Boots ankle deep in snow, too tight to be his old boots. A landscape that could only be described as beauty meets doom. His eyes on the horizon. A raspy breath leaves his throat; he stands and watches with binoculars in hand. Looking for... Something of notice.

His face feels hot, burning even, though the temperature must be at least -5 degrees Celsius. His head is wrapped in something, yet he can't make it out. He is almost frozen in place, still looking for that special something. The uniform is an interesting case as well. It feels foreign, yet oddly familiar.

Then, as he looks towards the old ruined highway, he feels something. Subtle at first, but the feeling keeps growing. He NEEDS to be somewhere, and he can't waste any time what so ever. His head snaps to the side with a speed of lighting. There, a black car with a homey feel stands ready. He hurries, packs all his stuff in record time and throws it in the car.

He can't waste any time! He is quickly in the driver seat, not bothering with the belt as he turns the key in the ignition and hears the roar of an engine coming to life. Black smoke blows out of the side pipes and the smell of gasoline in the air fills his noose. He shifts into first gear and allows it to make some noise.

He needs to be SOMEWHERE!

12/8 2185

Aeia

"You did this." Mads pointed a finger at the old graying man. The man used to be Jacob's father. "You let it all happen."

"Please... I got contacts in the alliance. I can give you whatever you want!" The old man pleaded.

"I thought you were my father. My earliest moral compass. A loving and caring one. But this? This paints a whole new picture." Jacob letting anger get to him, after spending most of the day hearing what his father had done.

Jacob had come to Mads a few days earlier with this request to find closure, turns out he would get more than that.

"Jacob... Please, this was not how it was supposed to turn out." Ronald Taylor tried to defend, yet it was fruitless.

"How was it supposed to turn out? Weren't your subjects loyal enough?" Jacob asked with a furious voice as he took a few steps forward. Forcing his father to take steps back.

"Please Jacob! I wasn't ready for the position as captain! Everything fell apart. I didn't want it to turn out this way." Ronald kept up his excuses.

"Perhaps I should just end you?" Jacob pulled out his pistol and pressed against the forehead of his father. "A lot of people would get closure that way!" Jacob was ready to burst, ready to paint the ground red with the blood of his own father.

The old man almost began to sob as he realized all he had done. Too little, too late. Mads however, had to stop Jacob from doing something he might regret.

"He's not worth the bullet, Jacob. Let the alliance have their way with him. These people need help." Mads said, referring of course to all the helpless crewmembers who were close to retards at this point.

Jacob had a long discussion with himself inside his head. His gun never left the forehead of his father. He was ready to kill, but, in his mind he found that Mads was right. Let his father rot in prison and face the music of his actions. This is usually what happens when you try the crown on for size.

"I hope you will learn from this, father. As you sit and watch your bones become weaker inside Jail." Jacob said, before turning away.

"I trust this is the last time we see each other Mr. Taylor. Enjoy your time." Mads said before leaving. Ronald fell to his knees begging for mercy as the subjects of the camp began to approach him.

Only thing he could hope for was that the crewmembers didn't kill him before the Alliance showed up.

12/8 2185

Omega.

"It's a new day for the galaxy!" Rorke raised his glass to his gang. They all cheered at him as they raised theirs as well. "No longer is the dumb and unable running the show. Today, we own it all!" Rorke had always had a way with words that spoke to whomever he preached to. That's how he escaped so lightly from the alliance court.

"Gentlemen, today starts an era for Rorke incorporated. We're going to make so much fucking money, it will make the Asari economy look like a child's piggy bank." Rorke spoke with passion. They all cheered at that. Of course they all loved money. Let 'em have it. Money really was everything in this galaxy.

"To us! The masters of the galaxy!" Rorke then procced to drown the contents of the glass down this throat. It felt good to be back in power, even though there still was a lot to be done. The crowd began to disappear as they went out to do the work they were required to do.

That left him with a little free time before he had to start more work. He had been working nonstop since killing that snake on the citadel. Now, he needed a little company. And he knew just who as well.

