Hey Guys!

It's your boy, KanisRussell. Bringing you another chapter. I'm glad to see the positive feedback to the last chapter, it warms my heart. It will probably be a little while before the next chapter, since I Just moved to Nürnberg in Germany to start work down there.

This story was supposed to be wrapped up by now, but everyone can see that the tale is far from done. I got quite a lot of things prepared for future chapters. I hope everyone understands.

Other than that, enjoy the chapter!

Kind regards

KanisRussell

31/7 2185

Normandy.

Tali woke up to the warmth of Mads' arms. She hummed under her helmet at the feeling. She wondered what it would feel like without the suit blocking full skin on skin access. She sighed at the realization that such a thing would be hard to achieve. Mads was still hard asleep, slightly snoring as he kept his arm wrapped around Tali. He had gone to sleep in only his underwear, and therefore gave Tali a full view of his ink and body.

He was quite muscular, wide shoulders and a firm six pack. No matter the species, muscles were considered sexy. Mads hadn't been lying when he told her, that he had the prophet watching his back, just not in the sense Tali understood it. The picture of Jesus Christ on the cross dominated his back. He had told her, that he was not really religious before being shot, and that he chose to believe afterwards.

Tali silently and without notice slipped away from the hold of Mads' arms. She stood up and looked back at Mads shifting in bed. She looked down at him, smiling as she realized they were actually together now, something she only fantasized about before. Then, she saw the clock, and realized that it was close to 10 am. She grasped in horror, as her shift started more than an hour ago.

"Mrs. Zorah?" Edi voice asked over the comms.

"What is it? I'm a bit busy. I'm late for my shift!" Tali proclaimed as she was about to clean up a little.

"Captain Romanov relieved you of your shift today." Edi replied. Tali stopped what she was doing and made a sigh of relief and smiled back at Mads, who was still very much at sleep.

"What about Mads? Doesn't he have official duty?" Tali asked.

"Doctor Chakwas instructed me to allow Captain Romanov at least 8-10 hours of sleep. However, once he does awaken, do inform him that both Mr. Vakerian and Mr. Krios wishes to speak with him." Edi requested.

"Yes... Of course." Tali replied. Edi went quiet, and Tali looked back at Mads. Still shifting in his bed and letting out that snore. She smiled as she sat down in the bed, and looked at him... So ….. Peaceful. She stayed like that for a bit, but then she went over to his desk. There was that picture she saw 2 years ago, of his family standing close for a photo together.

Then she heard him wake up, groaning as he sat up in bed. "What's the time?" He asked, his voice still tried.

"10:07 am." She replied as she put the picture back on his desk.

"Well damn..." Mads said as he put a cigarette between his lips and gave it light. "I should have reported for duty two hours ago. What a shame." He remarked. "However, I'm sure Mrs. Lawson will manage in my absence." Mads laughed. He took another drag as he stood up and stretched out his body.

"Did you sleep well?" Mads asked, still stretching out his body.

"Never better. And you?" Tali asked back with a smile as she came towards him.

"Probably the best sleep I've had in 11 years." He smiled and put his cigarette in the ashtray. He got them on the ground and started doing sit-ups.

"Didn't know you did morning work outs." Tali teased.

"Gotta keep them abs in shape, otherwise I can't catch Quarian girls." Mads laughed back and he counted each sit up. He took 30 and them went on to pushups. Tali eagerly watched her... Captain at work.

After he was done with the work out, they shared some breakfast together. Mads had gotten the best Quarian meal he could find, while enjoying some eggs and bacon himself.

"Garrus and Thane wanted to speak with you." Tali said as they finished eating.

"They did? Guess I'd better go back to being captain. A shame though, I had almost gotten used to this." Mads smiled.

"We can meet up here again tonight." Tali suggested.

"I like that sound of that, Mrs. Vas Normandy." Mads replied.

Mads then got changed into his uniform and quickly made sure his hair and beard wasn't too much of a mess. "And what will you'll be doing today?" Mads asked as he finished up trimming his beard.

