Where are you, Mads?
Why did you leave us behind?
Why are protecting someone else?
You promised to come back!
Here they come again, the voices. The echoes of the long dead. They creep their way into the black matter of my brain, haunting me for the mistakes I made, for everything I have done.
I tell myself that they are but my imagination, created out of guilt. I like to think I have moved on, that I'm a new man, a man that has adapted to this new world. But the truth is much more grim.
I thought I had made my peace with them when I saw them in heaven, but I was mistaken. It is said that nostalgia is a powerful drug, one that can be addicting. I so often find myself using it.
I'm not changed, if I was, I would have rid myself of all old artifacts.
I must live with my curse, I doomed to walk this road, and this road alone.
There were so many different vocies. I recognized every single one of them, expect one. It was the sound of a baby crying.
I somehow know that this baby is a symbol of life, the life I could have lived.
25/01 2017
St. Petersburg, Russia.
"You are what?" Nika asked. Mads and her had been together for three years. She was 2 years younger than him, but was focuesed on getting a high degree in science, where Mads had choosen his path within the military. The last year had put a strain on their relationship. He had been sent to Syria twice within the last year.
"I'm going back." Mads replied coldly.
"And you only tell me about this NOW?" She was upset. Mads could understand her anger, but this was a matter not up for discussion.
"I have only just been notified." Mads answered. He was getting tired of these fights they were having.
"With a week notice?"
"Yeah! With the fall of aleppo, the army wishes to push while it still has momentum. They need the best, and that's me."
"So you're just going to leave? How are we ever going be a normal couple if you keep running off to play war?!" She fired back.
"I'm down there to PROTECT you!" Mads replied.
"I fail to see how you are protecting me in a country over 2000 miles away!"
"I rather be fighting them down there, then getting a call someday telling me that you died in a bombing!"
She went quiet. Then she began to lightly cry as she sat down on the leather couch. Mads sighed, he had made her sad again with his talk of death. He sat down beside her and tightly hugged her, she cried into his shoulder as her grip on his shoulders tighten.
"Why do you jeopardize your own life? How can we ever start a family if something happens down there?" She finally asked with sobs inbetween the words.
"Nothing will happen, my dear. I'll be just fine, and I'll be back before you know it." Mads replied as he held her in his arms.
"How long-" She took a pause to breathe "Will you be gone?" She asked.
"I'll be back sometime in mid april. Once I'm back, I can talk with them about a long vacation. We can go travel, perhaps south America?" Mads suggested.
She laughed as much as she could in her current state, so it was more of a chuckle. "I would like that." She replied.
Mads kissed her forehead. "Everything will be alright." He whispered to her.
23/6 2185
SR-2 Normandy
Captain's quarters.
Mads jumped up in bed covered in sweat. That dream, he hadn't had it in a couple of years. He remembered Nika, it had almost been love at first sight. She had looked beautiful in her sundress and that had instantly caught his eye. She had told him that he looked very handsome in his uniform, so Mads had caught her eye as well. Mads fell back into the bed.
Mads always regretted leaving for war, there were many reasons for that: His family, his friends, but most of all, her.
Why did have that dream? Was it just his mind haunting him once again? Then the answer dawned on him, it was because of his new found love for Tali. His mind was telling him not to do it again, to let yet another soul down.
Mads needed time to think, to think about if he really wanted love in his life. He swung his legs around and landed them on the ground as he sat up in bed. He reached over to his night table beside the bed. He took the pack of cigerettes and placed one inbetween his lips.
They were headed to Omega, the safe heaven for all criminals. They were there to recruit 3 new members to their team.
Mads took the time to look over the room. It was nice, almost a small apartment. Mads ran his fingers over his tattoos, Jacob had told him that Cerberus had flown in 3 of the galaxy's best tattoo artists to recreate the body work done on him almost 170 years ago. They had used alliance pictures from the early days of the project as source material. They looked nice and were well done.
Mads went into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. With his big beard, he looked like a caveman, or worse. He took a bread trimmer and made it look a bit better, reducing it's size and so on.
His hair on his head had grown a bit as well. He was going to get a hair cut the first chance he got. Perhaps that Kelly girl could help him.
Mads then took a long cold shower. It helped clear his head. His mind kept drifting back to Tali. He tried pushing out the thoughts he was having.
Mads stepped out of the shower and got changed into a uniform. His wardrobe was filled with Cerberus uniforms. He sighed, he should have known. He would to get something else at some point, for now the cerberus uniform would have to do.
"Captain Romanov, specialist Taylor requests your presence in the armory." Edi called out over the speaker in his room.
Mads didn't know what to think about the AI that had been installed in the new Normandy. He had been fighting Geth and now he was supposed to be happy that a AI was controlling the entire Normandy? And they named the AI Edi none the less?
"I'll be right there." Mads answered as he tugged his feet into his jackboots.
Mads walked out the door and went down the elevator and went to the armory.
"Good morning, Captain." Jacob greeted as he stopped his work on a rifle.
