Chapter two -
Alive.
Two years later.
Anderson walked to the balcony of his office and looked out to the bustling Presidium; he had been unable to see it the same since Saren's attack, he would always see it splattered with the blood of civilians, fires burning, people screaming.
He would forever feel the chaos that erupted lingering.
Now the peace seemed so fragile or maybe it was just his newly acquired pessimistic mindset.
"What's this about?" Aki pressed rubbing her tired eyes, it had been assignment after assignment for the last few months.
She had barely gave herself to breathe; now though her body longed for rest, to just sprawl in comfort for a day or two.
"I thought I was getting a break- is leave cancelled?" she pressed with a worried frown.
He nodded once sternly, this wasn't like him, he didn't look back to where she sat at his desk. somethings wrong "you are. However, I've received some information you may find interesting"
"what kind of information?" She quizzed to the back of his head.
When he didn't reply she sighed heavily and stood from her seat, crossing over to him resting her elbows on top of the balcony bar, glancing outward with a soft smile.
The citadel had recovered well, the memories of the Geth murdering people however would take longer to fade than the damage had.
"The last time you requested to see me like this it was to arrange Jane's funeral" the words came tinged with sadness, "mum is fine I spoke to her this morning- so what is it?"
Anderson sighed again, "nothing like that this time" he assured mimicking her position, his dark eyes focusing on a c-sec officer who often patrolled the area, "Shepard's alive- or so it seems" he stated coolly.
Aki's head snapped up, the words hitting her hard... what the fuck?
"Jane's alive?" she shook her head "David-"
"Omega" he looked to her now and smiled, "we had a sighting of the Normandy- or at least a new version of it. Shepard included" he stopped and frowned, "actually we've had several, seems that she's been very busy"
Aki couldn't seem to formulate anything coherent, her eyebrows knitted together into an angry line. Her mind continuing to scream that Jane was alive, she had mourned for her sister, comforted their heart broken mother for two years, "How is this even possible?" she snapped
"As far as we are aware they are still docked, however we don't have anyone stationed on omega at present and would prefer to keep this as off record as possible" he narrowed his eyes "we've had rumours for a while but decided on keeping it quiet- but you- I thought you had the right to know" he admitted "you girls are like daughters to me. I haven't told your mother, not until you check it out"
"I see" Aki nodded, mind already made up. Omega was worth checking out, even if this was some cruel fucked up joke- she needed to see it for herself. "Thank you, Anderson, it deserves to at least be investigated" she turned on her heel heading for the door.
"One other thing-" Aki stopped and looked to him, silver blonde hair falling over her face, he had seen that determination a million times, it was her 'get shit done' face, "the ship is affiliated with Cerberus"
Aki's silver eyes flashed slightly, "well this is... Unexpected" yet it explained so much.
Cerberus has the means to fund anything including that of possible resurrection- the only question is why? Why bring Jane back?
"Be careful Aki. I don't think Hannah could bare to lose another child" Anderson nodded softly.
"I know" they stood for a moment looking to one another.
"Aki- i'll put you down for indefinite leave" he exhaled heavily, "you're essentially a ghost anyway- easy to keep your name out of the records" he inhaled deeply "just try and keep a low profile- report to me when you know anything"
"of course and David, thank you"
Anderson looked to the blonde watching as she left, "Hannah's going to kill me" he muttered under his breath walking back over to his desk.
Omega.
Anderson was right.
The Normandy- at least a version of her- was docked in all her glory against the scum ridden hole of the galaxy- also known as Omega.
Aki smiled to herself, she'd be lying if she said she didn't like this place. Omega came with a freedom the Citadel couldn't offer.
Most of her wet work had ended with a night at a cheap hotel here, getting drunk on whiskey and watching shitty movies on the extranet. She had done some work on the side for Aria so her people mostly kept away.
Aki felt her chest tighten a little as she walked, her steps brisker than she could control, hands balled tightly against her thighs.
Jane's alive. she shot down the thought as soon as it entered, Jane wasn't alive... that was fucking nonsense.
The black armour she wore was unlike the other N7's, it was tight and less bulky and lacked the hardened shell and the protection the others offered, instead it was figure hugging made of woven metal fibre for optimal flexibility the shields were maximised but it meant that she had chosen movement over durability. The swords sheathed to her back clacked with every footstep.