"Not sure, It's not every day the Captain clears me of duty." Tali replied. Mads laughed.

"Yeah, I'm sure you'll manage. I'll be back later." Mads said as he went to the door and snapped on his belt.

"I'll be counting the minutes." Tali remarked.

A few mintutes later.

"Thane? You wanted to speak with me?" Mads asked as he walked into the room. He hadn't really had the chance to have a one-on-one with him yet.

"Yes, please sit." Thane requested as he gestured to the stair in front of him. Mads did so.

"To put it bluntly... I'm dying." Thane said.

"Wait... What?" Mads asked confused back. "We can get you help, Thane." Mads promised.

"I have been to the best doctors in the galaxy. There is nothing to be done. It's Kepral's Syndrome, it develops after too long exposure to humid climates. It's slowly killing me. But that's not the issue. I can complete this mission, and then it will be my last." Thane explained.

"I'm... Truly sorry to hear that." Mads expressed.

"Don't be. There is however, one thing I wish to... Correct." Thane said with a heavy voice.

"And what is that?" Mads asked as he leaned forward in his seat. Eager to hear what he had to say.

"Some Drell are handpicked to be hired contractor from childhood by our Hanar protectors-" Thane started.

"You mean to tell me that those jellyfish force children to become assassins?" Mads asked.

"No, most Drell families support it whole heartily. The Hanar saved the Drell from extinction, we were burned our own planets resources too quickly. The Hanar agreed to uplift us to their world. They saved about 300.000, while the rest died in wars over the remaining resources. We owe our thanks to the Hanar, and if they wish for some of our Children to become contractors, I see no problem in it." Thane explained.

"That's... uhm... Understandable... I guess." Mads replied hesitantly.

"With all due respect Captain. I'm not looking for your approval. When I was 12, they released me, I took up contract killing. At some point, I was about to snipe a target, when a woman noticed the laser sight and stepped right into my line of fire. I was amazed that this woman was willing to give her life for a stranger. We got to know each other, and we ended up married. We even had a son." Thane said.

Mads leaned back in his seat. "Let me guess, something went wrong?" He asked.

"My wife was killed in retaliation of a former kill. They didn't have the guts to face me themselves. After her funeral, I gave my son to his aunties and uncles. While I hunted down the scum who killed my wife. I had already grown... Distant... From my son, after the years of contract work. And now-"

"You want to be reunited with your son?" Mads asked.

"I left a package for Kolyat, for when he was old enough to understand. I have been notified that the package have been claimed. I'm afraid he may be... Up to no good." Thane said.

"We'll go help your son, Thane. You have my word." Mads promised.

"Thank you Captain. It would help put my mind at ease." Thane replied.

"Where is he?" Mads asked.

"The citadel." Thane answered.

"Alright, we'll get there as soon as possible. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go speak with Garrus. I'd love to continue a conversation with you later." Mads suggested.

"I would like that." Thane replied.

"I finally have him." Garrus remarked as Mads stepped into the forward cannon room.

"Have who?" Mads asked.

"The traitor who sold me out." Garrus replied.

Mads remembered Garrus telling him about what happened with his unit on Omega, that he wasn't always the lone gunman he appeared to be. They were all killed, and Garrus was convinced it was a traitor in their midst, he had been looking for him ever since.

"And you're sure it's the right one?" Mads asked.

"Fucking positive. Dipshit is hiding out on the Citadel, he is under an fake ID, so I can't pinpoint him, But I know someone named Fade, a local criminal who can make people disappear. We NEED to get him, Romanov!" Garrus proclaimed.

"We're already on our way to the citadel, we'll sort it out. I promise. But you need to think about what you want to do, or rather, what you should do." Mads ordered.

"I'm want to skin the bastard, but I'll settle for a shot in the head." Garrus replied coldly.

"We'll see soon enough. Let's get there first." Mads said.

"Yeah... By the way, it's great to see you and Tali got together finally." Garrus' tone shifted.

