Survival of the fittest
chapter 9
Life aboard the Normandy had picked up. It was busy… there was barley a moment to relax, and the crew was feeling it. Jane feared burn out.
Even when aboard the crew were restless. Aki, Jane had noted spent most of her time training- she had a temporary mentor in the guise of Thane, they trained each other, taught each other new things and sparred frequently.
Garrus had calmed down, he calibrated the weapon systems and helped In the upgrades of the Normandy, for this she was glad.
Jane had just finished her rounds and entered into her cabin when Thane had come asking her for a favour, he had a problem with his son and had no one else to turn too.
Jane figured she'd give Garrus some time so instead of her usual ground crew she chose Jack to accompany herself and Thane.
Garrus had as usual resigned himself to the battery for the entirety that Shepard was gone, he had to process everything that had happened. He'd gotten his revenge and yet he still felt empty and hurt.
Jane entered her cabin and showered before slipping into a pair of jeans and baggy t-shirt, her email tinged, computer blinking, she sat down on the chair and pulled open the email, her eyes hardening as she read the words.
Jane,
I'm sorry for what I said back on Horizon. I spent two years pulling myself back together after you went down with the Normandy. It took me a long time to get over my guilt for surviving and move on. I'd finally let my friends talk me into going out for drinks with a doctor on the Citadel. Nothing serious, but trying to let myself have a life again, you know?
Then I saw you, and everything pulled hard to port. You were standing in front of me, but you were with Cerberus. I guess I really don't know who either of us is anymore. A lot has changed in the last two years and I can't just put that aside.
But please be careful. I've watched too many people close to me die - on Eden Prime, on Virmire, on Horizon, on the Normandy. I couldn't bear it if I lost you again. If you're still the woman I remember I know you'll find a way to stop these Collector attacks. But Cerberus is too dangerous to be trusted. Watch yourself.
When things settle down a little... maybe... I don't know. Just take care.
-Kaidan
Jane sighed heavily. She couldn't have expected him to stay stagnant for two years after all that time was a blink for her. She was glad he'd attempted to move on and felt some piece of herself slipping into place, this was a form of closure for her… if Kaidan had moved on then she would have to let go.
She wanted to reply, to tell him that in her heart it's still 2 years ago but that she understood and wished him well.
Jane decided on an early night- her head hit the pillow and darkness engulfed her.
Jane awoke with a groan, she hadn't slept well since she was resurrected but last night she slept like a baby. Refreshed, she showered and got dressed before heading down to the galaxy map which of course was on lock down- Illusive man.
After a brief meeting in the conference room Shepard set a course for the collector ship a Turian patrol had managed to disable.
Jane entered the Collector ship, along with Garrus and Aki.
Jane was immediately on edge; she could feel the Goosebumps prickle at her skin beneath her armour.
It was so vast and yet so empty, there's something wrong with this place Garrus's mind concluded, he looked to Aki, the mask she wore covered her face so he couldn't gauge her expression, but he was sure she felt the same, the way she stood was ridged.
They followed Jane and abruptly stopped at a pile of discarded human bodies.
"Why would the Collectors leave so many corpses here?" Garrus pressed staring at the almost rotting corpses.
"maybe experiments gone wrong?" Aki suggested as she crouched to examine them further, she shook her head once before looking to Jane, "collectors could be sick bastards why else would they abduct colonies"
"There are worse things than death," Jane replied, "like being a test subject for fucked up aliens- Let's keep moving."
They moved further into the ship and came across a control terminal with a life pod next to it. Inside the pod was a Collector.
"another experiment?" Aki pressed
Jane scrolled through the terminal, "Joker, I'm sending the information from this terminal your way, tell me if you can find out what they were up to."
"Data received, analysing…the Collectors were running baseline genetic comparison between their species and humanity."
"What did they find out?" Aki asked
"Holy shit…a quad-strand genetic structure- protheans."
"wait so these- are protheans?" Garrus frowned motioning to the collector.
"They are no longer Protheans, Shepard. Their genes show distinct signs of extensive genetic re-write. The Reapers have re-purposed them to suit their needs."
"They were turned into monsters and enslaved by the Reapers" Jane shook her head "Still, we have to stop them."
"No species should have to suffer through that," Garrus said.
"Let's find what we need before the Collectors come to salvage this vessel. Move out."
They continued into the ship there was still no signs of life, it was like a wasteland, a metallic vast desert. Aki stopped suddenly and turned; this isn't right she scanned the area desperate to quell the unease.
