Leena's POV
"Calm down Cy, Aria isn't going to kill you" I reassured the Metal Dragon as Shepard and I made our way to Dock 42.
Aria had finally messaged us saying she was ready to get Omega back.
"She just makes me nervous" Cypher admitted. "I'm just surprised she also wanted me to join you and Shepard for this mission"
"If Aria wanted you to tag along Cypher it means she likes you" Shepard added.
"God I hope you're right" Cy muttered as we arrived at Dock 42 and waiting for us there was Aria's contact Bray.
"Well damn, Bray I wasn't expecting to see you again" I greeted the Batarian.
Bray had been the one who found me at the hospital prior. The Batarian exchanged greetings with Shepard before looking at me.
"Nice to see you again Leena, and I see you brought the Metal Dragon"
Cypher opened his mouth to say something but I shut him up via a glare. Bray had us follow him and a few seconds later a sky car pulled up. It opened and in the back seat was Aria.
"Shepard, Leena, hello again Cypher"
Cy's only response was a polite bow of his head. I got into the passenger side of the sky car while Shepard got into the back and the car was soon being driven.
"Nice entrance" I complimented the Pirate Queen.
"And dramatic" the Commander added.
"There are too many eyes and ears in Purgatory" Aria stated.
"Hey I would do it this way if I were in your position"
Aria smirked at my answer before getting down to business. The Pirate Queen spoke about Cerberus taking over not only Omega but that of the Terminus Systems. Her plan was to pretty much kick Cerberus out of her domain but retaking Omega wasn't going to be easy.
"I've amassed a fleet of merc ships, we're going to punch through enemy lines and invade, once we're on Omega it's a ground war, that's why I wanted you three, I only accept the best"
Cypher made a surprised squawk at Aria's remark.
Aria then pulled up a picture of a man who worked for Cerberus. She passed the datapad to Shepard first then the Commander handed the device over to me. I took an immediate dislike to the image as did Cy.
"The leader of the Cerberus occupation is General Oleg Petrovsky, he's the one who ousted me"
Cypher was swishing his tail around in annoyance and called Petrovsky a rude name. Aria snorted in amusement before continuing.
"The Illusive Man's top military strategist and best-kept secret but all you guys really need to know is that he's a merciless bastard"
"Hate him already" I spat as I handed the datapad back to Aria.
"What's your Intel on him and the occupation?" Shepard wondered.
"Petrovsky's army is massive and he's got Omega locked down tight, the information stops there, there are secrets on Omega that only I know, secrets that will provide us a foothold, his invasion was precise and ruthless and he'll stop at nothing to win"
She paused for a minute before resuming.
"I know my reputation, I know I'm hated and respected, I ruled Omega with an iron fist, but the people were free, their lives were theirs and I preserved that, this man took all that away and he's going to pay, and when Omega is mine again I'll give you everything, I have ships, mercs, eezo, all yours for the war"
"What's the catch?" I inquired.
"I have objections to some of the company you keep, so you, Cypher, and Shepard will have to leave the Normandy and its crew behind for a while"
"My crew are professionals" Shepard responded.
"Let's just say for now I prefer to have you three to myself"
"Oh I'm going to enjoy kicking some more Cerberus ass," I said with a wicked grin.
"Hence why I wanted you along for the ride Leena" Aria added. The Pirate Queen then leaned in so she could get a closer look at Cy. Cypher remained still as Aria looked at him.
"You know you are pretty cute it's too bad you have a mate already"
I almost laughed and Cypher muttered his thanks. He was even more surprised when Aria affectionately scratched behind his side fins.
Back on the Normandy
Shepard and I had some time to kill before we left to go meet up with Aria. I found Saren on the Observation Deck reading something from a datapad while Noire slept on his shoulder.
"How are you adjusting to having Noire with you?"
"I like having her around" the older turian admitted while glancing at the sleeping dragoness.
"Having a bond with a Metal Dragon is worth it, she'll protect you with her life"
"How did you find Cypher?"
I chuckled.
"Cypher found me, I was on Earth visiting my family and he came out of nowhere and flew into my arms so hard I fell on my ass"
That made Saren chuckle.
"You should have seen Cy then, he couldn't contain his excitement, when the link between was formed it was then I understood how strong the companion bond is, Cy can be a pain in the ass but I love him"
"At some point, he will live with Liara, how will you feel about that?"
"I'll miss him but I want Cy to be happy"
I then let Saren go back to his reading and found Garrus as usual in the Main Battery.
"Am I seeing things or are you not calibrating?" I teased my husband as I approached him.
"I was just reading the reports from Palaven" Garrus explained. From the look on his face, the reports weren't good so I decided not to ask any more about his home planet. Instead, I kissed his cheek and placed my forehead against his.
Garrus wrapped his arms around my waist and he drew me closer to him.
"I just want this war to end," he said.
"I know babe I do as well"