Omega had always been a place where rumors started. The newest one had grabbed his attention. Talk were of something called an Ardat-Yakshi, a legend along Asari literature and tradition. A closely guarded secret. One of them was here, on Omega, at least, so was the rumor. They were hunters, killed all their sexual partners.

Normally, Aria wouldn't bother to follow up on this. Omega was a hub to many dangerous people, an Ardat-Yakshi was just one of them. But, this Ardat-Yakshi seemed to have taken a special interest in Rorke, if the rumors were to be believed. And if Aria was anything, she was protective of what was hers.

14/8 2185

Omega

It came as a shock to see Romanov once again standing in her office. Yabbing about this Ardat-Yakshi and where he could find some Intel. She was quick to give that Intel. She never had a problem with outsourcing her problems, especially when all she had to do, was point him in the right direction.

What better candidate to take care of the problem than the famous Captain Romanov? Mads thought it was weird how easy it was to get the information out of Aria, but he wouldn't argue against it. He needed Samara focused on the collector mission, so finding and killing her daughter was needed.

Finding the place the mother lived was easy, though it was hard getting in. Mads knocked and rang the bell several times. Finally, a women opened up. The tear lines down her cheek were still very much visible. This was the place. No doubt about it.

"Miss? I understand you recently lost your daughter?" Mads asked. She broke into tears once again. Mads sighed at himself for being so blunt about it.

"... Yes." She replied with a very weak voice, probably from all the crying. A thought creeped into Mads' head at that moment, was this how his parents had it when he 'died'.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. I know a strangers sympathy doesn't count for much... We hope to catch the one who killed your daughter." Mads explained.

Her eyes lit up at that moment. "... You are the first ones to actually believe she was murdered. Thank you."

Did anyone else doubt her? What a terrible fate a mother could endure, especially after the death of her child. "Can you tell us about her?" Mads asked.

And she did. She told them how sweet her daughter was, how she couldn't understand this happened. Her eyes wished for justice to be served, but she couldn't tell who killed her daughter, only that her daughter seemed to have been filled with happiness up to her death.

The daughter seemed to be an artist, her name was Nef. Mads asked for permission to search her room, and the mom agreed after a little while. Everything was as Nef had left it. Samara came up beside Mads to check it all. There were many details in the room that could be used later. Mads made a mental note of it all, before going on to the terminal.

The terminal told them all they needed. Where they could find her, and how they should approach her. This was becoming a hunt, and the hunter was slowly becoming the hunted without her ever realizing it. A sweet taste crossed Mads' lounge as he realized that justice might actually be served on Omega for once. Not counting Garrus' killing spree of course.

Afterlife had a special V.I.P section, reserved for only a select few. You needed to know the right people, and Nef had given them the information they needed to get the job done. Samara pulled Mads to the side before he went in.

"You must do this alone. I can't be seen, or she will flee." Samara said.

"I know. Let's just hope I don't end up like a damn vegetable." Mads remarked.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you. Get her attention, put on your tough guy act. Draw from your knowledge of her, get her trust. I will watch over you both. When the time is right, I will strike and end it." Samara promised.

"Okay, sounds like a plan if there ever was one." Mads got into something that fitted a party more. To get the tough guy part going, he did something he never thought he would do. He removed his gloves in public.

The tattoos stood out in the light of the club, it should be an eye catcher. Now it was time for fully getting the attention of the rouge hunter. Mads quickly gained an overview of the club, saw the people within and made some sort of plan.

First, he broke up a possible fight between a dancer and a patron... By breaking the patron's wrist. Next, it was dancing with an Asari who seemed to have the time of her life. Mads even took a moment to enjoy himself, it had been too long since he was last in a nightclub. Then, it he ordered drinks for everyone. Never had that bar heard so much cheering.

All these actions within a short timeframe of each other did the trick. It wasn't long before an Asari spoke to him from the shadows. Even in the dark, he could see the facial features looked like Samara's. There was no doubt about it. He had found his prey, not it was time to finish the hunt.