"How did you-"

"Oh please! First you spend close to 45 minutes alone with her in the engineering deck. Then she doesn't sleep in her pod in the evening. I can do the math." Garrus remarked with a smug face.

"Does anyone else know?" Mads asked.

"I don't know, but I don't think so." Garrus replied.

"Alright, could you please keep that mouth of yours shut about it for now? Don't want the entire galaxy to fucking know." Mads ordered.

"Yeah sure, but you gotta help me on this mission." Garrus requested.

"I'll help you all the same, Garrus. Whether you like it or not, you're a brother to me." Mads said.

"Thanks... That's actually really nice to hear." Garrus replied.

"Let's go get that bastard." Mads said.

"Fuck yeah!" Garrus agreed.

26/7 2185

Omega

"Is everything ready?" Conrad asked impatiently.

"Yes, here is your fake ID." Helena Blake replied and handed him what he requested.

"A furniture salesman, huh?" Conrad asked a bit annoyed.

"If you want to blame anyone, blame Fade. He made them." Helena said with an equal annoyed tone in her voice.

"Fade, that's the best man for the job?" Conrad asked.

"He is the only on the citadel who wasn't under Kelham's thumb and could deliver as soon as you requested." Helena explained.

"Alright, guess they'll have to do." Conrad said as he uploaded it to his omni-tool.

"What do you plan to do?" Helena asked.

"Seems the good Captain Romanov is my saving grace once again. Quite ironic, I know. I have been monitoring him, and he recently recruited a certain Thane Krios." Conrad answered.

"The Thane Krios?" Helena asked. Pretty much everyone in the criminal underworld knew the name, and most feared it.

"Yes. This is not public knowledge, but he has a son, named Kolyat. It would appear Kolyat is in need of work, preferably in the same line of work as his father. If I name drop Kolyat to Thane's very own informant, and get him work. Mr. Romanov and Krios will keep Kelham busy while I get the prep work done." Conrad explained.

"That plan seems like it is based on luck." Helena dismissed.

"It will work, trust me. Now, is the shuttle ready for takeoff?" Conrad asked.

"It is. Now... I have repayed the favor owed to you, I trust you understand." Helena remarked.

"I thank you for your help. I will see you around, Mrs. Blake." Conrad said as he left the room and went for the shuttle. It was time to do some work.

2/8 2185

Citadel.

"Alright, you two ready?" Mads asked to Thane and Garrus. Tali stayed behind on this one, since it was personal for both Thane and Garrus. They would tackle Thane's son first, there could be a timer on that.

They both nodded in agreement. And walked up to the Captain Bailey, who was working on his terminal. He looked up as he heard the three approach. "Captain Romanov. How's it going?" Bailey asked as he leaned back in his seat.

"Pretty good, Bailey. However, we need your help." Mads replied.

"With what?" Bailey asked further.

"My... Partner here is looking for his son. We have reasons to believe he is on the citadel. Could you perhaps do a little bit of magic and figure out if he is still here?" Mads asked.

Bailey sat forward in his seat and put his fingers to the keyboard. "Shouldn't be too hard. Not many Drell come through here." Bailey remarked as he checked the database. "Huh... Interesting."

"What's interesting?" Mads asked.

"A Drell did come through earlier. He was spotted speaking with a local informant named Mouse." Bailey replied as he checked through the file.

"Mouse..." Thane remembered.

"You know him?" Mads turned around and asked.

"Yes... I do." Thane answered.

"People like Mouse usually hook people up with jobs that are... Less than legal. If your son was speaking to him, I'd say he might be in trouble." Bailey remarked.

"You know where he can find him?" Mads asked.

"Should be in the upper wards, usually hangs out at the same place." Bailey replied.

"Thanks for the help Bailey. It means a lot to my partner." Mads said.

"No problem, I hope you find him." Bailey said with a smile.

They went out of the C-sec department and went up to look for this Mouse character. Mads hoped he would be easy to squeeze some information out off, but you never know. After looking for a bit, they found him hanging out by a wall. Mads told Garrus to watch Thane and Mads' Backs as they questioned him a bit.