"Good morning, Jacob. What is the issue?" Mads asked.
"Logistics I'm afraid." Jacob replied as he grabbed the datapad from the table and began skimming it.
"What is going on with logistics?"
"Well, we have enough terminal clips to keep us going for a long time, and we can always buy more. The problem lies within your choice of weapons. That 44. Magnum is not easy to locate ammo for. Considering we are Cerberus, the alliance refuses to sell us any form of ammo. We have not been able to locate another source for 44. bullets. I was hoping that I could persuade you to use one of the other weapons we have." Jacob explained.
"Damn, that is a problem. Neither the alliance nor the citadel will sell us anything. Hmmmm..." Mads thought for a little while for a possible solution. Then he remembered an old contact.
"I only know one person who can sell us that much ammo unregulated and unofficial" Mads remarked.
"And who is that?" Jacob asked.
"Sergei the Merchant." Mads replied.
"Sergei the Merchant?"
"Don't tell me you never heard of him."
"Can't say that I have."
"Sergei is probably one of the biggest weapons smugglers in the galaxy. Certainly the biggest based out of earth. He can get you anything from a knife to a Turian military cruiser, if you pay well enough. He is also the only one to deal in old human weapons." Mads explained.
"You know we can't go to earth, right?"
"I know, let's hope I still got those favors. How long before we reach Omega?" Mads asked.
"2 days I reckon." Jacob replied.
"Alright, let me call him."
Mads went into the comm room and made the call to the old contact number, he was praying that it was still solid. Sergei had a habit of changing it every now and then.
The call came to life; The hologram was glitchy. A deep voice spoke out.
"пароль" It ordered.
"Услышишь гром и вспомнишь обо мне" Mads replied.
"Mads?" It asked
"да" Mads replied.
"I heard you were dead." The hologram stopped being glitchy and showed Sergei in his full form. He was in his mid fifties, had a scare across his left eye. His eyes were blue with a hint of green. He stood calm, but he was surpised to see an old friend return. He was quite tall, about 6'4 feet. Almost as tall as Mads himself.
No one knew much about Sergei, not even his last name. There were rumors of course, but some of them were hard to believe. Most people believe he was in the alliance, mostly due to his military know-how and his hatred of Batarians. He hated them so much in fact, that he would often pass up large contracts from Batarians slavers.
"I been hearing that a lot." Mads replied.
Sergei stopped the awkward silence by laughing. "It really is you! My friend, how have you been?"
"Dead. I have been parlaying with god."
"Back from the grave? How so?"
"I can give you details later on. I need ammo, a lot in fact. How fast can you send a shipment to Omega?" Mads asked.
"I don't know, 2 weeks."
"That won't do."
Silence fell upon them once again. No one really sure how to proceed. Then Sergei snapped his fingers.
"You know what, it's perfect. 2 birds with one stone. I can get it to you in 4 days. What do you say?"
"4 days I can manage."
"Alright, how much do you need?"
Mads took a moment to do the math.
"At least 25 boxes of 44. round, 150 boxes of 7.62×39mm and 80 boxes of 12 gauge." Mads replied.
"о, чёрт! That's quite the order. That's going to cost you."
"Don't worry about my financial abilities, just worry about getting it there."
"Don't worry, I'll be there. I will send you the details within 2 days." Sergei.
Mads was about to end the call, when Sergei spoke up.
"And Mads. It's good to have you back."
Mads smiled. "It's good to be back." Mads replied and ended the call.
25/6 2185
SR-2 Normandy
Right outside Omega.
Mads stood in the cockpit of the Normandy. In the pilot seat was none other than Joker. Mads glad that Joker was onboard with the mission, it was nice to see a familiar face, well him and doctor Chakwas. Mads and him had been talking for a few hours, just catching up. Joker still felt gulity for not doing more to save Mads. Mads assured Joker that he did everything he could and that everything went as they were suppsoed to go.
The Normandy docked on Omega. "Welcome to the biggest shithole in the galaxy, Captain. Hope you enjoy your stay." Joker said as he parodied a tour guide.
"Thanks" Mads laughed. He had already suited up. He was taking the only two members he had with him. Miranda and Jacob. He didn't really trust them, but he did trust Jacob more than Miranda. She seemed very hostile in her nature.
The smell was the first thing to greet Mads. He really did smell like a shithole. His first sight was even more revealing. Several people were on the ground, coughing bad. The hallway looked like it hadn't been cleaned in more than 100 years.
Mads took a few steps, his boots echoed throughout the small hallway. The people stopped what they were doing to look his way. A Salarian came up to him, eager to speak with him.
"Ah! Welcome to Omega! You are new here, aren't you? I can tell!"
A Batarian came up beside him and told him to bugger off. "Captain Romanov, Aria wishes to speak with you. Go to afterlife now." He ordered.
"I'll go to afterlife when I please." Mads replied.
"Aria's word is final around here." The Batarian explained in a angry tone.
"Yeah?" Mads asked as he headbutted the Batarian. He fell on the ground. "Pass on the messege" Mads ordered.