They sat down and talked over a drink. Mads played the role almost too well, everything that went out of his mouth was shallowed by Morinth. He said the right things at the right times, and it was clear Morinth was interested. Mads even caught her eyeing his finger tattoos. And studying the rest of him. It was clear what she wanted to do.

It didn't take long before Mads was invited to her apartment. And from that moment, Mads had her right in his sights, ready to pull the damn trigger. He followed her, and she was completely dense to what he actually wanted to do.

Mads caught Samara sneaking after them, she had a good eye on him. Made sure he was alright. Morinth's apartment was huge; it had so many things in it. Mads still put on his play for her, showing himself as clueless to what she wished to do as she spoke of the many trophies she had gained over the years.

Finally, he sat down beside her on the leather couch. She moved in closer to him, no doubt thinking about her own pleasure.

"Many people crave safety, to know nothing evil is lurking. What about you, Romanov? Do you care for safety? Is that what you want?" Morinth asked.

Mads laughed. "Only the weak pride themselves in safety. I have no use for it." Mads remarked.

"Interesting answer. I think you are like me, Romanov. Strength over weakness." Morinth replied.

"Maybe there are a few traits we share, but we are far from the same." Morinth's face changed in a matter of seconds. This wasn't the answer she was used to. People normally gave in quickly.

Morinth grew angry, and she tried the best trick in her book. Making people look into her eyes and fall for them, do anything for them.

"Say you will do everything I ask." Morinth demanded.

"Fuck no." Mads replied in an instant. Keeping himself intact. However, Morinth knew something was up now. She jumped out of Mads' lap and quickly scanned the apartment for the one person she knew was coming.

And Samara did come in, and there was fury in both of their eyes. Both wanted the other dead. It was only natural that it went into a fight. Morinth had been on the run for 400 years, Samara had hunted her for 400 years.

But now, it was time to choose. Morinth promised the same capabilities as her mother. But, she was too dangerous to be kept alive. Mads knew what he had to do. He took out the knife that had been so carefully concealed in his boots and was quick to grab Morinth and pull her head back, exposing her throat.

"Sorry sweetheart, but you are a liability. Can't have you running around." And with that, the cold steel of the knife dug into his exposed flesh, blood pouring out as he let go. She fell to the ground, trying to cling to a life that was rapidly fading away.

"Find peace in whatever god you believe in." Mads remarked as she took her final breath. Samara looked confused, lost even. She had expected to be the one to take the life of her daughter, But in front of her was Captain Romanov, knife still dripping with blood in his hand, looking back at her.

"Had to be done." Mads remarked as he used a towel from one of the tables to clean the knife.

"Yes, such is life. It's just... Strange. Seeing your daughter dead on the ground." Samara said in a surprising sad tone Mads hadn't heard her use before.

"I understand that." Mads placed a hand on her shoulder to give her some small sense of comfort. "Let's get back to the Normandy, shall we?" Mads suggested. She nodded in agreement.

18/8 2185

Pragia

And then there was only one left. Jack. Mads hadn't actually spoken with her all that much, but she didn't seem like the type who enjoyed lengthy conversations. Mads had kept his part of the deal, she had gotten her access. She had poked around in the Cerberus file database and found something that caught her interest.

Pragia was the name. A Cerberus facility reclaimed by nature. Overgrown in plants. No doubt it had been forgotten about a long time ago. Jack told the sob story, how they used her. Molded her into what she is today. Experiments on kids is wrong on every level. No matter how you twist or turn it.

That's at least one of the few moral standpoints Mads has left. However, Jack had also told him the plan. Go in, and blow the place to smithereens. If that was the price of her loyalty, blowing up some place on a random planet that has long since been forgotten to time, then Mads saw no problem in it.

Small clues started popping up. Clues that began to paint a different picture. All of a sudden, Jack began to have an existential crisis. Not knowing what is true or false tends to do that. She remembered everything differently than how it actually was. All of this would have been fascinating to study in further detail.

That was of course until they ran into the blood pack. A Krogan shouting orders with a tone that could only be described as pissed at the whole situation.