Mouse nearly jumped three feet in the air when he saw who they were. "Thane? I thought you had retired? Romanov? I thought you were dead." Mouse was in shock, and perhaps that was understandable.

"Circumstances have forced us both here, Mouse. Now, we need information. You recently hired Kolyat, Mr. Krios' son for a job. What was it?" Mads asked.

"I can't say anything." Mouse replied.

"Don't act tough with me, Mouse. I'll beat you here in front of everyone if that gets me the information. Thane would do something even worse." Mads remarked and Thane nodded.

"Look, my employers would kill me if I say anything." Mouse defending himself and took a step back.

"We'll kill if you don't." Mads threated. Thane moved closer to make sure Mouse understood.

"Mouse, you must understand that I need to find my son, and right now you are the only connection I have." Thane spoke.

"Alright look, a man name dropped your son to me. I figured that since he was your son, he might be skilled as well." Mouse said.

"Who name dropped Kolyat?" Mads asked.

"I don't know who it was, but he was from Omega." Mouse replied.

"Who did you contract my son to kill?" Thane asked.

"I don't know who it was. Look, if I say anything, I'm as good as dead." Mouse answered.

"Mouse, I want you to understand the situation. You help us, we help you." Mads said as he placed his hand on Mouse's shoulder.

"...Alright. I don't know who the target is, but it's Elias Kelham who is running the show. That's all I know." Mouse explained.

"Thank you mouse, we'll take it from here. We'll protect you." Mads promised.

"I hope so..." Mouse replied.

They went back down to Bailey, hoping he could help sort it out. Apparently Elias was some bigshot on the citadel now, pretty much running the day-to-day show in the criminal underworld on the station. Mads couldn't understand why Bailey had so much information on him, yet didn't have him locked up. Something seemed fishy, but time was running out. Mads had Bailey get Elias in for questioning.

It didn't take long before Bailey was brought into the interrogation room, and his lawyer was stalled by C-sec officers. No doubt making a scene regarding his client's rights. Garrus stayed out as Mads and Thane prepared to go in.

"How do you want to play it?" Thane asked as they stood right outside the door.

"I have a few ideas to get him to talk. No doubt he'll be a tough nut to crack. Just follow my lead." Mads ordered. Thane nodded in agreement and they both stepped inside and were greeted with the view of Elias strapped into a chair.

"What the hell do you people think you are doing?" Elias asked with an angry tone as he tried to loosen the straps that tied him down.

"I hope you are comfortable, Mr. Kelham." Mads remarked as he paced around Elias.

"You people are unbelievable. Do you have any idea who I am?" Elias asked.

"We got a good idea who you are. Now, you hired a young Drell for a contract kill. Who is the target?" Mads asked calmly as he stopped in front of Elias.

"Go to hell you bastard!" Elias bitterly replied.

Mads took a pause to let out an annoyed sigh. "Are you religious Mr. Kelham?" Mads asked. He didn't answer.

"I am, I have read the bible quite a few times. It is stated, that to walk humbly with God, one must atone for one's sins. Now since I came in here, I have already detected two sins, perhaps even three. Wouldn't you agree?" Mads asked Thane.

"Pride and Greed, and maybe even Wrath." Thane replied.

"Indeed. Now, there are several ways to atone. But the most meaningful, is to carry your sins on you, carved into your skin for the whole galaxy to see, to know you have atoned." Mads explained.

"Fuck you!" Elias spitted in Mads' face. Mads wiped off the spit and reached down to his boot to grab his knife. "Thane, relieve Mr. Kelham of his jacket and shirt." Mads ordered. Thane quickly did as asked. Mads took a moment to show off his knife to Elias.

"Last chance to speak, Mr. Kelham" Mads warned.

"Go fuck yourself." Elias remarked with an angry tone once again.

"Let's start with Pride." Mads suggested and pressed the cold knife against Elias' skin. Slowly, he began to carve the letter P into the skin, he heard Elias winch in pain. It didn't take long, but the chest was full of blood that poured out of the wounds.