"Shepard," Joker called on the comm, "I ran some more tests and you're not going to believe this…this ship is the same ship that attacked the Normandy two years ago."
"The same ship dodging me for two years. Way beyond coincidence."
"this is the ship that killed you?" Aki frowned her teeth grinding, these bastards were the ones that destroyed the Normandy
"well, this shit just got incredibly personal" Garrus shook his head
"Something doesn't add up, Commander. Watch your back."
After what seemed like an eternity of wandering through the corridors, they eventually came upon a control panel on a platform.
"Where are the bodies of the Collector crew?" Garrus asked. "Careful, Shepard. Something doesn't feel right about this."
"it can't be an unmanned vessel and there are no signs of fighting…" aki trailed off on high alert, "we need to get out of here as soon as possible Jane"
Jane approached the control panel, "Let's see if we can find anything useful from their data banks."
Aki kept her eyes peeled on the rafters above, her eyes lingering to where she saw movement, it was quick but there was someone watching, she motioned to Garrus, "up there"
He nodded "I know"
Aki had to smile, of course he knew, fucking Vakarian
"Jane, this is going to get rough" Aki murmured getting closer to her
The platform powered up and they were lifted into the air
As they rose, other platforms were also propelled up and into the space around them Aki frowned "jane- I think we've found our missing crew" she began firing at the collectors that had hitched onto the other platforms.
"Joker, find a way to override the systems!"
They ducked behind the short walls of the platform using it as a barricade against the oncoming fire, shooting at what Collectors they could see, Aki hit her cloaking device and skirted around annihilating the bulk that were trying to flank Jane and Garrus.
"More in bound!" yelled Garrus already firing
More and more platforms were headed for them all filled with pissed off collector soldiers
"Hurry it up Joker!" shouted Shepard.
Aki looked around making sure there were no more straggling before giving Jane the all clear signal.
"We've regained control of the platform," Joker stated, "and we found data that can help us pass through the Omega 4 relay." Joker explained "oh and Yeah that turian distress signal…it was the Collectors luring us here."
"Figures." Aki stated rolling her eyes
"Something else, Commander…turian signals have a secondary encryption which was present but corrupted in the signal…no way Illusive Man thought it was genuine. He had to know it was a trap…why would he send us into a trap?"
"that fuckin'- "
"Commander, the Collector ship is powering up…you've got to get out of there before their weapon systems come online! I'm not losing another Normandy! I'm sending you coordinates for shuttle extraction!"
"Come on, let's move!" yelled Shepard already running.
Aki began removing her holsters once aboard the Normandy, "well that was fun Jane, make sure to spit in the illusive man's face for me"
"yeah-I have a lot of questions" Jane frowned "but not for today- I cannot be arsed to see his smug- "
"commander illusive man wants to conference in- "
"think you better lose the signal Joker" Aki laughed
"can do" Joker responded "good work team".
It had been a slow few days mainly gathering supply's and training, that is until Samara had went to Shepard asking her for help to find the woman she was chasing called Morinth, who apparently could kill whoever she slept with and had also turned out to be her daughter.
Morinth was on omega, and she had killed again. Shepard was to be used as bait to lure Morinth out of the club and into a trap devised by Samara.
"how do I look?" Jane asked standing in front of Aki, the dress was silver, shiny and tight with a plunging neckline, it hugged Jane's frame perfectly, her hair hung in ringlets around her gentle face,
"you look like you're trying to pull" Aki nodded "be careful when you're in there"
Jane laughed "I'm not going alone- your dress is there"
Aki scoffed "what the fuck?"
"you're a contingency plan. In case I don't attract her, you might… you're my backup"
"oh-you-"
"get dressed" Jane ordered.
Aki quickly dressed, she huffed attempting to pull the short dress down a bit further whilst trying not to lose her boobs in the process, she glanced to Jane, "I feel exposed"
"you look amazing" Jane tilted her head "like just amazing- I don't think I've ever seen you look like well this" she smiled motioning to her younger sibling.
Aki sighed and tied her hair up into a messy bun, she quickly applied some make up and slipped on a pair of heels, "let's just get this over with" she muttered "I want to be back in my joggers"
Samara stood by the airlock, "one of you will definitely attract Morinth" she nodded proud with her plan.
Samara explained outside of the club that she would not be entering and that they should try and attract Morinth by any means necessary.
The two of them entered in and immediately headed for different ends of the club.
