"We will call it in when we must," I nodded and left his room.
Making my way back to my room I took off my gear and jumped into bed. A couple of minute later Tali joined me in her full suit. Neither of us said anything and neither of us made any moves for anything more. It was just cuddling and it felt good. I missed this.
POV: Eschucivi Dashi
I watched the footage over and over again obsessing over it as I watched Aedon rip apart all of the Asari he came into contact with. Excitement filling me the entire time as I watched I couldn't help the shiver of pleasure at watching him kill them all. Asari may be the superior race but this man was someone I would've loved to teach.
He was something else and someone who showed an absolute affinity for brutality and efficiency. Not to mention that the ax and knife combo he worked with was not only unique but surprisingly effective. Then there were his mentors, all of them survivors of their failed kill mission on me; including my daughter. I was jealous that she had found someone like Aedon instead of me.
Sitting at my desk as I watched the recordings on repeat as I sharpened my blade I couldn't wait for the next opportunity to face him. I don't know when it'll be but one thing I do know is that our battles will be legendary. Songs will be sung about our fights and when one of us emerges victorious they shall be hailed as the greatest warrior of all time.
He still wasn't perfect though. There was still so much development for him to go through. As a one-on-one fighter, he needed to improve; I will teach him that lesson. So that only when he is truly ready may we fight in a no holds barred deathmatch. It will be something that'll be remembered for all time and when we do the galaxy will watch us.
May the better fighter leave alive. I couldn't wait and I wondered what his essence would be. Mine was a Samurai, and I just knew he could match mine in development. The only question would be what shape it would take. My money was on a Viking.
There ya go folks. Hope you enjoyed!
1*: medics, real medics, tend to be on the back lines and only run in when shit goes sideway. If a medic is on the front lines it's a safe assumption to say that everything has gone wrong.
2*: No; I will not write a sex scene you horny people. Ever; love you all though