"Hey Fellas!" Mads yelled to get their attention. Might as well get it over with. They all raised their gun at him.

The Krogan radioed to someone, seems like he wasn't in command after all. "May we fucking kill them already?..." Mads couldn't make out what the other side told him. "Everything you have said so far has been bullshit. These pups better have something worthwhile, or it's your skin next time." The Krogan dropped the radio on the floor.

And then, on cue, the fight began. Mads quickly took cover behind a pillar. Garrus tried to find some sort of vantage point to get a better sniping angle. Jack, however, went fucking ballistic. She had been building up fury ever since they came here. Now, she wanted nothing but to paint the walls red with blood.

The way she ripped the Krogan apart was gruesome. The fury in her eyes was unmistaken as she continued her rampage through all the soldiers. Mads and Garrus had long since stopped firing and just observed her.

"200 credits she finishes of that merc with a biotic kick." Garrus said as they both eyed the destruction in progess.

"You're fucking on." Mads shook his hand.

It didn't take long, and for once in his goddamn life, Garrus was actually right. "Pay up." Garrus said.

"You can get them alongside your next stack of paperwork that needs to be filled out." Mads replied.

"Don't tell me you are greedy. Isn't that a sin?" Garrus asked.

"Fucking fine." Mads remarked as he transferred the money. "Happy now?" Garrus nodded like a fucking idiot.

Jack stormed into her old room. There, the man on the radio was. "Who the hell are you?" Jack asked. The man arose from his sitting position on the floor.

"I doubt you remember me, Jack. It's been so long." He said as he loomed in closer. Jack pulled out her gun and pointed it at him.

"Fucking stay back!" She ordered. The trigger was so close to fire, her hand squeezing it for all it's worth.

"You weren't the only one Cerberus wronged. There were a lot of us. We were being used, so that they could perfect you!" The man said.

"Bullshit!" Jack attempted to sound firm, and tough. But, in a subtle way, it backstabbed her.

"You know it's true. You were special, we weren't. Everything they did was for you. Everyone they killed was to make sure that it didn't happen to you. Face it Jack." The man took another bold step forward.

"You don't know shit!" Her voice broke towards the end. She realized the truth. Mads sighed, why did it always have to be so fucking difficult. Mads went in between them and lowered her gun.

"What do you want to do?" Mads asked.

"I want to blow this place sky fucking high." She answered.

"And him?" Mads gestured towards the shell of a man who had taken refugee here.

"Please, let me stay here. This is where I belong." He pleaded.

"... FUCK! I don't know!" Jack was frustrated as she paced around in circles.

"Get out of here, and you better run fucking fast." Mads ordered to the man. Who finally seemed to grasp the situation. He went out in a hurry. Mads and Garrus began to arm the bomb that would be a full stop to the past of Jack. Expect it would never be that. That's the way things are.

On the way back, she played with the detonator. Probably thought of it as an eraser that would clear everything up. When they were out of range, she pressed the button. A long explosion was heard as they flew back towards the Normandy.

18/8 2185

Captain's quarters.

"That's was the last one." Mads remarked as he threw himself on the bed. He let out a loud sigh as his head touched the pillow.

"What now?" Tali asked as she snuggled up beside him. Mads pulled her into his arms, and let her head rest on his chest. He silently wished she didn't have to wear that helmet all the time, it did kind of hurt on his chest.

"We fly back to the citadel and get the last upgrades installed. And I'm going to take you out to get something to eat." He smiled. She looked up at him.

"I would like that. A real date" She said.

"I knew you would." Mads' thumb traced circles around her shoulder blade, and Tali realized there was no other place in the galaxy she would rather be, than with Mads at her side.

"After that..." Mads said after a little while with silence. "We're going to go get the reaper IFF. That should be a field trip." Mads remarked with a sarcastic tone.

"We'll get through it, as long as we have you." Tali replied.

"Did I ever tell you I love you?" Mads asked.

"Only a few times." Tali giggled.

"I really love you Tali'Zorah." Mads smiled, and with that, they went to sleep.