"Still not in the mood for a chat?" Mads asked.

"Kiss my ass!" Elias replied.

Mads began working on Greed then, once again cutting out the letters on his skin. He was winching in pain once again. It didn't take long for the letters to be written. Elias' chest was bloody.

"Perhaps we should add wrath as well?" Mads asked Thane.

"Dear God no! I'll tell you! I'LL TELL YOU!" Elias cried out.

"I'm all ears." Mads said as he took the knife away from his skin.

"Joram Talid, alright! It's Joram Talid." Elias broke.

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Mads asked as he cupped Elias' cheek. "Looks like we're done here." Mads said to Thane, who nodded in agreement.

They both walked out and the lawyer entered just as they left, shocked at the scene in there. They could hear him grasp. Mads went over to Bailey and Garrus, Thane followed right behind. "We need find Joram Talid, he is the target." Mads noted.

"I believe he is making a campaign run today, speaking with voters. That's probably where the kid will strike. You better hurry." Bailey said. Mads and Thane both got ready for what would come next.

They made the best sort of plan they could in such a short time frame. Mads would stalk Joram Talid and give Thane updates while he moved on the ground. They hoped to intercept Kolyat and stop him from doing anything dumb. Mads looked over Joram as he walked his round, using his thugs to shake down Humans. Joram was a clear anti-human, but hid behind the promise to rid the citadel of crime and corruption.

Mads kept feeding Thane with updates on what Joram did and where he went. It didn't take long before they realized that Kolyat would probably strike soon before Joram disappeared into his apartment, and then they spotted Kolyat. He was walking up to Joram, but had to look back when he heard his name being called.

"KOYLAT!" Mads called out as he took off after him. Kolyat decided to try his luck and shoot for Jaram. Although unsuccessful. He got the two Krogan bodyguards, who went down pretty quickly. And Kolyat took off after Joram afterwards, hoping to end it.

Mads and Thane both ran as fast as they could after the boy, praying that they would be able to stop him. They gave chase for a while, Joram tried to take refuge in his apartment and await help, although Kolyat seemed to be faster. Mads had to give credit where credit was due, if they hadn't been hot on his trail, Kolyat would have been successful in his mission.

C-sec was on the scene as well, Kolyat used Joram as a hostage. Hoping to use him as a bargaining chip. Kolyat had pressed his gun against the skull of Jaram and made him kneel. To be honest, that was a rookie mistake. He could easily be shot. In fact, the only reason he was still alive, was because Mads had ordered Bailey to stand down and let him and Thane do it.

"Kolyat, drop the gun. It's over!" Mads ordered, still standing in the other side of the room however.

"No way! I'm taking him with me! And we're walking out of here, ALIVE!" Kolyat demanded.

"That's not going to work, Kolyat. We already got several snipers on the rooftops, and armed C-sec standing all over the place. You got a chance here, you better take it." Mads replied.

"And what chance is that? Go to jail for the rest of my life? No thanks!" Kolyat bitterly answered and pressed the gun more firmly against the skull of Joram.

"Kolyat, don't do this. This isn't what your mother would have wanted." Thane jumped in and said.

"How would you know what she would have wanted? You left her to die!" Kolyat replied.

"Kolyat, please! I know I haven't been a good father. But I don't want you to end up like this! Please stand down!" Thane pleaded as best he could.

"Fuck off! My offer still stands, I go now!" Kolyat was growing more angry, and at the same time, more nervous. Mads took a rush decision and quickly pulled out his magnum and fired off a round into the celling of the room. Kolyat was startled by the sound and dropped his gun on the floor.

"Get your sorry ass out of here, Joram. And don't forget it was a human who saved you!" Mads ordered, and Joram was quick to follow said order. "Dipshit" Mads muttered under his breath as the politician was quick to find peace along the many police officers.

"Kolyat." Thane started.

"I'm not forgiving you!" Kolyat cut him off.

"Bailey, please take the Father and son back to the station, let them sort it out." Mads ordered. Bailey nodded and ordered them both back to his skycar.