Aki headed for the bar and bought a whiskey quickly downing it, before looking around, she spotted Jane who approached two Turians, by any means huh? Aki smirked, there was a brief conversation before Jane sent them both to the ground coolly walking away.
Aki leaned back against the bar waving a dismissive hand to the man who attempted to talk to her "sorry- I'm waiting for my boyfriend" she lied flashing him a wicked smile.
she watched as Jane stared down a Krogan at the bar, another brief conversation before the Krogan go up and walked away.
Jane laughed softly and began scanning the club again for more ways to get this Morinth to notice her, she came to a halt as an Asari emerged from a shadowy booth to block her path, Aki turned trying not to draw any attention to herself.
"My name is Morinth. I've been watching you. You're the most interesting person in this place. I've got a booth over here in the shadows…why don't you come sit with me?"
"Sure," she replied as she followed Morinth to the booth.
Morinth took a seat, "Some nights I come here and there's no one interesting to talk to. Some nights, there's just one person. Tonight, it's you. Why is that?"
"I've travelled all over the galaxy…I know what I like," she replied honestly.
"It changes you, doesn't it?"
"Real travel means going to dangerous places."
"Where you can see and do things most people can't imagine."
"Yes, exactly."
"When I travel, I find myself drawn to dark, dangerous places." Of course you do.
"Violent places?"
"Violence is the surest expression of power."
"Violence is a means to an end. Power is that end." What the fuck am I saying?
"Do you want to get out of here? My apartment is nearby, and I want you alone."
"Lead the way," Jane replied with a smile- Aki was behind in an instant, skirting in the shadows as they left the nightclub.
They entered Morinth's apartment and sat down on couch, Morinth edging her way in toward Jane
She caressed Jane's face tenderly, "Look into my eyes and tell me you want me. Tell me you'd kill for me. Anything I want."
Morinth's eyes had changed to black, her whole person switching abruptly, it was hypnotising as much as predatory, Jane could understand why people fell for it.
"Don't count on it," Jane replied bluntly.
Morinth looked at her in shock, has no-one ever turned you down?
"But you…who are you? Oh, no…I see what's going on. The bitch found herself a little helper."
Samara burst through the door already engulfed in Biotics.
"Morinth!" she shouted out as she used a biotic throw to fling Morinth across the room.
"Mother…"
"Do not call me that," she said as another biotic lash whipped her.
"I can't choose to stop being your daughter. My only crime was being born with the gifts you gave me!"
She threw a biotic warp at Samara.
"Enough Morinth!"
Aki ran in just as the fight was beginning, mother and daughter fighting for their lives, Jane had moved out of the line of fire, unarmed against two Biotic masters. Aki ran to her dragging her back behind the couch as a tendril of whip launched a table in their direction.
"I'm as strong as she is! Let me join you!" Morinth pleaded,
"I am already sworn to help you, Shepard. Let us finish this!" Samara stated coldly, the two were in a battle of tug-of-war.
Jane looked to Aki, "think you can knock Morinth down?"
Aki smirked, "sure thing" she adjusted position and hurled a shockwave at Morinths feet breaking their hold.
Samara took advantage and advanced on her…Morinth scurried back until she hit the wall the fear evident.
Samara grabbed her daughter by the neck, "Find peace in the embrace of the goddess." Her hand glowed brightly as she slammed it down into Morinth's face killing her on contact, she dropped the body to the floor and turned to her companions, "I'm ready to leave this place and get on with my life. Are you ready to go as well?"
"Are you okay? Do you want to talk about this?" Jane asked softly, estranged or not killing your child would have been devastating.
"Shepard, what do you think I will say? What can I say? I just killed the bravest and smartest of my daughters. There are no words. I will try another time. For now, show mercy on a broken old warrior and let us leave."
"Okay" Jane breathed.
Back aboard the Normandy there was a moment of quiet, Jane took advantage of this and decided to check on her crew and see if everyone was okay; after finishing her rounds and with no immediate situations to take care of it was time to gather supplies from the Citadel.
Aki stopped by the mess before heading to her room to change, she grabbed a bottle of water and headed of the elevator, "Aki?"
She smirked glancing over her shoulder back to him "Vakarian?"
"wow- you look- "he stopped himself, how did she look? Different? Amazing? Fucking sexy? His plates were burning.
"pick your jaw up Garrus it was for a mission"
"Damn" he ran his eyes up and down her before clearing his throat "i-uh- I have some calibrations" he mumbled tearing himself away if I don't move, I'll rip that dress of her in front of everyone.
Aki laughed returning to her room.