She ground her teeth aware of the Vorcha blocking the path behind her, it was a shakedown, not uncommon on omega.
The figure that stepped in front of her hit the floor faster than he had appeared, the sliver of her sword flashed wildly as it tore through the air, too fast for his companions eyes to follow, it pressed against the scaly flesh of his neck drawing blood.
A warning.
I dare you fucker.
She glanced to the Turian from where she crouched above his body, one hand curled around the collar of his shirt, the other forcing the sword deeper against him, "idiot" she barked throwing him back, he grunted scrambling to his feet with the help of his Vorcha companions.
If they think numbers will help them, they're wrong.
"I'm busy, get out of my way" her voice was sharp, acidic.
The Vorcha hissed in unison one lunging forward. Aki stepped to the side her body bursting with a blue aura as she hurled him through the air, charging for the other that advanced, smashing an elbow into his face.
She ducked under a swipe from the Turian launching a biotic fused fist into his stomach, blue splattering the floor as he flew backward crashing against a far wall.
She straightened out her stance slowly, blood dripping from her gloved hand, biotics still flaring slashing wildly at the air around her frame reaving the shields from around her.
Aki twisted her body as another Turian rounded the corner his gun out, instantly firing, she easily dodged the rounds bringing her own gun out mid roll. The turian fell to his knees before slumping back, perfect shot between the eyes.
Aki bowed her head, aware of the three behind her, watching.
"Well shit", she turned her head to look at the slender tattooed woman who had spoken, the shotgun she held in hand had previously been pointed at Aki's back.
"Heh-if you're chicken, I'll take her" Aki's eyes turned to the other who spoke, a Krogan, who stood smirking at her, clearly raring for a fight.
She turned slowly, her pistol still in hand, finger right on the trigger waiting.
She looked through the hair that covered her eyes at the third...
"I would avoid that grunt" finally she spoke.
Aki inhaled deeply and watched as her sister clicked off her visor and headed toward where she stood, "I was wondering how long it would take for you to find me" she mused with a grin.
Aki stared, taking in the woman dumbfounded.
it's her… There's no mistaking it. Fucking hell!
The smile that broke across Aki's face was wide and toothy, she couldn't believe it, even with the gentle red of cybernetics breaking through her tanned skin...it was her.
Green eyes shimmering, her dark almost black hair hung down past her shoulders in heavy ringlets, god fucking damn it!
"you didn't exactly hide yourself from the Alliance" Aki muttered.
"Shep, you know her?" The tattooed woman pressed
Jane nodded, finally returning the assault rifle she held to the holster on the small of her back "this is Lieutenant Colonel Aki Shepard"
"'Shepard?'" The Krogan, repeated
"yeah- my younger sister" Jane explained.
Aki nodded sliding her handgun back into the holster on her hip.
The tattooed woman frowned at this new information.
Jane glanced back to the blonde before waving a hand to the tattooed woman, "this is Jack and Grunt" she motioned to the Krogan.
Aki nodded "nice to meet you"
they grunted an affirmative in unison, Aki chuckled a little at the surly pair.
"We should talk Aki" Jane smiled "but first why don't you help us out?"
"What with?" Aki arched an eyebrow intrigued.
"I'm recruiting. His name is Archangel- he's some mercenary commander that's been targeting the leaders of Omega's gangs" Jane explained.
"Yeah, I've heard of him- dishing out some good old vigilante justice" she smiled softly, "he's got everyone here wound as tight as a Hanar's arsehole"
"Yeah, they don't seem happy- there's a car waiting to take us to Archangels base... if you're up for it?" jane arched an eyebrow a smirk plastered on her sweet face.
"Okay Jane- I'll come with" how could i not?
"Let's get our asses moving then- who knows how much time Archangels got left" Jack prompted
"Ready when you are... commander" Aki smiled
My god it feels good to be a part of something again! If only the rest of the crew were here!
Jane smirked leading the way to the promenade following the path right to where a Batarian wearing blue Suns armour stood against a car, he looked to the trio and sighed "we're here for Archangel"
The Batarian nodded to the car "get in"