"You're a prick, you know that right?" Mads asked with a very disappointed tone in his voice.

"Look, I know it seems corrupt and shady, but the deal was great for us both. Elias didn't make too much trouble, and we didn't give him too much trouble." Bailey defended as he sat by his desk.

"Look, I'm going to be mad about it later, I'm not here for that. But that's not real police work in my opinion. Now, do you think they will sort it out?" Mads asked.

"Do you have kids, Captain Romanov?" Bailey asked back. Mads stared at him confused.

"No, I don't." Mads replied.

"I do, and I got the same problem. This is what happens when you grow apart from your child. You become distant, and at some point, you don't even know your children anymore. It's a sad fate, and I doubt that they can resolve it over a few words and some coffee." Bailey explained.

"Damn….. You're probably right. I hope Thane will be okay." Mads remarked, and on cue, Thane came out of the room.

"How did it go?" Mads asked as he placed a hand on Thane's shoulder.

"There is a lot to be done. We have a lot to do." Thane replied.

"That leaves only one thing, what will happen to the kid?" Bailey asked. Mads looked over at Thane, who gave Mads a pleading look.

"Bailey, can we cut some sort of deal here? Give the kid some community service, or make him get an education." Mads tried to reason.

"You do realize he stands accused of attempted murder, right?" Bailey asked.

"Look, I know, but this kid could a bright future. But that's only if you help him here." Mads replied.

"Okay, we'll give him a chance." Bailey agreed.

"Thank you. Truly." Thane said and shook Bailey's hand.

"You're welcome." Bailey replied.

"By the way, Bailey. I think you should be careful. It would seem Conrad Rorke is on the loose again. Didn't he use to make trouble here on the citadel?" Mads asked.

"Oh shit." Bailey muttered "Conrad Rorke is bad news for us all. I'd rather have Elias in charge than that nutjob. There is beef between them. Shit, I need to call Elias and warm him." Bailey quickly opened his terminal and called up Elias.

10 minutes eariler.

Elias' apartment

Elias walked in through the front door after getting out of the hospitals with the new wounds he had. There were a lot of things that needed to be done, like getting revenge and finding the traitor that made it all possible. Elias didn't pay attention when he came into his own apartment and walked over to his desk, only to find it a mess. He stared at it confused until he heard a voice call out for him.

"Mr. Kelham. So good to finally see you again. I took the liberty to look through your files." Conrad said with a smirk as he came out of the shadows.

"You-" Elias choked on his own words as he backed up.

"Yes, me. I have come here for a little visit." Conrad remarked as he took several steps closer to Elias.

"Please, it wasn't personal-" Elias was cut off by a punch in the liver, that made him collapse on the floor.

"That's what they all say. Now… Why are you covered in bandages?" Conrad asked as he flipped Elias over on his stomach and tore off said bandages.

"Come on, Conrad. We can work something out!" Elias pleaded.

"Greed and Pride." Conrad read. "It probably isn't wise for a criminal to carry a confession on his body. Let me help you." Conrad said as he pulled out a knife.

"No please!" Elias begged before screamed out in pain as Conrad removed the skin with the scars.

"There!" Conrad proclaimed as he pulled off the large piece of skin. Elias winched in pain under him.

It was then that Elias' terminal fired up with a call from C-sec. Conrad looked at the terminal curiously as he went over and opened the message. It was Captain Bailey.

"Elias! I need to warm you! I was just informed that Conrad Rorke is on the loose, you need to be careful!" Bailey said.

"I'm afraid Mr. Kelham can't answer your call right now, Bailey. He is... unable to speak at the moment. And I don't think you need to call him back, you won't be able to answer it." Conrad remarked with a smug face.

"Conrad... I should have known you would be back so soon." Bailey bitterly replied.

"You know me so well. Give my best regards to Romanov. And please do send a cleanup crew to Mr. Kelham's apartment." Conrad said as he closed the call.

"Now, where were we?" Conrad asked with a evil smile.