"Okay, I'll tell her you will come later." He replied as he got on his feet and ran towards afterlife.
Mads could feel everyone's eyes on him. No one was supposed to stand up to Aria's thugs. Mads then spotted a man over in the corner who was busy beating up a batarian. The man's armor stood out, and Mads recognized him as Zaeed Massani. He had received a dossier about him, a hired gun. Finding him had been easy at least.
Mads slowly walked over to him. Zaeed must have heard him coming due to the loud hobnails, because he threw a last punch into the batarian's gut before turning around and facing Mads.
"I take it you are Zaard Massani?" Mads asked.
"Yeah, you must be that Captain Romanov. I heard we were going to save the galaxy. Be some big guddamn heroes, or something like that. " He replied.
"Indeed, we are taking the fight to the collectors. I trust you will be able to find your way to the ship once you dealt with this fella here?" Mads asked as he pointed to the half dead batarian beside him.
"Yeah, I'll be there. But one thing, did your boss tell you about the favor I requested?"
"No, he leaved that detail out."
"Good thing I asked. Have you ever heard of Vido Santiago?"
"That cocksucker who runs the blue suns?"
"Yeah, that's the one. I have taken a contract from a big oil company, the blue sons have laid siege to one of their big plants. They want it back."
"Fine, we'll deal with it when I'm done here on Omega."
"And when is that?"
"2-3 days."
"Great, see you on the ship, you big guddamn hero."
Interesting character. Was Mads' only thoughts regarding the hardend mercenary.
"Let's get to this Aria." Mads ordered.
They all went to the afterlife club. Getting in was easy for them, but not so much for everyone else, considering the line that had forming outside the club, everyone else was eager to join the fun inside. This place, Omega, was really a shithole by every standard. Poverty dominated the rock, there was no law and order.
Mads, Jacob and Miranda had just walked in through the front door, when some less than friendly Batarians found Mads in the wrong mood to party.
"You! Give up your money" The Batarian demanded.
"Who? Me?" Mads asked.
"Yeah you, shitbag. What to have a premature death?" The Batarian took and aimed a pistol at Mads. Jacob and Miranda kept their weapons ready.
Mads laughed. The Batarian looked confused at Mads, not sure what was so funny. While the Batarian was distracted, Mads took the chance and knocked the gun straight out of his hand. Before the Batarian could even react to what had happened, Mads twisted his arm around and brought the Batarian to his knees while still holding his arm.
Using his own knee, Mads broke the Batarian's arm. The Batarian winced in pain and Mads let his arm go. Mads took it upon himself to teach the fucker one last lesson. So he stepped on the broken arm, causing unbearable pain to the Batarian.
"Next time you wish to rob someone, be sure to have the situation under control." Mads told him. All the batarian could do was nod.
"Get the fuck out of here, and don't let me catch you again." Mads ordered.
He didn't think someone with a broken arm could move THAT quickly, it was quite fun to see.
"Did you have to do that, Captain?" Jacob asked as Mads watched the door closed behind the Batarians.
"Hell yeah, he needed to understand what happens when you fuck with me." Mads replied. They went silent.
"Let's go." Mads ordered.
They went into the heart of the club called afterlife. Drunk people and pole dancers populated the lively room. The chatter only deafen by the loud music playing. The trio made their way across the room and over to the stairs leading up to the very 'office' of the so called queen of Omega.
Aria had armed guards all over the place. She was looking out over the club. One of the batarians began searching him and checking to see if he was indeed the real Mads Romanov.
"What this, Aria? Isn't my good looks enough?" Mads joked.
"Anyone can claim to be the famous Captain Romanov. We needed to make sure it was really you." She replied while keeping her eyes on the club.
Mads sighed as he took a seat at the leather couch.
"You'll do well to remember that there is but one rule here on Omega: Don't fuck with Aria." She informed.
"Understood." Mads replied.
"Now, what did you need?"
"Information. Dr. Mordin Solus, where is he?" Mads asked.
"Ahhh... Doctor Solus. I like him, so unpredictable, a man after my own heart. You'll find him in the quarantine zone, busy saving some lives while taking others." She answered.
"Quarantine? Is there an epidemic?"
"Yes, but you shouldn't worry, it doesn't effect humans."
"Alright, where is the quarantine zone?" Mads asked.
"By the apartments, it's impossible to miss." She replied.
"Do you know the location of 'archangel'?"
"Yes, but you will probably have trouble getting to him. Pretty much every gang on Omega is going after him."
"An vigilante?"
"Call him what you will. He hasn't wronged me... Yet. So I won't waste resources on him, he is indeed skilled. There is a recruiter here in the club, who can take you to 'archangel'."
"Thanks for the information." Mads said as he raised himself from the seat.
"Whatever" was her only reply.
Once again some quick translation for the russian used in the text.
"пароль": "Password"
"Услышишь гром и вспомнишь обо мне": "You'll hear thunder and remember me" (Old poet by Anna Akhmatova
"да": "Yes"
"о, чёрт": "Damn!"